Incredible, Amazing, Life Changing. Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/06/2016 with
National University of Singapore: Singapore - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Going to Singapore was one of the best things I have ever done. I learned so much about the world, the way I as a white american fit into it, the way I can make connections with people who live half way across the world from me through a love of food, fun and kindness. I learned if I push myself the gains can be unmeasurable.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were very challenging but I learned a lot. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international student office never really reached out to me |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My house, College of Alice and Peter Tan, was the most incredible wonderful place to live. The living arrangement itself was a normal dorm style, but the community CAPT creates is fantastic and the people were some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My Singaporean friends were so wonderful and kind, I feel lucky just to have known them. They completely made Singapore the incredible experience it was for me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The health insurance i was forced to pay for didn't actually cover all that much, and it was a big process to get reimbursed for a blood test I had done. |
| * Safety: |
I have never felt so safe in all my life. Singapore is so wonderfully safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Singapore was the most perfect place for me, I could not have asked for more amazing people, food, education, and city. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Singapore food and transportation is very cheap. I would tie it five for sure. that is not including housing however. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I traveled a lot and tried local food outside the dining hall every day, so i spent a good amount of money. This does not have to be true for everyone. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you want to travel, book tickets far in advance. Create a bank account in Singapore or use a bank that doesn't charge you to withdraw money internationally, those withdraw fees end up being a big hit by the end. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Only if you count Singlish as a foreign language, and some might. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish someone told me how hard it would be to leave, I should had realized but man leaving was very hard. I also wish I had gotten to know local students even earlier, the exchange student bubble is not a place for learning and pushing yourself, I wish I had met my local friends even earlier on. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
