Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

In Asia, For Asia -- a unique East meets West take in Singapore Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/10/2020 to 12/05/2020 with

Yale-NUS College: Singapore - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Unique east-meets-west take on liberal arts

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academic rigour in class was there, but overall student experience was hampered by community restrictions (limited clubs running) due to the pandemic (which is understandable).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administrators were really supportive and prompt in sorting out any admin issues!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Not applicable; did not stay on campus (lived with family).

* Food:

Yale-NUS was nice enough to offer a daily meal tap for non-commuters, which helped in grabbing a meal with other students (who were on the compulsory meal plans) after class etc.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As I wasn't living on campus, it was difficult to participate in a lot of the late-night school activities. Still, I'm sure this is an exception due to the pandemic.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Not applicable, did not have to use any services. But it was helpful to have the University Health Centre located about 2 bus stops away (still within the larger NUS campus)

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Personally, the program was not a best fit for myself (since I'm a Singaporean) -- I took it up because it seemed like the best choice given the circumstance (did not want to fly back to the US during a pandemic). But if I were an American/non-Singaporean and if this were during non-pandemic circumstances, I think I would have found the experience worthwhile.

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Very diverse international student population even in their full-time students (~40%)
  • Strong housing community (during non-COVID times)
  • Great and supportive professors
* What could be improved?
  • More checkins and/or social events for the exchange students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? On-campus housing plays a huge part in the Yale-NUS social life, so please elect to stay on campus!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!