Things to know before studying in Singapore

Things to know before studying in Singapore - In recent years, Singapore has developed into a versatile education center that gives students a sense of security and comfort. The city is a fusion of many different cultures, cuisines, arts, architectural styles, and a technologically advanced way of life. In addition to over 16 renowned international university chapters, the region is home to many top public and private universities. Moreover, studying in Singapore in 2023 offers an affordable option for students wishing to study abroad compared to other countries such as the US and UK, where tuition fees are much higher. International students who wish to study in Singapore must know certain things before they plan to study here. Read this article to know more.

Things to know before studying in Singapore-Key points

Learn about the country: One proven way to is to read as much you can about that place, like its social etiquettes and the laws governing them. Here are some dos and don’ts when you are studying in Singapore that you need to follow to stay out of trouble.

• Say no to chewing gum: Unlike in many countries, where chewing gum is almost ubiquitous and can be found in the most inappropriate of places, it is banned in Singapore. Carrying it or disposing it improperly carries a fine even for first time offenders.

• Litter at your own risk! Singapore doesn’t treat litterbugs with kid gloves, as first time offenders are imposed a fine for throwing items like cigarette butts or candy wrappers. For bigger items like drink cans or bottles, you may, in fact, have to appear before a court.

• Treat the ‘Flash sign’ literally, not symbolically: Using the toilet and not flashing it is simply considered unacceptable behavior and may invite hefty fines. And don’t even think of urinating in elevators, as they are equipped with urine detection devices and can invite serious trouble for you.

• Smoking in public areas is an offence: If you can’t give up the habit, at least find a private area. Otherwise, be prepared to pay a fine.

• Use pedestrian crossing: Crossing a road or street unlawfully carries a fine too or you have to spend some time in jail. So better follow the rules!

Singapore is a poet’s muse: If you want a rendezvous with the future and the unexpected, better have a date with Singapore. Skyscrapers that almost kiss the sky, metro stations that shout out for attention, parks that defy every convention, a case in point being the stunning Gardens by the Bay, it is a never ending parade of amazing creation that will put you in a trance you will pray it never ends. Also, despite having its fair share of concrete buildings, at no point it looks ugly, as a magical harmony exists among the many elements binding them together to create music that soothes the soul and feeds the intellect. And giving away how the world would look like in the future is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which features an astonishing 340m-long platform, known as the SkyPark, at the top of and connecting its three towers.

Get yourself an insurance cover: Universities in Singapore insist that you buy an insurance cover for the period of your study. National University of Singapore (NUS), for instance, has its own mandatory insurance plan, and students aren’t allowed to opt out, with the fee being included under the Mandatory Miscellaneous section. One reason for making insurance cover compulsory is medical costs is very high in Singapore and unless a student has insurance cover, he is going to face an uphill task making the financial arrangements.

While insurance fee isn’t much, as compared to tuition fees, students are advised to include it when calculating cost of studying in Singapore, as it helps to keep your financial transactions under control.

Things to know before studying in Singapore- Student life

Accommodation: A big headache a student may face when applying to study in Singapore is related to accommodation options for international students. After all, Singapore is the second-costliest academic destination in the world after Australia, and missing out on the much-coveted on-campus accommodation can spell trouble. The underlying point is, comparing item for item, and facility for facility, on-campus accommodation is cheaper and better than off-campus accommodation. Even if it is not, there is at least guarantee of a certain degree of quality and safety in an on-campus accommodation which isn’t exactly the case with off-campus accommodation.

In NUS, students are allotted on-campus accommodations on the basis of pre-University Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) and availability. So, students in the lower tier might miss out and have to opt for off-campus accommodation. Generally, universities inform students about the seat allotment before they arrive in Singapore, so you have sufficient time to search for off-campus accommodation, if the situation demands.

Food habits: If you are foodie, you are going to have the time of your life while studying in Singapore, because the food scene is as colorful as it gets. To begin with, almost around every block you will find street food with flavors imported from China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia, creating an eclectic combination that would wake up the gourmet in you. While many are skeptical about street food, you needn’t worry because Singapore is easily one of the cleanest, most hygienic and sterile country in the world. Also, it is not only street food, as there are fine restaurants where you can bite into your favorite burger or specially flavored pizza.

Tamil is one of the four official languages of Singapore: It has to be one of important things to know before studying in Singapore, as now you are also going to be a part of the Indian diaspora. The official status, among other things, signifies that there is a sizable Indian population in the city, which you will find comforting in a foreign land. Learn a smattering of Tamil, if that is all you can manage, and chances are you will be welcomed with open arms by the largely Tamil Indian diaspora!

Apart from Tamil, the other official language is English, which means you aren’t likely to get into trouble like in countries like Germany and China, where English isn’t the lingua franca.

Try the scholarship route

What are you going to do now that you know Singapore is the second costliest study-abroad destination? Sit idle and do nothing, or try to find a way to wriggle out of the financial difficulty. If you opt for the second option, you are not going to be disappointed as there are a number of scholarships options for international students studying in Singapore. Among the popular scholarships include the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), which is sponsored by leading organizations and universities, including NUS and A*STAR. In addition to scholarships, students are also encouraged to pursue tuition grants, the Tuition Grant Scheme (TGS), while studying in Singapore. A unique scheme, it is supported by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, and offers subsidies to students enrolled in full-time diploma or undergraduate courses in a few select universities. Students in return have to sign a bond that they will stay back and work in the country for at least 3 years.

Ripe with places of tourist interest: Cross a street in Singapore, and it is likely you will stumble upon a tourist hotspot. It is because it isn’t your typical sleepy country, where you travel miles and days before arriving at a tourist hotspot. Instead you will find something to imbibe at every hundred yards, like in the form of the Orchard Road, the city’s bustling shopping destination frequented by shoppers of all hues and colors. Orchard features groundbreaking design and is outfitted with underground tunnels that make approaching and leaving the mall a breeze. Other popular tourist attractions include Chinatowns, which are kind of enclaves inhabited by the Chinese community. Filled with trendy shops, you can find shops selling souvenir Buddhas and tea sets, which can serve as pleasant reminders of your days and study in Singapore once you return home.

Also read

• Work after study in Singapore
• Top universities in Singapore

• Singapore student visa