Studying in Singapore: What You Need to Know about Living in Singapore

Studying in Singapore: What You Need to Know about Living in Singapore


Posted at: 19 Dec 2020
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Studying abroad is more than just about studying, students who plan to pursue their degree in Singapore will need to adapt themselves to the living environment there and it can be a great opportunity to experience various new things. 

Here is some information about life in Singapore to help students get a general idea and plan ahead about life in Singapore.  

Accommodation  

Your accommodation here will be your second home. It is an advantage to choose a suitable one because you will spend most of your time abroad there. Students are strongly encouraged to arrange their accommodation prior to their arrival. Generally speaking, there are three options of accommodations that Cambodian students choose during their study in Singapore  

On-campus dormitory: It is the most common and usually the most convenient option. Living on campus also helps students to quickly immerse themselves in university life and to make friends with other students. Depending on the university, the on-campus accommodation can divide into Residence Hall or Residence College along with many activities clubs or interest groups. It also depends on the university and the type of on-campus you are choosing. Living on campus is certainly an advantage if you want to maximize your participation in the university as more sports or other activities are conducted after class or late at night.    

Off-campus housing: Students can also choose to stay off-campus and rent an apartment or room alone or shared with another roommateThe renting cost differs depending on the location and the type of house or room. The common options include the student hostel which usually located near the university; the Housing Development Board (HDB) house which is the government-subsidized public housing accommodation for Singaporeans that is also available for rent; or the private accommodation such as apartments or condos. Students who prefer these options should also consider the time and expense of traveling to university when staying off-campus.  

Home-stays: Some households in Singapore also open up their homes for international students. This can also be one of the options to experience local people's daily life.   

Food 

Singaporean loves foods and you can always find food court almost everywhere in Singapore with much delicious and variety of cuisines. Singapore is certainly one of the food obsessive’s paradise. Besides the high-class restaurants, under the urban planning of the Singaporean governments and the local culture, there is always a food court at every HDB blocs. These food courts or famously known as hawker centers offer mainly Chinese foods, Malay foods, and Indian foods. Moreover, each food court is regularly rated and tested for its hygiene and tastes. The recommendations for the must-try foods in Singapore are the Hainan’s Chicken Rice, Nasi LemakLaksa, and last but not least the local authentic breakfast, the Kaya Toast with eggs.  

Language 

English is one of the official languages and the everyday language of communication. As long as you know English, you should be good to go for living in Singapore. All the signs and instructions are written and announced in English. Except for some elderly who cannot speak English, in general, they can also understand English. Classes are also conducted in English as the medium of instruction. Nevertheless, when living in Singapore, you might encounter some local slang that is the combination of the Chinese language and so on. You will also get to experience the “Singlish”. Be opened and you should be able to understand those slang eventually.   

Transportation  

Cambodian students who plan to study in Singapore must be wondering how to get around in Singapore. The public transportation system in Singapore is incredibly clean and efficient and is able to get you to almost every part of this city-state. Besides the privately owned transportation, depending on where you want to go, you may choose different available transportation as followed.  

Bus: For travel within cities, and short-distance travel between towns and cities, busses are the most popular, affordable, and convenient way to get around. It is also one of the most scenic as you can stay on the air-conditioned comfortable bus and enjoy, the lush greenery and beautiful architecture of our ‘city in a garden’. The bus can be paid with coins or the EZ-link cards that can be purchase at every MRT station and store balance for your ride or any bank cards.  

Train or MRT: Singapore’s MRT or Mass Rapid Transit system is the fastest and very cheap way to get around the city. The stations and the train are extremely clean and comfortable. You can also access the Wi-Fi connection at the station. However, you should keep in mind that no eating or drinking is not allowed, and can be fined up to a thousand dollars. You can purchase the tickets or use the EZ-link card for your rides.  

Metered taxi: There is plenty of taxi in Singapore, but you should make sure the driver put the meter on when choosing to get on one.   

Grab: You should not forget about Grab, a company that is based in Singapore. It is also a great option for traveling around especially if you have much luggage to carry.  

Law and Regulation  

Singapore is a country with strict laws and regulations. You should pay attention to the signs and instructions carefully. Many behavior and actions in public can be heavily fine such as smoking cigarettes in undesignated places, eating or drinking on public transportation, and so on. Singapore also has capital punishment for certain crime such as drugs.  

What Should You Get from the Article? 

Cambodian parents and students can now get the general picture of life in Singapore for a student who plans to pursue their education in Singapore. The article provided the complete guide to life in Singapore including information about the types of accommodation, food, language, transportation, payment system, internet, and also the major public holiday.  

Preparation for overseas education is complicated but it should not be a problem. Cambodian students and parents who wish to study abroad can always contact us WEduAbroad, the local consultancy for study abroad for free consultations about studying abroad at the 9th Floor, B-Ray Tower, Preah Norodom Blvd, TonleBassak Commune, Chamkamorn District, Phnom Penh (map here) or contact us via phone call (855) 17 548 354 or (855) 81 63 63 60. You can also visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WEduAbroad/ to take a quick look at what we have been doing so far.  

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