D. Studies at the host university
1. In which department did you study?
There are basically two departments, psychology and business. I studied business, of course. But there were also fellow students who also took a psychology course alongside business courses.
2. How did you choose your courses (online, on-site, “course crashing”, etc.)?
I selected the courses in advance using forms with MicroEDU. For many subjects, unfortunately, you are not “approved” because you seem to have too little prior knowledge. With the help of the EUFH, however, I received a course certificate that helped me to take a desired course on site.
3. Which courses did you take? Would you recommend them to others? How many students did a course consist of?
My courses:
- Strategic Entrepreneurship: not recommended
- Business, Society and Environment in the Tropics: conditionally recommendable (I thought you learned something about the economic aspects of the region here, but it was a basic business administration course)
- Financial Management: recommended
- International Business: Recommended
The subjects are divided into lectures and tutorials. There are often 50-100 students in the lectures, while the tutorials do not have more than 20-30 students.
4. Did you study in a fixed program for international students or together with local students?
The courses are always with locals. In every subject there is always group work in which the lecturers are asked to do a mixed job.
Note: 50% of the grades mostly come from this group work In addition, the courses are technically easy to manage, only the workload was high and the assessment was quite strict.
Attendance at the JCU is also compulsory. It is threatened that if the absence persists, the visa will be withdrawn. However, this has never happened before and is probably only used in extreme cases. In addition, you can provide a Leave of Absence once per semester, so that you are given a week off during the semester. There is also a week-long midterm break in between. After all, you are also on site to study!
5. How high do you estimate the proportion of foreign students at your host university?
20%
6. Was it easy to get in touch with local students?
The group work definitely makes it easy to come into contact with local students. However, the Chinese in particular are often very cautious.
7. In which language were the courses held?
English
8. How were you looked after on site by the host university?
The host university has a number of different offices that can help you at any time, even if this often only works when you ask several questions.
E. Everyday life and leisure
1. Were there student groups (LEI, ESN etc.) who offered events / parties / excursions / language tandem for international students? If so, did you visit them?
There was a so-called Student Council, which is comparable to our student parliament. This has hosted some parties as well as other events. The events were always different and it was always fun to take part! Here, too, you came into contact with locals.
2. Were there student groups for sport, music, culture, etc. at the university?
Yes some
3. Subject “Transport”: Was a semester ticket offered? Did you use public transport or do you need a car?
Unfortunately there is no semester ticket, but the public transport network is very well developed! The JCU gives you an MRT card that can be topped up at all stops. This can be used for both buses and trams. There are barriers or scanners in the bus for this, in which you have to stamp in and out. Even taking a taxi isn’t too expensive if you share it. From around 12 o’clock at night there are no more buses and trains and you have to rely on a taxi. However, there is also a night surcharge of up to 50%.
Better not to think about owning your own car, it is way too expensive! By the way, a fellow student bought a bike for a cheap 30 SGD!
4. What “insider tips” do you have for your successors? What should you definitely see, visit or not miss?
The most beautiful corners of Singapore are mostly discovered on foot. Here I recommend simply walking towards Marina Bay from the height of Orchard Road. Here you should just let yourself drift and collect impressions of the city. You walk through old colonial buildings to the most modern high-rise buildings in downtown. Of course, the Marina Bay Area is the most impressive, especially at night!
Another recommendation is the Marina Barrage. From here you have a sensational view over the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the entire skyline. You should also have a sundowner at the One Altitude bar. This is the world’s highest free-standing bar, from which one also has a sensational view.
I was also lucky enough to be in Singapore over the Chinese New Year. This is the only opportunity of the year to visit the President’s house.
I was also at the ZoukOut Festival, the largest electronic festival in Asia with numerous star DJs. Partying right on the beach on Sentosa Island until sunrise was unique.
Furthermore, cinema in Singapore is always interesting because the sound systems there give you the feeling of being more in the action. There is even an IMAX cinema on the main shopping street, Orchard Road. Finally, of course, sushi should also be eaten, a must in my opinion!
F. Other Notes
Singapore naturally invites you to travel due to its central location in Southeast Asia. The surrounding countries are also much cheaper. I also used this and visited some countries, including Indonesia (on the one hand in Sumatra, here jungle tracking is highly recommended; on the other hand, of course, Bali to visit the EUFH colleagues!), Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong. If you are even more interested in where you can travel anywhere, everything can be tracked here again: goingfareast.myblog.de
G. Overall conclusion
1. Personal impressions / evaluation of the study visit:
In my opinion, Singapore is a super interesting and liveable city that I would like to stay longer in. It’s a good compromise between western standards and the Asian way of life that one can experience.
- Learn more information about the country of Singapore and continent of Asia on rctoysadvice.
2. Would you recommend staying at your host university to EUFH students?
I would choose Singapore again and again, so an unreserved recommendation. If you don’t want to be completely lazy during the semester abroad, Singapore will reward you with unforgettable impressions!
