Jeff Ehorn: National University of Singapore - Singapore

When I look back on my six months in Singapore, it all seems like a distant memory.  But the experiences I had during that time were unforgettable. 

I first learned of the National University of Singapore (NUS) exchange program through one of the information nights the Engineering International Programs Office put together.  I knew that I wanted to study abroad somewhere, but wasn’t sure where.  I contemplated Europe, Australia, and while they were excellent options, I really wanted something completely different from US culture.  I decided to pursue something in Asia, and Singapore seemed like the best fit.  Not being fluent in a second language wasn’t an issue in Singapore – everyone speaks and writes in English, which made getting around much easier.

NUS is one of three major universities on the island and is renowned as one of the top twenty universities in the world, and one of the top ten in the world for Engineering and IT.  Not only were the classroom and lab facilities top notch, but the campus was beautiful as well.  The buildings were terraced into the hills, with lush grass, foliage, and of course palm trees as far as the eye could see. 

One of the highlights of Singapore was the amazing variety of food.  The mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures each had a distinct influence on the cuisine.  From fantastic street vendor food to upscale five-star hotel cuisine and everything in between, Singapore had it all.  Don’t be surprised if someone greets you by asking “Have you eaten,” instead of “How are you!”

Getting around Singapore was incredibly easy.  There was a large bus network, a fantastic MRT (train), and plenty of taxis.  To get from one end of the island to the other it would cost about US$1.10 on the MRT.  Not only was travel within S’Pore easy, but also travel around Southeast Asia.  Singapore’s fantastic Changi Airport offers flights to just about anywhere in the world.  You can usually get really good deals on flights to neighboring countries.  I was able to take long weekend trips during the semester to Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.  We also had a mid-semester break, so I spent a week relaxing in Bali, Indonesia. 

Everyone I interacted with both in Singapore and while traveling were some of the friendliest I have ever met.  They were all eager to get to know me, learn about my culture, as well as share details about theirs.  Since this was an exchange program, I paid my normal ISU tuition, and the room and board fees to NUS.  The cost of on-campus housing was significantly less than at ISU, so after factoring in airfare and other fees, it was about the same price as a semester at Iowa State.  I simply could not say “no” to this!

Embarking on this journey was a decision that I will always look back upon with pride.  If you are thinking about pursuing an international experience in Asia, I would definitely recommend Singapore!  Please do talk with the staff in both the Engineering International Programs & Services Office as well as the Study Abroad Office for further information.  It will never be easier or cheaper to spend this amount of time in a foreign country than while you are in college – don’t pass up this opportunity!