As one of the four Asian Tigers, Singapore has a developed economy and high-quality education, making it a popular destination for studying abroad in Asia.Things to know before studying in SingaporeCommon knowledge questions about studying and working in Singapore, ,FAQs on renting accommodation for international students in Singapore, ,Tips for International Students in SingaporeThe problem.

Things to know before studying in Singapore

Things to know before studying in Singapore

1. Accommodation options

When young international students come to study, their parents are most worried about their children's food, clothing, housing and transportation. For international students who have just arrived, the most common choices are professional boarding centers or host families. The former has teachers to take care of them throughout the whole process, and the laundry, cooking and hygiene are basically all included, so students can concentrate on their studies. The host family is generally responsible for only providing three or two meals, and requires greater independence from students. For families who cannot accompany their children to study, these two forms of accommodation are good choices.

If parents come to accompany their children to study, they can choose to rent a room or a whole house. The room types include government flats, apartments, and houses. Among them, government flats have a higher cost performance, while houses are more expensive. However, parents need to carefully select the house and the owner. It is also recommended to take photos before moving in to avoid the deposit being deducted without reason when checking out.

2. Learning aids

Although Singapore is a bilingual country, English is the official language after all, and our courses are of course taught entirely in English. For students who have just arrived in Singapore and cannot adapt quickly, electronic dictionaries are essential learning aids.

In order to improve classroom efficiency, most schools will confiscate students' mobile phones before class, and electronic dictionaries are the way for you to follow the teacher in class. You can check at any time. High-frequency word checking will be of great help in memorizing words in the early stage of studying abroad.

Secondly, don’t forget to prepare a scientific calculator. Because Singapore science exams such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics allow you to bring a computer. The types of computers allowed for official exams can be found on the Singapore Education Bureau.

In addition, in order to improve listening and reading skills, it is strongly recommended to download some English apps on your mobile phone, such as BBC News, THE STRAITS TIMES and other news software. Listen to them in your spare time or while riding in the car. Write down the key words you don’t understand in an event, ask the teacher or check the definition, and then review the entire event. This is a cycle of learning. Before you know it, you will accumulate a large number of vocabulary and professional expressions.

In Singapore, it is very important to pay attention to current affairs news. Because Singaporean education places particular emphasis on expanding students' international horizons, the English assessment of its government secondary schools and junior colleges is closely related to this. If you want to get a high score in your essay, you must not only have enough vocabulary and arguments, but also examples and specific data to support your arguments. All of these must be accumulated bit by bit by paying more attention to the news.

3. Status Adjustment

At the beginning of studying abroad, many of my friends found it difficult to integrate into the unfamiliar environment and language barrier, and became more and more withdrawn. Due to the intense study pace during the exam preparation period, they could not return home during the small holidays and festivals. They missed their families during the holidays. Not to mention the helpless feeling of dragging one's feet to the hospital for treatment, going home alone to take medicine, and lying in bed in a daze when they were sick.

These loneliness that accumulate bit by bit are actually what every international student must experience. Some people give up, while others grit their teeth and persevere, and then go further step by step with the tenacity honed by loneliness and the pride of growing up alone. You must be mentally prepared for this. Studying abroad is by no means a hotbed, but a sharp steel blade. Only by facing challenges head-on can you be sharpened into a sparkling diamond.

In fact, your classmates and teachers can be your good friends. When facing the same study pressure and loneliness, mutual encouragement and cheering among classmates can greatly alleviate your difficulties. When you are overwhelmed by the life of studying abroad, you can also communicate with the teachers you trust in the school. As long as you have a need, the teachers will be very happy to sit down and listen to your troubles, give their opinions, and help you wholeheartedly.

Further reading: Common misunderstandings about studying in Singapore

1. You can’t study abroad if you have poor language skills

The medium of instruction in Singapore’s universities is English. Applicants for admission will need to submit their language scores, but this is not a hard requirement because the school will provide language courses for students. If you do not meet the requirements, you can study the language first.

Therefore, there is no need to waste time studying in China. Going to Singapore in advance to take language courses will be more helpful for your learning and adaptation, and the cost of learning the language will not be much higher than in China.

2. High GPA determines everything

When submitting an application to study abroad, one of the materials students are required to submit is their GPA transcript. This can cause students to fall into the misunderstanding that GPA is the only thing they care about, and they think that as long as their average score meets the school's requirements, they can be admitted.

In fact, Singapore’s higher education teaching system is influenced by the West. In addition to academic performance, it also examines students’ personal abilities and time experience. Academic performance alone cannot guarantee admission 100%.

3. Government universities are the first choice

Influenced by the domestic teaching system, most students will first consider national universities when choosing a school to study abroad, believing that this way they can receive guaranteed teaching and do not have to worry about recognition issues after completing subsequent courses.

We need to take into account the national conditions of the two countries. The main thing to look at is whether the school is officially recognized. As long as it is a school recognized by the Ministry of Education of both countries, you can apply. In fact, in Singapore, it is relatively difficult for international students to apply to government universities.

4. Junior college is not as good as undergraduate

In Singapore, the number of vocational colleges is basically on par with that of undergraduate colleges. Some of the polytechnics and teacher training colleges that we are familiar with fall within the scope of vocational colleges in Singapore. They are also very strong, and the academic qualifications they issue are equally recognized.

Therefore, when choosing a target school, you should not only look at the nature and classification of the school, but also refer to its teaching ability and ranking. This way, you can receive high-quality teaching after admission, and the recognition of your academic qualifications after graduation will not be hindered.

Further reading: What kind of life can you enjoy studying in Singapore

1. Geographical location

Singapore is located near the equator. The climate in all four seasons is relatively hot with little temperature difference. Here we only have spring, summer and autumn, but no winter. Moreover, the summer is relatively long and the heat will always accompany us, which is basically insulated by thick coats.

Moreover, it is relatively close to China. Even if you fly from Shanghai, it only takes about six hours. If you fly from Guangdong and Hainan, it will be even shorter. There are many routes and flights, and air tickets are often discounted, which is very convenient for international students in China.

2. Cultural Experience

Singapore is a relatively new country. Its local culture is not very profound. It is mainly influenced by foreign cultures. Eastern and Western cultures converge and merge here, and through local adaptation, a more inclusive environment has been formed.

No matter which country the students are from, they will not feel alienated when they come here and will be able to adapt quickly. Moreover, the cultural experience is quite good. Everyone can enjoy the culture from different countries in a modern environment.

3. Social Life

The school is a very large social circle where you can communicate with students from different countries. The school organizes different activities and everyone can sign up freely to participate. Most of them are free and safe.

However, compared to the open environment in the West, the social habits here are still relatively conservative due to the geographical location. The types of activities are not limited to interest groups, competitions, but also social activities, which are all very suitable choices for students.

4. Eating habits

Food is also an aspect that everyone is concerned about. Students who cannot cook and are worried that they are not suitable for overseas catering can rest assured. In Singapore, there will be a large amount of food that suits domestic tastes, and there are also many types of Chinese food.

And the price is not expensive. Even if you don’t go to the cafeteria, the daily expenses will not be much, so try more restaurant food and roadside stalls. Generally speaking, they are very popular, and there are foods from different countries to choose from.

Things to know before studying in Singapore

Summary of common sense before studying in Singapore

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