WUT @ NTU guide for exchange students
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
WUT @ NTU
guide for exchange students
So there you are: looking for information about exchange in Singapore.
And here I am: willing to give you a hand in this endeavor.
Interested? Read on!
WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT? overlap with the beginning of Sem 2. Even with very
understanding lecturers and dean this will cause many
On the following pages you'll find hints and tips. They were
problems and require a lot of extra work and red tape.
chosen and structured to help you get to know Singapore
and Nanyang Technological University, step by step.
However, this certainly isn't an ultimate guide for those WHERE TO GO – NTU OR NUS?
wishing to study in the Lion City (eg. it doesn’t take you There are two universities you can choose from and a third
through application and registration processes; NTU will one (SMU) if your major is in business related sciences.
send you comprehensive manuals regarding these topics NTU started as a technological university but today it also
explaining more than you need to know). A less practical offers a variety of courses in arts & design, business,
view of exchange one degree from the equator can be education, humanities and medicine. National University of
found here: maciejmichalski.natemat.pl (Polish). Singapore presents a less “hands on” approach but it is
higher in international rankings and has a very impressive
WHO IS IT FOR? new campus - UTown. Perhaps more importantly, NTU is
substantially cheaper than NUS (in terms of both on campus
Students of Warsaw University of Technology going on
housing and food available in canteens).
exchange to NTU, but since this guide is written in English
and contains universal and practical info, it may be useful
for much wider audience. No matter whether you're only WHO AM I?
considering going for a few months to Nanyang Civil Engineering student who has spent Semester 2 of AY
Technological University or already have bought an airline 2012/2013 on NTU's campus. Co-founded TEDxWarsaw,
ticket to Changi, this document will help you make better like precision and brevity, can teach you horse riding.
choices.
Wishing to contact me? adam@liwinski.pl
WHEN TO GO?
Academic year in Singapore starts earlier than in Poland.
Semester 1 starts in August and ends in December while
Semester 2 lasts from January till May. This means that two
reasonable options are going there for (1) entire year or
(2) just Sem 1. Otherwise your Polish exam session will
1
PREPARATIONS Dietary supplements – they are rather expensive in
Singapore, just like fruits and vegetables.
What to do while still at home?
Gifts – whether it's a great new friend or insanely hospitable
There's not much, but it's crucial.
coushsurfing host, you would like him or her to remember
Take vaccines – depending on the countries you'll visit,
you well. No better way than a small gift. Maybe a fridge
make sure to have the right protection against tropical
magnet with famous building from your country, beautiful
diseases. For a list of possible trouble-makers check online
postcard or collector's coin?
or with your doctor. Some of the vaccinations require
receiving several shots over A FEW MONTHS period! Hoodie – take at least one, not only airports can be air-
conditioned to way too low temperatures. A rolled hood can
Choose courses – check what courses you would be
also serve as a travel pillow.
taking in your home uni and then go through the list of
courses offered by NTU. If you'll be lucky, the ones you're Trekking shoes – climate doesn't encourage walking trips,
looking for will be there. In case they won't, consult transfer but hiking in the jungle/off the beaten track is a must. Prices
of credits with proper authorities BEFORE you leave. Some in Singapore and Malaysia are higher while choice rather
courses have prerequisites, some may not be available for limited compared to Europe.
you. Just make sure to choose wisely in the preregistration.
What to have there?
After arrival it is easy to drop courses, but adding new ones
Not always obvious stuff.
can be tricky.
Flip-flops – widely used by students and city dwellers on
Apply for on campus housing – it is approx. four times
almost every occasion. Together with shorts and t-shirts
cheaper to live on campus than to rent a room outside of it. they form an outfit often seen during lectures.
From 2015 onwards all undergraduate students should be
Phone with local pre-paid Sim card – purchase of the
able to get a place in one of the halls of residence. Grads –
latter requires your passport and about 15 minutes for
not necessarily.
registration.
Print your new address and directions – getting from the
Pillow – and sheets too.
airport to the campus is explained in the following
paragraphs, but that might not be your first destination. Umbrella – there are many covered sidewalks, but your
Even if it is, make sure to know precisely which hall you are own canopy used against both the sun and rain will be your
supposed to live in. best friend. Still, it won't keep you dry during thunderstorms,
so find a solid roof.
What to take with you?
What you should have there can be very different from what What to expect?
should be in your luggage. Extreme humidity and temperatures in the range of 25-35°C
Debit/credit card – Citibank's debit/credit card. This is not throughout entire year and entire day. Often and heavy
an ad, this is a logical conclusion. Unlike with other banks rainfalls. Peaceful mix of Asian cultures and religions.
present in your country, you'll find Citibank's ATMs all Unfamiliar fruits and lots of chicken rice. Expensive alcohol.
around Singapore and in most if not all places around Students studying long hours, but not necessarily efficiently;
south-east Asia. Your parents transfer money to your similar pattern in offices. Spitting, hours long sniffing and
account, like always, you withdraw the money on campus other behaviors unpleasant for Westerners. General feeling
or MRT station. No extra charges. of safety.
2
GETTING THERE choose flight wisely!), it's best to just walk. Take 2-3 days to
familiarize yourself with the completely non-American layout
Just a kind reminder: death penalty is obligatory for drug
of the streets, several hills and multistory buildings spanning
trafficking in Singapore. Selling chewing gums is illegal,
hundreds of meters. You can start before arrival with
littering as well. Simply chewing a gum is perfectly
maps.ntu.edu.sg, which will help you find venues at least
acceptable, though.
a few weeks into your stay. With one exception, academic
If that’s your first long flight, here are a few things you buildings are located in the south-west while halls of
should know. There are no direct Warsaw - Singapore residence are to be found in the north-east part of the
connections which means a layover in Copenhagen / campus.
Frankfurt / London / Doha / Dubai / some other major airport
on the way. Theoretically taking Persian Gulf airlines
(Emirates or Qatar Airways – my personal favourite) should
be the fastest way, just take a look at a map. In practice
going West first can be faster thanks to shorter waiting time
between flights. Make sure to have at least 2h to change
flights at the hub airport - that’s enough time to get from one
gate to the other, use the toilet, stretch yourself and
contemplate terminal’s architecture / do some fast shopping
even if your first flight is delayed. Unfortunately, 8h
stopovers are also possible which makes entire trip very NTU's campus deserves to be called „garden”.
exhausting. London - Singapore flight is exhaustive on its Chances are, you won't ever use a bike in SG. In this
own, even onboard Singapore Airlines’ A380 (unless you regard this is neither Princeton nor Leuven. Finding a place
can afford first class). to park a bike won't be a problem, though, simply because
Changi Airport is on the very east end of the island. NTU – there are very few bicycles at NTU. Several reasons:
very west. Whichever terminal you're in, follow directions to (1) campus is hilly and you're probably not an MTB
MRT station and buy EZ-Link card / single ride ticket to champion, (2) there are no bike lanes, (3) as little as walking
Pioneer station - 28th on East West (green) line. Breathe will make you sweat in Singapore's climate.
humid Singaporean air while changing trains when Buses – not always the fastest way to get from point A to B,
prompted 2 stations from the airport. Look around or read but in most cases the best if you're heading outside
a book - it’s a long ride to Pioneer! Get a cab at whichever campus. There are:
side of the station and tell your driver which hall of
• four internal lines (A, B and C make circles around NTU
residence you would like to get to. Hopefully you will make it
while D provides transfer to Pioneer and has different
there during office hours (choose flight wisely!) and will be
routes on weekdays and weekends; see Shuttles on the
able to receive your key/card without additional hassle.
map),
• three city lines going to and from the campus (179 and
TRANSPORT
179A serve south, 199 – north; 179A is an express line – it
Within campus doesn't stop anywhere between campus and Boon Lay
It. Is. Big. For the first few days, before classes start (again, MRT station!).
3
Within Singapore each of those. Cheating is severly punished.
Academic Units used to measure the importance of each
course (in most cases: 1 to 4AUs) and grades received (A to
F scale recalculated for 5.0 - 0.0 scale) are treated
differently by different universities. Make sure to know them.
To stay up to date with your courses, check edveNTUre
(online platform) regularly for news from your lecturers. This
is also your source of all slides and video recordings of
some lecturers. EZ-link cards are used to pay for printing in
self-service machines around campus.
Outside city center MRT rides above the ground Even if you won’t take any business courses, Business
MRT – fast, convenient and with very good information both Library may be your favorite place to study. With use of
in trains and on stations. Network still expands to new areas online Facilities Booking System you can book group
of the island. Unfortunately, it doesn't operate after midnight, discussion pods and individual study rooms.
even on weekends.
Buses – nice terminals, but with insufficient information. MONEY
Onboard buses there's no info at all. If you're going Singapore Dollar (SGD) is not available for exchange in
somewhere for the first time, avoid them whenever you can. many countries and there’s no point bringing a lot of cash
Wave your hand to stop a bus. On campus too. with you. As stated previously, bring a debit/credit card of
Taxi – the only way to get back from a party. Acceptable a bank, most probably Citibank, which won’t charge you
prices if shared. $30-40 from city center to NTU by night. extra for withdrawing money in Asia. The aforementioned
financial institution has one more advantage - queues to
their ATMs are usually much shorter than to the others.
COURSES
How much can a semester cost you? Going below 5.000
You’ve chosen some of them back home, some of those
SGD (excluding tickets to and from Singapore, including
were approved. The first two weeks of each semester are
a total of 3 weeks of travelling; rates as of Jan-May 2013) is
called “Add/Drop period” when students finalize their
a really bad idea. Spending much more is very easy.
schedules. Many classes have more than one possible
Spending less will significantly hurt your overall experience.
date. If possible, pack them all in Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday / any other three consecutive days. This will
What to buy in SG?
greatly improve your travelling capabilities or simply give
Currency exchange rates will dictate whether there is
you more time to enjoy Singapore.
a point in buying anything at all. If SGD will be cheap during
Not failing a course usually isn’t too big of a challenge. your stay, electronics shall be the most obvious choice.
Getting an A is. All thanks to curve grading - top performers Also, some of the clothing companies selling their goods in
get top grades and the rest is adjusted accordingly. Those the Lion City may not be present in your country. When
wishing to bring back home high GPA have to ensure very looking for a one of a kind gem for your girlfriend / fiancee /
high quality of every single assignment and pass both mid- mom, go for gold-plated orchids available at Risis stores.
term and final exams. As a rule, there’s only one term for Nothing more Singaporean and unique at the same time.
4
Where to buy in SG? Preparing food on your own is time consuming and
Shops on campus – cover basic needs. relatively expensive. Makes sense only when barbecuing
with friends. Fridges kept in rooms (extra charges apply)
Mustafa Center – everything you need in one place, 24h
serve better as coolers for beverages than food storage.
a day. Clothes, electronics, stationery and more. Walking
distance from Farrer Park MRT (NE line).
SPORT
Values – chain of really cheap stores with limited variety of
products. Best place to buy sweets, toothpaste, scissors
etc. You'll find the nearest one to NTU in the basement of
Jurong Point mall, right next to Boon Lay MRT.
Food courts – cheaper than in restaurants, wide choice.
FOOD
There's a swimming pool to the left, too.
Many students keep their bodies in good shape and they
have very good conditions to do so. There are two big
sports and recreation centres (on east and west ends of
campus) and two separate courts (next to halls 2 and 7).
Swimming pools are not covered which means that water in
the evenings gets really warm. After 5pm large crowd and
Typical evening in any food court. traffic across rather than along the 50m pool makes any sort
Not even half-boiled eggs for breakfast, durians, ridiculously of exercising pointless anyway.
sweet tea with milk. These are the treats Singapore has to
offer and most people are happy tasting them only once. PARTIES
Fortunately, there’s much more. Whether you’re a foodie or
Not much is happening on campus in this respect. NTU
not, go for lassi, tandoori chicken and garlic naans available
students aren’t the partying type anyway. Best events are to
in Little India and look around for your favorites.
be found in the city center. Rooftop bars and a bridge in
Clarke Quay (Read Crescent and 7-Eleven on one end and
On campus
restaurants under glass ceiling on the other) are among the
Large canteens are located at the ends of Spines and in
most popular venues. For crazy pool parties head to
National Institute of Education, while smaller ones next to
Sentosa Island. Wednesdays are ladies nights - free entry
halls of residence. Opening hours vary. McDonald’s
to clubs and sometimes drinks for them. Free entry for both
(Canteen A, lower level) closes around midnight which
sexes can be also secured by “attending” an event on
makes it a late night savior. For those with cravings at 3am,
Facebook (search for Hazel’s Guestlist). KU DÉ TA (drink
nearby campus there are two 24/7 food courts. One right
bar and restaurant on top of Marina Bay Sands) is worth
next to Pioneer MRT and one halfway there from campus.
5a visit rather for the view than anything else. If you're not Train – when going out of Singapore, catching a train
used to London's prices, alcohol is very, very expensive. requires getting to Woodlands first. Not the most
comfortable journey ever, but worth one try. It’s possible to
travel by train to Bangkok and there are enthusiasts who go
TRAVEL
for it. I wouldn’t.
There's no vaccine for dengue fever or malaria, so remember
about repellents where it is necessary. Plane – thanks to relatively cheap tickets (Air Asia, Jetstar
During the first 2-4 weeks exchange students are grounded and Tiger Airways are the main low-cost carriers present in
in Singapore. Student’s Passes which save a bit of time the region) this is the way you should travel over 300+ km
every time when crossing the border are being issued then. distances whenever possible.
Where to go Staying safe
Personal preferences apply. My ambitious plans to visit
several countries in the region changed after two trips to
Malaysia. Asia turned out not to be my thing, so I went to
Australia for two weeks when the exams ended. However,
a lot of people fell in love with the Far East during their
travels in the region. Breathtaking nature, remains of
ancient civilizations, huge modern cities - there’s everything
one can wish for.
Modes of transport
Boat / ferry – adventurous folks can choose those to get to Completely harmless and incredibly fast gecko.
several islands. No experience on open waters. Took a boat Against nature - use common sense. Don’t go to places
to Taman Negara (National Park) in Malaysia, though, and where diseases you’re not vaccinated against are present.
I highly recommend it. There's no vaccine for dengue fever or malaria, so
remember about repellents where it is necessary. Quite
Hitch-hiking – tried only in Australia where, under certain
surprisingly, eg. in deep Malaysian jungle it may not be -
circumstances, it can be the best way to travel. No exp in
there are no mosquitos over there. Singapore itself is
Asia, so won't comment on it. But it is an option.
smoked against them, but they can be found on the island
Motorbike – popular among tourists especially in Vietnam. occasionally. Outside Singapore drink only bottled water.
Unfortunately, accidents are very common.
Against scams - use internet. Check online each company
Coach – practical only if you're going to Malacca and/or you’re going to deal with. Booking.com, Couchsurfing.org,
Kuala Lumpur. Sadly, in many remote places all around the Tripadvisor.com, Wikitravel.org - good sources of
region there's nothing else than an old bus. information and travel buddies. If everything else fails, and
you’re still in doubt, don’t go alone.
Special thanks to: Łukasz Alwast, Maciej Michalski and Natalia Polasik-Lipińska
© Adam Liwiński, July 2013
6You can also read
