Experiences from Singapore

My semester abroad at James Cook University

To show you right at the beginning how valuable this semester abroad has been for me and my personal growth, I can probably summarize it best like this: I will fly back to Germany with a completely different awareness. I am still the same person—but with a much broader perspective, partially new values, more joy, and above all, much more motivation and curiosity for everything that lies ahead in my life. I already shared my experiences from my first month here in Singapore in my initial report. And the wonderful thing is: this initial excitement didn’t just last throughout my stay—it even grew stronger. When I think about what made my semester abroad so special, I would divide it into three main components: the city and the university, the experiences I was able to have here, and the people I got to meet.

Let’s start with Singapore. You probably—like many—immediately think of certain things: expensive, very strict, maybe even a little boring. But honestly, don’t be fooled by that. Yes, Singapore has a lot of rules, but most of them aren’t really “different” from what we have back home. And above all: as long as you behave normally and don’t commit any serious offenses, you won’t constantly be “checked” or monitored in everyday life. On the contrary: for people who haven’t spent much time in Asian cultures, I believe Singapore is the perfect entry point. You can feel that you are in Asia—but compared to many other countries in the region, Singapore is quite “Westernized” (without losing its own character). This makes adapting, especially coming from Germany, much easier. You also really can’t complain about the weather here: it’s about 30 degrees Celsius year-round, with occasional rainy days. These showers usually last only one to two hours, after which everything quickly becomes dry and warm again. At first, people can seem a little reserved. But if you approach others openly, kindly, and with a bit of enthusiasm, you generally get that same warmth and friendliness in return. And yes: Singapore is expensive—especially when it comes to rent and nightlife compared to Germany. But the food (especially in the famous hawker centers) is surprisingly affordable. For 3–4 euros, you can get really good, fresh, and very filling meals. What personally impressed me the most is that Singapore is the greenest city I’ve ever been to. You can really tell that Singapore set the goal years ago to combine nature with urban life. There are countless parks, lots of greenery—and even a real jungle in the north of the island. This mix is truly something special. I can also only say positive things about James Cook University. The courses were interesting and well-structured, and the support team was always available when help was needed. What I particularly loved about the university (and Singapore in general) was this enormous cultural diversity. So many different cultures in one place—you might know that from cities like London or New York, but in Singapore, it feels unique in its own way.

The second category includes the experiences you can have in Singapore. For sports enthusiasts, Singapore is truly ideal: there are many outdoor sports facilities and parks where you can train in good weather. And since Singapore is right by the sea, you can swim all year round or play beach volleyball, for example. It’s also surprisingly good for hiking—thanks to the many gardens, nature trails, and jungle areas I mentioned earlier. But beyond sports, there’s much more: an exciting nightlife with cool bars and clubs, many interesting exhibitions and museums, and generally impressive architecture. What impressed me even more than Singapore itself is its location: from here, you really have the chance to travel within Asia—whether during a study break or after exams. I traveled with friends I met here to South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. And the best part: if you book wisely, you can get to many destinations for under 200 euros round trip. That’s a truly unique opportunity. So here’s a concrete tip: make the most of your free weeks and explore East Asia with curiosity.

And finally, the last—and probably most important—category: the people. As mentioned, you meet people from all over the world here. I made friends from Denmark, the USA, Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Spain, Turkey, India, China, Indonesia, the Czech Republic, and many more countries. And that really changes you: through these different cultural backgrounds, you gain so many perspectives on the world, values, daily life, politics, and life in general. You automatically broaden your horizons and develop a deeper understanding of human behavior—and also of what’s happening globally. Overall, I can proudly say that I have found friends for life here. I am incredibly grateful for these relationships and that they are now part of my life.

I think you can already tell: I am extremely convinced of the value of my semester abroad. And that’s why I can only encourage you to take this step. Even if it feels challenging or overwhelming at first—trust me: it will take you further. Not just academically, but above all personally.