Details

• Singapore
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Start looking at accoomodation as early as possible, get to know some agents, as many times finding the right accomodation is through their recommendations and not necessarily through what is posted on the popular sites. Book flights as early as possible, and arrive some days early to avoid jet lag on your first day of welcome days

2. Accommodation

Difficult to search for a reasonable budget 1100-1300 sgd. Many scams, so search for all agents and all companies. If you see "Bespoke Habitat" (the owner of many apartment complexes), steer away. Although you get your apartment, their google reviews are all fake, and I have only heard of rooms with mold, and technicians that dont come when the AC breaks down (happens 1-2 times per semester, anywhere you go). I lived at Cavenagh Gardens and honestly its a pretty good area, close to uni (30 mins on foot). Around 1500 sgd you can definitely get something good there.

3. Academic life at host university

SMU is amazing, staff is great at teaching, super hands-on. I suggest choosing subjects that you otherwise wouldnt at WU. And although you're on exchange and mostly not there to study, so you only take 3 courses, I would suggest not taking the easiest ones. Might as well put in 20% more effort into useful courses where you learn a lot from the Singaporeans while youre there.

5. Every day life in the host country

Super safe place, public transport is very reliable, each trip costs around 1-3 euros. The uni has plenty of opportunities for sports, networking events, social events, specifically for exchangers as well. Also the Exchange Student Ambassador program is great for getting to know more people (plus sounds good on the CV).

6. Testimonial

To me personally Singapore itself wasnt super fascinating, I'm more outdoorsy and SG is definitely more on the artificial side. But travelling around, especially solo travelling is incredible. Most ASEA countries are super safe and it is not too expensive to travel. SMU is great, exchangers as well, and you have every opportunity to meet people. My recommendations would be to try out as many new things as possible, I started solo travelling (indonesia and vietnam first, great places to start), I've done 20h train rides across china, skied in japan, spent christmas on a random japanese mini island, etc... Would recommend 100%