Details

• Singapore
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Especially if you're traveling to Southeast Asia, plan ahead and research which countries you'd like to visit, then check what vaccinations are required or recommended. Make sure to leave enough time for this, as some vaccines require a second dose to be fully effective. I got mine done at the Tropical Medicine Institute (Tropeninstitut) in Vienna. It's also worth joining the NTU Telegram channels, links are provided by NTU directly. These are a great way to connect with fellow students and stay on top of things like arrival times, housing, and course registration. Finally, book your flights early to get the best prices.

2. Accommodation

During my semester abroad, I stayed in a single room with air conditioning provided by NTU. The application process is announced via email by NTU and is fairly straightforward. I strongly recommend applying for a room with air conditioning, it makes a real difference to your comfort there. It also makes a lot of sense to live on campus, as the vast majority of exchange students do. Everything you need is right there: canteens, shops, medical facilities, and more. Buses run throughout the campus, connecting the different halls, sports facilities, and university buildings. The university is about 1 to 1.5 hours from the city center, but in my opinion, living on campus is absolutely worth it.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is enormous and has everything you could ask for. Sports facilities include volleyball and basketball courts, gyms, and a jogging route around the campus. The student dormitories also have recreational rooms where you can dance, along with comfortable common rooms and well air-conditioned study rooms. There are plenty of canteens where you can grab a meal together, and the food is very affordable. At North Spine, you'll also find McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks, and a wide variety of other dining options. The academic culture is quite different from what most exchange students are used to, students tend to be highly competitive, as grades are awarded on a bell curve. That said, the social life is very vibrant: almost everyone is involved in some kind of club and many students are very active, particularly in team sports, which is a great way to connect with people. In terms of courses, I'd highly recommend "Negotiation Strategies" it was engaging and interactive, and you pick up genuinely useful soft skills. I'd also recommend "Organisational Behaviour and Design" with Professor Jack Zhang. He is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and entertaining, runs great group activities, and covers fascinating psychological concepts. Easily my favorite course and favorite professor of the semester!

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport on campus is free and runs very frequently across several lines, blue, green, red, and brown. You can download the NTU Omnibus app to check schedules and plan your trips. To ride for free, simply use your NTU Pass, which you can access by downloading the NTUPASS app. For getting into the city center, you can either pay by credit card or pick up a public transport card and top it up as needed. Fares are cheap, and realistically you won't be heading downtown every day anyway. As for safety, Singapore is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the world, and I felt completely at ease throughout my entire stay, so no worries there at all. On the social side, there are great hall events where you can meet fellow residents, as well as plenty of sports activities to get involved in. I mostly attended hall events with other exchange students, you can play games, and there are even fun little prizes up for grabs if you join in. Personally, I spent a lot of my time at the gym. My hall, Tamarind Hall, had its own gym, nothing massive, but it had everything you need for a solid basic workout, and best of all, it's free.

6. Testimonial

My semester abroad was an unforgettable experience. I came back with countless memories, lifelong friendships from all corners of the world, and a deep appreciation for Southeast Asia, a region I had always dreamed of exploring. Studying at one of the world's top universities, learning from outstanding professors, and constantly navigating new environments sharpened both my communication and problem-solving skills in ways I hadn't expected. I am incredibly grateful for everything I experienced and everyone I met along the way, it's a chapter of my life I will never forget.