Details

• Singapore
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Before going abroad, it is very helpful to inform yourself thoroughly about the host country and the university you will be attending. Learning about daily life, cultural differences, and the academic system in advance makes the transition much easier and helps avoid unnecessary stress once you arrive. For the application process at WU, future outgoing students should keep in mind that the National University of Singapore (NUS) is a very competitive university. A good GPA is therefore important, but it is just as crucial to write a strong and authentic motivational letter. This is your chance to explain why you want to study at NUS, what you hope to gain from the experience, and how it fits into your academic and personal goals. Starting the application early and staying organized throughout the process can make a big difference. When preparing for the semester abroad itself, there are many practical things to take care of. These include arranging travel and health insurance, checking required vaccinations, and making sure you have a credit card that works internationally. Booking flights early can help reduce costs. It is also important to look into student housing or private apartments, as accommodation in Singapore can be limited. In addition, organizing a local mobile plan, researching the courses offered at NUS, and planning your course selection in advance will help ensure a smooth and well-structured semester abroad.

2. Accommodation

NUS offers several on-campus accommodation options, including shared apartments and student residences with or without meal plans. After being accepted, you receive detailed information from NUS about the accommodation application process, which makes it relatively easy to apply. I would strongly recommend applying for on-campus housing, as living on campus is significantly cheaper than renting a private apartment in the city center. Housing in Singapore is generally very expensive, and since NUS is more like a university town on its own, living on campus is also extremely convenient. I lived in a student residence called Ridge View Residential College (RVRC), which included a meal plan. I had a single room with air conditioning, and I really enjoyed living there. The room was about 12 square meters, surrounded by nature, and provided everything I needed. I shared my floor with around 20 other girls, and we had two large shared bathrooms with multiple toilets and showers, which were always clean. The meal plan included breakfast and dinner, so I didn’t have to cook for myself, which was very convenient during a busy semester. One of the biggest advantages of RVRC was the strong sense of community. The college offered a special introduction program for exchange students and organized many events throughout the semester. Whether in the dining hall or on my floor, it was very easy to meet new people, and I never felt lonely. Overall, I had a great experience at RVRC and can truly recommend it to anyone considering on-campus housing. In terms of location, RVRC was about a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride from the Business School. The gym, swimming pool, and medical center were right across the street and only about five minutes away. Public transportation connections were excellent, with easy access to buses and the MRT. Regarding safety, both NUS and Singapore felt extremely safe. I never felt insecure at any time, whether on campus or in the city, which made the overall experience even more enjoyable.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure at NUS is excellent and makes daily student life very convenient. The university has its own internal bus system, which makes getting around campus easy and fast. There are several food courts offering a wide variety of affordable meals, as well as a medical center, a free gym, and a swimming pool. Overall, the campus really offers everything you need, so you can spend most of your time there without having to leave for daily necessities. The academic culture at NUS is very competitive and ambitious, which can be challenging at first but also very motivating. Group work is usually very productive, as most students are highly committed and take their studies seriously. However, many local students tend to be a bit more reserved at the beginning, so it often helps if you take the initiative in communication and discussions. Once you do, people are very friendly, supportive, and open to connecting. It was easy to get to know both other exchange students and local students through classes and group projects. The teaching style varies depending on the course and the professor. In some classes, the lectures were more traditional, with the professor speaking most of the time. In others, the teaching style was very interactive and strongly based on group discussions and student participation. Overall, I found all professors to be very approachable, kind, and easy to reach if you had questions or needed support. Compared to WU Vienna, the courses at NUS felt more demanding and competitive. Grading is based on a bell curve, which means that performance is evaluated relative to other students. Many courses require continuous assessment throughout the semester, such as assignments, group projects, and presentations, in addition to a midterm and a final exam. However, the exact structure and workload depend heavily on the individual course.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Singapore is very efficient and easy to use. The city has an extensive bus and MRT network that runs frequently and reliably throughout the day. You can simply pay with your credit or debit card, or choose to get a local transport card, which makes getting around very convenient. Almost all areas are easily accessible by public transport, although travel times can sometimes be longer due to the size of the city and traffic during peak hours. Singapore is an extremely safe place to live. Rules and penalties are strict, which contributes to a strong sense of order and security. There are also many surveillance cameras in public areas, so safety is taken very seriously. Throughout my entire stay, I never felt insecure, whether during the day or at night. NUS offers a wide range of social and leisure activities that make it easy to meet new people. There are many sports clubs and social activities you can join, even as an exchange student. In addition, the NUS exchange team regularly organizes events specifically for international students, and my student residence also hosted many social events throughout the semester. Before the exchange even started, NUS offered a buddy program, which helped a lot when arriving and settling in. In general, everyday life in Singapore never gets boring. The city offers countless leisure activities, cultural events, and sports options, so there is always something to do both on and off campus.

6. Testimonial

I really enjoyed my exchange semester and can wholeheartedly recommend both NUS and Singapore. NUS offers an incredible amount of opportunities and support for students, which makes everyday student life very convenient and enjoyable. It is very easy to connect with people from all over the world and from different academic backgrounds, which helped me broaden my perspective both academically and personally. Overall, NUS is a very vibrant, international, and engaging university. Singapore itself is an amazing place to live. It is a modern, dynamic, and surprisingly green city, which makes everyday life very enjoyable. The city has a lot to offer in terms of food, culture, and activities, but it is also a perfect starting point for traveling around Asia. One of the things I appreciated most was the cultural diversity—being surrounded by so many different cultures in one place allowed me to learn a lot about people and their backgrounds in a very short time. In conclusion, I would always choose Singapore again. If you want to broaden your mindset, meet people from all around the world, experience Asia, and study at one of the best universities worldwide, an exchange at NUS is an excellent choice.