My semester abroad at (NTU) in Singapore is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. Before leaving, I was nervous about moving so far from home, making new friends, and how studying abroad might affect my academics. Looking back, choosing to go despite those fears was the best decision I could have made.
Singapore was an incredible place to study. Between the warm weather, greenery, and amazing food, I felt like I was constantly on vacation. Having had limited exposure to Asian cuisines, I fell in love with the seemingly endless dumplings and noodles available on campus. NTU itself felt like its own little community, making it easy to meet other students and become immersed in campus life.
Fun fact: You can drive from one side of the country to another in about an hour, a very different experience then Canada!
Academically, NTU gave me the opportunity to learn alongside people from around the world. My favourite course was an ecology course where I learned about Singapore’s local plants and ecosystems and went on field trips around the island. Learning about concepts in the classroom and then experiencing them firsthand was a highlight of my academic experience. I also found the workload manageable, with many courses primarily graded through major projects and a final exam. This structure allowed me to focus on my studies during the week while exploring Singapore and other parts of Asia on weekends.
Although I did not know anyone going to Singapore, I coincidentally met a group of students from 鶹’s who became some of my closest friends. Together, we explored Singapore and travelled to nine different countries. Highlights included completing the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam and seeing the Taj Mahal in India. Now that we are back in Kingston, I have lifelong friends with whom I can reminisce about everything we experienced together.
Exchange also introduced me to people from Singapore, Lebanon, London, Norway, and many other places. Learning about their lives and perspectives made me appreciate the diversity of people’s experiences and sparked my desire to continue travelling and learning about different cultures.
More than anything, exchange pushed me to grow as an individual. The growth I saw in myself, and my friends was so significant that I started a note on my phone titled “Things I Have Learned on Exchange” so I would remember the lessons I wanted to bring home. They ranged from simple realizations like “public transportation is an amazing way to see a new place” to lessons I hope to larger lessons like “if no one else wants to do something you want to do, do it alone.”
For anyone nervous about going on exchange, my biggest advice is to go despite those fears. I would recommend exchange in Singapore, or anywhere in the world, to anyone who has the opportunity. The friendships, experiences, and lessons I gained are things I will carry with me for my whole life.
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