A guide to making the best out of your exchange at RMIT Singapore

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A guide to making the best out of your exchange at RMIT Singapore

“Going on an exchange program/semester felt like a special episode of my sitcom show”, said Trang Luu, as she shares some great insights and tips from her exchange journey at Singapore.

Did you know that RMIT has a campus in Singapore? Many RMIT students don’t! When talking about exchange or transfer, we tend to think of RMIT Melbourne, Australia. However, if you feel like that’s out of your budget or don’t want to be too far away from home, Singapore is another alternative. I hope this can act as a useful guide to exchanging at SIM (Singapore Institute of Management) - RMIT’s partner in Singapore!

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Trang, this article's author and your "guide" in this journey, at Marina Bay Sands.

Your priorities while studying at SIM

An exchange semester is your chance to explore a new culture, make new friends, and have amazing experiences. But remember, you’re not only there to play, you’re also there to learn! Don’t forget that during this exchange, your courses are still counted towards your GPA, so don’t forget to put in the work. This is a great opportunity to get HDs since you will likely have all the time you need to focus on your studies as you cannot intern or work.

In terms of quality of teaching, the first three lecturers are taught by Course Coordinators from RMIT Melbourne who are Visiting Lecturers. There are no online classes, and you’ll sit in big lecture halls - perfect for romanticising the university experience. The local lecturers have high expertise, and they value your curiosity and love of learning above all else. The course materials are 100% the same as the ones in Melbourne, so you don’t have to worry about knowledge inconsistencies.

International students must maintain a 90% attendance rate using the mySIM app. The classrooms have Bluetooth so that only when you’re in the right class at the right time can you take attendance. If you’re more than 1 hour late, it will count as an absence. There are also Independent Study classes, which are mandatory to attend for International Students.

Student Clubs in Singapore are called CCAs (Co-curricular activity). You don’t have to be a member to join their events; all details are on the mySIM app. Facilities at SIM include food courts, dance classes, lecture halls, Subway, Starbucks, basketball court, and many more. My personal favorites were weekly board games sessions and buffet with the Toastmasters Club. 5 stars on Yelp, would recommend.

Culture shocks in Singapore to be aware of

Now that we have got all the academics out of the way, let’s talk about some cultural differences so you don’t commit any faux pas.

Singlish

Even though all Singaporeans speak English, you might be shocked how the language is quite different from British/American/Australian English. It is commonly referred to ‘Singlish’. Since most Singaporeans are ethnically Chinese, you might require a little bit of time to adjust to the accent or slangs. And to make things easier, I recommend you learn some basic Mandarin Chinese as the older generation doesn’t speak English that well. Who knows, you may get some free food from an auntie at a hawker stall!

Walk on the left

Escalator etiquette is quite important, so always stand on the left, leaving space for people who are rushing to jog on the right. You don’t want any aunties to scold you! Also, when you get into a bus, use the front door, when getting off – the back door, or else you’ll get some pretty weird looks.

Chope: leave your belongings to reserve a table

This was a complete culture shock to me as Singaporeans use their phones and bags to reserve a table at a hawker stall, which is called 'chope' here. I was really scared at first but decided to trust my local friend(s). From then on, I never bothered to take my bag with me!

The insightful talkshow at Sensory Symphony

Trang at Telok Blangah Hill Park, photo taken by Braun, friend from Singapore.

What you can do for fun: my must-dos

A common misconception about Singapore that due to its size there’s nothing to do. You can do your own research on TikTok and Instagram, but I’m going to give you my top 5 must dos, apart from the usual itinerary of Marina Bay Sands or Jewel Changi.

A9 noodle dumplings: $4 for 15 pieces of authentic Chinese dumplings? It cannot get better than that.
Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Take advantage of your time by going to Johor Bahru by bus. It’s very easy to cross the border and go on a food tour or thrifting. Everything there is cheaper than in Singapore!
Dumpling Darlings: Can you tell I love dumplings? The ambience and the food - very instagramable.
Telok Blangah Hill Park: Enjoy some nature and fresh air and go hiking to relieve some stress.
Going to a concert: Singapore is the hub for internationally renowned artists to come and perform. As a Swiftie, I technically planned my whole exchange around The Eras Tour. While I was there, Coldplay and Bruno Mars also performed.

The insightful talkshow at Sensory Symphony

Trang and friends taking a very Gen Z photo on a double decker bus.

Put yourself out there, because YOLO

Whenever I’m in Hanoi, I’m dependent on the familiarity of home.

I don’t go out or try new things due to fear of repercussions. Whereas in a foreign country, where no one knows who I am, I’m the most fun and energetic person. This was one of the reasons why I hesitated to go to Melbourne, where all my classmates went. In Singapore, I made tons of friends from diverse backgrounds that I wouldn’t have made otherwise in the most unconventional circumstances, such as randomly talking to them at a museum or spontaneously joining a board game table.

It was an amazing euphoria of freedom. I connected with friends from Malaysia, Russia, The Philippines, Australia, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and many more. Another life hack is using Hinge, a dating or making friends app. It is a great way to find hidden gems with locals as your tour guides! I’ve met many artists, from photographers and producers to musicians, who have inspired me to take a leap in my own creative journey.

Going abroad and living in Singapore felt like a special episode of my sitcom show. Of course, I cannot include everything in one article, but part of the uncertainty is the fun.

Some more tips before exchanging to Singapore

If you’re still reading, here are some tips for smooth preparation for your exchange semester.

Expand all sections

Before going to Singapore, you need to prepare certain paperwork for RMIT and the government. The study plan process is easier compared to exchanging to Partner Universities since the courses are similar to the ones at RMIT Melbourne and Vietnam. Studying core subjects has never been simpler!

Next, is your student visa, called Student pass (STP). SIM will send you an email showing how to apply. You don’t need financial proof, and everything is done online. It cost me $120, and I easily paid with a VISA card.

Unfortunately, there is no on-campus dormitory, so you have to look at renting. There are three types of accommodation in Singapore: HDB (government apartments, most common and cheapest), Condominium (luxury apartments) and Landed Properties (a house, not common among students).

The most trustworthy way is PropertyGuru; however, the minimum duration is usually 1 year. If you’re exchanging for only 1 semester, you can try searching for options on Facebook, but you must be really careful not to get scammed by fact or site-checking, if possible. At SIM, there is a Vietnamese Student Community, where you can find roommates and a place to stay more easily on their Telegram group.

The rent varies greatly depending on the area and your budget. The closest MRT station to SIM is King Albert Park. It is better to stay near campus since commuting is time-consuming. If you’re renting a room with 2-3 roommates at an HDB, it can range from $500 - $800, excluding utilities. Read carefully the housing contract and look out for any red flags and extra fees. Some places only offer light cooking (microwave, boiling water...), so think about the trade-off. If the place is cheaper but doesn't allow cooking, eating out can be quite costly.

Data and SIM card

It is surprisingly cheap; you can get a SIM card, including data, for $10 a month near an MRT station. Don’t buy it at the airport, it’s extremely overpriced ($50).

MRT card

In Singapore, public transportation is your best friend. You can buy the MRT card at the airport for $10. If you like to explore like me, I suggest buying the monthly concession card for ~$100. One note: Even though we’re students, we can only purchase the adult card since we’re not Singapore citizens.

Grocery shopping

I love cooking, so I spent a lot of money on groceries. I usually shopped at Fair Price (supermarket) or farmer’s markets. On average it would cost $50-$80 a week.

Bank accounts

I stayed for only 6 months, so I didn’t bother making a bank account. I always used my international Visa card to pay, and it worked wonderfully. However, be aware of the exchange rate and transaction fees.

Of course, your expenses can vary, but I personally spent ~$1000 a month. I didn’t eat out or go shopping frequently. I mostly spent money on experiences, such as museum/exhibitions or concerts (aka The Eras Tour, I’m a proud Swiftie).

If you’re still not sure, schedule a consultation with Global Experience to learn more about all the options for your next global quest.

Good luck!

RMIT has partnered with SIM for 30 years and offers a wide range of disciplines such as Professional Communication, Design, Accountancy, Marketing, Business (Economics, Finance, HR, Global Business, Logistics and many more), even Aviation! For more information, check out SIM website.

This article is written by Trang Luu, a Bachelor of Business student at RMIT Vietnam, and does not reflect the views of RMIT University. Trang's exchange experience took place in January 2023, thus some information may no longer be accurate.

11 December 2024

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