Arrival in Singapore

By Luna Tejada, National University of Singapore, Singapore

When I first stepped out of Changi Airport, the heat and humidity hit me like a wave. Coming from Manchester, I was instantly aware that life in Singapore was going to feel very different, and in many ways, it has been.

My first few days were a whirlwind of admin, jet lag, and discovery. The campus at NUS is huge and beautifully green, with tropical trees and buildings tucked into hills and slopes. It took me a few days just to get my bearings, especially since I kept getting lost trying to find seminar rooms. Thankfully, the orientation sessions for exchange students helped me settle in and meet others who were just as wide-eyed and confused as I was.

The accommodations at NUS were comfortable, though much more communal than I was used to. I stayed in a university building where I shared common areas with other international and local students. This setup made it easy to make friends early on, especially over late-night suppers or group trips to hawker centres.

One of the things that surprised me most was how efficient and well-organised everything was, from public transport to university administration. The MRT system made it easy to explore the city on weekends, and the student portals were (mostly) intuitive once I got the hang of them.

Perhaps the most memorable part of my first month was the food. Singapore is a food paradise, and I quickly developed a routine of exploring different hawker stalls. I learned the difference between chicken rice and nasi lemak and became slightly addicted to kaya toast in the mornings. Eating out is affordable, and there’s always something new to try.

The cultural mix in Singapore was also something I loved from the start. Walking around the city, you see Chinese temples next to mosques, Indian shops near Western cafés, and people from all over the world living side by side. It’s vibrant, energetic, and surprisingly easy to adjust to, though crossing the road in 35°C heat is something I’ll never fully get used to.

Overall, my arrival in Singapore was a mix of excitement, confusion, and discovery. It set the tone for what has been an unforgettable experience abroad.