University of Bern student Livio Tecchiati’s time here was a journey of discovery. We got ChatGPT to assemble his insights, shared in blog entries and an interview, in this listicle about NTU’s unique appeal
by Tan Zi Jie + ChatGPT
21-year-old English major Livio Tecchiati spent a semester on exchange in NTU, taking literature and international relations modules.
1. THERE’S A CLUB FOR EVERYTHING
When he arrived at NTU, Livio Tecchiati discovered a mind-boggling array of clubs and activities.
Reflecting on the wide options, he notes: “There are so many clubs to join, and it’s not just limited to sports, although the sports clubs, with activities like scuba diving, sailing and wakeboarding, are already impressively varied.”
He adds: “Every other week, the University announces new themes like Self-awareness, Earth or Art Week. Students pick a venue and organise engaging programmes complete with booths, live music and free food for anyone interested.”
He has also seen students organise themselves in unconventional ways.
“There probably isn’t an official club for this, but on one of my evening strolls, I saw around five students with flashlights and buckets picking up giant snails from the sidewalk and relocating them to more secure surroundings.”
He adds with a chuckle: “I just assumed it must have been some sort of snail rescue team, like the dedicated student group that cares for the campus cats.”
Visual: DALL-E
The unofficial “snail rescue team” Livio encountered in NTU.
2. NTU’S FORMULA: STUDY HARD, PLAY HARDER
Livio observed that his peers at NTU held themselves to high standards in assignments and exams due to the competitive environment. However, there are upsides to this “hustle culture”.
He notes: “The people around you support you to find the best version of yourself.”
NTU students aren’t just hitting the books; they work hard and play hard. “Most are very determined and busy, eager to find themselves within the academic and social universe of NTU.”
He adds: “Every time I passed through the heart of the campus in the evening as I headed home from the library, I would see numerous dance classes in full swing. Students passionately practise the latest K-pop dance moves together until well past midnight.”
Comparing his time at NTU to his previous semesters at the University of Bern, Livio shares: “Back in Switzerland, my days were primarily centred on studying before heading straight home. But here at NTU, there are so many ways to enrich your hours.”
Photo: @shanyin_xy
One striking difference is the seamless integration of an individual’s school and personal life at NTU. “Exchange students like me notice that at our home universities, social and academic aspects exist independently. Yet, here at NTU, they seem to come together,” he explains.
3. THE 24/7 CAMPUS LIFE
“Even at 3am or 4am, there’s a lively scene with students jogging or working out at the open-space gym,” says Livio. According to him, it’s not unusual to see students enjoying late-night snacks and leisurely strolls. Safety is a priority, Livio observes. “Even my female friends from home felt secure here, so we sometimes went for midnight walks.”
4. FRIENDSHIPS THAT GO THE EXTRA MILE
Livio’s time at NTU was made brighter by the warm friendships he built. These connections thrived in Literature classes, group projects and unexpected moments like a terrarium workshop or hanging out with his neighbours from Hall 12.
Initially grappling with Singlish, Livio grew fascinated by it and even began to adopt its words and intonations. He cherishes memories of his friends’ playful Singlish jokes, incorporating phrases like “Aiyoh,” “Eh,” and “Huat,” which he now misses.
“My friends even gave me amusing nicknames like ‘Mr Worldwide’ or, my personal favourite, ‘Our White Bread Friend’.”
His pals also introduced him to various places in Singapore, from scenic Sentosa to cinemas, museums and restaurants. Another friendship opened the door to food excursions across the causeway, while his Hall 12 neighbours organised an unforgettable trip to Malaysia, where Livio had his first spa massage.
A difficult goodbye: Livio and his NTU friends had dinner together before he left Singapore.
5. YOU’LL GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
“Studying in Singapore inspired me to seek a more diverse work-life balance back home,” reflects Livio. At NTU, he had seen how students effortlessly mesh their educational pursuits with their hobbies, sports and other interests, thanks to the University’s vibrant campus culture.
“The dance groups stood out the most as they always looked like they had a lot of fun, and so I decided to join a dance club this semester.”
At University of Bern, Livio and a friend have started taking dance classes, tackling waltzes and cha-chas each week.
His transformative time at NTU has fuelled his desire to be more engaged in his school’s activities. Even his dream of pursuing a Master’s degree abroad has gained traction as he is now more open to new experiences.
Here’s a fun tidbit: you’ll always find a jar of kaya in his fridge, serving as a delicious memento of his time at NTU.
How we used AI
ChatGPT was fed Livio’s blogposts on NTU and an interview transcript (from a chat with him after he had left Singapore), and prompted to generate the listicle from an exchange student’s perspective.
😊: ChatGPT does not quote verbatim from an uploaded PDF, likely to prevent plagiarism; you’ll have to rework the quotes that you do not want edited. ChatGPT is also quite adept at streamlining clumsy phrases, although you will not agree with all its edits.
🙃: Just like us humans, ChatGPT doesn’t fire on all cylinders 100% of the time, and we didn’t like the way it edited some things. It would also ignore simple, direct prompts once in a while.
Zi Jie
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2024 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
