School’s almost out, time to fly out to… another university? NTU students share their eye-opening encounters from exchange with HEY! student writer Gwenneth Teo

by Gwenneth Teo

Priscilla at a Japan-themed escape room with her friends.

Like living in 2100

“I was wowed by the advanced tech in Beijing. Locals use facial recognition to pay at vending machines in parks and malls. However, my face wasn’t in their database so my local friends bought my drinks and I paid them back via Alipay or WeChat. I didn’t use any cash during my month there; everything was done digitally. Unlike in Singapore, where we scan the store’s QR code to pay, in Beijing, vendors scan the QR code generated by your app – it’s much more convenient. Robots even delivered my takeout to my hotel. Did you know the Meituan app automatically provides a voucher if your food delivery is delayed? It really shows how efficient life in Beijing is.”

Priscilla Lee (Accountancy & Business)
went to Peking University, China

Experiencing nature like never before

“I visited a desa, or local village, where the leader brought us to a serene meeting area. I distinctly remember the cool breeze and seeing the rice fields and jungle go on for miles. It was such a healing experience. On my final day, we had breakfast on a hilly spot, Bukit Rhema, at sunrise. The fog, along with the view of the mountains and valleys, was honestly breathtaking.”

Amy Jane Fitzgerald (Public Policy & Global Affairs)
went to Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia

Watching one of his favourite football clubs, Atlético Madrid, play on their home turf.

Dealing with theft

“During a short trip before school started, my hotel room in Ibiza, Spain, was broken into, and my credit card, over $200 in cash and my AirPods were stolen. The police categorised it as petty theft and said such incidents are quite common. Even though I could track my earpods using the Find My app, the police didn’t initiate a search and just closed the case, which was frustrating. This encounter made me appreciate Singapore’s security even more. My NTU exchange coordinator, Ms Anna Guerrero, was incredibly caring and called to check on me. I’m very grateful for that. The experience was a massive reality check – I’ve always been cautious, but I’ve now learnt to take extra precautions when travelling.”

A different work culture

“Spaniards eat late, typically having a light breakfast, lunch at around 3pm and dinner at 10pm. Their siesta, or midday break, is taken seriously – many shops, but not the university, close from 2pm to 5pm. This is a stark contrast to Singapore’s non-stop work culture. I’ve learnt to slow down, take breaks and embrace this lifestyle for a healthier, happier life.”

Reagen Chia (Electrical & Electronic Engineering)
went to Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain

With the Bruin bear, UCLA’s beloved mascot.

Code-switching to fit in

“I often had to code-switch in California, whether in class or when ordering food. Americans like small talk; they’d ask about my day, and service staff would ask how my food was. I tried speaking in my Singaporean accent, but I was often met with: ‘I’m sorry, can you say that again?’ So I switched to an American accent, a mix of accents I picked up from YouTubers and Hollywood movies. I’ve found that Singaporeans are somewhat experts at code-switching because of our diverse experiences.”

Navigating limited transport options

“Without a driver’s license in car-centric Los Angeles, I relied heavily on Uber, even for supermarket runs, which was costly. I researched the area’s safety and initially avoided certain metros and public buses at night. Later, I started taking some buses as they were cheaper and not as unsafe as I’d heard. I also enjoyed the 45-minute walk from my dorm to classes, using these occasions as opportunities to explore the campus. It made me appreciate how convenient transportation is in Singapore.”

Emelia Tang (Communication Studies)
went to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), United States

This story was published in the Sep-Oct 2024 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.