Singapore is a vibrant, multicultural hub popular with international students. This guide offers practical tips for navigating daily life and local customs to ensure a smooth transition into academic life.

Settling in Singapore involves learning the public transport system, enjoying hawker centre food, opening a bank account, and understanding social norms.

Addressing these basics is key to a positive study abroad experience.

As an international student, adapting to Singapore’s lifestyle involves understanding its communication style, embracing its work-hard, play-hard culture, and respecting its diverse communities.

Cultural sensitivity and an open, proactive approach will facilitate integration into Singaporean life.

Essentials for Settling In

1. Transportation: Get an EZ-Link or SimplyGo Card
   Singapore’s MRT (subway) and buses are clean, efficient, and affordable. Get an EZ-Link or SimplyGo card to tap in and out without fuss. Avoid peak hours unless you enjoy a snug commute.
2. Food: Hawker Centers Are Your Best Friend
   Skip overpriced restaurants. Hawker centres offer delicious local food for under SG$6. Try Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and prata. Avoid food courts in malls—they look similar but cost more.
3. Banking: Open an Account at DBS or UOB
   Local banks like DBS and UOB are student-friendly. Some let you open accounts with just a student pass and a passport. Pro tip: Use PayNow for easy peer-to-peer transactions.
4. Social Norms: Be Mindful of the ‘Unwritten Rules’
   Singapore is strict but fair. No jaywalking or littering. The unspoken rule? Queue up for everything—from bubble tea to lifts.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: Respect the Diversity
   Singapore is a melting pot of cultures—Chinese, Malay, Indian, and many others. Be mindful of religious customs (e.g., remove shoes before entering temples and mosques and avoid eating in front of fasting friends during Ramadan). A little cultural awareness goes a long way in making connections.
6. Direct but Polite
   Singaporeans are straightforward, but they can also provide constructive feedback in the form of “Can consider” or “Maybe you want to rethink.” Read between the lines.
7. Work Hard, Play Harder
   The city may be fast-paced, but it offers plenty of escapades, like the peaceful East Coast Park and MacRitchie Reservoir, and vibrant weekend parties at rooftop bars. Find your perfect balance.

Adjusting to life in Singapore may initially feel daunting, but with the right mindset and a few practical tips, you’ll settle in quickly.