Q: Initially, what made you decide to study abroad? Why did you choose your program?
A: The beautiful architecture and diverse culture of Singapore really drew me to my decision. When you look up pictures of Singapore, there are eye-catching skyscrapers with plentiful greenery. I am one for nature and greenery so that was also eye appealing. Along with my knowledge of Singapore's sustainable infrastructure and alternate transportation drew my attention as a civil engineer. I have also been interested in the language of Mandarin for a long while and found out that Mandarin is a widely spoken language of Singapore.
Q: How do you think COVID-19 uniquely impacted what you learned as a study abroad student?
A: Covid-19 didn't have a great impact on my study abroad experience. The mask mandate in Singapore was lifted about a month after I arrived in Singapore.
Q: What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?
A: The highlight of my study abroad experience was the residential events where I was able to mingle with other students at the university while doing fun activities such as go-karting, laser tag, and cultural events.
Q: What was your greatest challenge abroad and how did you overcome it?
A: The greatest challenge for me was the feeling of loneliness/homesickness. Being open and expressing these feelings to those around me and back home really helped to alleviate many of those feelings.
Q: How did your coursework abroad compare to your courses at UC Merced?
A: The coursework was almost identical to that of UC Merced other than the fact that group projects are much more common at NUS.
Q: What did you gain from your study abroad experience?
A: I gained many connections, world knowledge, and cultural understanding. I'm now able to say that I have friends all over the world, know how politics work over seas, and picked up Mandarin and understand a lot of the temple life.
Q: What advice do you have for students considering study abroad?
A: Practice open-mindedness, practice being comfortable in solitude, realize that you are in a foreign land with foreign customs and norms, and force yourself to get out and explore. There is a whole world of things you have yet to learn and experience that can benefit you greatly.
Q: Describe a typical day abroad.
A: Wake up at 7 am every day to call my family or girlfriend given that was some of the only overlapping hours of our days. Then if it is not an early morning class day go to the campus gym (for 1 hour) or on a 4km jog. Go back to my dorm to shower and make breakfast, or sometimes get breakfast on my way back from the gym. Then head to classes for the day. Many days I would have a gap in between classes to go grab lunch, or sometimes nap. Then head to my next classes and am done for the day. Then I would make plans with friends for dinner, we would often find somewhere off-campus to explore to and get away. Then head back home to settle down and do homework and readings.
Q: If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
A: I would go to France because it has been on my travel list for a very long time, given I studied the language for 5 years.
