Where the World Became Bigger
Dynamic, vibrant and endlessly diverse Singapore challenges you to rethink what feels familiar and to confidently explore new opportunities. Veronika Teplova, a 3rd-year Bachelor’s in Digital Product Management, shares insights from her semester abroad.
Singapore became my second home. The four months I spent there opened my eyes to how vast and incredibly diverse our world truly is. Until then, my life felt structured around familiar routines and predictable paths. Stepping far beyond my comfort zone challenged me, broadened my worldview and introduced me to new cultures and rhythms of life that shaped some of the most meaningful lessons I have ever learned.
In August 2025, I arrived in Asia for the first time. I came a little nervous, but filled with excitement and anticipation. People rarely talk about this, but during the first few days you honestly don’t know what to do. Life feels like it’s starting from scratch. I remember trying to take in everything at once: exploring landmarks, running to IKEA for Swedish meatballs, meeting both international and local students. One day felt like two weeks. That’s probably the most vivid feeling at the beginning of such a journey when you draw energy from absolutely everything around you.
My studies have always been my top priority and the approach of Singaporean professors and students didn’t just impress me, it inspired me. For the first time, I studied in a classroom where a forest of hands shoots up the moment a professor asks a question. And that’s not an exaggeration. You live in constant discussion, solve real business cases, collaborate with local companies and by the end of the semester you realize your mind is overflowing with fresh ideas, so different from anything you’ve experienced before. That’s what makes it truly exciting.
But what made it truly unforgettable were the people. You’ll be surprised how similar we are, yet how much we differ. I was so inspired by the diversity of cultures and perspectives on everyday things that I didn’t just want to observe, I wanted to become part of it. So I started playing mahjong on Fridays, running seven kilometers twice a week with local students (even though I honestly hate running), dancing with the university team, experimenting with DJing and so much more. You will definitely find something there, the key is simply to be willing.
And of course, traveling. I visited seven new countries, some of them on my own, so now I can confidently say that social anxiety is afraid of me. In Singapore and its neighboring countries, it felt surprisingly easy to try new things because you look at the world through the eyes of an explorer. It’s like learning how to be amazed again. When you’re open to the world, the world opens up to you!
