"Participation in international mobility programmes opens up new horizons and prospects for personal and professional growth". Valeria told about studying in one of the most unusual cities in Asia — Singapore.

Valeria Gazizova, a 1st year student of the Master in International Management programme at the HSE Graduate School of Business, visited Singapore — with the opportunity to study at the Singapore Management University (SMU) within the academic mobility programme. How to collect documents, what are the features of the educational process and what to do in your free time, read in the review.

Choosing a mobility programme

When I chose my mobility programme, the priority was to find a university with a strong academic base and opportunities for personal and professional development. I chose Singapore Management University (SMU) because of its high ranking and international recognition. The university offers a variety of courses and supports students in all aspects of their stay, from applying to adjusting to their new environment.

Travel Preparation

The process of preparing the documents for travelling to Singapore was quite long and complicated, although the host university was always in touch and answered all my questions quickly. The visa application process took about two months, so I advise you to start this process as early as possible. It is important to print out all the necessary documents before you leave, as the visa is only issued on a provisional basis and will need to be renewed on the spot. Don't forget to get a briefing on the choice of subjects, as the system at the Singapore Management University is different from the one we are used to.

Adaptation Week

Adaptation week started with Orientation Day organised by the university. As part of this day, we were given a tour of the city and shown the main attractions and museums. It was a great chance to meet new people and also to get used to a new environment. The city impressed me a lot with its cleanliness, greenery and high level of infrastructure. Singapore is an international metropolis, so it's easy to find people from all over the world here.

Study

Studying at SMU proved to be intensive and demanding. Some courses, such as marketing, were quite easy but useful due to real projects with local companies. Others, such as corporate finance, were challenging and required serious effort. The university lecturers were very supportive of the students and eager to help, whether it was academic issues or personal problems. The course I enjoyed the most was the Digital Transformation Strategy course where we worked on a project for a Singaporean startup.

 

Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities in Singapore offer plenty of opportunities. The campus is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and active lifestyle: swimming pools, gyms, cafes. The university also organises various events and trips. For example, during Recess Week, many students travel around Asia, taking advantage of Singapore's convenient location. I managed to visit Kuala Lumpur — it was an interesting and exciting experience.

I also signed up for a rock climbing club from the university, where I went along with other international and local students. It was a great way to keep fit and make new friends. SMU has a large number of other hobby clubs such as knitting, restaurant exploration, volleyball, etc. These activities allow you to find something to do and diversify your student life.

Housing in Singapore

Finding accommodation is not easy and expensive. I rented a room through The Assembly Place and it turned out to be a good choice. It is important to think about the deposit and the first month's rent in advance, as these costs need to be covered immediately. The average cost of a room is around $1,000. You should also think about the method of payment, such as via Swift transfer, to avoid problems.

 

 

About the city

Singapore made a huge impression on me. It is a very clean, green and well-maintained city with a high level of infrastructure. The transport system here is excellent, travelling around the city is convenient and fast. Singapore is also known for its safety and many cultural events. I attended a Taylor Swift concert, the organisation of which was top quality. The city often hosts performances by international stars such as Bruno Mars and Coldplay.

 

Impressions of the trip

My experience of studying and living in Singapore was incredibly rewarding and memorable. I made many new friends, gained valuable academic and professional experience, and immersed myself in the culture of one of the most interesting countries in the world. I highly recommend all students to consider participating in international mobility programmes, as it opens up new horizons and prospects for personal and professional growth.