I left my home in France to go to the small country of Singapore on August 5th excited to start a new chapter of my life. But, as the plane made its way down to land, I started to panic. I was absolutely petrified. I was looking directly at the tarmac completely shocked with what was about to happen. In approximately 30 seconds I was going to be landing in an area of the world I had never been in, completely alone. I stared out my window and thought of how my French father was in this exact same position when he was sent to the US to complete his masters. That gave me the push I needed to rein in my emotions. “It’s too late to back out now” I told myself. And, with that I started my semester.
One of the first things I noticed was all the different languages in Singapore. All signs are written in Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, and English. It truly is fascinating seeing how so many cultures work together and blend as one.
I made a point to stay in Singapore for about a month and a half before venturing out of the country. I prioritized co
nnecting with people and learning the ins and outs of the city. I am the type of person that needs to feel completely at home and comfortable with my surroundings. I found that walking helps for this. I have discovered little hidden gems and go back whenever I feel overwhelmed. I love taking the SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit) to the iconic Marina Bay Sands, treat myself to ice cream and then stroll back to my apartment in Little India.
For this semester, my goal was to find ways to connect with high-profile figures and navigate their world. Being a business student, I understand that any connection can be helpful in the future. What better way to integrate high society’s bubble than by gaining access to Singapore’s Polo Club? Prince Harry himself has explained that it is one of his favorite places to wind down. You cannot get any fancier than that!
I am writing this blog in the middle of my stay and can happily confirm that I have been successful. I can state that I have befriended the family that founded the Shaw Organization or even the Chairman of the 8th biggest direct sales company in the world. This is definitely not an average experience as a college student, but this is exactly what I prioritized when coming to Singapore. Less traveling, more connecting.