Study Abroad in Singapore

Find study abroad programs in Singapore!

Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. Consisting of one main island and 60-plus smaller islands and islets, Singapore is populated by people of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European descent. Each group has added its own art, architecture and culinary traditions to the overall culture of Singapore, creating a fascinating backdrop for students in search of a memorable study abroad experience.

According to Malay tradition, Singapore was originally named Singapura by a Sumatran prince after he encountered a strange animal that he took to be a lion. This was considered to be good luck, and thus, "Singapura" (which means "City of the Lion") was founded. Once the hub of British power in Southeast Asia, Singapore was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, but reverted to British rule after the war. Eighteen years later, Singapore achieved independence and merged with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia. On August 9, 1965, Singapore was separated from Malaysia, becoming an independent republic, and the new country joined the United Nations on September 21 of that same year.

For most of the period since Singapore's independence, the country was governed under the political leadership of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who served from 1959 to 1990. High economic growth rates and rapid industrialization since earning independence have placed Singapore among the "Four Asian Tigers," along with South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Singapore is a hub for global foreign exchange and boasts one of the busiest ports in the world. Some of the main industries of this booming economy are electronics, chemical exports, financial services and tourism.

Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. English is the language of instruction for most subjects. Singapore recognizes the importance of a diverse student population and, in 2007, inaugurated the "Singapore Education Awards" to acknowledge exceptional contributions by individuals and organizations in the field of international education.

Singapore's postsecondary educational institutions include autonomous universities, private universities and institutions, and polytechnic institutions. Noted for their excellence in education, research and service, the three autonomous universities are the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).

NUS is a modern university offering a wide range of courses, including architecture, arts and social sciences, music, and the natural and applied sciences. The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at NUS is the only public policy school in Southeast Asia, and offers master's degree programs in public policy, public administration and public management. Engineering and technology are the most popular fields of study at NTU's main campus, while the downtown campus offers programs in the arts and sciences. SMU's programs are modeled after the Wharton School, and offer undergraduate and graduate programs for future business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Standing side-by-side, the mosques, synagogues, temples and churches are constant reminders of Singapore's cultural mix. Singapore's various ethnic neighborhoods were first formed during the colonial period under the "Raffles Plan," and today historic Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street are bustling hubs of activity where customs and traditions are proudly celebrated.

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who signed a treaty in 1819 establishing a British trading post in the southern part of the country, is recognized as the founder of modern Singapore. The three tallest buildings in Singapore - Republic Plaza, UOB Plaza One and OUB Centre - are located at Raffles Place, and Raffles' statue is erected at the spot where he first landed. Some of Singapore's architectural gems, including places of worship like Sri Mariamman Temple, Jamae Mosque and the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, were built in colonial times.

Singapore's cuisine, a fusion of Chinese, Malay, Tamil and Indian influences, is a major cultural attraction, and can be found at Singapore's inexpensive, open-air food complexes known as "hawker centres." Halal versions of traditional Tamil food are served at Malay hawker stalls, and Chinese stalls incorporate indigenous Malay ingredients. Singaporeans enjoy a wide variety of fish and seafood; barbecued stingray served on a banana leaf with chili is one example of a popular favorite.

Sports play an important part of life in Singapore, and many public residential areas have swimming pools, basketball courts and indoor sports centers. Favorite sports include soccer, badminton, basketball, rugby, volleyball and table tennis. A nation of islands, Singapore is a hot spot for water sports, and the southern island of Pulau Hantu, known for its rich coral reefs, is a major attraction for scuba divers.

Brimming with energy, contrast and color, Singapore is a magnet for students of all fields of study. This highly cosmopolitan, multicultural country promises a rewarding study abroad experience for students of all levels.

ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport.org www.IIEPassport.org
Study Abroad Funding: www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
Freeman Asia: www.iie.org/programs/Freeman-ASIA
National Security Education Program: www.iie.org/NSEP
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
Ministry of Education, Singapore: www.moe.gov.sg
Singapore Education: www.singaporeedu.gov.sg

Find study abroad scholarships in Singapore.

Previous Destination of the Months