Tropical campus living
From shaping her view on architecture to meeting people from right across the globe, Charlotte Pamment loved studying at Singapore University of Technology and Design.
Charlotte Pamment
Why I chose my host uni:
I chose Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) due to its world-class technological and design approach. For a 14-week semester, I dove deep into AI and fabrication of projects using a variety of online and hands-on tools.
How I found applying to my host uni:
I found that there was a lot of information, which at times can feel slightly overwhelming! SUTD is very good with their communications and easy enough to get in contact with if you have any queries or worries.
Luckily, a group chat via Telegram was created for all the exchange students with the head exchange coordinator prior to our arrival. This was great as it enabled us all to make contact early on and ask some of the questions we had.
Something I know did catch some people out was the medical examination. I highly recommend getting that done by your local GP as you may have to pay quite a bit to get it done in Singapore. Applying for a student pass (visa document) was super easy and straight forward though.
How I found learning in a different academic system:
I had been warned previously by friends that the Singapore education system would be a step up and they were not wrong. I really enjoyed the challenge and ended up loving it, it just takes time to adjust. Failing quickly and adapting really helped, also asking for help from my Singaporean classmates and professors allowed me to make those connections early.
What I gained from this experience:
Gosh, I feel there is so much which could be said regarding my time in Singapore. Academically, I was pushed to step up regarding my designs but also how I looked at architecture as a whole. The classes I took while at SUTD have grown my foundations. My professors from SUTD are some of the leaders in their respective fields on an international scale, and learning from them every day opened my horizons and for that I’m so thankful.
Personally, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do this exchange with some amazing people from right across the globe. They really shaped a large portion of my time in Singapore and were always up for exploring or spending time together. I also was super grateful to become very close with my 48 architecture class members. They’re an incredible group of young designers and I feel very fortunate to still call many of them my friends.
Top tips for other students
- Say yes! The first couple of days as an exchange group you explore not only SUTD but also Singapore – put yourself out there and say yes to activities or even suggest some that you might want to do yourself
- I find I don’t really settle into a place unless I understand where I am geographically, so on most weekends I’d go walking or cycling with a friend as this allowed us to understand the lay of the land
- Make sure you have some fun! I primarily went to Singapore for academic reasons but loved when I had the opportunity to spend time with friends; getting off campus and into the city was always a highlight
- People tend to assume that Singapore is super expensive – it actually can be super affordable if you know where to look
- Food is very affordable. When at SUTD, we ate all of our meals at the canteen, which served a variety of hot Asian cuisines. On weekends, we would go to Hawker Centres and eat anywhere from four to twelve Singapore Dollars
- Public transport is super affordable and there are a lot of activities that are free for Singapore students
About Charlotte and her student exchange
AUT degree:
Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments
Host uni:
Singapore University of Technology and Design
Host country:
Singapore
5 favourite things
Favourite place in my host city:
Either Telok Ayer or Esplanade Park – Telok Ayer is a beautiful older part of Singapore with hidden gems while Esplanade Park is a lush green space which looks out to Marina Bay Sands and some amazing museums
Best dish/food I tried:
Singapore is a boiling pot of authentic cuisines – personally I really enjoyed laksa and a traditional Singapore breakfast, kaya toast
Most useful thing I packed to take with me:
An umbrella! And something I didn’t bring with me but a Singaporean friend bought me is ‘cooling mist’, worth every cent on super muggy, hot days
Favourite thing about my host uni:
The campus – I loved living on site and as an architecture student I really enjoyed understanding how the buildings were designed to work alongside the tropical climate
Best trip I took outside of my host city:
A week in Lombok, Indonesia, with five other exchange students – from surfing and swimming with turtles to spending the evenings exploring, this trip was such a fun way to spend our mid-semester break