Living in Singapore
The country includes the main island of Singapore and some 63 offshore islands. From a small fishing village, Singapore has flourished to a metropolis of more than 5 million people. A multiracial nation, made up of primarily Chinese (77%), Malays (14%), Indians (7.6%) and Others (1.4%), Singapore's strategic position in South-east Asia combines the best of both East and West making it an ideal place to live. This garden city offers a safe environment, wide choice of housing, first class medical services and excellent education. Being globally connected, Singapore has an extensive telecommunications network complemented by the state-of-the-art computer systems. English is the main working language while Asian languages such as Mandarin. Malay, and Chinese dialects are also commonly spoken. The convergence of rich and diverse culture has endowed Singapore with both a traditional and contemporary outlook in the arts. Both private and public institutions promote and preserve the nation's multi-cultural heritage, while breaking new grounds in the arts and cultural scenes. The arts are presently in a state of rapid growth, with new groups and companies coming to the forefront and established ones attempting new art forms. Singapore aims to be the global city of the arts, hosting the best of the East and West. Singapore is a tropical island with an average daytime temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. The humidity level is high, averaging around 85%. The hottest months are from May to August and the months with the highest rainfall are from November to January. For weather condition forecast, please visit National Environment Agency website at http://www.weather.gov.sg/wip/web/home/further_outlook Public transport in Singapore is comparable to the best in the world with buses and the train system known as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) servicing almost every corner of the island.
EZ-Link Card is a contactless stored-value smart card introduced for public transit use and is accepted on all MRT, LRT and bus services. Travellers just need to tap the card on the card reader at the entrance/exit of every public bus and MRT station when you enter/leave. For more information, please visit SBS: http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/ or call 1800 287 2727 SMRT: http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/index.asp or call 1800 336 8900 Transitlink: http://www.transitlink.com.sg/ or call 1800 2255 663 Taxis are metered and can be flagged down easily in Singapore. The average flag down rate is $2.80 to $3.20, but surcharges may apply.
The monetary unit in Singapore is SGD. It is recommended that you open a bank account soon after arriving. Banks in Singapore provide savings and chequeing services and a range of other financial services such as personal loans, bank drafts, transfer of funds and exchange of currencies. Traveler's cheques can be cashed at banks but you will need to present your passport for identification. To open a bank account, you would generally need the following:
Before deciding on a bank and type of account, you should compare interest rates and bank fees, etc. Most students open an account with an automated teller machine (ATM)card. Cash is then accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week via ATMs. For the list of banks available in Singapore, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banks_in_Singapore Medical facilities in Singapore are of a very high standard; you can be assured of good services should you require medical treatment. For minor ailments such as coughs and colds, you may visit a General Practitioner whether in private or public practice. The medical fees for a general consultation are usually: Private clinics S$25 -$35 while Government clinics cost S$16 onwards. When visiting these clinics for the first time, you must present your passport for identification. A wide range of specialized services are available should you need to consult a specialist. Accommodation • 85% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats, the public housing developments which are generally classified into 3-room, 4-room, 5-room and executive flats. Only Singapore Citizens can purchase a HDB flat while non-citizens can rent a room/flat on certain terms and conditions. The price can range from $500-$2000.
School Hostel o homestays are more affordable and available in single, twin, triple and quad sharing. Price range from S$400 to $800 subjected to amenities and location. International students should surrender their Student Pass for cancellation within 7 days from the date of cessation or termination of their study. The following documents are to be produced:
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