Students at TUM Asia have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities on and off-campus. Many of these activities are student-initiated or student-led by your peers or college peers from our partner universities.

At TUM Asia, these are some of the yearly activities that students can take part in:

• Freshmen Orientation
• Outdoor Student Events (such as Paintball, Futsal, Football, Bubble Bump, Cycling, BBQ)
• Indoor Student Events (such as Halloween, Christmas, Oktoberfest)
• Alumni & Networking Events (such as Career Fair, Industry Talks & Visits, Scientific Seminars, Alumni Stammtisch)

FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Students will also have the opportunity to be a part of regular events planned by the Student Management Committee (SMC), which is comprised of a group of student leaders selected from among the TUM undergraduate programmes. Students can be both volunteers at the event or participants.

Additionally, you can exercise your leadership and co-curricular skills by joining any of the Singapore Institute of Technology’s (SIT) clubs and sport groups. From singing, to crafts, sports and even community work, there is something for everyone! More information about the SIT groups here. As part of the SIT community, undergraduate students will be invited to SIT events that are open to all university partners. Meet fellow students from different fields of study and expand your professional network!

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: LIFE ON THE FAST-TRACK

For the graduate students in the Master programmes, the opportunities are endless! Many of TUM Asia’s graduate students are international students who have stepped foot into Singapore for the first time. Taking time to explore this amazing island-state is one of your top to-dos, and your Singaporean classmates can play host to help you discover the real side of Singapore, off the beaten track. TUM Asia also encourages our students to self-initiate activities among classmates – postgrad students are independent and ambitious!

Students also have the opportunity to join any club or society at NUS or NTU, enriching your student life experience at a postgraduate level. Additionally, there are various not-for-profit organizations or interest groups scattered across Singapore that you can participate in, accessible through Facebook groups, or friends’ recommendation. Get out there and meet people!

Singapore is an island-state in Southeast Asia, connected by bridges to Malaysia. Located at one of the crossroads of the world, Singapore’s strategic position has helped it grow into a major centre for trade, communications and tourism. This dynamic rich city combines all the varieties of Asian culture, cuisine art and architecture.

Foreign investment and government-led island-wide industrialization have created a modern economy based on electronics and manufacturing, featuring warehouses and financial trade centering around the country’s strategic location. Singapore’s Jurong Island is also an up & coming area for the chemical industries, with some of the world’s biggest chemical companies building plants and research centers here. Singapore embodies the finest of East & West, and has been for centuries the bridge between those two different worlds.

Some facts about Singapore:

• The world’s only island-city state
• One of the world’s greenest cities (nearly half of this 700 sq km city is under green cover)
• Aside from 1 main island, there are 63 other offshore islands
• Second densest sovereign state in the world
• One of the best airports in the world (Changi Airport)
• One of the most advanced and robust economies in Asia

Links that tell you more about Singapore, the Asian miracle:

• Your Singapore
• Contact Singapore
• Economic Development Board Singapore

Did you know? Singapore is ranked #1 for the Best Student City for Employer Activity (QS Rankings 2014) and in the top 10 for Best Student Cities for Quality of Living (QS Rankings 2014).

It is possible to live frugally yet comfortably in Singapore while you are pursuing your study in Singapore. Singapore is well known for its low crime society and excellent transportation system. It is just as easy to indulge in a luxurious lifestyle and enjoy the creature comforts of metropolitan living. Depending on your lifestyle, all who study in Singapore should be able to live comfortably with a range of S$1000 – S$1500 per month.

Travelling within Singapore is convenient with the efficient public transport system. The most common and faster mode of public transport, besides taxis, is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). Most public transport fares (trains, buses, regardless of the operating company) can be paid using ez-Link cards, which can be purchased from the TransitLink Ticket Office located at selected MRT stations. These cards can be topped-up with value at any Transitlink Ticket Office or General Ticketing Machines located at most MRT stations. A ride can cost you between $0.70 to a couple of dollars, depending on the distance covered.

Singapore is Asia’s food paradise. It is commonly said that one can never go hungry in Singapore because there is food for everyone, no matter what your budget is, or what dietary laws you have. As Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, mainly Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian, you will find both traditional and modernized Chinese, Malay (or Muslim-halal food), Indian and Western food all over Singapore. Hawker centres – open air food places with individual food stalls – serve food that starts from $3 per main course, or you can search out mid-range cafes where you find a mix of modern influences, and also high-end places that serve you some of the best food in the world. There are eateries open 24 hours a day as well, so you never ever have to worry about going hungry in Singapore!

And of course, one can easily travel to neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little India, Little Thailand, Kampong Glam, to find spices and ingredients to whip up your own taste of home! Supermarkets in Singapore are also well stocked with a variety of food to suit every consumer’s need. You can easily obtain common grocery ingredients to cook at home if you wanted to.

TUM Asia does not have a hostel for international students, however, students can try to ballot for rooms in NTU/NUS if they are enrolled into the joint programmes. Alternatively, most international students choose to look for private accommodation, where they are able to look for a place to live based on their budget and living requirements.

TUM Asia will provide a list of hostels that students can try approaching after the student has accepted the offer to enrol into the programme. However, TUM Asia will not be responsible for arranging accommodation for any student. The list of hostels is only as per suggestion and the hostels are in no way affiliated to TUM Asia.

We do suggest that students attempt to secure accommodation early before their arrival date in Singapore as it is not always easy to find a place that meets budget and convenience. We do advise students to settle accommodation before they start their study in Singapore.

Points to consider when choosing accommodation:

• Rent – This includes the rental amount of the unit, rental deposit, security deposit, administrative charges, agent fees for service rendered, etc.
• Location – Do check whether the apartment/hostel is conveniently located and if public transport, grocery stores, food outlets or banks are easily accessible.
• Length of Lease – The lease of a unit is normally for at least a year. Landlords of private apartments usually ask for up to 3 months’ rent as deposit. However, short term lease is available but usually at a higher rental.
• Others – The cost of accommodation depends on several factors such as the locality, type of premises, size, furnishings provided, recreational facilities available, length of lease. Housing in Singapore is generally expensive, especially within the city.

Do note that the contract / tenancy agreement will be solely between the student and hostel management / owner. Please read the contract / tenancy agreement carefully before you make any commitment.