Coming from an Indian background, I had a feeling that Singapore was going to be like a home away from home. It is known to be a melting pot of cultures with a rich history that brings parts of Asia together. I had just visited India prior to the Singapore study abroad experience, and seeing the differences and similarities between the two countries was quite remarkable.
India is known for its bustling streets and large population, which can unfortunately lead to heavy pollution and littering. This is not at all the case in Singapore, even in Little India. Rules are followed strictly and engrained in all Singaporeans, as the penalty can be very steep. The result is a country that is extremely clean and orderly, which is very noticeable. Streets are swept constantly, and I have never seen any litter or trash on the ground. India and Singapore both have extremely rich histories, and the religious groups that make up both countries are similar in composition. There is a wide variety of places of worship in both countries, and it is easy to come across a Hindu Temple, or a Christian Church in either.
I’ve noticed how masterful Singapore is with efficiency. When I first got there, everything just clicked smoothly. The lines at the airport, grabbing a taxi, going through customs – all of it seemed purposefully designed to be quick and hassle-free. This is the same with transportation around the country as well. It is very expensive to own a vehicle in Singapore, as the government wants to reduce the amount of personal transportation and imposes heavy fees to do so. Most Singaporeans use buses and the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) subway system as a result. As the country is very small, reducing congestion on the roads is quintessential, and these options help achieve this goal. These two public transportation options are cheap and very effectively designed so we have used them frequently to go to various places.
Singapore prides itself on greenery and the protection of wildlife. I have been to Gardens by the Bay, the S.E.A Aquarium, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the Night Safari. Each of these locations dedicates itself to educating the public about the harm of human activity on biodiversity and how we can help change this. Signs and billboards are posted everywhere in these locations on how animals and plant variants are endangered because of us and urge us to help fix this. This love for plants and greenery is shown everywhere, even downtown. Skyscrapers and buildings feature sections that are covered in plants and have trees, and Changi Airport contains mini-forests and trees everywhere.
We have yet to visit companies in the country yet, but have gained a deep appreciation for the way of life of Singaporeans. Walking tours of Singapore and a museum visit have allowed the group to understand how the country came to be and where it plans to be in the future. I look forward to gaining a better perspective into the business culture in Singapore, and plan to continue learning about how efficiency is incorporated into other aspects of Singapore’s economy.
