W
hen I was looking at study abroad programs
for the winter semester of my junior year, the
overwhelming number of places I could go
both excited and scared me. Ross Global Initiatives and the
Center for Global and Intercultural Studies offer programs
to over 40 countries. I felt and continue to feel lucky to be
student at such an international-reaching university, where
the opportunities to travel and learn are plentiful.
Although I’m a seasoned international traveler, I’d spent
most of my time abroad for vacation or visiting family,
with the exception of the six week language program I did
in France last summer. I had never spent four months by
myself in a place I’d never been, and I was hungry for this
experience to be different from my past experiences. Since
I’ve already lived and visited most of Europe, I decided to
eliminate it from my list of potential places to go. Europe is a
big place with hundreds of different cultures and thousands
of things to do, I wanted to explore somewhere that I knew
nothing about, and a culture that I had never experienced.
I wanted to participate the Ross Global Initiatives Semester
Abroad Program, which has partner schools mostly in
Europe and Asia, so I chose Asia. I’d never been to Asia
before and the idea frightened, but intrigued me. I’d be at
least a 25 hour plane journey from home and in a completely
opposite time zone.
In my research of different Asian countries and programs,
I realized the vast differences I would be choosing between.
The schools in China versus Thailand versus Singapore had
many differences in class selection, student life and culture.
For example, the International Education of Students
School in Shanghai is a school that specifies in study abroad.
Contrasting with the National University of Singapore,
which is a large university that attracts students from all
over the world for regular enrollment. An experience at a
university that only has study abroad students, and learning
to mesh with regular students is a completely different
experience. As a whole, the huge continent offers a plethora
of ways of life, landmarks, languages and peoples. Looking
through the different schools, the variations and options
were amazing. Singapore stood out to me for three distinct
reasons: the school, the food and the travel opportunities.
When I go to Singapore, I will be attending the National
University of Singapore. The school had all the academic
requirements I was looking for, noted as the best University
in Asia, as well as the travel opportunities I was looking
for: Vietnam, Laos, Bali, Thailand, etc. Since I’m only
in the country for about four months, this is the perfect
opportunity to try something new, meet new people and
maybe develop some new skills.
Singapore is known for its amazing food. It is estimated
that almost 40% of the population is non-citizens, so
naturally, the food is an agglomeration of Asian influences
and European dishes. “Hawker centres,” or market places,
boast many street food stalls — each with a different dish
from India to Malaysia. I am so excited to try foods that aren’t
generic in the United States and give myself the opportunity
to branch out in tastes. Although the idea of eating some
strange meats and vegetables I’ve never heard of makes me
a little nervous, I’m looking forward to exploring.
I’m also looking forward to travelling. I plan to visit
Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali and maybe
even Australia to visit family. The opportunity to visit all
these places at once has never been available to me before. I
also plan to travel with other exchange students that I meet
at NUS and develop good relationships with people from
all over the world. Singapore is a popular location for many
students to study in all over the world, which makes it the
perfect place to meet young students just like me. The best
way to get to know someone is travel the world with them,
and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.
Although I’m excited to do all these fun things while
abroad, I do have some concerns. For example, Singapore has
a very strict set of laws and regulations. Almost everyone’s
heard that “gum is illegal to buy and chew” since the city
cares deeply about cleanliness and order. One thing I’d never
heard of before is that jaywalking is illegal and punishable
by prison. As a converted “Ann Arbor-ian,” jaywalking is
second nature to me, and I am guilty of stepping out into
the street whenever I please. Let’s hope I don’t end up in
prison during my four months there. Lastly, it is forbidden
to urinate in an elevator. In fact, most elevators have urine
detectors and if you dare to do so, you will be locked in the
elevator until your arrest.
Ultimately, planning my study abroad and learning
about my future temporary home has been one of the most
exciting parts of fall semester. I plan to branch out in ways
I never have before, meet people who will hopefully be my
friends for life and expand my sense of cultural awareness.
3B
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 / The Statement
All Around the World: Singapore
B Y I S O B E L F U T T E R
“I’m bitterly disappointed in the officiating.
Throwing your hat, throwing your script — that’s a
penalty. I asked him about it and he said, ‘Well, it is
in basketball.’ Well, this isn’t basketball. I thought
there were some outrageous calls, including the
one that should have ended the game.”
— University of Michigan football coach JIM HARBAUGH was fined by the
Big Ten for making these comments after the game, which his team lost
30-27.
on the record: the game
“But [this game] was an instant classic between
two great teams. We knew going in it was going to
be that way. That’s one of the best defenses we’ve
ever gone against.”
— Ohio State University football coach URBAN MEYER on where this game
will rank within the long rivalry.
“It was a great game all in all. Ohio State played a
heck of a game, all jokes aside.”
—University of Michigan sophomore cornerback JOURDAN LEWIS after the
game, responding to joking tweets from his former high school teammate and
Ohio State University running back Mike Weber.
COVER DESIGN BY SHANE ACHENBACH
COVER PHOTO BY EMILIE FARRUGIA
ILLUSTRATION BY SHANE ACHENBACH