I’m heading to business school in Singapore in a month. 1 year of hell beckons, and I can’t wait for it to start!
Is there anybody out there?!
I remember a Singaporean doper, but I can´t recall her name right now…
Singapore doper here!
Reporting.
Business school? Which one? NTU, NUS, SMU, SIM?
There’s some of us around. 
Quite right. 
Great!
I’m going to SPJCM, starting this December. I’m arriving December 11th, with induction beginning on the 12th. Not sure what my schedule is just yet, but if would be great if I can meet up with one/some/all of you that weekend!
That aside, any tips? What’s Singapore like for a (31 year old) student? I’m coming from Bombay - anything I should keep in mind, anything I can bring you?!
Are you an ethical Indian? If so, I think the least of your worry is food…
Other than that, I don’t think there is anything out of the ordinary here. Singapore is quite a bland place, if you have been to any large cities.
Hmmm… Bombay?
Ms. Cat went to Chennai on a business trip a while ago, and if Bombay is anything like Chennai, you’ll find it a LOT cleaner/more organised here. Singapore is called “sterile” for a reason. 
Indians make up about 15% of the native population. Of course, at times, it seems like Blangladeshis outnumber the locals, but oh well.
I don’t really know what else to tell you. It’s going to be about as hot, and about as humid. There’s a LOT of interesting food from all over asia here, so if you like food you’re in for a treat. If you’re vegetarian, however, you’ll be slightly disappointed.
Hmmm… what else. Food is cheap, shopping is cheap, housing is pretty damn expensive.
What kind of things do you want to know?
Let me know if you ever come to Jakarta. We’re only a 70 minute flight away!
(I go to Singapore often, and love it.)
If you’re a Bambaiyya, Singapore’s about the same lifestyle-wise, except more sterile. Not much of an issue for Indian vegetarians either, since Indian food outlets are a dime a dozen these days.
I have no idea how much of a foodie you are, but I have to say that half of Singapore’s appeal, especially over a long period of time, lies in the food. Singaporeans (and that includes me, expat though I am) take their food seriously, dammit.
One warning: the housing market is inflated to hell right now, so I hope your MBA institute provides student housing of some sort. If not, expect to pay through your nose.
Bring kachoris and vada-pav.
Three of the last 4 posts have described Singapore as being either ‘bland’ or ‘sterile’.
Enthusiastic buggers, aren’t we? 
Well, it can be good and bad. We will definitely just yawn through everyday but at least we don’t have “dramas” like coups or Sarah Palin. Best way to stay out of trouble? Don’t draw attention to yourself.
Oh, one thing. A lot of Singaporeans tend to speak “Singlish”, a mixture of local dialect mixed with broken English, while on the street. It might take a while to get used to.
Yup, reasonably ethical. Wholly ethnic though
The food is something I’m particularly looking forward to. I’m a complete foodie, though given the nature of my course, I don’t know how much time I’m going to have to taste all of Singapore. Bring on the buffet!!
I’m from Bombay, and it’s far worse than Chennai, cleanliness-wise.
I’m staying on campus, so I don’t have to worry about expensive accommodation. But I was told that the campus is somewhat outside the city. Google Maps shows the campus as near the Panjang Pasir Park, with the nearest MRT stations (Rehill and Queenstown) as 3km away. How far outside the city is this?!
Is it common for students (I mean those on a student budget) to travel by taxi? Or are there student passes for buses, trains?
Singapore’s reputation for being sterile is… well, I already knew that. No gum!
Singapore is really small - it less than 40km in height, getting anywhere is not a problem if you are used to traveling in larger cities. I think half an hour to 45 minutes is the maximum time for you to reach almost any part of Singapore from anywhere in the country (including waiting for transport and traffic jam).
Redhill and Queenstown are about 15mins to City Hall, which is the ‘town’ area, by train (not sure by bus). I think there is no need for you to worry about taxis. I am not sure if you are eligible for pass, but if you do, it entitles you to 4 trips on the train for free each day and unlimited rides on any buses (you can choose whether you want both, or just the train or bus).