Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Patricio
From: EM Lyon
To: SMU
2025 • Fall
Politics of SEA was super interesting and super hard. Trade Finance was great overall. Corporate Deals and Entrepreneurship in Singapore are very…..
What kind of place was it?
Classic Apartment
How much was the rent per month?
SGD5000
Where was it located?
Devonshire Road, near Somerset metro, 2 stops away from school or 20-25 mins walk
How can someone find this place?
propertyguru
Would you recommend it?
Yes. Great views, nice finishes, slight deficiencies, no real common areas.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Everyting closes early. Ce La Vie, Marquee, Nova top spots. Download Aentry asap.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Politics of SEA was super interesting and super hard. Trade Finance was great overall. Corporate Deals and Entrepreneurship in Singapore are very similar. Power and Politics in Organisations is very rich if participative.
Do you have some tips?
Yes to everything.
Best trips to do?
anywhere is very cheap. Take into consideration raining seasons and coordinate with pals since everyone leaves for multiple trips, for Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines and even Korea and China.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
It's expensive but has very cheap options. Find these options such as Hawker Centers.
Locals don't really talk to you, you need active effort.
Agathe
From: Dauphine Paris
To: Singapore management university
2025 • Fall
Yes, it was great ! I would choose the same apartment and agency..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
1000€
Where was it located?
Farrer park
How can someone find this place?
Hei homes
Would you recommend it?
Yes, it was great ! I would choose the same apartment and agency
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Nova, boat quay, ce la vie
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I recommend game theory and introduction to econometrics
Do you have some tips?
The campus was great, I would pick the same again
Best trips to do?
Best place to travel !
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
It is really safe and you can eat for cheap at the food court
Christian
From: IE University
To: Singapore Management University
2025 • Fall
Lots to do but people are more reserved in Asia...
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
1100
Where was it located?
Geylang
How can someone find this place?
Don’t
Would you recommend it?
No
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Lots to do but people are more reserved in Asia.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
International Business
Do you have some tips?
Amazing campus life and activities.
Best trips to do?
Super easy and accessible airport
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
Fantastic sceneries, night life and activities
Find accommodation fast but never rush.
Chloe
From: Ie university
To: SMU
2025 • Fall
Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, basically everywhere in South East Asia..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
1680 sgd
Where was it located?
Queens town
How can someone find this place?
Landlord number
Would you recommend it?
1 bathroom for 5 people. Do not recommend but had nice room
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Marquee, c est la vie, nutmeg and clove
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
All are fine
Do you have some tips?
Campus cool, easy enough classes for master students
Best trips to do?
Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, basically everywhere in South East Asia
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
What hawker centers are
Yevhen
From: WU
To: NTU
2025 • Fall
Singapore is a developed country, but it is still Asia, which comes with its own set of problems. First and foremost, HEAT is insane. The air is so humid and…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
400€ per month
Where was it located?
Right at NTU
How can someone find this place?
It is offered for all exchange students and almost* everyone gets it
Would you recommend it?
The dorm is dirt cheap for Singapore and has a good location right on campus and good student life and amenities. However, all these aspects heavily depend on which dorm you will get. If you get lucky and get one of the good ones (Pioneer, Crescent or North Hill), you will have relatively flawless experience with AC, Gym, Canteen, big exchange student community and other benefits. BUT if you get one of the bad dorms (1, 2 or god forbid 7), then good luck sweating in your room, dealing with insects in the toilet, having no exchange students to talk to and no amenities to visit. Note: all dorms can have either single or double rooms with or without AC (AC is pay-per-use and can get quite costly if used all the time)
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
This is the strongest part of this exchange. There are 700+ exchange students each semester and most of them are really interesting people. It is easy to find friends and have a blast traveling Asia or hanging out in the downtown of Singapore. If you like clubs Marquee and Zouk are one of the best one. Although be warned Asians really like techno and edm. Therefore it will be played almost at every club here
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Classes is kinda a mixed bag. Finance classes are quite good and data science classes are also nice. But most of the regular economics courses are pretty lacking and shallow. Moreover, there is AI in Accounting and Finance course, which is just atrocious. Never take it unless you want to waste your time.
Do you have some tips?
Campus is unnecessary huge and very cumbersome to navigate, especially in the usual Singaporean heat. It looks somewhat modern, but also very utilitarian and a bit dystopian. The registration/application process at least is very easy and straight forward. The best part about this university is a big exchange community and that it is in Singapore.
Best trips to do?
Definitely the best part of the exchange is traveling and there are plenty of places to travel to from Singapore. Japan, Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Bali are only some of the great places you should visit. It is easy to find a group of exchange students planning a trip and spontaneously join them. I suggest everyone to focus on visiting as many places as you can before the exchange is over
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
Singapore is a developed country, but it is still Asia, which comes with its own set of problems. First and foremost, HEAT is insane. The air is so humid and hot, it is sometimes hard to breathe. Prepare to sweat all the time unless you have been raised in a country with similar climate. Secondly, food is quite boring and homogeneous. You will get tired from rice and noodles after a month and you still have 3 more to go. Also, everything is either spicy, greasy, fried or sweet, not much in between of those. Lastly, locals are very hard to communicate. They are very shy and sometimes lack "personality" or smth. Therefore, you will likely not get a lot of friends among locals. However, there are plenty of exchange students to hangout with, so it is not a big problem
If you are planning to go to Asia - go to Singapore. It is the best choice by far. You will at least have some civilization around you and a vibrant exchange community always nearby. After all, this university didn't get 12th world ranking for nothing.
Ambrine
From: IÉSEG
To: Nanyang technological university
2025 • Fall
I honestly wouldn’t recommend the housing. Even though it was cheap, it was really old (from 1945) and not clean at all. The only good thing was that it was on…..
What kind of place was it?
Other
How much was the rent per month?
250
Where was it located?
On the campus
How can someone find this place?
University website
Would you recommend it?
I honestly wouldn’t recommend the housing. Even though it was cheap, it was really old (from 1945) and not clean at all. The only good thing was that it was on campus and super convenient.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Boat quay Marina bay sense Marquee
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I recommend : International business environment Cultural intelligence Managing organizational change I don’t recommend : Business operation and process
Do you have some tips?
Yes it was cool. However I wouldn’t pick the same uni again because it is far from the center of the city (1h30 with the MRT).
Best trips to do?
Vietnam Malaysia Australia Indonesia Thailand
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
It is very hot and humid
Estelle
From: Rotterdam School of Management
To: Singapore Management University
2025 • Fall
Best clubs are Nova and Ce La Vi, free on wednesday for girls. both have great music (better at ce la vi). Marquee can be fun but is overcrowded very fast and…..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
1200€
Where was it located?
Somerset, 20mins from uni and very close to grocery store and other shops.
How can someone find this place?
on Cove website
Would you recommend it?
I recommend it because it was easy to get, the process was easy and trustworthy. However you dont know who your roommates are which can cause troubles and on top of that we did notice a lot of hidden fees so expect to pay around 100/200€ more than whats on the website.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Best clubs are Nova and Ce La Vi, free on wednesday for girls. both have great music (better at ce la vi). Marquee can be fun but is overcrowded very fast and you have to pay around 10-50 dollars depending on the nights. Never go to zouk or drip its not international and only minors that cannot handle their drinks. its also very crowded. for casual drinks i recommend boat quay but alcohol is expensive you’ll have to bargain.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I do not recommend evening classes (19:00-22:00). Even if the topic is interesting the timing makes it really bad and you end up never listening and being really late on stuff.
Do you have some tips?
Campus is amazing, registration and everything was easy however to pick your courses is actually the worst thing ever. you have to bid on them but there are very little spots for exchange students and it gets really stressful.
Best trips to do?
Amazing trips destination (definitely so so many) best trips are indonesia (100% revommend the java volcanoes) and vietnam (i didnt have time to go to ha giang loop or ha lang bay but ive been to ho chi minh and it was GREAT). going on trips besides the flights and sometimes accommodation is actually cheaper than staying in singapore as food and other expenses cost nothing.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
Everything is expensive so budget right.
Carla
From: KEDGE
To: Nanyang Technical University (NTU)
2024 • Full year
- Transport: MRT & buses are cheap and easy, use your student card or just tap with Apple Pay - Climate: hot & humid all year. Take light clothes, but always…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
~270 €
Where was it located?
On campus (Crescent Hall)
How can someone find this place?
Through the university’s website (⚠️ be careful with scams if looking elsewhere)
Would you recommend it?
Yes, very convenient and affordable. If possible, go for a single or at least an air-conditioned room for more comfort.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
- Clarke Quay = central spot for nightlife - Clubs: Marquee (at Marina Bay Sands, super impressive but pricey, do it once), - Zouk (great vibe, more accessible) - Chill: Sentosa, Tiong Bahru cafés, East Coast Park - On campus: lots of student activities in the halls, events & parties all year If you step out of your comfort zone at the beginning, you’ll build a great social life very quickly.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Depends on your choices, always check the course descriptions carefully.
Do you have some tips?
Huge, modern, green campus with a strong student vibe. NTU Fest at the beginning of the year is amazing. Each residence has its own events, so there’s always something going on. You can arrange your schedule on 3 days, lots of free time to travel. Workload is manageable if you organize well.
Best trips to do?
- Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur by bus, perfect for a quick trip - Islands: Batam & Bintan (Indonesia) for beach weekends - By plane: Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Hong Kong, all worth it - Budget airlines: Scoot, AirAsia, super cheap for long weekends Just check the weather (rain, typhoon seasons) before booking.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Singapore?
- Transport: MRT & buses are cheap and easy, use your student card or just tap with Apple Pay - Climate: hot & humid all year. Take light clothes, but always carry a sweater for freezing A/C indoors - Safety: ultra safe, you can walk alone anytime - Cost of living: cheap if you eat at hawker centers (3–7€ meals) - Food culture: super diverse (Asian fusion), not many “Singaporean specialties” but try everything especially coffee (“Kopi C”, “Kopi O”)
- Singapore is strict: no eating in the MRT, no littering, smoking only in designated spots - Sign up early for hall/university events, best way to meet people fast - Almost everything is cashless, activate Apple Pay/PayWave - Always carry a sweater/scarf, the A/C shock is real 🥶 - Be open to exploring, traveling, talking to locals, it makes the experience truly unique.