Singapore is fast becoming a popular destination for foreign students to study. Many things have made Singapore a much sort after place for studying.
The availability of international universities offering a variety of courses, its easy connectivity with all the major cities of the world, availability of affordable accommodation facilities, besides the fact that English is one of the major languages of Singapore which is easily understood by the international students plus the favorable climate and the sense of safety that the country provides has made Singapore an important city for students as well.
Singapore is also a very tourist-friendly country and the locals are known to be warm and hospitable. Naturally, the students from the world over feel welcome and at home! Singapore offers a rich culture that is reflected in its customs, cuisine, and lifestyle.
Singapore is one of the cleanest cities in the world and prides itself on it. In addition, the city offers a variety of facilities and scope for both studying and relaxation. Students who are studying in Singapore make the wonderful city their destination for studying since they dream to explore the beautiful and colorful country as well!
And the only thing that can stop such students from exploring the richness and variety of the country can be money.
For students who operate on a tight budget, spending a lot of money on tuition fees, accommodation charges, traveling charges, books and stationery, and projects and items of daily needs. Very little is left for them to spend on exploring the city and all that it has to offer.
So for students, especially those who have to adjust both their work and pleasure, within the confines of a limited budget, Singapore has a lot to offer!
This article attempts to explore the various areas and places that a student can afford to visit. It also tries to give some ideas that a student can make use of to explore this wonderful country while spending the lowest.
Attractive Student Discounts:
It should be noted that Singapore is a very tourist-friendly country and it can be said that it is even a student-friendly country. There are certain student discounts available for the students to avail.
- For example, the Asian Civilization Museum, which provides a learning experience offers around a 50% discount to a Student when they produce their Student card.
- The Spizza Pizza outlets even offer a discount of 15% to students who produce their student cards.
- Giant companies like Microsoft, Apple, etc. offer discounts to students on their products upon the production of valid student ID cards.
- KFC, Baja Fresh, etc. also offer discounts to students on their wide range of products.
- Theatres, Gyms also offer discounts that can be availed by students.
- Students also get discounts on shopping for books, clothes, accessories, etc. when they produce their Student card.
Singapore is a vibrant country, pulsating with friendly locals and touring tourists alike. The country also offers a variety of places, things, events to explore, and a whole bunch of things to do for students whenever they have some free time on their hands.
There are many unique sightseeing places which cannot be missed:
- Merlion Park: It is one of the most famous sites of Singapore and one just can’t afford to miss it for anything in the world. It is a huge white structure with a body of fish and lion and is impossible to miss.
- Jurong Bird Park: It is home to a myriad of exotic species of birds and is a must-see, though the entry fee is a bit steep for a student.
- The Cathay at St. James offers games and fun in their video game and café. It provides a fun environment and is a perfect place to chill out and relax.
- The Wave House at Sentosa is also a hit among the partying crowd and is one of the best places where you can enjoy live concerts.
- Universal Studios is another famous and sought-after theme for both enjoying entertainment programs as well as dare-devil rides. A perfect place to let your hair down and just get lost in the world of fun.
- Visiting popular areas like China Town, Little India, etc. is a must for students who want to savor the smells and sounds of these countries. You can almost get a glimpse of these countries when you walk through the lanes of China Town or Little India.
Other major sight-seeing spots are:
- Marina Bay Sands: houses the World’s longest elevated pool and is quite an attraction.
- Thomson Nature Park: A visit to this park may offer a glimpse of the endangered species Raffles Banded Langur and is a must for those types of students who love nature and cherish animals.
- Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: It is a place where animal-loving students might be able to spot lizards and migratory birds.
- Singapore Zoo: The place provides a natural habitat for exotic animals like white tigers and crocodiles. Though the entry fee is a bit steep for a student, it is worth it and should be on a student’s ‘to-do list’.
- Johns and Kusu Islands- These are islands quite near to the city and offer breathtaking views of the clean beaches and sparkling clear water. It is a dream spot for those who enjoy fishing or swimming or just like to laze on the beaches and watch the day go by.
- Pasir Ris Park: It is a delightful place for students who just want to walk or enjoy the beach or watch the birds. It contains lush green parks and a beach- a rare combination. And for those bird watchers, a tall bird tower provides a magnificent spot to view the exotic birds.
- Renting a bike for less than 10$ a day and heading to Chek Jawa Wetlands is another great option.
Places that are ‘Free’ and do not cost anything on the pocket:
Students, by default, have to think of ways and means of saving that extra dollar or pound. And many students have to work extra hard to save. Hence, places that are free and do not charge any entry fee are welcome for students.
Here, we attempt to list out several sight-seeing spots or places where students can entertain themselves at no extra cost.
Some of these spots are as follows:
- Orchard Road Malls are heaven for the shoppers amongst the students. And though many things may be out of budget for students, they can certainly indulge in a little bit of window shopping!
- The Jewel Changi Airport, which boasts of waterfalls and stores, which are stunning and unique in design and décor, is also a sight to behold and one can easily spend some quiet quality time over there.
- The Botanic Gardens- Singapore being blessed with one of the best climates in the world, is naturally home to a huge variety of plants, both exotic and extraordinary. The Botanic Gardens of Singapore are one such haven, they are a splash of colors and shades that one could imagine. Spending some time here, in nature, is both refreshing and inspiring. Not to mention those marvelous selfies that students can easily capture for their social media accounts!
- The MacRitchie Reservoir Park offers an amazing Tree-Top-Talk which is both breathtaking and memorable. Easily one of the best walks of one’s life!
- For the water sporting-loving student, a visit to Marina Barrage is a must. It is quite a spot and provides kayak and kite flying facilities.
- Those Students who want a slice of the village life with its rustic feel and fun can always head to the Hay Dairies and the Bollywood veggies where they can get to play and cuddle the cute animals while some students might enjoy plucking fresh greens from the farms.
- Exploring the magnificent skyscraper towering city is in itself a rewarding experience. There a student will get a feel of Singapore’s popular work culture and will be able to feel the pulse of this city which is always ‘on the go’.
Places to Shop:
There are those students who like to shop till they drop, and many, especially, female students who always feel their moods elevated after a bit of ‘retail therapy.
For such students, Singapore is a shopping haven. From selling world-class electronic gadgets which are every student’s dream to fashionable clothes and accessories, apart from gift items or souvenirs for friends and family, Singapore has it all!
Singapore is buzzing with indoor malls and indoor shopping lanes as well as outdoor shopping. From the latest brands to affordable fashion, Singapore has a combination of it all.
Some of the most popular Shopping spots of Singapore are:
- Haji Lane: is easily one of the most favorite places for shopping and eating out. It is a colorful and hip place and is a great place to unwind and just relax.
- Funan Mall: is a mall just right for techno-savvy students. It houses innumerable shops for electronic gadgets and is a shopping haven for the students who always crave that latest edition of laptops, iPad, or games. Besides, there is an indoor cycling lane too, which provides a sporty attitude to the mall.
- Bugis Street: is a hot favorite shopping spot for students. It offers trendy and less expensive clothes and accessories and is a delight for shoppers, especially teenagers.
Hiking:
Since Singapore is blessed with a large variety of flora and fauna, hiking in Singapore is a memorable experience. The country has a wide gamut of hiking trips and trails and they provide an awesome path through the natural richness of the country.
Hiking in Singapore has developed considerably over the years and now the hikes are even grouped into categories depending on the level of challenges that they offer. Like there are the ‘Challenging hikes’ or ‘More Challenging hikes’.
Fort Canning Park, Windsor nature park, Coast to coast trial, Thomson nature park, Keppel Hill reservoir are some of the popular hiking trails across Singapore, classified as per their level of challenges and are strongly recommended for the hiking loving student, who can never get enough of walking in nature and enjoying it.
Food:
Food is almost everyone’s weakness and Singapore can satisfy the palate of everyone as it has food joints and restaurants for every cuisine and budget. Chinese, Indian, Thai, etc. all types of food are available.
Some of the famous food outlets are listed here:
- In Chinatown: If you are in Chinatown, just don’t forget to eat at the famous Maxwell Food Centre.
- Famous joints like KFC, Pepper Lunch, Hot Tomato, etc. are spread throughout the country and provide a variety of food loved by the students and youngsters.
Night Life:
Singapore, being a young and vibrant country offers a wide range of options for students to enjoy and to dance and party at the night. Naturally, it has a wide range of nightlife activities to choose from. Though students should tread carefully when it comes to nightlife, checking out a few of the most happening nightclubs is a must!
Some of the most popular spots of Singapore’s Night Life are:
- The Marquee is one of the most famous nightclubs and rightly so. It is also touted to be the biggest nightclub in the city and is a hot spot for many.
- Zouk: is another famous spot for parting and hanging out. Famous DJs give a live and lively performance and the party gets as wild as it can!
Singapore has several places to explore and several things to do, be it a student or a tourist. The only difference between a student out to explore Singapore and a tourist out to explore Singapore is, of course, budget!
So, though both the tourist and the student may have the names of the same places to visit on their wish list, some may not be practically possible for the student.
However, Singapore has made a great attempt at encouraging the student to be able to explore this great country by providing student discounts on a variety of things like entry fees to museums, food joints, shops of electronic gadgets, clothes, accessories, etc. Although it is a relatively small country in size, it has a wide variety of places to explore and things to do.
Besides, it is a very friendly and safe and clean country. Naturally, international students are attracted to it and parents also feel reassured and proud that their children are studying in a great country like Singapore.
