Robin went to Singapore for an exchange semester

Only 20 years old, Robin Lopes will graduate this summer with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. One of the most valuable experiences from his time as a student was going to Singapore for an exchange semester.  

What were the best parts of your experience?

My exchange semester in Singapore was truly a unique experience. I believe one of the best parts of this was the opportunity to really dive in and immerse myself in so many different cultures. I not only got to see the unique culture of Singapore itself, but I was also able to travel to nearby countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, each with their own distinct culture, history, and traditions. Being able to witness them firsthand was truly an eye-opening experience. I was able to try new foods, see famous landmarks, and meet people from all over the world. This experience helped me broaden my perspective on the world, taught me to appreciate different cultures, and equipped me with valuable cross-cultural communication skills. 

Can you tell us a little about the process behind applying for an exchange semester? 

After my time at HandelsFinance, the Nordics' largest student-run company in economics, I knew that finance is the thing that drives me. I therefore did some research about where to go abroad and soon enough ended up in Singapore, Asia’s financial hub. I almost directly knew this was the right choice for me. This was a great opportunity to both get an introduction to Asia, as I hadn’t been there, but also a great way to improve my financial network and financial studies.

How did you finance your exchange semester in Singapore? 

As Singapore is one of the most expensive countries to live in, I knew I had to find a way to finance my exchange semester. I therefore decided to found Lopes Holdings AB, acting as a middleman between corporate employees and homeowners. The company’s quick success helped in funding my semester abroad, while also providing a solid foundation for me to continue managing it remotely from Singapore.

I want to emphasize that my intention is not to discourage anyone from considering Singapore as a destination. While it is undeniably one of the most expensive places to live, there are various alternatives to fund your trip, such as personal savings or the possibility of being awarded scholarships. I am incredibly grateful to the Adlerbertska Scholarship Foundation, and The School of Business, Economics and Law Travel Scholarship for generously supporting me during my exchange semester in Singapore. Thanks to my scholarships, I was able to fully immerse myself in a new culture without having to worry about my finance. Additionally, I also had some savings from my previous jobs and the company I started helped me get by.

What was it like to study in Singapore?

I studied finance and statistics. One course that stood out was my financial mathematics course that really pushed me to the limit. (I deleted a small part here) This course might have been one of the hardest, but it really made me grow as a person. In the end it was this course I got the best grades in. The school overall was a great place to get to know new friends, and at the same time meet nice and welcoming professors. The people I met there were supportive, inclusive and really wanted the best for everybody.  

How did you find an accommodation? 

The Singapore Management University (SMU) provided some tips on accommodations, and I decided to stay in one of their recommendations. I shared apartment with 3 other exchange students from Hong Kong, Chile, and South Korea, and this might have been one of my best choices. Since my whole floor was full of exchange students it was really easy to get new friends and get a sense of community.

What was the social life like?

The social life was amazing! Both the school and other students were great at organizing student activities, and a variety of student clubs and travel groups I could join. It wasn’t long until I had new friends from all over the world. We built a good exchange semester community with over 500 students joining the Facebook group. This created off-campus activities at a frequent basis like viewing tourist attractions, visiting food hawker centers or traveling to different nearby countries. 

Would you recommend going to Singapore for an exchange?

I would definitely recommend Singapore as an exchange semester. The best way I could describe the country is like the real version of the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”. I would say that this is an experience like no other. Singapore is a great way to dive into the Asian culture, with a western friendly touch to it. With so many interesting countries close by you can easily immerse yourself in different cultures and get a taste of adventure. This is a recommendation to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable exchange experience.