Singapore?

                For my first blog post, I would just like to address some common questions that have come up when telling people of my decision to study abroad this spring in Singapore. I have gotten a very wide range of reactions, from “Singapore is great, you are going to have such an amazing time!” to “Umm… why? Did you get to pick where you are going?” Yes, I did in fact get to choose my location, and I could not be happier with the decision! I am looking forward to living on an exotic island that very few can say they have been, meeting people from around the world, and experiencing life in one of the most clean, modern, and safe metropolises. Also, I am not ashamed to say that I am more than a little happy to be giving up a freezing snow-filled Michigan winter for the 90 degree weather of Southeast Asia.

                Overall, I think the majority of people just don’t know that much about Singapore. I’ll be the first to admit that before beginning the study abroad process, I was uninformed about Singaporean life and culture. So, I have compiled a nice list of interesting facts about the country!

Interesting Facts About Singapore

1. Singapore is both a country and a city. It is made up of one main island (the city of Singapore), along with a lot of other small islands.

http://www.asiaonline.com.au/singapore/attractions.html

2. It is located in Southeast Asia- South of Malaysia and North of Indonesia

3. English is, in fact, a national language of Singapore in addition to Chinese, Malay, and Tamil   

4. Singapore is known for having several strange laws which they are very strict about, because of this it is one of the cleanest countries in the world. 

http://www.singaporeaninlondon.com/2008/10/5-reasons-why-singaporeans-return-to.html

       Examples: The sale of gum is forbidden              
                          It is illegal to spit and jaywalk in Singapore, with fees of up to $600 

5. Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where I will be going to school, is rated in the top 50 universities in the world. 

http://www1.spms.ntu.edu.sg/~oson/

6. Singapore is one of the greenest cities in the world, nicknamed “The Garden City”

A building at NTU where I will be going to school! 
http://greendesign1.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Green-Building-Design-of-School-of-Art-Singapore.jpg

7. The world’s first night zoo, “the Night Safari,” is located in Singapore (Interesting fact: I LOVE ZOOS)

http://www.cbstour.com/distour.php?no=110&type=Excursion%20Tour#

8. This really cool pool is also located in Singapore! You know the one that people are always posting on Pinterest?

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/innovation/city-solutions/

This is a very limited amount of Singaporean facts, but every day I learn something new to add to the random list I have already been compiling. As the days keep flying by before my departure date of January 7, I am not only unbelievably excited but also incredibly nervous to begin this new adventure. I know that this experience will be one of the most difficult, yet absolutely rewarding things I have done thus far in my life and I cannot wait to start this next chapter! I would now like to close it out with these inspiring words from Mark Twain that are very near and dear to my heart: 

http://lucieonthelam.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/travel_quote2.jpg