Climate

The climate in Singapore is typically tropical as the island is almost on the equator. The weather all year round is similar with temperatures never sinking below around 20 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit). However, there is a monsoon season between November and January when there will be torrential rain every day in the early morning and mid-afternoon, for about an hour.

People

Culture and religion remain entwined in Singapore, far more than in the West. Throughout the year, a constant stream of festivals and celebrations in the streets and temples reflects the diverse beliefs and backgrounds of this multicultural society, comprising of Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. Many of the major Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu festivals are marked by public holidays and Christmas is just one more holiday - for which shops stay open.

Cost of Living

The standard of living in Singapore is amongst the highest in Asia. Compared to countries in western continents, the cost of living here is relatively low, and basic items like food and clothing are very reasonably priced.
When planning your budget, you will need to cater for these items:

• Accommodation
• Ultilities
• Food
• Transport
• Clothing
• Telecommunications
• Books & Stationery
• Medical/Hospitalisation Insurance
• Personal Expenses

An international student in Singapore spends on average S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses. This amount varies depending on your individual lifestyle and course of study.
These estimated cost ranges in the table below give a rough guide of the basic expenditure an international student may incur per month.

To know more about the exchange rates based in your home currency, please visit www.oanda.com/convert/classic

Item Cost per month

*Please note that the average estimates were derived based on prices as at April 2006 and they serve as a reference only.

Transport

Traveling in Singapore is both easy and economical. There is an efficient public transportation network, which offers taxis, buses, and the modern Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system. With its excellent public transport system, Singapore is, without a doubt, the easiest city in Asia to get around

Singpapore's modern Changi International Airport is vast, efficient, and organized. There are banking and money-changing facilities, a post office, which is open 24 hours a day, credit card phones, free phones for local calls, Internet facilities, free hotel reservation counters, luggage facilities, restaurants, day rooms, fitness centers, saunas, business centers, and over 100 shops. The airport even provides free films, bars with entertainment, hairdressers, medical facilities, a swimming pool, and even a mini Science Discovery Museum. In other words, Changi International Airport has almost everything a visitor would require.

There are two terminals: Terminal 1 and the newer Terminal 2. The Changi Skytrain, which is a monorail, shuttles between both terminals. Located on the extreme eastern end of the island, the airport is about 20km from the city center. To add on to the airport's efficiency, "airbuses" are provided to make traveling to and from the airport much easier. The airbus will take the weary traveler straight into town without any hassles and at a reasonable rate too.

Singapore has over 15,000 air-conditioned taxis, which provide comfortable, hassle-free traveling at reasonable costs. Visitors can flag them down anytime. To further ease visitors, well marked taxi stands are available outside most major shopping centers and hotels. An extra charge will be added during peak hours, as well as for advanced booking.

Clean, punctual, and air-conditioned, Singapore's MRT subway system is a hallmark of efficiency. It is the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable way of getting around Singapore within minutes. Do note that there are fines for littering, smoking, eating and drinking in MRT stations and on board the trains. The MRT operates from 6 a.m. to midnight at frequencies of 3 to 8 minutes.

Singapore's bus network is extremely frequent and comprehensive. Visitors rarely have to wait more than a few minutes and a bus will get them anywhere. If you are planning to travel a lot by public transport, it is best to purchase a copy of the TransitLink Guide, which has a list of all bus and MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) services. You can also buy the TransitLink Card, a stored value card that can be used on both the MRT and bus. Most buses operate between 6 a.m. to midnight.

Entertainment

As the young middle class begins to spend more on entertainment, Singapore's nightlife has also grown with its increase in interesting night spots. There are a large number of bars and discos, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated in Singapore today. Pool, wine, and cigars are the norm and that is what the young-at-heart are indulging in these days at the various groovy hangouts. Visitors can choose between exciting bars, clubs, discos, and karaoke. Serious "fun" is also available in the form of Chinese street operas, night markets, theater productions, classical music performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, dances performed by the Singapore Dance Theatre, international bands, and off-Broadway productions. Singapore's nightlife does, indeed, make the country a truly bustling city.

Food

Eating is a national pastime in Singapore. Furthermore, with the variety of places to enjoy this pastime, it is no surprise at all if the phrase "eat to your heart's content" had originated from Singapore.

Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Peranakan, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Korean cuisine, and more compete one another in the "battle of the taste buds"! On top of that, there is Singapore's vast array of hawker stalls and restaurants that range from global franchises to gourmet delis to posh six-star settings. To further promote this delicious pastime, there are seemingly endless food promotions and tours - including the Singapore Food Festival in July - which are held throughout the year.

Furthermore, food and entertainment often go together like hand and glove. Many places offer both excellent food and entertainment options, thus enabling you to enjoy the best of both worlds in one location.

Indeed, all these attractions have created a food paradise like no other. Food has become something that is thoroughly appreciated by every Singaporean and visitor alike.

Other Information

Airport Tax
A passenger service charge of SGD21 should be incorporated in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore). If this has not been done, you may be required to pay the SGD21 during check-in. In some cases, the airline may absorb the service charge. Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge upon departure from Singapore.

Drinking Water
It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for those who prefer bottled mineral water, local supermarkets and grocers always have ample stock.

Electricity
The electrical current in Singapore is 240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. Singapore uses the square-shaped three-pin plug. You may need an adapter or transformer for foreign appliances, which are available at most hardware stores.

Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit traffic of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.

SARS Preventive Measures
Resilient and determined to protect her people and visitors, Singapore has taken the lead in containing the virus through swift, proactive measures. From temperature checks with thermal imaging scanners at the airport, to rigorous precautionary measures such as temperature checks and sanitation at workplaces, schools, community venues and public transportation, Singapore has spared no effort to beat SARS.

To give added reassurance and peace of mind to visitors, the Cool Singapore Award was launched on 20 May 2003 to recognise tourism establishments who have gone the extra mile in implementing stringent SARS preventive measures.

This diligent, hands-on and transparent approach to the epidemic is winning the country praise from around the world.

FTMS also prides itself by being one of the first schools to have private ambulance services provided by Civic Ambulance

Safety
Travellers across the world are understandably more concerned about personal safety and security issues today than ever before. The Singapore Tourism Board would like to assure all our visitors that the situation in Singapore remains calm and stable and it is business as usual.

The Singapore Government has and will continue to be vigilant in ensuring that Singapore remains safe. It has stepped up security measures at key installations and other sensitive places. The Government has also made it known that extremism originating from religion or race has no place in Singapore and it will not hesitate to take action against any extremist or terrorist groups or individuals.
The swift and definite actions of the Singapore Internal Security Department over the arrests of the 15 terrorists in January 2002 is testimony to this.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined up to SGD 1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.

Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged as most hotels and restaurants in Singapore already levy a 10% service charge on customers' bills. Tipping is not a way of life in Singapore and is prohibited at the airport.

Work / Employment
International students are generally not allowed to engage in any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid, or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of their Student Pass unless they have the consent in writing from the Controller of Immigration. Violators will be prosecuted by law.

The exceptions are for full-time undergraduates of Polytechnics and Universities that are allowed to work part-time of up to 16 hours per week during school term. However, they need to obtain permission from the Student's Liaison/Affairs Office of their respective Polytechnics and Universities. During their vacations, they are allowed to work full-time as the Ministry of Manpower has exempted them from applying for work permits.
In addition, foreign students who are full-time matriculated or registered students of institutions approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) are exempted from the Work Permit regulations. They can work part-time during term time for less than 16 hours per week, as well as full-time during school vacation period.

Before you look for part-time or vacation employment, please gather more details, ensure you meet the conditions and seek prior approval from the approved institutions (Immigration Department). Sometimes, the employer may require a letter of authorisation from the approved institutions to indicate that the students are allowed to work during the school holiday.

For details of the Work Permit Scheme, students can also contact the Work Permit Department of the Ministry of Manpower during the official operating hours:

Work Permit Department
Ministry of Manpower
18 Havelock Road
Singapore 059764

OneCall Centre: (65) 6438 5122
Fax: (65) 6539 5344
Email: mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg

Operating hours:
8am to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday)
8am to 1pm (Saturday)

Other useful links would include the following:

Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
Ministry of Education (MOE)
Facts about Singapore