Why I chose NUS: picking Singapore for exchange

When I was staring at Smith's list of 120-plus partner schools, I had a spreadsheet, three browser windows and no idea. By the end I picked the National University of Singapore, and after my Winter 2026 semester there I'd make the same call again. Here's how I decided, and how you can tell if NUS is right for you.

Start with what you want out of the semester

I wanted three things: a top business school whose courses would actually count toward my Commerce degree, a city that was easy to live in from day one, and a base for travelling somewhere completely new. Europe was the default for most of my friends. I wanted Asia, and Singapore ticked every box.

The academics are real

NUS Business School is consistently ranked among the best in Asia. Courses are taught in English, class sizes are manageable and the student body is extremely international. Expect a real workload: participation, group projects and midterms are all graded seriously. The upside is that you learn alongside driven students from across Asia, and the finance, strategy and analytics courses map well onto Smith requirements. Check course equivalencies with Smith early, since popular electives fill fast during NUS course bidding.

Singapore is the easiest landing in Asia

English is an official language, signage is in English, the MRT is spotless and you can tap your Canadian bank card at the gates. Within a day I had a prepaid SIM from Singtel, StarHub or one of the cheaper digital carriers, and I was eating at hawker centres for a few dollars a meal. If you're nervous about culture shock, Singapore lets you ease into Asia while still feeling a long way from Kingston.

Cost: not as scary as you think

Singapore has a reputation for being expensive, and rent and alcohol are. But on-campus or nearby housing keeps rent manageable, transit is cheap and hawker food is some of the best value anywhere. My biggest costs were travel and going out, not daily life. Budget carefully for weekend trips, because that's where the money goes.

The travel is the bonus

Changi is one of the best-connected airports in the world. During reading week and long weekends, Smith students on exchange flew to Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, often for less than a Toronto to Montreal train ticket. Kuala Lumpur is a short bus ride away. Book early and travel in groups to split accommodation.

Campus life

Kent Ridge is huge and green, with internal shuttle buses, gyms, pools and dozens of student clubs that welcome exchange students. The exchange community organises trips and socials from orientation week. Say yes to everything in the first two weeks; that's when friend groups form.

Who should pick NUS?

Choose NUS if you want a world-class business school, an English-speaking city that just works, warm weather all semester and the best weekend travel in Asia. It's less ideal if you want snow, a small-town feel or a big language-learning challenge. If you're torn between NUS and SMU, NUS has a big sprawling campus and a broader university experience, while SMU sits right in the city centre.

How to decide for yourself

Write down your top three priorities, take the 60-second match quiz and read the NUS school guide for SIM, transit and budget tips. If NUS lands in your top five, message us on Instagram at @exchangehubqueens and I'm happy to answer questions.