See yourself in Singapore: Highlights from a short-term student exchange

It was a “pinch me” moment. Gazing out at the lush vegetation and magnificent Singapore skyline from atop a 22-metre-high walkway, SAIT students Karissa Farrell, Andres-Daniel Torres-Ferrerosa, Mae Ison, Farrah Hart and recent-grad Sean McIntyre stood suspended in a grove of the city’s iconic Supertrees. These towering purple and green structures coiled in live tropical plants had looked impressive in the photos they’d seen before taking the trip, but in real life? They were simply otherworldly.

As night fell, they’d find a spot in the grass to sit and look up at the same Supertrees as thousands of lights entwining the structures shimmered to the sound of familiar show tunes.

It was the perfect visit to Singapore’s world-famous Gardens by the Bay, and one of several cultural excursions planned as part of their three-week study exchange through SAIT’s Study Abroad program in July 2024.

Classes + culture + community = Trip of a lifetime

Short-term exchanges offer SAIT students the chance to explore other cultures, give back through community service and enrich their post-secondary education. Open to SAIT students in various programs of study, with some including bursaries to reduce out-of-pocket costs, these exchanges are a great way to boost intercultural competencies — and your resumé.

The Singapore 2024 cohort — which also included students from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA — was hosted by ITE College West, one of the institutions SAIT partners with to offer regular study trips through the Global Education Network (GEN). The group stayed in the college’s newly-renovated full-service hotel, a training facility for their hospitality students.

On weekdays, participants attended classes in their field of study on campus. Class time was a great opportunity to network with the school’s students and staff while observing cultural and curriculum differences in the local education system.

SAIT School of Business students Torres-Ferrerosa and Hart attended lectures on data analytics, financial products and service management. Ison, a Software Development student, sat in on classes such as AI Machine Learning and Programming Essentials.

Culinary Arts student Farrell and recent-grad McIntyre brought their chef’s whites from home and got in the kitchen with local culinary students and instructors. They even shadowed the head Chef of the college’s contemporary restaurant, Chez West, watching (and sampling!) as spectacular dishes came together — the seared Spanish mackerel in a fish beurre blanc with stuffed white onion, roasted onion puree and broccolini did not disappoint.

The cohort was invited to tour ITE’s impressive facilities, including a drone and robot hub as well as a transportation lab featuring a real Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) car and train tracks.

The college also arranged for the group to visit boutique Singaporean hotels to learn more about the local hospitality industry from behind the scenes and take in the gorgeous amenities.

When they weren’t learning, the group participated in guided excursions. A stimulating trip to the vibrant streets and shops of Chinatown, a cooling stroll through the misty Cloud Forest. Awe-inspiring visits to Buddhist and Hindu temples. Feasts of freshly-fired meats in downtown’s open-air Satay Street and spicy platters in the heart of bustling Little India.

ITE College West also coordinated a unique volunteering opportunity at a community event for Racial Harmony Day. The cohort helped run games and crafts for families living near the college campus, offering a peek into Singaporean life and the chance to connect with locals on a personal level. It was a highlight of the trip for all participants.

In their downtime, the group explored, shopped and ate their way through the “City in a Garden.” They tried Singapore’s world-famous chili crab, relaxed poolside on Sentosa Island and took in a firework show and astonishing views from the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

The trip was capped off with a farewell lunch, where participants received GEN certificates of completion before jetting back home, souvenirs and memories in tow.

See Singapore through the eyes of two exchange participants and imagine what your own international adventure could bring.

🍜 Cultural curiosity and a foodie’s paradise: Mae’s Singapore experience

Program

Software Development

Biggest takeaway

The Study Abroad program was a wonderful experience overall. If I had to choose the biggest takeaway from my time in Singapore, it would be the deep understanding I gained of Singapore’s culture.

We were given several opportunities to immerse ourselves in Singapore’s culture through school activities and exploring the country. I have engaged with instructors, local students and even my cab drivers, who gave me insight on their traditions, holidays, education system and the diversity in Singapore’s cuisine (to name a few).

Everyone was very enthusiastic and proud to provide their knowledge! It made me more culturally aware and strongly curious to learn more about different cultures going forward.

Favourite memory

My favourite memory from the trip was without a doubt trying the various Singapore dishes.

At first, stepping in a Hawker Centre (a food hall) was a little overwhelming because of all the different food stalls. They had lots of different food I didn’t recognize, but I quickly opened up to the idea of trying something new, and that was the best part!

To name a few, I had fried carrot cake, chwee kueh, satay, chicken rice and rojak.

My favourite dish that I still miss and think about must be laksa!

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Why you should consider Study Abroad

The Study Abroad program is an excellent gateway to understanding different cultures, practicing your interpersonal skills and connecting with students from other countries.

I always felt like I was in good hands, as the Study Abroad program was designed to make me feel safe and cared for throughout the whole trip. I would definitely recommend it!

🌏 Connection and sightseeing: Sean’s Singapore experience

Program

Culinary Arts

Biggest takeaway

The biggest takeaway has to be the connections that were made while we were there. Though I had initially hoped there would be more people in the group, the small group worked out amazingly.

I formed genuine connections with our entire SAIT group over shared interests — from culinary, to anime and videogames, to the obscure eateries and bars in Singapore we wouldn’t be able to find in Canada (yet, hopefully).

Favourite memory

Honestly, there are way too many to single out, but one in particular really stands out: the day we spent going around the entire city, seeing all the sights.

We started off with a visit to The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia hotel. It was a great way to start the day as the hotel really stood out. I was really amazed by everything about it (culinary-wise, mostly).

From there we went on to the Cloud Forest. Amazingly beautiful. Then to the Supertrees, exploring the area during the day and waiting for it to get dark to see the light show. We left and headed towards the Marina Bay Sands to try to catch another light show, then explored the nightlife. That entire day was an adventure. It honestly played out like a movie, the amount of ground covered and everything we experienced during those 24 hours.

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Why you should consider Study Abroad

I believe many more students should do a Study Abroad opportunity, mostly because the trip would be sending you to a place out of your comfort zone. Do it for the chance to immerse yourself in a culture, helping you be more open-minded about the world around you and appreciative of your surroundings. Do it for the (hopefully) lifelong connections you’ll make with other students.

But very much importantly, do it for the food. The food will connect you with the people there, as no matter the country or culture, every person is incredibly proud to share their country’s food with people from another country. It always feels like they are sharing a part of their heritage.

Be adventurous and see a country that may not be on your list. Be excited to explore and taste different foods and completely immerse yourself in the culture while you’re there. I guarantee you will come back home with experiences and memories you will never forget.

Short-term exchange, lifelong benefits

Study Abroad is now accepting applications for their annual short-term exchanges to Singapore, Melbourne and Cedar Rapids. Other active opportunities in the 2024/25 lineup include a service learning trip to Morocco and a summer exchange in Ireland. For those looking for more than a few weeks of cultural immersion, SAIT’s semester-long exchanges take students to destinations such as Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland.

Learn more