Life in Singapore
Welcome to Singapore! Our city-state is a bustling hive of activity and world-class efficiency. Immerse yourself in a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western ethnic influences as you uncover a melting pot of languages, religions, cuisines, traditions and local customs.
A handy guide to life in Singapore
Here are some resources to get you started on exploring your new home and familiarising yourself with the ins and outs of living here:
Weather
Singapore has a typically tropical climate, with abundant rainfall, high and uniform temperatures, and high humidity all year round.
Rainfall is plentiful in Singapore, and it rains an average of 167 days of the year. Much of the rain is heavy and accompanied by thunder. Bring along an umbrella to fend the rain and sun, and a windbreaker or cardigan for the chilly air-conditioned malls!
Language
Singapore’s four official languages are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Due to its bilingual education policy, most citizens speak at least two languages — usually English and their ethnic mother tongue.
You may also hear Singlish being spoken in casual conversations. It’s a local creole language that arose from our multilingual communities. Don’t get confused, simply ask around to know more about it!
General Expenses
To give you an idea of how much you may need to set aside for living expenses, here is a short list of key items and their average monthly cost:
- Dining out (daily): $500 to $800
- Phone & mobile data: $10 to $30
- Public transport: $120 to $250
- Groceries: $200 to $400
- Entertainment $100 to $400
Dining Out
Singapore is a food paradise with delicious dishes for all tongues. You can dine at hawker centres and coffeeshops where dishes typically cost $3 to $8, or explore air-conditioned eateries and restaurants where dishes may be priced from $6 to $20 or more.
Tipping is generally not required as most eateries and restaurants include a 10% service charge in the bill.
Hear from our students
Can We Help?
International Student Office (ISO)
ISO supports the onboarding of new full-time international students in SIM GE. We are here to help you make a smooth transition to Singapore through various recommendations and services.
Visit our pages or drop us an email at iso@sim.edu.sg to let us know what support you need.
Our working hours are Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
As a new full-time international students in SIM GE, please check your spam/junk box in case you have missed out on ISO emails.
