First impressions after moving to Singapore

Diksha Moderator

Member since 01 September 2017

DikshaModerator19 August 2020 06:20:11

4832

Hello everyone,

You probably have vivid memories of your first weeks as an expat in Singapore. Indeed, moving to a new country is a milestone in someone’s life.

Today, we invite you to share with the community how you experienced your first steps in this country.

Excitement, joy, worry: What was your main feeling when you arrived in Singapore?

How has your state of mind changed over time?

Have you called upon expatriate support associations? If so, what was their role in your local integration?

What was the impact of your new environment (climate, setting, professional environment) on your mental health?

Is it easy to socialize in Singapore? What advice would you give to newcomers to meet people, make new friends and build a strong professional network there?

Thank you for your contribution!

Have a nice day,

Diksha,
Expat.com team

ladivo779 Guest

ladivo779Guest19 August 2020 08:45:41

Singapore had always been an interesting place for me as my father had been a teacher there in the 1950's and written several books about southeast Asia. He also taught cricket there as well. So when I graduated from university in London I went for a two month holiday there to explore and have fun. It was incredible. The only reason I returned back to the UK was to start my first job which was working in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea as a geologist on the Statfjord A platform which was one of the largest platforms at that time.

I pestered my boss continually to be transferred overseas and after six months I was told that I would be transferred to the Singapore office. I spent about six years working in Indonesia, Thailand and India but being based out of Singapore. All documentation was taken care of and under the double taxation treaty I paid a very low tax. The package included accommodation, full medical insurance and a yearly ticket home.

Singapore was incredible fun back in those days. I had lots and lots of friends, both local and foreign, and life was waterskiing, going to discos, curry parties, jamming at music studios and lots of dating. There was nothing negative about living in Singapore back then. Even once I was riding my motorbike on the East Coast Parkway and I was chased for a few kilometers by a motorcycle cop. Eventually when he caught up he simply thanked me for the race and told me it was fun. I guess things are different these days.

In those days I did enjoy drinking and it seems that we did that a lot. I'm not sure if people do this elsewhere but when you are drunk and throwing flip flops into a revolving ceiling fan it is really hilarious.

Singapore is considered by many to be the ultimate place for expatriates to live in Asia. You can get the best expat packages living here and absolutely everything paid for. My sister has had two stints in Singapore loves it. To me, Singapore is like a second home and I had some of my fondest memories here.