GUIDE TO SINGAPORE & SMU ~ for incoming students ~

Office of International Relations Singapore Management University

Updated May 2012

Index
History of Singapore Facts Global & multicultural city International Hub Religion

Page

3-5

Festivals Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Festival Mooncake Festival Hari Raya Puasa Deepavali Thaipusam Christmas

6-10

Customs & Cultural Taboos

11-12

Our Shared Values

13-16

Language The Singapore Identity Kiasu-ism

16-18

19-21

Information on SMU Location Campus facilities Internet & laptop facilities Campus center Concourse Lost & Found SMU Student Card Office of Student Life

22-27

Contact information for the Office of International Relations(OIR)

28-30

History of Singapore

According to Malay legend, a Sumatran prince named Sang Nila Utama

encountered a lion considered a good omen on Temasek (formerly Singapore), prompting him to found Singapore, or Lion City. It mattered little that lions had never inhabited Singapore (more likely the prince had seen a tiger); what did matter was that this was the humble yet legendary beginning of one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. However, history states that Sir Stamford Raffles was the true founder of Singapore. Before his arrival, the Chinese, Arabs and Indians have already coexisted on this little island. After his arrival, people of all communities quickly made their way to Singapore. By 1911, Singapore had 250,000 people of 48 communities, speaking 54 languages altogether.

Facts at a glance
Full country name Area Population People Language Religion Government President Prime Minister : Republic of Singapore : 710 sq km : 5 million (Growth rate 1.4%) : 76.8% Chinese, 13.9% Malay, 7.9% Indian and 1.4% other ethnic groups : Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English : 8.5% Taoist, 42.5% Buddhist, 14.9% Muslim, 9.8% Christian, 4% Hindu : Parliamentary democracy : Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam : Mr. Lee Hsien Loong

Global City Singapore is rapidly taking its place among the worlds premier global cities, where talents from all around the world gather to share innovative ideas and start new businesses. As a nation built by hardworking immigrants, the dynamic global city of Singapore invariably draws to its shores the best and brightest talent from all over the world. As a nation built by hardworking immigrants, Singapore welcomes all who are keen to write a new chapter in the countrys evolving success story. With a population where more than one out of four persons is a foreigner, you will experience how cosmopolitan Singapore is! Though being global, Singapore still retains its strong Asian culture infused with modern glamour.

International Hub Singapore is one of the best-connected countries in the world, with excellent sea, air and telecommunication links. It has the busiest port in the world, serving as a focal point for more than 200 shipping lines to more than 600 ports worldwide. As the world's third most wired nation and Asia's most wired, Singapore is a "plug and play" nation. One where online banking & mobile lifestyle have become the norm. And close to 99% of the population, or almost every home, school and business has access to broadband Internet.

Multicultural City Singapore was ranked by Mercer in 2004 to have a comparable, if not better quality of life than cities such as London, New York, Boston and Osaka. 11 of the worlds top universities have a presence in Singapore. It has a bustling arts scene. The world's leading performers and arts companies now regard the city as a must-stop on their Asia Pacific tours. You could argue that Singapore offers the best of both worlds. It is sophisticated enough to be familiar, yet sufficiently exotic to inspire a walk on the wild side. The city fuses modernity and tradition, with both celebrated in equal parts.

Religion Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism are the main religions of Singapore.

A little more about the religions Taoists are those who believe in the teachings of the Chinese sages (Confucius - 551-479 B.C., Mencius - 372-289 B.C., Lao Zi 604 B.C. 531 B.C.), practice ancestor worship, or belong to other Chinese sects. The religion of Islam is the complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of Allah (God) as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Islam stands for complete submission and obedience to God and peace.
The people of Singapore are a mixed bunch. Most are Chinese, Malays, Indians and so on. Despite these neat categories, guessing someones ethnic origins can be a challenge. An early immigrant history and a fair amount of intermarriages have helped to create a mixed people attuned to a hodge-podge of different cultures. Dont be surprised if you meet people of Dutch or Portuguese descent, or Chinese with Muslim names, or fair-skinned Indians who speak fluent Mandarin these are part of the quirky elements that make Singapore a multi-racial, cosmopolitan city.

Festivals
Not surprisingly, Singapores polyglot population celebrates a number of festivals and events. Hindu, Muslim and Chinese follow a lunar calendar, hence dates of festivals vary from year to year. The main festivals of Singapore are highlighted below:

Chinese New Year

Every January or February, the Lunar New Year is celebrated. This is the equivalent of the American Christmas and Thanksgiving combined. Preparations for the New Year start weeks before the festival, and these include spring-cleaning and buying New Year goods. One interesting superstition to note during this time is that spring cleaning must be completed before the New Year. This is the Chinese believe that doing so on New Years Day might cause the New Years good luck to be swept away. Thus, all brooms and brushes are hidden from sight for that very reason. In addition, knives, scissors, and other sharp objects are also put away on that day in case they might be used to cut the threads of good fortune. The main celebration of Chinese New Year revolves around the traditional reunion dinner on the eve and the visits to relatives and friends on the first two days. On New Years Eve, all members of the family try their vest to make it for the reunion dinner, which shows the importance of close family ties to the Chinese. On New Years Day, the young offer New Year greetings along with Mandarin oranges to the elders, whist red packets containing money (hong baos) are given in return to wish them good fortune in the new year. The colour red will be especially popular during this time of the year as it signifies luck, prosperity, health and all things good. To fully experience the festival, Singapores Chinatown will be bustling with activity. It will be lit up and the New Year will be welcomed with fireworks and lion dance. In addition, you will see night markets with hawkers, stallholders and shopkeepers selling the traditional foods and items such as fresh flowers, sugar-coated lotus seeds, New Year cakes (Nien Kao), sweetmeats, groundnuts and so on. During other times, you may experience the Chinese culture in Chinatown, where there are traditional shophouses and temples, and craftsmen at work.

Getting there: Alight at Chinatown MRT station to find yourself at the heart of Chinatown!

The Dragon Boat Festival

Usually held in May or June, this festival commemorates the death of a Chinese saint who drowned himself as a protest against government corruption. When the news of his death became known, crowds flocked to the river to row up and down in dragon-boats in search of his body. Fearing that the fishes might eat his body, they threw a special kind of triangular-shaped steam rice dumplings into the river. Thus, in celebration of this festival, the Chinese will make the rice dumplings to be eaten by family and friends. However, you can also get rather tasty dumplings commercially and throughout the year. Dragon boat communities will also be held and you can catch the action at Kallang River! Getting there: A short walk from Kallang MRT Station.

The Mooncake Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival)

No one is certain of the true details of the legend of Chang Er. There are many varied stories but the crux of the legend is that a banished fairy drank an elixir of immortality not meant for her, and she suddenly found herself flying towards the moon. The Gods then punished her by making her remain on the moon. Some people also believed that a rabbit also existed on the moon and became her one and only companion. Thus, on every full moon of the mid-Autumn (normally in September), this day becomes a festival to commemorate her. A food of this occasion is the mooncake (Yueh Ping). It is so named as it is round in shape, symbolising the full moon. Usually, for two weeks or so before the actual date of the festival, mooncakes will already be on sale in any Chinese shops in Singapore. In addition, another symbol evident during this festival is

the lantern. During this festive period, lanterns of all shapes and sizes will be sold almost everywhere in Singapore and it never failed to be a real treat for the children!

Hari Raya Puasa

Hari Raya Puasa officially begins on the sighting of the moon of the month Syawai. It marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims. The festival is ushered in by prayers at the mosque in the morning followed by a thanksgiving feast. Hari Raya Puasa is a time for forgiveness and strengthening bonds within the community. It is similar to the Chinese New Year where new clothes are donned and friends are invited to the home. The Geylang area will be lighted up during this festive season and you can also go shopping there at the pasar malam (night market) which sells all things Malay. In addition, food stalls are set up in the evening in the Arab Street district, near the Sultan Mosque. Getting there: Take the MRT to Bugis Station and walk along Victoria Street towards Arab Street. Take the MRT to Paya Lebar (night market at Geylang)

Deepavali
Deepavali is celebrated by the Hindus and Sikhs in the Tamil month of Aipasi, which usually falls in October or November. There are many legends behind Deepavali, and one of them says it marks the killing of a wicked ruler by Lord Krishna. This represents the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness. That is why Deepavali is also known as the Festival of Lights.

During this festive season, Hindus will adorn their homes with dozens of lights or oil lamps (vikku), making it a night of enchantment. An interesting tradition to note is that most Hindus will get up before dawn to take an oil bath. This symbolizes the cleansing of ones body of evil thoughts and deeds, and the beginning of a fresh start. It is a day of festive joy and friends visited each other to extend good wishes, much like the Chinese during their New Year. Little India will be strung with garlands and colourful arches as early as a month before Deepavali. Campbell Lane in Little India will be transformed into a festival village, where there will be a showcase of the best Indian culture, featuring festival stalls offering a variety of jewelry and accessories, art and craft, home furnishings, food and spices. Cultural performances by local talent and foreign artistes will also be held, representing a rare mixture of South and North Indian cultures. Getting there: A short walk from Little India MRT station.

Thaipusam
The festival of Thaipusam is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals and is now banned in India. It is a day of consecration, penance and atonement for the Hindus as they seek forgiveness and give thanks for blessings received through fulfillment of vows made to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lor Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva. During late January or early Feburary, devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing body-piercing masochism definitely not for the squeamish. In Singapore, devotees march in procession on a 4km route from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (on Tank Road) in fulfillment of their vows. Getting there: Approximately a 10-minute walk to Serangoon Road from Little India MRT Station.

Christmas
Christian festivals have a fairly strong following in Singapore. Christmas in particular, is heavily commercialized. Orchard Road dazzles with joyful festive performances during this festive season. Stroll along the stretch of road ahead and be captivated by the thousands of surrounding fairy lights. Beautiful arches stand nobly on both sides of the road, decked with colourful streamers, hollies and bells. It is wonderful to know that such decorations will vary from year to year, thus making Christmas even more of a season to look forward to. Other highlights include the Best Decorated Building title. Check out the facades of shopping malls and hotels as they are dressed to compete for this title. In addition, the angelic voices of carolers and special Christmas events held in the shopping malls bring the festive mood to an all-time high. Getting there: Orchard Road is right at the doorstep of Orchard MRT station (literally!).

Additional Information The multicultural mix is such that most Singaporeans celebrate more than just the festivals of their own ethnic group. So a Chinese Christian might go to church, but also partake in the cultural rites in some Chinese festivals. Even when they do not actually celebrate certain festivals, many will visit their friends and neighbours from other ethnic communities to join in the fun. Although some of them have fixed dates, the Hindus, Muslims and Chinese follow a lunar calendar, which varies annually. In particular, the Muslim festivals vary constantly, moving back 11 days each year. The tourist board prepares a festivals and events brochure each year and the Singapore Official Guide has more specific and detailed listings for each month, or at the following website: http://www.newasia-singapore.com

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Customs and Cultural Taboos

We all have our ways and idiosyncrasies. While most young Singaporeans do not give two hoots, their elderly counterparts are usually more sensitive to cultural dos and dont's. Here are some pointers to note:
Singaporeans respect those of age and seniority, regardless of ones ethnic

background.

English is the dominant language used by the younger generation and their immediate seniors. Street English or Singlish is a mish-mesh of Singaporean inflections, syntax and grammar that takes some getting used to. Different ethnic groups have different naming systems and adopt different ways of addressing one another. The Chinese use family surnames that precede their given names, while Malays and Indians do not have surnames but are referred to as sons, or daughters, of their father.
Chinese like things in even numbers, e.g. two Mandarin oranges as a token

during the Lunar New Year visiting.

Cash gifts in red packets known as ang pow are given during auspicious

occasions for the Chinese, such as weddings or the birth of a baby. The amount of money must be in even numbers and only unmarried individuals receive red packets during the Chinese New Year.

2 ("yi"=easy), 6 ("lok"=wealth) and 8 ("patt"=prosper) are considered lucky

numbers. 4 ("sei"=death) is deadly.

Taboo gifts are clocks ("zhong"=funeral), handkerchiefs (associated with

tearful partings), umbrellas (associated with mishaps), frangipanis (associated with funerals).

Red is an auspicious colour, as are other bright colours, while black is

frowned upon by the older generation, especially during festive occasions.

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 As a religious prohibition, Malays refrain from eating pork. Avoid giving or

serving any food to Malay-Muslins which contains pork, lard, alcohol or which is not marked halal (a Quranic term which means Allowed or Lawful). Gifts of alcohol are also not acceptable and always dress modestly.
Do not use the left hand/fingers to point or eat as the Malays believe that

it is the dirtier hand since they use that hand after going to the lavatory.
Muslims fast during the Ramadan month, celebrated in the month of

Ramadan on the Muslim , the exact date of which moves ahead by 11 days every year. Therefore this year, Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated in October.
Indians consider the cow a sacred animal and therefore do not eat beef.

Indians who are Hindu are mostly vegetarian, although it is best to ask if planning a dinner party or going out for a meal at a restaurant. Leather gifts are taboo items and the use of the left hand when eating is inappropriate in Indian tradition.

For funerals, attend in somber colours. Small tokens of money are the

norm--wrapped

in

white

or

brown

packets

and

in

odd

amounts.

Singaporeans go barefoot inside their homes, so take off shoes at the

front door during visits.

When giving or receiving name-cards, always use both hands.

When in doubt, ask Singaporean friends or classmates. Otherwise, let good sense prevail.

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Our 5 Shared Values

Our shared values are a set of common beliefs adopted by the country in 1993. The aim of these values is to sculpt a Singaporean identity by incorporating the relevant parts of our various cultural heritages as well as the attitudes and values which have helped us survive as a nation.

1) Nation before community and society above self In all that we do, think about others first and not just for ourselves only. This will help us to overcome difficult challenges together.

2) Family as the basic unit of society The family is very important because it is the fundamental building block out of which larger social structures can be stable constructed. It is the group within which human beings most naturally express their love for parents, spouse and children and find happiness and fulfillment. It is also the best way human societies have found to provide children with a secure and nurturing environment in which to grow up, to pass on societys store of wisdom and experience and to look after the needs of the elderly.

3) Community support and respect for the individual It is equally important for the community to show respect to the individual, especially the disadvantaged ones. This means helping to meet some of their pressing needs, training and equipping them with skills to upgrade themselves, and giving their children a better start in life, especially in terms of their education, so that poor families can make good in the next generation as they have done in the past. For example, we may volunteer for community work or contribute to community and welfare programmes. Every year, weeks before Christmas, there will be a Boys Brigade Annual Christmas Charity. The Boys Brigade will ask the public to donate food, clothing and so on for the needy. Bins and mobile stations are placed throughout Singapore and Singaporeans will turn out in masses to donate to this cause.

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4) Consensus, not conflict Resolving issues through consensus instead of conflict complements the idea of putting society before self. National unity is a valuable asset. Preserving it requires a willingness to compromise.

5) Multicultural and religious harmony Racial and religious harmony are fundamental to our national well-being. It has been the distinguishing trait of Singaporean society since Independence. As we are a multiracial country, unless we live harmoniously together, neither the majority nor minority communities will be able to prosper as they have done.

Littering The running joke is that Singapore is a "fine" city. To maintain the clean and green city, there are strict laws against littering of any kind. First-time offenders face a fine of up to S$1,000. For repeat offenders--it's a fine of up to S$2,000 and a Corrective Work Order (CWO). The CWO requires litterbugs to spend a few hours cleaning a public place, for example, picking up litter in a park. The litterbugs are made to wear bright jackets, and sometimes, the local media are invited to cover the public spectacle. Naturally, the authorities hope that public shame will make diehard litterbugs think twice about tossing their scrap paper or cigarette butt on the roadside.

As an extension of the law against littering, the import and sale of chewing gum is prohibited.

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Spitting and Such Singapore has strict laws defining appropriate public behavior. Spitting, urinating in public or even failing to flush the toilet are all misdemeanors that can land you with a fine. A fine of $50 for jaywalking crossing a main road within 50m of a pedestrian crossing or overhead bridge.

Smoking Smoking is not allowed in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices, in air-conditioned restaurants, shopping centers, air-conditioned pubs, playgrounds, sheltered car parks, entrances & exits of buildings, lift lobby, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots. First-time offenders face a maximum fine of S$1,000.

Drugs A definite no-no. The death penalty is mandatory for those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing, importing or exporting more than 15g of heroin, 30g of morphine, 30g of cocaine, 500g of cannabis, 200g of cannabis resin and 1.2kg of opium. Possessing these quantities is deemed as prima facie evidence of trafficking. In other words, if you possess these quantities (and possession means you had control of them), you are deemed to be a trafficker and therefore subject to the death penalty. For unauthorised consumption, there is a maximum of 10 years' jail or fine of S$20,000, or both. Police and Trouble If you lose something in Singapore, you are more likely to have someone running after you with it than running away. Nevertheless, you shouldnt become complacent muggings have been known to occur and theft from dormitories by other tourists is a common complaint.

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Its worth repeating here that it is very unwise to have anything to do with drugs even marijuana of any description in Singapore. The penalties for trafficking drugs in or out of the country are severe in the extreme foreigners have been executed in the past and if you are arrested on drugs offences you can expect no mercy and little help from your consular representatives.

Additional Information

For those of you who have tried durians and love those spiky fruits, do take note that they are not allowed to be brought onto the MRT and buses & most taxis. Need we say why?

Language Because of its multiracial makeup, Singapore recognizes four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of administration. It is widespread and children are taught English as a first language in school. They will then choose any one of the other three languages as a second language. However, they also learn from their mother tongue to make sure they do not lose contact with their traditions. The use of Malay is mostly restricted to the Malay community. Chinese dialects, such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese and Hakka, are still widely spoken, especially among the older Chinese, but the government's long-standing campaign to promote Mandarin, the main non-dialectal Chinese language, has been very successful and increasing numbers of Chinese now speak Mandarin at home. Tamil is the main Indian language, though Malayalam and Hindi are also spoken. One of the most intriguing things visitors to Singapore will notice is the strange patois spoken by the locals. Nominally English, it incorporates linguistic elements from Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Phrases are clipped short, word order is flipped and stress and cadence are unconventional, to say the least.

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Singapore has developed its own brand of English, humorously referred to as Singlish. Try these phrases now and see how they roll off your tongue:
Aiyah: Term used to signify exasperation. e.g. Aiyah, I'm fed up with waiting. Angmo: Hokkien for "red-haired". Used to refer to Caucasians. e.g. The angmo

ordered beer at the coffeeshop.

Blur confused or confusing. I feel so blur (derived from Chinese for not

clear, used especially among national servicemen during training).

Buaya Can

a girl chaser. It is the Malay term for crocodile.

Can! Yes! Thats fine.

used in many instances when agreement is requested. Can? Is that OK?

Catch no ball dont understand. Cheem: Difficult to understand or fathom. e.g .This French movie is too cheem

for me.
Cheena: Term used to refer to off-beat taste. e.g .That suit he's wearing is

so cheena.

Gan Chiong: Term used to refer a person being anxious e.g. He is so gan

chiong!

Gone case said when someone or something is beyond hope, cannot be

saved.

Jia lat: Hokkien for "very troublesome". e.g. Moving house--so jia lat.

Kaypo: Hokkien for being a busybody. e.g. Stop being such a kaypo! Kiasee: Hokkien for afraid to die. e.g. Dont be so kiasee and stand up for

yourself.

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 Kiasu: Hokkien for "afraid to lose". e.g. Kiasu Singaporeans will camp overnight

for free concert tickets.

Lah, lor, meh: For punctuating sentences. e.g. Don't be like that lah. -- I'm

like that lor. Cannot meh?

Makan: Malay for "meal". e.g. Let's go makan. -- Have you had your makan? Malu

embarrassed. (Malay)

Now then you know youve found it out only now / so late. See first to wait and see (to avoid committing oneself right now). Shiok: Something that gives a kick. e.g. Inside steam room very shiok. Seow: Hokkien for crazy. e.g. The students partied like seow after exams

were over.

Ulu, swaku unsophisticated, countrified, wet behind the ears.

Zap to photocopy something.

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The Singapore Identity Kiasu-ism

Kiasu basically means afraid to lose. Jokes regarding kiasu Singaporeans are endless. QU: How do you spot Singaporeans in a foreign country? ANS: They are the first at the buffet line. They will pile up their plates regardless of whether or not they can finish the food. Hence, it is not surprising that Singaporean restaurants soon incorporate the policy of charging remaining food on the customers plates for buffet! Initially, kiasu is a word used to scold people who are so afraid of losing out that they go to great extend to win. Over the years, Singaporeans have slowly accepted our own kiasu-ism, and all the kiasu things we do e.g. queuing overnight for concert tickets, flats, schools, free gifts and so on. It transcends communities, cultures and religions. It has become a Singaporean identity! This little handbook will end with an article written by a local student who talks about Kiasu-ism in the university life of Singapore. Not only does this article make for interesting reading, it will give you an idea what to expect during your stay in Singapore.

'Kiasuism' - Part of the Singapore University Culture by Noel

For those of us who are familiar with the educational system in Singapore, this might not come as unusual to you. For the benefit of foreigners, there's a unique culture in Asian universities, particularly in competitive places like Singapore, where the way of life in the university might be somewhat odd when you are initiated to it. The key is to familiarise yourself with the way of life of Singaporeans and soon you'll be able to blend well into the system. What I am talking about is this term, "Kiasu-ism", which has engulfed some, if not more of the whole nation state and its fellow inhabitants. I'm not saying that this is not practiced anywhere other than Singapore, because I'm sure there are elements which exist almost everywhere. Let me provide you with a definition of this term, "Kiasu-ism" should you be scratching your head and wondering what a strange word this is. "Kiasu" in all simplicity means scared to lose out. The lifestyle of those who have such a fear has created a sort of sub-culture amongst some of the people of Singapore where they

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do anything and everything just so that they do not "lose out". This may take many forms and degrees. Examples of such practices have included people standing in long queues during the early part of this year (2000) outside MacDonald's outlets when they were having their "Hello Kitty" doll promotion just so that they could buy a promotional meal to get their hands on those cute little "kitty" dolls. Most of those who were there were genuine cases who really wanted to buy the dolls but there were those who used the craze as an opportunity to make some extra cash by snapping up the dolls and selling them over the internet. There was even a case of a scuffle arising from the "kitty fiasco", landing 2 persons in jail. The shape of "kiasu-ism" does not take this form in the university, but its ugly head has shown up in many a quiet and subtle form. "Kiasu-ism" in the university 1) 2 weeks before semester starts, several students would be coming to school to start making copies of notes for the term and making appointments with lecturers to find out what sort of materials are needed for the school term. 2) Over the whole school semester, you would almost never be able to borrow relevant extra reading materials as they are either perpetually borrowed out and renewed or they are hidden in other sections of the library. 3) Tables in the canteens and libraries are "booked" - ways of making such "bookings" take the form of placing a tissue pack at the location or putting a book there. This is a "clear" indication that the place has been reserved. 4) Smarter students would be seen having discussions amongst themselves, leaving out all less intelligent ones as they feel that these people would probably be in their way. 5) Gate-crashing in on lectures which are given by lecturers who are perceived to be the "best" lecturers because they provide very clear explanations. This has 2 negative outcomes as the "popular lectures" are over-crowded leaving the "unpopular lectures" are almost empty. The morale of the lecturers is also affected, as they know which "camp" they belong to. 6) Students who always say they do not understand and are unable to help their fellow classmates who have problems understanding a topic. At the end of the semester, they end up with straight "A"s. 7) The notes that are whipped out just before the exams which might be unrecognisable to some as these were the secret ingredients of the straight

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A students who kept them under "lock and key" even though it was supposed to have been readily available to all. Well, the ugly head of "kiasu-ism" has appeared and it is now up to you how you choose to tackle it. Experience has taught that studying is not just about doing it hard. It has got everything to do with doing it smart. Having the means to an end, it is up to you which path you follow to reach your destination. I'll leave that decision up to you.

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Welcome to SMU!
The City Campus In August 2005, SMU commenced the academic year 2005 2006 in the new City Campus. The new Campus, developed in the downtown Bras Basah area, occupy approximately 7.76 hectares. This comprises of six buildings: Li Ka Shing Library Administration Building School of Accountancy The Lee Kong Chian School of Business School of Economics and Social Sciences School of Information Systems

Consistent with the pedagogy of leading American business schools, SMU departs from the traditional lecture-tutorial method and adopts the more interactive seminar-style approach, where students are active participants in the learning process with professors serving as facilitators. Students are organized into small classes averaging 40 - 60 students; seminar rooms are specially designed to facilitate the synergetic discussions between professor and students, as well as among students. Location of the campus SMU is located in downtown Singapore in the Bras Basah District, just between the shopping district of Orchard Road and North Bridge Road. The 6 schools and the Li Ka Shing Library are located on Stamford Road while the Administration Building is located at Victoria Street. The City Campus is easily accessible by public transport and the local subway called MRT (Mass Rapid Transit system). SMU is served by 3 MRT stations: Dhoby Ghaut, City Hall & Brash Basah. The Wharton Connection SMUs collaboration with Americas top business school the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania brings the best of the US system to SMU students. Wharton has been consistently ranked as Americas best business school, and is recognized globally for its innovative leadership in business education. SMU will draw on Whartons

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academic and research strengths across all major disciplines and at varied levels of business education. The Wharton SMU collaborative agreement has three main aims: to provide a tested model for curriculum design; to develop an outstanding SMU faculty; and to conduct joint research under the umbrella of the Wharton-SMU Research Centre.

Campus Facilities SMU will boast state-of-the-art learning and research facilities such as IT-enabled seminar-style classrooms and break-out rooms, simulated trading rooms, research centres, and various learning laboratories including computer, business communication, and language laboratories. The campus will be completely IT-enabled, providing wireless connectivity in line with todays technologically driven age.

Seminar Room As part of SMUs pedagogical approach to a world-class tertiary education, teaching rooms are specially designed to encourage critical thinking, active learning and interactive exchange between students and faculty.

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Internet / Lap top Facilities Students at the city campus enjoy first-class facilities and amenities comparable to the best in the world. Seminar rooms, media theatres and libraries are equipped with the latest e-learning facilities and cutting-edge technology. It is advised that students should bring their own laptop if you have one as SMU emphasizes on wireless network all around the campus. You are able to purchase a laptop at a low cost between S$2,000 to S$4,000.

If your current laptop includes built in wireless functionality or you own a wireless card, you may bring the laptop to the Integrated Information Technology Services (IITS) Helpdesk for configuration. SMU campus wireless network is 802.11b compliant and you would need to register with SMU Helpdesk before you can use our Wireless network. Our staff from IITS will assist students in fixing up any matters related to your laptop. IBM wireless card can be purchased at S$149 excluding GST at the campus bookshop / Cisco wireless card which can be ordered through helpdesk of IITS at S$86.00 excluding GST (usually takes up to 1-2 weeks. (Prices subject to change)

Li Ka Shing Library The Li Ka Shing library provides academic and professional information resources and services comparable to any world-class university library. It serves as the principal campus gateway to vast reservoirs of Singapore, Asian and global information in a wide range of formats and media to facilitate teaching, study and research. Complimenting its growing print collection is the library's electronic collection, which is in synergy with the development of digital libraries. The SMU Library website brings together e-databases, e-journals and a variety of portals and links useful to the school community. The Library is also aggressively expanding its CD-ROM collection. Some titles include Electronic Law Reports, New York Stock Exchange TAQ Database, Singapore and Malaysian Legal Research Library. The library operates from Monday Friday (8.00 am 12.00 am), Saturday (8.30 am 5.00 pm) Sunday (1.00pm 9.00pm). The library is closed on Public Holidays. The library operating hours vary with the Term of study. Updated information can be found at the following link: http://library.smu.edu.sg/services/libraryhours.asp

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Library hours are extended during examination periods and students will be informed via email.

Campus Centre Offering more than just technology-enabled classrooms and learning facilities, the City Campus is also designed and built to integrate completely with the surrounding historical and civic districts to be become the central focus of Bras Basah Green. In constructing the campus, SMU has spared no effort to preserve and minimize the impact on the existing landscape through an initiative to transplant and replant mature trees in the campus.

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Concourse The underground walkway which links the various university buildings and the open campus centre will be the central focus of student and public activities, providing an oasis of learning and vibrant intellectual exchange in the midst of the bustling city life. Smoking on campus In conjunction with the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act (chapter 310), the office of Facilities Management will be implementing a smoke-free campus at the following restricted areas: Underground walkways, concourse, Campus Green, campus areas where students congregate All enclosed and air-conditioned faculty and administration buildings Lecture and media theatres, seminar rooms, classrooms, group study rooms and all laboratories Library and reading rooms Food and retail premises (indoor and outdoor) Corridors (indoor and outdoor) Lifts and stairwells Washrooms Queues Notwithstanding the above, there will be specific designated areas for smoking at the campus, and all smokers are advised to do so at these areas. Our security guards on patrol will enforce the above rule.

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Lost and Found Items found at the Campus should be forwarded to the Fire Command Center (FCC). The items submitted to the FCC would be recorded. The FCC is not responsible for loss of any contents, valuables, etc purportedly kept in these items before they are handed over to the FCC. Students who have lost any items can enquire at the FCC. If the items bear the particulars or identity of the owner/s., the FCC would inform the owner/s accordingly. All items will be kept for only a month after which they will be disposed of in a manner deemed fit and appropriate by the FCC. Report of loss of items could also be made at the FCC. SMU Student Card The Student card identifies you as a SMU student of the university. You should carry the Student Card at all times. You may need to show your Student Card to proof your identity for access to certain services and facilities restricted to SMU community only. Should you lose your card, a police report must be made. A card replacement fee of S$50.00 is payable. You can use your Student Card to borrow books at the Li Ka Shing Library and to access the Business Information Service Centre at the National Reference Library. The Student Card will also serve as your identification pass for access to various SMU Schools and facilities.

Office of Student Life SMU firmly believes that a vibrant and stimulating environment centered on student activities, is a necessary complement to the academic aspect of university life. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the diverse range of cultural, sports and recreation activities. The Office of Student Life facilitates overall student life activities at SMU for all undergraduate students. The Office supports activities of the Students' Association, Clubs and Societies through experiential learning, outdoor leadership, sporting excellence programmes and student support services. For more information on student life on campus, visit: http://www.smu.edu.sg/students/student_life/index.asp

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Various administrative departments and the SMU Executive Education programmes are housed in the Administration Building. Besides office spaces, the Administration Building also consist of an indoor sports hall and an outdoor swimming pool.

Office of International Relations (OIR) SMUs Office of International Relations is your first point of contact in SMU. Visit us at the Administration Building, Level 8. Well be pleased to meet you! OIR operates an Exchange Programme Student Resource Centre which provides information on Study Abroad, Summer Programmes, local tourism details and Lonely Planet Guides for students references.

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The Office of International Relations (OIR) Head of Department Dr. Isabelle Malique-Park Tel: (65) 6828-0370 Email: isabellemalique@smu.edu.sg Academic Affairs Assistant Director Ms Jeanine Lim Tel: (65) 6828-0142 Email: jeaninelim@smu.edu.sg

Academic Affairs Manager Ms Evelyn Gay Geok Ling Tel: (65) 6828-0462 Email: evelyngay@smu.edu.sg International Programmes Advisor (Inbound - from Partner Universities in Europe) Ms Nurazlin Mohd Saad, Lin Tel: (65) 6828-0315 Email: nurazlinms@smu.edu.sg International Programmes Advisor (Inbound - from Partner Universities in Africa, Asia-Pacific Central Asia, South America, North America & Middle East) Ms Rehju Mohamed Tel: (65) 6828-0677 Email: rehjumohamed@smu.edu.sg

International Programmes Advisor (Outbound - to Africa, South America, Central Asia, Middle East, Europe except for Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal & Spain / Sino-Singapore Exchange Programme) Ms Karen Yee Fong Kai Tel: (65) 6828-0895 Email: karenyee@smu.edu.sg

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International Programmes Advisor (Outbound - to Asia-Pacific, Canada & Mexico / Financial Aid) Ms Kho Li Shu Tel: (65) 6828-0292 Email: lskho@smu.edu.sg International Programmes Advisor Ms Lee Weijun (Outbound - to USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal & Spain) Tel: (65) 6828 5203 Email: wjlee@smu.edu.sg Senior Administrative Executive Ms Jamilah Bte Jalil Tel: (65) 6828-0400 Email: jamilahj@smu.edu.sg

Office Hours: Monday Friday 9.30am 12.00pm; 2.30pm 5.30pm Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays Departmental Fax: (65) 6828-0290

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REFERENCES
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/singapore/ http://www.expatsingapore.com/general/language.htm http://www.expatsingapore.com/general/people.htm http://www.expatsingapore.com/general/law.htm http://www.expatsingapore.com/general/public_holidays.htm http://www.expatsingapore.com/general/culture.htm http://members.tripod.com/unique_sg/society.htm http://www.asiangrads.com/campus.html

Guide to Singapore & SMU for Inbound International Exchange Students Published by Office of International Relations Singapore Management University
Whilst every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. The Office of International Relations, Singapore Management University, shall not be held responsible for any errors, omissions and/or misinterpretations. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced and/or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording by or storing on any data storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the relevant copyright owner, (or where relevant, the publishers), beyond the exceptions permitted under the Copyright Act (Cap 63) of Singapore.

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