Nikita Jain | UCB Study Abroad

What led you to study abroad? Why did you choose your country/program?

I have lived in the Bay Area for 20+ years and wanted to challenge myself by going into an environment beyond what I knew. I chose studying at the National University of Singapore for its well-recognized academic program; I chose Singapore in general because I had never there before and because it was centrally located in Southeast Asia, which I planned on exploring during my time there.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

Singapore is a pretty small island with an amazing public transportation system, which gave me the ability to explore many neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, Marina Bay Sands, and more very easily. One of my favorite cultural experiences was eating really delicious meals at the hawker centers (think of food courts but with more delicious, authentic food), which were present everywhere in Singapore.

What was the biggest challenge/concern of your study abroad experience? How did you respond?

The scariest part of studying abroad was that I knew absolutely no one going into the experience. I responded by keeping an open mind, taking things one day at a time, and going to as many social events as I could to meet people. I came out of my semester abroad feeling more independent than ever, and I still have friends who I am still in touch with a year later.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

Waking up, grabbing breakfast, going to class, eating at the on-campus food court/dining hall, lounging a bit at the on-campus infinity pool with friends, studying for a couple hours, exploring the city at night

What coursework did you take while abroad? How did courses abroad compare with Berkeley classes?

To fulfill elective requirements for my major (Cognitive Science), I took a Visual Design course, Human Factors Engineering course, and Mobility & New Media course. I also took beginner's Arabic for fun. Courses were quite comparable to Berkeley courses, but less project-oriented and a bit less intense in my opinion.

What was the most memorable/meaningful aspect of your time abroad?

The people I met at NUS (both Singaporean students and international students) and the weekend trips I took to other parts of Southeast Asia were the most memorable aspect of my semester abroad. Not only did I get to learn about the world by meeting people from different countries, but also by visiting different heritage sites and tourist attractions throughout Southeast Asia.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

I learned that stepping out of my comfort zone, while extremely intimidating, was well worth it in the end. I realized that my worldview is largely shaped by my surroundings, and there is so much more to understand when you step outside of familiar environments. I now know that I want to live abroad at some point in my life to continue learning about the unfamiliar.

What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially to your country or program?

Choose Singapore! If not for its amazing weather 24/7 or its academics, then for its prime location in Southeast Asia which makes traveling a breeze. This experience was transformative beyond words, and I want to encourage anyone who has the opportunity to study abroad in Singapore to do so.