Series of photos of Tiffany in Singapore.

Tiffany Tong

Major: Society & Environment

Q&A

"I saw study abroad as a special opportunity venture overseas with the help of financial aid. I also knew traveling as a working adult wouldn’t be the same as an undergraduate student. I wanted to study in Singapore because I found it to be so fascinating society. It was known to be one of the world’s “best planned” cities—it was clean, safe, and predominately English-speaking and well-educated… all despite being such a young city-state."

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

 I had never travelled outside the U.S.—let alone the west coast. I saw study abroad as a special opportunity venture overseas with the help of financial aid. I also knew traveling as a working adult wouldn’t be the same as an undergraduate student. I wanted to study in Singapore because I found it to be so fascinating society. It was known to be one of the world’s “best planned” cities—it was clean, safe, and predominately English-speaking and well-educated… all despite being such a young city-state.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

 Singapore strives for “religious harmony”which I found different about America. There were plenty of opportunities to learn about different religions and even visit some sites. I enjoyed exploring these faiths with people who were genuinely curious to learn more as well.

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

 I was probably the only exchangers who didn’t travel to other countries. I stayed in Singapore due to financial budget and simply because I loved being with the locals. At times, I felt FOMO for not visiting the neighboring countries… but in all honesty I have no regrets. I got to explore so much of Singapore and spend time with people I cherished.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

 Breakfast at the dining hall, class on-campus, lunch at the campus food courts with a friend, sports at my dorm, visit to an attraction

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

 I didn’t need classes to fulfill any requirements, so I took whatever I felt would help me learn about Singaporean culture. I took Volunteer Workforce, Tourism Development, Economics, Everyday Life of a Chinese Singaporean. The workload was the same as Berkeley. I really enjoyed taking these classes, particularly because the projects allowed me to do local fieldwork.

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

 The people. The late-night conversations. I developed close relationships with the local students, even having a 6-hour conversation with someone. Berkeley just feels so fast-paced, I can’t imagine feeling relaxed enough to have such conversations. But in Singapore, I felt both eager, at peace, and fully present with people.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

 It made me more open to trying new things back at home and challenging the culture I was so used to growing up.

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

 - Plan early. Apply now before you miss your chance.
- See study abroad as an opportunity to ask deeper questions. These locals know you’re an exchanger. They’re more open to answer your questions.
- When you’re there, make plans. Decide you’re going to do x, y, and z. If you expect things to come to you, you might miss out on a lot of opportunities to meet people and experience new things. It’s easy to let your course load get to you.