As a second year student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, I truly wanted to take advantage of the global opportunities offered and was keen on an exchange program in Asia. Studying abroad was something I experienced during undergraduate, and it was definitely the most memorable time of my college days. Singapore was a place I’d read about and knew it was quickly growing to be a financial hub in Southeast Asia. It was also considered a new blend of western and eastern cultures, given its independence just 50 years ago. The NTU half-course was extremely attractive and the courses offered were aligned to my interests in finance.

The programme was definitely what I hoped it to be! While all my classes proved to challenge me, there was one course I found unique as it was taught by an adjunct professor in the life sciences industry. It was by far the most interesting and very different than any course I’ve taken at UNC Kenan-Flagler. However, the best part of my NTU experience was my fellow classmates, who were not all Singaporeans, but rather came from all parts of Asia and Europe. The variety of cultures provided an interesting and mixed dynamic in the classroom, which is what makes NTU a diverse place.

Beyond NTU, I quickly learned Singapore offered distinct districts – Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street and beyond. As Singapore sits in the center of Southeast Asia, I also had the opportunity to take short trips with my fellow exchange classmates to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Hong Kong on an affordable budget. While being a student at NTU was definitely a wonderful break from the US, I will definitely miss the hawker centers and ease of the MRT!

For future students intending to study at NTU, I would highly encourage the opportunity to do so. The classes are interesting, classmates are friendly and open and you have the opportunity to enjoy all the wonders that Singapore and Southeast Asia has to offer.