BIAN Wenjing | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Experiences unique to your host country/university

I decided to go to Singapore on exchange because I wanted to learn more about how digital applications can be applied to financial issues and because I wished to try out life on a new campus. I would like to say that my 4-month exchange experience at Singapore Management University was one of the most unforgettable experiences I had during my university life.
During those months, I visited a lot of tourist spots in Singapore and the surrounding countries with friends. I also experienced great diversity in Singapore, where different people with different cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs can peacefully live together and enjoy the high level of development there. I made friends with a lot of local Singaporeans who are very friendly to foreigners inside and outside of class. I also realized my short-term goal for after graduation by attending various kinds of career forums and business parties provided by my host university.
SMU is a very lively and young business school that was established in 2000, but it’s growing very quickly and has garnered a lot of global recognition. Students at SMU are also very intelligent. They are very willing to share their creative ideas with one another, and they are very active outside of class. Some of them start their own businesses and some of them participate in part-time internships. It was in this environment that I became passionate about continuing my studies.

Words of advice/encouragement for students who want to go on exchange in the future.

Joining an exchange program will not only help you gain extra knowledge, but it will also allow you to explore a new place and encounter new friends. University life is short, so it is up to us to make use of this time to create a meaningful and unforgettable journey. Let’s get one step out of our comfort zone and embrace a new world together!