First steps and hard times in Singapore

The plane landed after 4 hours of flight. After weeks of expectations, we were finally at Changi Airport.

And as soon as we left the aircraft, we felt differences with Bandaranaike International Airport. Modernity, comfort, cleanliness, immense, excess are the first words we have in mind when we host the carpet in this airport.

Although at this time, we were concerned about anything else. Singapore is a city-State which legislation is very strict, especially in the field of immigration. If it is easy to obtain a tourist visa to 30 or 90 days, it's all another story for the student pass in which we maintain. Indeed, for a stay in Singapore for a period exceeding the tourist visa, it is necessary to have a guarantor, a sponsor that gives the administration that you are working or studying actually in school. Many formalities are required to obtain the famous card. However, obtaining this card is not definitive. In our case, the school is obliged to release our attendance during the administration. If we are seeing less than 90% of the course, the visa back us...

Then we came to the customs, we left our passports, Roman is the first to pass, he begins to explain that is a student in a school but we do not have students pass or document in English stating that we study in a school. Then asked to complete a landing card. We complete the document. We go back to see our friends the Customs and we can explain to them that we need a tourist visa and that we will convert it locally in student visa. We get our stamp. Done!

We grab our luggage, which are then carefully examined by customs officials, just to see if we didn't have chewing gum in our suitcases :). "It's ok. Welcome to Singapore. "said one of the Customs officers. Yes!

Now, we need to reach our residence. We started by exchanging our € for $ Singaporeans. Once $ in ours pockets, we head towards the MRT or 'Mass Rapid Transit' (this is the subway) and take our ticket. You know, before we come, we inquired about Singapore. The city of the merlion has a reputation of being safe, clean, cosmopolitan, modern, etc. When you go in the MRT, you know already that everything is true: sas security, not a single paper on the ground, metro rapid, spacious (x1.5 Paris's metro) and modern. Looking around us, we see a sign informing us that it is forbidden to eat or drink, under penalty of a fine of $500. We understand why it is clean!

A few pictures of the MRT  at 6:00 AM.

Pictures of the first day.

By navigating through underground networks, we arrived at our correspondence. Pending the MRT, Thibaud sees an announcement on a TV, for safety. We are reminded that, despite the important device camera set up in London, public transport have been victims of attacks in July 2005. As such, even if an important camera device exists, the security of all passes by the vigilance of everyone. A video shows us how adopt in public transport and how to contact the authorities if there is a suspicion that a package is trapped. In our opinion, it is the first significant illustration of the Singaporean state of mind.

Boon Keng station, we arrived. We got out of the MRT, and a heat wave us. By the way, I forgot to tell you, in Singapore, he made all the time between25 ° to 32 °, 80% humidity. Therefore, the airport, the metro, shops, bus, school, everything is air-conditioned. In short, we live under the Sun of Ecuador :)

We began to guide us with the card that has been provided to us. We arrive at Towner Road, continue as shown.

Reached the point on the map, we didn’t understand, but where is the No. 5? We are looking for: 104, 105.106... What?! 52, 53, 54, 55?! We were in the right place, why there's not No. 5?! We asked a dozen person, caring and kind, our way. They didn’t know where the Vinga residence was. After turning round during forty-five minutes, we saw a building like our hotel. Thibaud asked whether it was the right address. It’s was the correct address, but it's not the good hotel but maybe the next one.. At this point, we just need to eat something, a good shower and a good bed. We were expecting a residence with the standards of European comfort. 1^er shock, we see that the residence is in mess. Of course, nobody has warned us :).

2^nd shock, we enter our room and find that it is also the mess. What annoys us a little more; it is the traces of mold, dust, dirt in the entrance and washroom. Cleanliness is not the strength of the house keeper .

After a few hours to store and clean, this is what happens. It is still small, but is a little more comfortable :).

3rd shock, there is no kitchen. Strange... It was marked 'kitchen' on the brochure...

In short, we make against misfortune good heart. We meet our roommates, two Japanese named Masa and Teri. We begin to discuss with them in order to know how they live in Singapore. First thing, they explain that it does not eat in the room because there is no kitchen. On the other hand, there are plenty of cheap restaurants right next to the residence. This is what is called hawker center (but we'll get to later).

Our sympathetic Japanese roommate, Masahiro.

We also asked if they are happy with the school and if their English improved, because considering the price that we pay, it has interest to be effective. On this side there, no problem, they ensure that the school has really helped to make progress. Good news!

After tided up your stuff, Massa suggested going eat. During the meal, we learned a little more about him. He is a young Japanese of 23 years, who lives in Tokyo and who studied law. Kinda like us :). After our first chicken rice, we returned to the residence. It is 8 pm and we didn't sleep. We offer our roommates to play poker. But we had nothing to bet (except some Granola), they offer us a uno. During the game, we learn that Teri, who studies electronics, was leaving the next day and he organised a small party. To celebrate the event, all EF students residents gathered around a bobbin of local beers pyramid (including Tiger)!. The majority of these students come from Asia (Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, China, Japanese, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan). We are only three representative of the old continent (with Tuomas who comes from Finland). It was a moment of sharing, laughing and discovery. Nothing better for back us the moral :)

After a few cans, we join our mattress 'tatami' and spend an eventful first night: jetlagged, exhausted, a little stressed by what we hold Singapore...

Now we know: an unforgettable experience :)