Steven during his internship in Singapore

Hey Steven, what did you think of Singapore?

Singapore is an amazing city (or actually a country!) that is constantly trying to change and improve itself to become increasingly influential. Singapore is, of course, somewhat of a police state where many things are illegal and harsh penalties are handed out. But actually, these rules feel very normal, and if you just follow them, there’s no problem. Singapore is a city where life never stops. Just like New York, Singapore never sleeps. The people who work here, especially in the Central Business District, put in a lot of working hours. They are well paid for it too — when converted to euros, the average income in Singapore is higher than in the Netherlands.

Furthermore, Singapore definitely has two sides; on one hand, there’s the luxurious life in the city center with Orchard Road as the focal point, where the big shopping malls offer all the luxury you can imagine. On the other hand, you can get a fantastic (Asian) meal for just 2 euros. The gap between rich and poor here is shocking, even though Singapore officially doesn’t recognize poverty. The nightlife in Singapore is very lively, with a wide variety of bars and clubs, so there’s something for everyone. Many famous artists from all over the world also perform here. If you go to the right clubs, you’ll also see many models, both male and female. One thing to keep in mind is that alcohol prices are a bit higher than in the Netherlands.

What did you think of the internship?

My internship started off very interesting, but I was thrown right into the deep end. I immediately had to create a marketing and communication proposal. However, this turned out not to be realistic, but they wanted to see what I could do and show me what they were doing. After the first three weeks, there was a reorganization happening at the office. After a somewhat quieter period, I was given responsibilities again and became involved in processes. I learned more and more about the world of advertising, how everything works, and what the rules are.

What is the most special thing you have experienced?

It’s not really something special, but life in Singapore itself. It’s a metropolis where everything just keeps going. Not only life but also the development of the city. Singapore will look completely different in six years than it does now — the beautiful skyline is already there, but it will be much bigger. Furthermore, Singapore is really a great place to be if you want to explore the Pacific; from here, you can reach the most beautiful cities and beaches within three hours by plane.

Do you have tips for students?

Singapore is a busy but organized metropolis. If you love big city life, you should definitely come to Singapore. Enjoy life here and try to explore the city. Look for small streets with restaurants and bars — they are everywhere and everything is good. Generally, you’ll eat better in food courts than in restaurants. If you want a Western meal, it’s best to eat near Clarke Quay or Orchard. Singapore doesn’t really have big tourist attractions, but you will definitely find some cool spots. And try to travel as much as you can to see all the beautiful places the Pacific has to offer!