Exploring Singapore & Seoul - September
Universal Studios
The Universal Studios in Singapore (USS) is like a mini version of the LA Universal Studios. It is located on Sentosa Island and about 30 minutes from NUS. There are six different worlds (Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World (Jurassic) and Far Far Away (Shrek)) with a total 16 rides. My friends and I bought (resident price with valid Student Pass or IPA letter) tickets a few days before. Since we went in September there was not a special theme like there is for Halloween and Christmas, however you there were special ticket packages available. Before going into the park we ate at Hoshino Coffee in Vivo City and then caught the Sentosa Express to Resorts World. We arrived a little after the park opened and was able to ride the majority of the rollercoaster attractions. My friends and I were really lucky it was not busy on the Sunday we went because we only had to wait 10-15 minutes for Transformers, Battlestar Galactica, and the Revenge of the Mummy. Normally, the wait for these rides can range anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. After a full day of riding rides, we ended the day by shopping at the USS store and eating at Din Tai Fung.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Celebrations, activities, and events for the Mid-Autumn Festival ran from mid-August to mid-September. There were pop-up booths selling mooncakes and lanterns in almost every mall in Singapore. I tried snow skin mooncakes for the first-time and absolutely recommend getting them while in Singapore. Snow skin moon cakes are similar to mochi ice cream; they have a soft and chewy mochi skin with a creamy filling. My friend and I purchased a matcha and durian snow skin moon cake from the Mooncake Fair at Vivo City. There were over 40 booths, some of which sold exclusive flavors. I also purchased traditional mooncakes from a smaller pop-up at the Clementi Mall. Mooncake flavors can range from traditional lotus paste to more modern flavors like champagne truffle, peanut butter, and more. Hotels like Goodwood Park and Raffles are known for their luxurious flavors, however they sell out quick so be sure to pre-order or get them early. The mooncakes also come in stunning containers and some have ornate designs, lights, or character themes (i.e. Disney, Marvel, Minions, etc.). As for festivities and events, my friends and I visited Chinatown and Gardens by the Bay to see grand light displays and cultural activities. There are various activities and festive displays all over Singapore in the weeks leading up to Mid-Autumn Festival.
Singapore Food Festival
My friends and I spontaneously bought tickets to the Singapore Food Festival (SFF). We bought a group package ($12.50 SGD per person) and each ticket came with a $10 F&B credit. The SFF was held at the Bayfront Event Space and had a bunch of unique vendors offering unique takes on Singaporean classics. There were also live and hybrid demonstrations, innovative or alternative food products, live music, activity booths, and pop-up shops. I ordered the c&c&c&c Pasta from The Masses. It was a cold pasta dish with crabmeat, chorizo, caviar, confit lemon, and lobster sauce. We also got to taste fresh pineapple tarts from the famous Ong Lai Queen during her live demonstration.
Internship Fair
NUS hosted its first in-person Internship Day since 2019. My friend and I attend the fair and spoke with companies from all over South East Asia. There were many international companies such as the Big Four Accounting Firms, TikTok, Clarins, Citi and Dell Technologies as well as local companies like Changi Group. The internship fair offered students the opportunity to speak with recruiters, learn about upcoming internship opportunities, and submit resumés. Unfortunately, as an international student it is difficult to intern or job shadow while abroad due to visa and time constraints. Although I could not apply for internships, it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the career opportunities in Singapore or SEA countries.
South Korea
I loved Seoul and would highly recommend visiting if you have a chance. I stayed at a Marriott Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu; it was about 20 minutes from the city center. During my week in Seoul, I met up with other Shidler students studying abroad in Korea. I had a pretty relaxed schedule in Korea since I was mainly hanging out with friends. I went with an almost empty suitcase and came back with 22 kg of clothes, skin care, makeup, and omiyage. My favorite highlights from Korea was the Hanbok dress up, Lotte World, and all the delicious Korean food.
Korea Itinerary
Pre-Korea Checklist (COVID-19 & Travel Regulations for September 2022)
· K-ETA application: where you’ll be staying and why you’re traveling to Korea (https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/…)
· Q Code: for your vaccination status, pre-departure Covid test upload (https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassport…)
· Incheon Airport Arrival PCR Covid Test (https://www.airport.kr/ap_cnt/en/svc/…)
· Book Taxi: http://www.intltaxi.co.kr/en/new-service
September 9/16 (Friday) – 6:00 a.m Arrival
• 7 am PCR Test
• 11 am – PCR test results should come back
• Bangbae- Cologne / Perfume Making (if you want)
• Booked on Trazy for 4:30 pm
• Gangnam – Kpop road stuff, Shipping Container (not really interesting but its photogenic)
• Coex
• Starfield
September 9/17 (Saturday)
• Lotte Tower & Shops
• Lotte World
September 9/18 (Sunday)
• Hanbok & Palaces
• Shop in Myeong-dong
• Namsan Tower
• EAT AT THE KATSU PLACEEEEEE
September 9/19 (Monday)
• Tour Yonsei
• Shop in Hongdae
• Tour Korea Univeristy
• Anam
September 9/20 (Tuesday)
• Hair appointment at 11am at CCA Hair Salon
• Ssamziegil – Korean culture place
• Color Pop Museum
• Gwangjang Market
September 9/21 (Wednesday)
• KBBQ in Hongdae
• More Hongdae shopping :)
September 9/22 (Thursday) (2 PM)
• Leave hotel at 10:30 am for airport :’(
F1 Race
Since Singapore was hosting the Formula 1 Singapore Airline Singapore Grand Prix 2022 at MBS, my friends and I decided to check it out. Although we did not buy tickets to watch the race and concerts, we watched the free practices and saw some of the racers go by from the One Fullerton Hotel. The buildings in Marina Bay Sands had a F1 theme and was lit up with checkered and race designs.
Singapore Explorations
· Orto (didn’t get to go prawn fishing or visit HomeTeam NUS but it looked really fun)
· Sentosa Island
· Harbour Front
· Serangoon
· Chinatown – People’s Park Complex, Temple Street, China Square, Chinatown Library
· Helix Bridge
· Marina Barrage
Notable Meals
· Chomp Chomp Hawker – Satay, Ketupat, Hokkien Mi, Thai Tea & Sugar Cane Juice
· Kamikaze @ Orto – Fried Mantou, Prawn Pad Thai, Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab, Rice Porridge Skewer Hot Pot, Beef Pho
· Hoshino Coffee @ Vivo City – Chicken Omurice, Strawberry Crepe Cake, & Original Souffle Pancake
· Monster Curry @ Vivo City - Mountain Monster Curry & Chicken Katsu Burger
· Din Tai Fung @ Sentosa – Crab Meat & Pork Xiao Long Bao, Shirmp & Pork Shao Mai, and Chocolate Lava Xiao Long Bao
· The Royals Café @ UTOWN – Beef Burger & Curly Fries
· Udon Don @ UTOWN – Chawanmushi & Tempura Udon
· Yong Tau Foo @ UTOWN Flavours – Katong Laksa
· SuperSnacks @ PGPR – Mushroom Chicken Bento w/ Iced tea
· Poke Theory @ Kent Ridge One – Acai Bowl
· Pepper Lunch @ MBS – Beef Pepper Rice
· Dough Magic @ Chinatown (Near the MRT exit) – YaYa Salted Egg Custard (duck) and Corn Oats Bun
Other Highlights
· Met Verena Siow, President & Managing Director of Southeast Asia at SAP. She was a guest speaker for my leadership seminar.
· Got my nails done by Dora! She has the cutest charms and will do any design you want :)
· NUS Exchangers Chinatown Tour
· NUS Exchangers Singlish and Kopi Event & Springleaf Prata Lunch
· Spaghetti Egg Tower Challenge! Our group won two bags of green tea kit for the tallest tower and most eggs
· Cooked my own salmon dinner and breakfasts at PGPR!
