Transportation:

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Trains

The mode of transportation that is most widely used (fastest and most efficient) is the Mass Rapid Transit. Being a well-developed country, Singapore boasts its extensive rail network that allows commuters to get to all parts of the city easily.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations: There are many free mobile applications that you can download to help navigate Singapore’s MRT system.

For Android users, you can download “Singapore MRT and LRT FREE by RoarApps”.
For IOS users, you can download “Singapore Transport Map by OnDemandWorld”.

To calculate the cost of your ride, click here.

To begin your commuting journey, simply purchase an ez-link card at any of the TransitLink Ticket Offices, Concession Card Replacement Offices or Passenger Service Centres located at most MRT stations. It costs $12 with a stored value $7 for use and you can top up your card at all General Ticketing Machines at all SMRT and SBST stations.

For more information on getting around Singapore, click here!

Interactive map can be found here!

Find out the first and last trains of the specific stations here!

SBS & SMRT Buses

Apart from trains, buses are another convenient mode of transportation to get to your destination.
Use http://gothere.sg/maps to navigate to your destination in the fastest way possible!

Taxi

Taxis are plentiful and safe, but expensive in Singapore.

Taxi Fares (as of March 9, 2016):

Flying Chalks tip: If you want a rough gauge of your taxi fare, use the Taxi Fare Calculator!

Taxi Booking Contact Numbers:
CityCab / Comfort Taxis – 6552 1111
SMRT Taxis – 6555 8888
TransCab – 6555 3333
Premier Taxis – 6363 6888 

Banking Services:

To set up a bank account, you will require:

• Passport (original and photocopy)
• Student's Pass or Letter of Acceptance from the school
• Matriculation Card (if available)

Once a bank account (savings or current account) is open, the bank will usually issue a chequebook, an ATM card with deposit / withdrawal functions and a PIN for phone or online banking.

Each bank has different requirements to open an account, with differing minimum balances and service charges. 

Flying Chalks’ tip: There is a Frank by OCBC Bank on campus.

Major Banks in Singapore:

DBS Bank Ltd

Opening hours: Differing opening hours, find the nearest bank to you & their opening hours here!
Nearest DBS Bank to SMU: 68 Orchard Road #B1-25 Plaza Singapura
Their homepage is available here!
Customer Service: 1800 111 1111; +65 6327 2265 (from overseas)
Their list of contact numbers can be found here!

​OCBC Bank 

Opening hours: Differing opening hours, find the nearest bank to you & their opening hours here. 
Nearest OCBC Bank to SMU: 70 Stamford Road #B1-43 Singapore Management University (Li Ka Shing, Library)
Their homepage is available here!
Customer Service: 1800 783 5911; +65 6363 3333 (from overseas)

United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB Bank) 

Opening hours: Differing opening hours, find the nearest bank to you & their opening hours here!
Nearest OCBC Bank to SMU: 252 North Bridge Road #B1-04/05 Raffles City Shopping Centre
Their homepage is available here!
Customer Service: 1800 222 2121; +65 6222 2121 (from overseas)

Post office Services:

SMU has SAM (post office) Kiosk to buy postage labels and to send letters to Singapore and Overseas. The kiosk is located near Booklink (SOA # B1 -30/31/32). For local mails, people can post by 7 pm from Monday to Thursday and by 8 pm on Friday. It takes one working day to deliver the mails.

Nearest post office off-campus is located at Bras Basah Complex #01-03 Blk 231 Bain Street.

You can locate the nearest SAM kiosk to your location here!

Flying Chalks’ tip: Shipping rates vary according to destinations, weight etc. Check here for postage rates and delivery time! 

Medical services:

Singapore being a developed country has plenty of private clinics around. You will be glad to know that Singapore Management University has a clinic within campus.

The Clinic @ Campus

Located at Basement 1 of SMU Campus, The Clinic @ Campus, provides medical service to students and staff from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday. Consultations and medicine are free of charge when you identify yourself as a SMU student with your matriculation card.

Raffles Hospital 

Located near campus, Raffles Hospital is highly accessible for students studying at SMU. It is a tertiary care hospital, a leading private healthcare provider in Singapore and South East Asia.

Raffles Hospital offers family medicine services, health screening, 24-hour emergency services and a comprehensive range of multi-disciplinary specialist clinics. It is equipped with wards, day surgery, delivery suites, angiography suites, operating theatres and intensive care unit. You can visit their homepage for more information.

Appointments and enquiries can be made at +65 6311 1222. For 24-hour emergency service, dial +65 6311 1555.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday (8.00am to 6.00pm); Saturday (8.00am to 1.00pm); 24-hour (Emergency services)
Address: 585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770

Other Medical Institutions available in Singapore are:

 - Singapore General Hospital
 - Alexandra Hospital
 - KK Women’s & Children Hospital
 - National University Hospital
 - Tan Tock Seng Hospital
 - Changi General Hospital
 - Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

Information on other general hospitals can be found at http://www.hospitals.sg/hospitals.

Those on a budget go polyclinics to treat their illnesses. Guides to Polyclinics and the services offered can be found here!

Flying Chalks’ tip: There will always be a long queue at the local polyclinics hence be prepared for the wait.

Medicine:

Pharmacies are located all over the city in “Watsons” and “Guardian” stores. You can purchase both prescription and over-the-counter drugs for colds, headaches, and other minor ailments.

Basic medicine such as Panadol can be purchased from NTUC FairPrice, 7-11, Cheers, Unity stores or neighborhood polyclinics.

Telecommunications:

There are 3 mobile telecommunications service providers in Singapore: Singtel, Starhub, and M1. These providers operate authorized service centres and phone retail stores where you can subscribe to a phone service and purchase a mobile phone.

Singtel 

 

Singtel has prepaid SIM cards with different values ($8, $15, $28, $38, $50). A good deal would be the $50 hi! SIM Card as you get a $100 value + FREE 5GB Local Data. This is available at Singapore Changi Airport. Do note that you will require either your passport or student pass to purchase a SIM card. There are also Top-Up Cards for you to top-up the value in your card.

To find a Singtel store near you, click here!

Starhub

 

 

Starhub has prepaid SIM cards with different values ($8, $15, $32, $50). A good deal would be the $50 Happy Prepaid SIM as you get a $50 value + 5GB Local Data (valid for 30days upon activation) + FREE 100GB Local Data (valid for 5 days upon activation). Do note that you will require your passport to purchase a SIM card. There are also Top-Up Cards for you to top-up the value in your card – available at all 7-Eleven, Cheers, and Starhub retail outlets.

To find a Starhub retail outlet near you, check it out at here.

M1 

 

 

M1 has prepaid SIM cards with different values ($5, $15). A good deal would be the $15 M Card as you get a $18 value + 500MB Local Data (valid for 30days upon activation). Do note that you will require your passport to purchase a SIM card. There are also Top-Up Cards for you to top-up the value in your card – available at all 7-Eleven, Cheers, FairPrice Xpress, M1 shops and exclusive distributors.

To find a M1 store near you, check it out at here.

Flying Chalks’ tip: Prices of prepaid SIM Cards are competitive across all providers, so you might want to compare the rates of calls, SMS and data for a better deal. There will be a fourth provider for telecommunication service called (MyRepublic) soon! 

Weather:

Singapore experiences summer and remains hot and humid all year round. We experience other seasons such as monsoon and dry seasons. Temperatures average around 31°C.

Dry Seasons (mid-January – March) are normally the warmest, with little rain as compared to the monsoon season (October – January).

More information can be found here!

For more information, click here!