Singapore Program The National University of Singapore Faculty of Business Administration School of Building and Estate Management Introduction Offered through the Faculty of Business Administration and the School of Building and Estate Management at the National University of Singapore, this program is one of a number of Education Abroad programs conducted by Penn State in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. Objectives The Penn State Singapore program functions within the context of the objectives characterizing all of Penn State's study abroad opportunities, especially to: - enable students to receive instruction in several disciplines within the context ofanother culture and enrich their general academic studies; - help provide an international dimension to the intellectual and professional development of students in specialized fields of study; - allow students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region by living and studying abroad, as well as gain a more objective perspective of the values and way of life in their own country; - promote the educational goals of the University by providing overseas programs designed to increase the international understanding of students. Specifically, the Singapore program aims to: - provide the opportunity for students to study firsthand international business, and/or real estate analysis at NUS; - provide students specializing in real estate the opportunity to gain practical training in the field of real estate analysis and development, and enhance their studies in an environment uniquely conducive to urban planning; - provide students specializing in international business the opportunity to increase their knowledge of international finance, marketing, economics and general international business administration; - provide opportunities for international business majors to fulfill their education abroad requirement in an Asian country that is among the most active in the international arena; - promote an awareness of, and appreciation for, the historical background and cultural heritage of the city-state of Singapore and; - provide opportunities for students from National University of Singapore to benefit from study at Penn State through this reciprocal exchange program. SINGAPORE Singapore is a city-state situated on an island lying just one degree north of the equator. With a population of about 2.87 million, Singapore boasts a very diverse demographic make-up. Singapore's diverse ethnic composition, primarily consisting of citizens of Chinese, Malay, and Indian backgrounds, enables students to learn about several Asian cultures, their customs, religious practices, festivals, and cuisine. Yet it is also a modern city, and English is the common and official language of business and government. Singapore, which means "Lion City," used to be a quiet fishing village until the age of British colonialism. In 1819 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived and decided to make the port a focal point of British power in Southeast Asia. During the next century, Singapore became a great trading center and a powerful military base. It was occupied by Japan between 1942 to 1945 before being regained by the British. Singapore attained its independence in 1963 as part of the Federation of Malaysia. Two years later, Singapore withdrew from the Federation and in August 1965, proclaimed itself an independent country. This new city-state developed quickly, and the growth in trade, tourism, and manufacturing helped to establish Singapore as having the second highest standard of living in East Asia after Japan. Today, Singapore is an attractive and extremely modern place. Singapore houses many contemporary buildings and shopping centers. It is home to many museums, such as the Asian Village and Underwater World in Sentosa, the nearby resort island. Fascinating markets include Boat and Clarke Quays on the historic Singapore River, world famous Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India, and a host of shopping centers. Haw Par Villa, a Chinese mythological park; and Tang Dynasty City, a recreation of an ancient town in China, are among the city's newest attractions. Also located in Singapore is the Jurong Bird Park, that has the world's largest Southeast Asian bird collection and a netted walk-in aviary. Singaporeans celebrate a diverse series of festivals throughout the year, like the Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Moon Cake Festival. "Moon cakes" traditionally were reputed to have been the means of conveying secret messages that led to the overthrow of the Mongol dynasty in China. Singapore is a clean and smooth-running country; the society is highly structured with an orderly code of social conduct. The population of Singapore represents a diversity of international cultures. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE The National University was formally established in 1980 when the University of Singapore and Nanyang University merged to form the National University of Singapore. The University's main Kent Ridge Campus is located about twelve kilometers from the city's center, occupying approximately 350 acres of land. The University is comprised of eight faculties: architecture and building, arts and sciences, business administration, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine and science. There are fifty-three teaching departments within these eight faculties, as well as four post-graduate schools and three institutes for advanced training and research. Students on the Singapore program study in either the Faculty of Business Administration, or the School of Building and Estate Management with in the Faculty of Architecture and Building. Program participants can choose from a wide selection of courses available within these specific colleges. Program Description The Singapore program was established to meet the needs of students interested in studying international business and/or real estate analysis abroad. Participants in the Singapore program can enroll for either the fall or spring semester. The Penn State students on this program attend classes in the Faculty of Business Administration and/or the School of Building and Estate Management at the university with other NUS students, so they are fully integrated into the National University of Singapore curriculum. Both schools incorporate rigorous curricula, combining class lectures with group and individual projects. Tutorial sessions are also utilized. All classes are taught in English. Specific course offerings tend to change from year to year. Offerings at the School of Building and Estate Management generally include courses in architecture, building science, and estate management, as well as a number of other real estate courses. Offerings at the Faculty of Business Administration generally include courses in international business, finance, marketing, and economics. Grading As with any course at Penn State, responsibility for assessing the student's academic achievement lies with the course instructors. Accreditation A select number of courses offered in the Singapore program will be accredited under course numbers listed in the Penn State Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin. The Office of Education Abroad Programs compiles a list of accredited courses once the program has been established. No transfer of credit is involved since the student remains registered at Penn State while on the Singapore program. Living Arrangements Students make their own housing and food arrangements direct with the Student Liaison Office at the National University of Singapore. Students can choose from a number of residence hall accommodations; there are six on campus. The residence halls offer single or double bedroom options, and a meal plan is included in all residence hall contracts. There is also a Foreign Student Advisory Service at NUS to help foreign students adjust to living and studying in Singapore. Eligibility The Singapore program is open to all regularly enrolled Penn State students, but the academic focus of the program appeals primarily to students studying international business or real estate analysis. Applicants must be in good academic standing and show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Generally speaking, a 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average is the minimum academic standard for most programs. Participants are generally in their junior or senior year during their period abroad. Program Prerequisites MSIS 200 ACCTG 211 ECON 02 and 04 Orientation A specially-designed orientation program, conducted during the semester before departure, is intended to prepare participants for the adjustment to living and studying in Singapore. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. Costs Tuition charges are payable to the Bursar's office at University Park Campus according to the standard procedures and deadlines for regular semester charges at University Park Campus. The tuition charge is the same as at University Park Campus. Students are responsible for paying for their room and board on site. They pay housing fees, including meals if they live in a dorm, direct to the Student Liaison Office at NUS. Because of the higher cost of living in Singapore, students can expect to pay more for room and board during their enrollment in this program than they would expect to pay at University Park Campus. Students are also required to pay a $150 nonrefundable program fee at the time of accepting an enrollment offer. Round-trip air transportation is an additional cost to the student. Penn State participants may want to fly to Singapore as a group. Group travel arrangements often offer significantly lower fares than individually-booked flights. There are numerous airlines that stop at Changi, one of the world's most modern airports. Textbooks and personal expenses are extra. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost-estimate sheet detailing the overall expenses for each semester. Financial Assistance The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State, financial aid packages continue during the time students are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs coordinates closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional costs incurred by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest grant-in-aid fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. Health Insurance All participants are expected to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. Personal liability insurance is strongly recommended. Penn State participants can obtain medical coverage from the Foreign Student Advisory Service at NUS in Singapore if their own policy does not cover them while they are in Singapore. Singapore has competent medical doctors and modern hospitals. Planning Ahead To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their academic advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every participant in this program not only gains regular Penn State credit, but can apply the credits earned abroad to General Education, elective, and/or major and minor requirements. Like all Penn State's semester and academic-year education abroad programs, this program satisfies the University's cultural diversity requirement. Each student is required to check with his/her adviser or dean to discuss what impact study abroad may have on his/her progress toward graduation. For further information and application forms, contact your campus Education Abroad adviser or: OFFICE OF EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 222 BOUCKE BUILDING UNIVERSITY PARK PA 16802-5900 TEL: (814) 865-7681 or for advise on the academics of this program contact: PROFESSOR AUSTIN J. JAFFE PHILIP H. SIEG PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 409A BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING UNIVERSITY PARK PA 16802 TEL: (814) 865-1938