Hi all,
Am I glad I found this forum! There is so much useful information to go through. A few months ago I was approached at an international academic conference and was encouraged to consider Singapore as a place of employment. So, I am considering. I have done my research and have found most of the information I am interested in, but I still have some questions.
First, a bit of background, so you have an idea who you are dealing with. My husband and I are in our forties and have a 17 year old daughter, who will not be joining us, as she will at College at the time of move. We are originally from Greece but have lived in Canada for 14 years (13 of them in Ontario and the last year in Atlantic Canada).
Currently, we collectively make CDN4800. We are not into shopping, expensive clothing or smoking. We do, however, LOVE to eat out and experience different tastes. We abhor high end restaurants and much rather prefer holes in the wall as they offer delicious, yummy food. We are past the clubbing scene and nightlife. We are very physical and outdoorsy and love outdoor activities.
In terms of jobs; I am an academic. My husband has a highschool education but is brilliant with computers (both software and hardware) but has no degree to show this. He works as a supervisor in heavy manufacturing.
So here come the questions; 1) are there trails for hiking in Singapore? What about outside of Singapore e.g Malaysia, are there any wild nature reserves?
2) How much vacation time do you get in Singapore? I know that it differs from place to place, but can you negotiate that? Do you have to take all the vacation time at once or can you break it down?
3) We will initially be staying at the subsidized housing that the university offers. We would like to get a feeling for the place and then make decisions as to where we would like to move. We are considering renting a house in Woodlands as it seems reasonably priced (for Singapore standards) and naturally beautiful. What do you guys think of that particular district? How much for a house there? Say a 2-3 bedroom? I have seen a wide range of prices…
4) Is it very expensive to eat out in Singapore in local places rather than high end restaurants? How much for a couple? 20, 30, 100 dollars?
5) Aside from work permits, will my husband be able to find a job? In Greece, for example, you can get a job based on your skills not your degree, but in Canada you have to have that piece of paper (Degree) that will allow you to get a job. What is it like in Singapore?
6) I know that this question will likely not be answered but what is the academic environment like in Singapore? In Canada, for example, the graduate students are groomed to be independent thinkers and scientists, but I read that in Singapore they are treated “no better than Phillipino maids”
I have lots of thinking to do.
Don't worry, there will be people helping you.
