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Vine Newsletter III

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BACK TO SCHOOL Presents… ISSUE 3
Transcript
Page 1: Vine Newsletter III

   

BACK TO SCHOOL

 

Presents…

ISSUE  3  

Page 2: Vine Newsletter III

   

Tan Yang En President of the 8th VinE Committee, Studying  Economics  at  LSE  

Page 3: Vine Newsletter III

   

Lynn  is  now  doing  a  degree  in  Hospitality  Management  at  Ecole  hôtelière  de  Lausanne,  Switzerland.  She  has  much  to  share  about  chocolates,  snow-­‐capped  mountains  and  did  we  mention  that  Swiss  scenery…    

How’s the lifestyle in Switzerland? Good  news  for  people  who  likes  to  escape  from  the  city  bustling  and  lifestyle!  You  would  fall  in  love  with  the  fresh  oxygen  greeting  you  every  day!    Switzerland  is  a  gorgeous  place  with  breath-­‐taking  views  that  is  beyond  words  to  describe.  You  see  green  fields,  sunflower  blooming  in  summer  and  the  clear  chime  sound  of  the  bells  on  the  cows  and  sheep.  Every  inter-­‐city  train  ride,  you  will  always  be  mesmerised  by  the  scenery  and  be  lost  in  your  thoughts.    Do  take  note  that  shops  close  at  5pm  or  latest  at  7pm!  If  you  would  like  to  get  groceries,  get  it  before  Sunday,  as  all  shops  are  closed  on  Sunday.  Otherwise,  you  would  have  to  make  a  trip  down  to  the  airport  supermarket  to  get  your  groceries.  So  Sunday  usually  is  a  relaxing  day  to  spend  time  with  your  friends  or  go  for  a  nature  walk.    

How’s the weather in Switzerland? You  will  definitely  experience  all  four  seasons  when  you  are  in  Switzerland.    Summer:  It  is  pretty  much  similar  like  Singapore,  it  feels  a  little  warmer  as  most  places  do  not  have  any  installation  of  fans  or  air-­‐conditioners  but  bearable  due  to  the  lack  of  humidity.  Spring  and  Autumn:  It  rains  most  of  the  time  during  this  period  so  you  will  need  waterproof  shoes  at  times  like  this  and  have  a  small  portable  umbrella  with  you  all  the  time.  The  weather  does  get  colder  at  night  and  some  days  without  sunlight  and  strong  winds.  Winter  jackets  that  you  get  in  Singapore  would  keep  you  warm  still.    Winter:  People  would  jump  for  joy  as  you  see  snow  falling  for  the  first  time.  Within  a  day  of  heavy  snow,  it  can  accumulate  to  15cm  in  height.  You  definitely  need  a  good  pair  of  waterproof  boots  to  move  around  in  the  pile  of  snow  or  cleared  path  to  prevent  you  from  slipping.  Take  note  that  even  though  snow  may  have  cleared  from  the  walking  path,  but  the  ground  is  frozen,  so  you  still  have  a  chance  to  slip  without  a  proper  sole!  It  is  highly  recommended  to  have  a  pair  of  boots  that  equipped  with  wool  lining  inside  to  keep  your  feet  warm!  Layer  your  clothing  if  your  winter  jacket  doesn’t  keep  you  warm  enough!  

Lynn Wong  

Introducing…

Page 4: Vine Newsletter III

   

Are you struggling with the language there? The  Swiss  population  is  a  great  mystery  to  discover  itself.  The  general  population  would  have  a  mixed  blood  of  Swiss  +  French,  Swiss  +  German,  Swiss  +  Italian.  Then,  there  is  a  further  break  down  of  combination  where  they  would  let  you  know  they  are  Swiss-­‐French  and  French.  Don’t  be  surprised!  They  just  meant  that  one  of  their  parents  is  a  Swiss  but  belongs  to  the  French  region  of  Switzerland  and  the  other  is  French  from  France.    There  isn’t  any  Swiss  language;  English  does  get  you  around  but  you  may  still  face  some  difficulty.  The  languages  spoken  vary  from  each  canton  (think  like  US  categorised  into  various  states).  But  the  four  official  languages  are  German,  French,  Italian  and  Romansch.    For  Singaporeans  who  take  German,  do  take  note  that  there  is  a  huge  difference  between  German  and  Swiss-­‐German.  Swiss  German  is  widely  spoken  and  differs  from  each  German-­‐speaking  canton;  it  has  the  similar  idea  to  our  dialects  (like  Cantonese,  Hokkien  and  etc).  So  don’t  be  surprised  if  you  are  unable  to  understand  their  conversations!  But  not  to  worry,  they  were  taught  German  which  they  called  it  the  High  German  for  mainly  writing  purpose  and  formal  conversation.    In  summary,  most  of  the  Swiss  you  meet  would  be  able  to  speak  at  least  3  languages  

What are some of the things to do there? In  Switzerland,  you  have  the  option  of  enjoying  the  nature  at  your  own  pace.  You  could  do  extreme  sports  like  paragliding,  skiing  or  just  hiking.  But  do  note  that  the  transport  prices  isn’t  cheap,  so  plan  your  routes  well  and  do  check  the  train  operator  www.sbb.ch/en  for  the  tourist  passes,  promotions  and  train  schedule!  You  can  get  in  and  out  of  Switzerland  through  the  train  connections  to  France,  Germany  and  Italy.  Plan  your  route  well  to  save  cost!        

The  view  features  the  UNESCO  vineyards  near  Lausanne  viewing  the  Lake  Geneva.  [Source:  Lynn  Wong]    

Page 5: Vine Newsletter III

   

What about travelling? Is it easy to travel from Switzerland? Which are your favourite places thus far? Any tips? Because  you  are  in  Europe,  you  need  to  travel  around  especially  during  your  holidays.  However,  do  avoid  peak  seasons  such  as  summer  period  (July  and  August)  if  you  dislike  having  a  crowd  in  your  pictures.  Nevertheless,  if  you  plan  to  travel  in  summer,  plan  ahead  to  save  cost!  Depending  on  your  country  location,  you  can  use  skyscanner  for  a  comparison  in  air  tickets  or  stick  to  a  budget  airline  like  easyjet.  Also,  train  tickets  could  be  purchased  early  too  through  reservation,  so  keep  your  eye  on  it!  But  the  train  tickets,  you  need  be  careful  that  train  timetables  are  updated  twice  in  a  year.  They  have  a  winter  schedule  (Commence  from  2nd  Sunday  of  Dec  onwards)  and  summer  schedule  (2nd  Sunday  of  June  onwards).  So  you  may  not  be  able  to  purchase  tickets  before  it,  but  they  release  the  sales  in  mid  Oct  for  winter  schedule  and  mid  Apr.    Usually  I  would  use  AirBnb,  budget  hotels  or  single  room  hostel  depending  on  the  location,  prices  and  the  group  of  friends  I  am  heading  out  with.  As  I  am  rather  picky  on  the  cleanliness,  I  would  need  a  clean  bathroom  and  a  comfortable  bed  so  I  wouldn’t  mind  paying  a  little  more  for  the  extra  comfort.  Barcelona  :D  shopping  city!  You  can  find  most  of  the  Spanish  brands:  Zara,  Pull  &  Bear,  Bershaka  and  Massimo  Dutti.  However,  do  visit  during  the  sales  period,  otherwise  it  is  rather  pricey.  Nevertheless,  it  is  still  cheaper  than  the  flagship  stores  in  Singapore!    Croatia  around  its  coast  such  as  Dubronvik  and  Split  are  scenic  places  to  explore.  It  is  

How difficult, or how easy, has it been to make friends in Switzerland? As  my  school  is  a  hospitality  school,  it  is  essential  to  network  with  various  nationalities.  The  Asian  population  in  the  school  is  small  (15%  of  the  student  population).  Many  did  face  difficulty  in  making  friends  with  fellow  Europeans,  but  along  the  course  where  projects  are  heavily  involved  and  people  are  generally  hospitable,  you  would  make  friends  easily.  There  is  a  small  group  of  Singaporeans  present  in  my  school  but  each  cohort,  there  are  around  1-­‐3  of  us,  so  we  are  a  really  tight  group  together.  You  will  be  surprised  to  see  many  people  who  did  live  in  Singapore  as  expats!  We  do  have  a  bi-­‐annual  dinner  as  we  welcome  a  new  cohort  and  some  small  dinner  sessions  in  the  school  restaurant  or  someone’s  apartment.    Within  your  own  cohort,  you  may  be  closer  with  other  non-­‐Singaporeans  in  your  own  class  so  sometimes  you  do  have  a  mix  group  of  friends  as  friends  introduces  one  another.  Thus,  

World  War  I  memorial  in  London  [Source:  Terence  Lim]  

Page 6: Vine Newsletter III

   

Type of Expense Prices

Accommodation Private Accommodation 750CHF to 1’400CHF per month Campus Accommodation 1’000CHF to 1’200CHF per

month Dine out McDonalds’ set meal 13CHF and above

Western Restaurants 16CHF and above per dish Chinese Restaurants 18CHF and above per dish

Groceries Rice (1kg) 2.15CHF Meat (200g) 5.90CHF and above Olive Oil (1L) 10CHF Vegetables 1CHF to 5CHF Milk (1L) 1.30CHF Groceries Shopping 20 – 50CHF per trip

Mobile Mobile Plan (with school) – Swisscom 100mins outgoing, free SMS, 500MB

26CHF

Mobile Plan – Swisscom 30mins outgoing, free SMS, 500MB

44CHF

Prepaid Card Pay as you use.

Free 13 SMS per day. 2CHF per day for 5MB internet 9CHF per month for 100MB internet

Transport Half Price Card – entitles all transport tickets to be up to 50% discount

175CHF for a year

City Transport Card (Zone Card) - free access to transport within the city zones you have subscribed. (useful if not staying on campus)

3 zones 650CHF per year Depends on the cities transport and zones.

Monthly Expense

Food (weekends only assume campus food included in tuition fees), transport, mobile plan.

300CHF to 500CHF

Estimated  cost  of  living  kindly  tabled  by  Lynn.  [Do  note  that  its  is  based  on  how  much  she  spends  during  her  term  in  Lausanne  and  may  change  year-­‐on-­‐year,  or  at  a  different  region  in  Switzerland.]  

Page 7: Vine Newsletter III

 

How is renting a place like? The  rental  is  high  in  Lausanne  as  it  could  be  considered  a  city  filled  with  at  least  2  major  universities.  Thus,  don’t  be  surprised  if  rent  per  month  is  1000CHF.   Also,  most  require  a  Swiss  guarantor  for  documentation  in  renting.  If  you  are  renting  together  with  a  Swiss  friend,  he  or  she  may  take  care  of  the  necessities  and  help  you  handle  the  necessary  documentations.    

It  is  necessary  to  view  your  apartment  or  house  before  deciding  to  rent  the  place.  You  need  to  check  the  accessibility  of  the  house  if  you  do  not  own  a  car.    

Usually  on  the  university  portals  or  the  local  marketplace  website  (in  the  city  administrative  language),  there  are  numerous  posting  to  filter  out.  The  general  trend  would  to  take  over  the  seniors’  apartments  as  some  contracts  included  the  clause  that  they  have  to  successfully  find  someone  to  take  over  the  place  before  their  departure.  

How easy or difficult is it to gain an internship abroad? Usually,  the  city/  country  you  study  would  allow  you  to  attain  student  working  visa  easier  than  someone  who  is  applying  but  nevertheless  there  are  exceptions.  It  depends  on  your  school  policies  whether  they  would  help  you  obtain  an  overseas  internship  and  apply  for  a  working  visa.  To  my  knowledge,  usually  schools  would  post  up  opportunities  and  give  guidance  in  regards  to  some  procedures  of  the  working  visas.  To  sum  up,  looking  for  an  overseas  internship  depends  on  you.  

For  hospitality,  there  are  various  opportunities  beside  the  continents  mentioned  above  due  to  the  nature  of  work.  For  instance,  Middle  East  such  as  Dubai,  Abu  Dhabi;  South  Africa  resorts;  exotic  islands  such  as  Bora  Bora,  Mauritius  and  Maldives.  Thus,  it  really  depends  on  the  type  of  internship  you  are  looking  for.  

What were your considerations for your internship? 1. Able  to  obtain  a  working  visa.  When  your  school  or  company  does  not  aid  you  in  obtaining  a  visa,  it  

requires  a  lot  of  effort  and  energy  in  following  up  the  procedures.    

2. Interest  in  the  job  scope.  Read  through  and  understand  thoroughly  the  job  descriptions  that  have  been  reflected  on  it.  Apply  it  only  if  you  are  interested  in  learning  it  and  not  for  the  fact  that  it  is  the  only  position  of  your  favourite  company.  

3. Living  costs.  If  financial  is  a  big  issue  for  you,  don’t  apply  for  an  unpaid  internship  even  it  looks  lucrative  to  your  resume.  

4. Internship  period.  Be  realistic  with  the  internship  period  as  the  shorter  the  internship  period,  it  

How was your internship experience like? The  first  internship  I  have  attained  was  Intercontinental  Geneva,  Switzerland.  It  was  not  an  issue  for  the  application  as  I  was  holding  a  student  visa;  you  would  be  entitled  to  work  in  Switzerland.  Thus,  the  local  companies  would  perform  the  application  procedure  with  the  federal  government.  Nevertheless,  the  school  reputation  would  also  give  you  an  edge  in  your  application  in  obtaining  an  internship  because  there  are  multiple  of  hospitality  schools  around  the  region  too.    

As  Switzerland  internship  is  one  of  the  highest  paid,  there  was  no  additional  cost  paid  as  the  salary  of  an  intern  would  be  sufficient  for  all  my  daily  expenses  and  rent.    

I  had  to  conform  to  the  school  requirements  for  the  internship  where  we  had  to  perform  an  operational  internship  which  would  allow  us  to  understand  the  flow  of  the  operations.  In  addition,  the  internship  was  to  improve  my  knowledge  in  French  language  and  experiencing  under  a  European  workforce.  

The  second  internship  was  a  short  10  weeks  of  summer  internship  in  Ritz-­‐Carlton  Singapore.  Singapore  itself  presents  tons  of  opportunities  if  you  hold  the  Singapore  passport,  so  it  makes  a  good  back  up  plan.  Also,  there  are  a  lot  of  well-­‐known  companies  setting  up  regional  headquarters  or  office  within  in  Singapore  because  of  the  rising  economic  growth  in  South  East  Asia  region.  However,  for  students  who  are  studying  overseas,  the  internship  period  in  Singapore  would  usually  follow  the  major  universities  in  Singapore  semester.    Due  to  the  connections  from  the  school  alumni  and  luck,  I  was  fortunate  to  perform  an  internship  in  the  Human  Resources.  It  does  give  a  different  perspective  due  to  the  nature  of  the  job  but  nevertheless  it  was  still  under  the  hospitality  sector.  

As  it  was  in  Singapore,  housing  was  not  an  issue.  But  the  intern  expenses  would  be  sufficient  and  serves  as  a  monthly  allowance  you  usually  received  from  your  parents.  

As  hospitality  is  a  huge  sector,  it  would  be  necessary  to  specialise  in  an  area.  Thus,  the  HR  internship  had  given  me  an  idea  in  regards  whether  this  specialisation  route  had  proven  to  what  I  have  expected  from  it  and  will  I  still  be  interested  in  future.    

Page 8: Vine Newsletter III

   Introducing…

Nicole Ong Nicole  is  now  reading  Law  at  the  University  of  Southampton.  When  she’s  not  busy  as  Secretary  of  VinE  or  with  school,  she  spends  her  time  with  some  Pokemon  and  cheesecake.  

How do you find your current place? I’m  still  staying  in  my  University  Hall  of  Residence  this  year  since  my  university  guarantees  international  students  a  place  in  Halls  for  2  years  of  their  degree.  

If you are comfortable with it, do you mind sharing with us how much are you paying for your current place, and where?

I  currently  pay  £124  per  week  for  my  en  suite  room  (room  with  own  toilet).  This  is  inclusive  of  all  water  and  electricity  bills,  as  well  as  internet  fees,  insurance,  and  a  year-­‐long  bus  pass  for  use  in  my  city.  If  I  were  to  stay  in  private-­‐rented,  the  cost  can  vary  from  £90  to  £150  per  week,  depending  on  location  and  the  type  of  the  room/house.  What problems did you face in the process of looking for your current house? What were your considerations when you were looking for this place? I  am  currently  on  the  lookout  for  a  house  for  my  3rd  year  of  study,  and  my  main  consideration  is  convenience  to  facilities  such  as  the  supermarkets.  Staying  in  private-­‐rented  also  means  that  you  have  to  be  responsible  for  your  own  utility  bills,  but  for  convenience  sake,  my  friend  and  I  are  looking  at  a  private  hall  which  covers  all  these  bills  in  the  rent  so  that  we  don’t  have  to  worry  about  paying  those  on  time.    What about housemates? Any problems that you have faced with your housemates thus far? (Please share if you are comfortable with it) I  feel  that  you  should  really  take  the  time  to  get  to  know  the  people  around  you  first  before  deciding  whether  you  want  to  stay  with  them  or  not.  You  might  get  along  very  well  with  someone  at  first,  but  find  out  later  that  they  have  some  living  habits  which  you  really  dislike.  For  example,  I  personally  like  (and  need)  time  alone  to  myself  at  night,  but  I  have  a  friend  who  just  loves  company  and  won’t  leave  me  alone  if  she  knows  that  she  can  easily  reach  me.  Evidently,  while  I  value  my  friend,  I  wouldn’t  necessarily  want  to  live  with  her  if  our  lifestyles  clash!  One  advantage  about  my  2  year  hall  guarantee  is  that  it  allowed  me  more  time  to  familiarize  myself  with  my  potential  housemate,  and  helped  us  confirm  that  we  have  the  same  priorities  with  regard  to  lifestyle  choices.    

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Gillian Loh Gillian  is  reading  Law  at  the  University  of  Bristol.  She’s  also  part  of  our  8th  VinE  Committee  as  our  beloved  treasurer!  Which  gives  her  plenty  of  reasons  to  come  to  London  for  her  beloved  bubble  tea…  

How do you find your current place? I  am  quite  happy  with  it.  It  is  a  two  minute  walk  from  the  law  school  building,  so  location-­‐wise  its  quite  convenient.  Its  also  situated  along  one  of  the  busiest  streets  in  Bristol,  with  cafes  and  shops  a  stone’s  throw  away  so  it  is  well-­‐lit  and  bustling  even  at  night.    If you are comfortable with it, do you mind sharing with us how much are you paying for your current place, and where?

I’m  staying  along  Park  Street  and  am  paying  around  £410  per  month  excluding  electricity,  internet  charges  and  water.    What problems did you face in the process of looking for your current house? The  whole  process  was  quite  rushed  because  we  were  advised  to  settle  the  accommodation  (aka  put  the  deposit  down)  before  winter  break  so  looking  back  it  was  quite  overwhelming  to  have  to  house-­‐hunt  barely  two  months  into  the  first  year  of  school.    What were your considerations when you were looking for this place? Rent,  distance  from  school,  environment-­‐whether  residential  area  or  commercial  shophouses.  

Introducing…

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 Introducing…

Deborah Chan Deborah  is  reading  Law  at  the  University  of  Bristol.  She’s  in  her  second  year  and  also  an  active  dancer  with  the  Dance  Society  at  Bristol.  

How do you find your current place? I  really  like  it,  I'm  sharing  a  4-­‐room  flat  with  my  good  friends  here  in  Bristol,  with  2  toilets  making  it  very  convenient  for  us.  Everything  is  newly  furbished  so  things  are  pretty  comfortable  too.  

What problems did you face in the process of looking for your current house? 4-­‐room  flats  in  the  vicinity  of  the  University  buildings  (Queens  Road,  Whiteladies,  Clifton)  are  a  rarity  in  Bristol,  hence  we  were  limited  in  our  options.  We  didn't  want  to  live  down  Park  Street  as  well  or  too  near  the  main  roads  to  avoid  disturbances  at  night  either.     What were your considerations when you were looking for this place? Location,  number  of  bedrooms,  security,  rent,  common  space.   What about housemates? Any problems that you have faced with your housemates thus far? Nope    

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Collin Cheong

 

How did you find your current house? I  found  my  current  apartment  through  a  housing  agency.  In  terms  of  looking  for  a  reputable  and  reliable  housing  agency,  I  spoke  with  seniors  to  find  out  which  agents  they've  used  and  which  they  would  recommend.  Alternatively,  I  trust  the  university  you're  studying  at  will  have  a  list  of  accredited  housing  agents  that  they  would  provide  adequate  recommendation/advice.    

If you are comfortable with it, do you mind sharing with us how much are you paying for your current place, and where? Rental  rates  in  Bristol  are  definitely  cheaper  than  in  London.  I  live  in  a  fully  furnished  two  bedroom  apartment  with  a  living  room  and  a  kitchen.  The  rent  I  pay  is  approximately  £415  per  month  excluding  utilities  and  internet  bills.      What problems did you face in the process of looking for your current house? I  started  looking  for  my  housing  quite  late  and  was  thus  quite  limited  in  the  choices  of  apartment  for  rent.  On  hindsight,  I  would  say  start  looking  for  your  accommodation  early  to  prevent  all  the  good  ones  from  being  taken  up.  Of  course,  then  there  is  the  issue  of  who  you're  going  to  room  with  for  the  following  year,  which  is  important  because  you  have  to  like  the  person  enough  to  see  each  other  everyday.    Fortunately,  my  flatmate  and  I  get  on  extremely  well!  I  think  its  quite  essential  for  one  to  find  flatmates  who  you  are  comfortable  with  discussing  any  issues  with,  share  similar  budgets  and  have  similar  interest  groups.    What were your considerations when you were looking for this place?  When  looking  for  an  accommodation,  I  think  the  following  is  a  checklist  of  factors  I  considered  as  absolutes:  -­‐  Was  the  house  in  close  proximity  to  the  University?  -­‐  Was  the  house  located  in  a  safe  neighbourhood?  -­‐  Was  the  house  fully  furnished?  -­‐  Did  the  house  have  equal  room  sizes?  Were  the  rooms  adequately  large  enough?  -­‐  Was  the  house  close  to  amenities  such  as  the  supermarket,  gym,  etc.?  Essentially,  it  really  is  up  to  you  to  prioritise  what  factors  you  think  are  important  in  your  rented  accommodation.  Remember  that  when  looking  for  you  rented  accommodation,  you  are  the  customer.  Do  not  be  afraid  of  asking  questions  and  most  importantly  view  the  property.  I  did,  however,  considered  a  property  that  was  not  built  yet,  and  in  that  scenario,  do  ask  for  a  floor  plan  of  the  property  just  to  get  an  idea  of  what  the  property  would  be  like  when  built.    

Collin  is  studying  Law  at  the  University  of  Bristol.  He’s  in  his  final  year  and  was  also  the  Vice-­‐President  of  the  University  Bristol  Law  Club.  

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What were your considerations for your internship? I  think  first  and  foremost,  you  need  to  have  an  idea  of  what  you  are  interested  in  or  the  career  path  that  you  intend  on  pursuing  before  thinking  of  applying  for  an  internship  placement.  You  need  not  be  absolutely  sure  of  what  you  intend  to  pursue  but  at  least  have  an  idea.                I  study  law  and  I  am  sure  that  I  would  like  to  pursue  a  career  in  commercial  law.  I  knew  also  that  at  least  in  the  next  5  to  10  years  I  would  love  to  practice  in  a  law  firm  that  handles  large  transcontinental  transactions  and  that  essentially  limited  my  internship  applications  to  an  elite  pool  of  international  law  firms  that  were  centrally  located  in  London.  But  most  importantly,  I  wanted  to  know  if  I  was  suited  for  working  in  London  for  a  long  period  of  time.  I  think  for  anyone  considering  a  career  abroad,  the  prudent  course  of  action  would  be  to  secure  an  internship  at  the  city  and  in  the  industry  that  you  would  be  spending  a  good  amount  of  time  in.                After  deciding  where  you  are  interested  in  interning,  it  is  important  to  make  a  list  of  application  deadlines  and  to  create  a  stunning  CV/application.  In  this  respect,  the  career  services  department  at  university  is  your  best  friend.  For  example,  the  application  processes  and  format  of  presenting  your  application  here  in  England,  as  I  have  learnt  from  the  career  services  department  in  university,  is  quite  different  from  that  in  Singapore.                For  the  legal  industry,  the  respective  university  law  societies  would  also  have  liaised  with  firms  to  organise  interview  workshops,  case  study  workshops,  firm  presentation  days  etc.  It  is  imperative  to  go  for  these  workshops  to  not  only  pick  up  the  skills  being  taught,  but  also  to  find  out  what  these  employers  are  looking  for,  what  the  culture/nature  of  the  work  is,  and  to  network.  Securing  an  internship  in  the  UK  is  definitely  competitive  and  these  are  just  some  means  of  getting  a  slight  edge  over  the  rest  of  the  competitors.  Remember,  you  are  not  competing  against  the  locals  for  a  placement  but  you  are  competing  against  an  international  pool  of  students.                During  the  internship  phase,  I  considered  networking  and  gaining  an  overall  feel  of  the  working  nature  of  the  industry  as  key  focuses.  That  is  because,  during  that  short  space  of  time,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  master  all  the  technicalities  of  the  job.  It  is  important  to  work  hard  and  do  your  best,  but  at  the  macroscopic  level,  I  considered  building  excellent  relationships  and  discovering  whether  you  truly  enjoy  working  in  the  industry  and  in  the  city  you  are  interning  at  as  significantly  more  important.  This  means  making  an  effort  to  attend  socials  after  office  hours  and  getting  to  know  your  peers  at  work.    Where have you applied for your internship? If you are comfortable with it, do you mind sharing with us what are the places that you have managed to attain? I  applied  to  Linklaters,  Herbert  Smith  Freehills,  King  &  Wood  Mallesons  SJ  Berwin,  Norton  Rose  Fulbright,  Freshfields,  and  Thirty  Nine  Essex  Street  Chambers.  I  managed  to  secure  placements  at  King  &  Wood  Mallesons  SJ  Berwin  and  Thirty  Nine  Essex  Street  Chambers.      What are the financial considerations for your internship? These  work  placements  do  provide  you  with  a  basic  allowance.  However,  living  in  London  can  be  expensive  for  a  student  and  definitely  some  expenses  will  be  out  of  your  own  pocket.  In  order  to  reduce  the  cost  of  interning  in  London,  I  am  grateful  for  having  friends  in  London  to  house  me  and  to  help  me  look  for  cheap  student  accommodations  for  rent.  Because  bulk  of  the  internship  placements  are  held  during  the  summer,  it  is  quite  possible  to  rent  from  other  students  who  have  returned  home  for  the  summer  break.  This  translates  to  an  availability  of  accommodations  that  are  available  for  rent  at  a  rate  that  is  much  lower  than  market  rates.  Therefore,  keep  in  close  contact  with  you  mates  from  VJC!  They  could  be  key  to  helping  you  secure  cheap  accommodation!  ;)    Why did you decide to take up this internship? How beneficial/ important do you think this is? I  think  I  shared  above  why  I  wanted  to  take  up  internship  placements.  In  terms  of  its  importance,  I  think  it  is  again  important  in  terms  of  giving  you  a  practical  insight  into  the  industry,  the  career  that  you  are  thinking  of  pursuing  and  into  the  city  that  you  are  thinking  of  working  in.  Internships  are  also  beneficial  as  they  would  enable  you  to  build  confidence  in  the  workplace  and  provide  you  with  a  competitive  edge  in  the  saturated  job  market  for  ultimately  securing  an  employment  contract.  Even  if  at  the  end  of  the  internship  placement  it  does  not  translate  into  an  actual  job  offer,  I  trust  that  the  practical  experience  that  you  have  gained  would  not  only  have  strengthened  your  résumé  and  employability,  but  also  would  have  provided  you  with  the  added  confidence  in  giving  a  strong  interview  for  your  applications  to  other  firms  with  the  intimate  industry  knowledge  you  have  previously  acquired.  However,  considered  a  property  that  was  not  built  yet,  and  in  that  scenario,  do  ask  for  a  floor  plan  of  the  property  just  to  get  an  idea  of  what  the  property  would  be  like  when  built.    

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Introducing… Terence Lim

 

Here’s  a  very  special  feature  –  Terence  has  attended  possibly  more  VinE  events  than  some  who  are  studying  in  London,  despite  having  graduated  from  Carnegie  Mellon  University  in  the  USA.  Why?  He’s  been  here  for  exchange  TWICE  and  did  his  Masters  at  Imperial  College,  London.  Read  on  to  find  out  what  were  his  considerations  for  London,  and  why  he  loves  London  so  much.  

Tell us a little bit about yourself (and we’re curious why were you in London so often!)

I  studied  in  Carnegie  Mellon  University  (CMU)  and  graduated  with  a  BSc  in  Management  Information  Systems  and  a  minor  in  Business  Administration.  During  my  2nd  and  3rd  year  in  CMU,  I  went  on  an  exchange  programme  to  University  College  London  (UCL)  during  the  Autumn  semesters  in  both  years,  where  I  was  admitted  to  the  Science  &  Technology  studies  and  Computer  Science  departments  respectively.    

After  completing  my  undergraduate  course  in  CMU,  I  attended  Imperial  College  London  (ICL),  where  I  graduated  with  a  masters  in  Computing  Science.    As  a  hobby,  I  enjoy  travelling  the  world,  meeting  new  people  and  of  course  having  fun  in  life.  London  is  a  great  place  where  you  can  easily  travel  at  an  affordable  cost,  meet  awesome  friends  and  have  a  work-­‐life  balance.  

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Why London – and, again? How different is the experience here from your experience in the US?

Personally,  I  felt  that  I’d  enjoy  my  student  life  in  London  better,  as  the  city  has  just  so  much  to  offer,  in  terms  of  events,  entertainment,  things  to  see  and  do.  For  instance,  there  can  be  parades,  musicals  in  the  West  End,  and  pop  up  events,  and  the  best  is  that  they  are  all  located  within  central  London.    On  top  of  this,  if  you  enjoy  travelling,  London  makes  a  great  hub  to  travel  budget,  as  there  are  many  lost-­‐cost  carriers  that  connects  London  to  all  over  Europe.  Another  important  point  is  also  the  strong  and  large  Singaporean  community  here,  which  makes  me  feel  at  home.  Also,  I  really  enjoy  meeting  up  occasionally  and  hanging  out  with  my  friends  from  VS  and  VJC,  and  catching  up  on  the  good  old  days.  This  is  also  the  reason  why  I  attended  many  events,  such  as  those  organized  by  VinE  (Victorians  in  Europe)  and  other  Singapore  Societies.  And  it  is  important  for  me  that  the  new  friends  I  make  here  can  continue  to  hang  out  with  me  when  we  eventually  return  to  Singapore.  On  the  contrary,  if  I  were  to  stay  on  in  CMU,  many  of  my  friends  tend  to  be  non-­‐Singaporean  (due  to  the  smaller  community)  and  I  don’t  have  the  chance  to  meet  them  again  after  I  leave  CMU.  Indeed,  I’ve  enjoyed  every  moment  of  my  time  here  in  London,  and  I  can  vouch  for  the  saying  that  goes  by  “When  a  man  is  tired  of  London,  he  is  tired  of  life”.  

 

What were your considerations for your Masters and how did you eventually make your choice?

I  applied  for  MSc  in  Computing  Science  in  ICL,  and  2  different  programs  in  CMU,  namely  the  MISM  (Master  of  Information  Systems  Management)  and  Masters  in  eBusiness.  Some  people  asked  me  why  I  did  not  apply  to  universities  such  as  MIT,  Stanford,  or  Oxbridge.  To  be  honest,  it  was  because  when  I  decided  to  pursue  my  masters  in  late  January  just  before  my  graduation  in  May,  I  had  already  past  their  application  deadlines.    

Nevertheless,  the  courses  I  applied  to  were  also  pretty  great  choices.  Eventually,  I  got  accepted  to  all  3  of  them,  and  I  had  a  difficult  choice  choosing  between  them  initially.  I  had  to  weigh  in  different  factors  such  as  location  (London  for  ICL  vs  Pittsburgh  for  CMU),  and  the  opportunity  costs  I  had  to  incur  between  my  choices.  For  instance,  if  I  had  chosen  to  come  to  ICL  and  leave  the  US,  I  would  have  to  give  up  the  possibility  of  any  opportunity  of  working  in  the  US  upon  graduation,  which  was  an  important  factor  for  me  then.  This  is  because  in  order  to  obtain  an  Optional  Practical  Training  (OPT)  status  which  allows  me  to  work  in  the  US  immediately  after  graduation,  I  will  need  to  graduate  from  a  US  university  just  before  starting  work.  On  the  other  hand,  if  I  had  stayed  on  in  CMU,  I  would  not  have  as  much  fun  in  a  vibrant  and  exciting  city  such  as  London.  Also,  attending  a  new  university  would  provide  me  with  a  more  diverse  experience.  Eventually,  I  decided  to  come  to  London,  mainly  due  to  many  positive  experiences  I’ve  had  during  my  exchange  programme  in  UCL.  

 

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Sef Chin

What did you do over summer? Over  the  summer  holiday,  I  did  an  8-­‐week  internship  with  the  Pan-­‐European  Equities  desk  of  Aberdeen  Asset  Management  (AAM)  in  London.    

Can you tell us more about AAM?

Located  just  beside  the  beautiful  St  Paul's  Cathedral,  AAM  has  built  up  a  fine  reputation  in  its  active  equity  business.  One  of  the  highlights  of  my  internship  included  attending  meetings  with  Chairmen,  CEOs  and  CFOs  of  some  of  the  largest  European  companies  including  HSBC,  BP,  Savills,  Rio  Tinto  and  the  likes.  I  was  even  encouraged  to  ask  questions  and  "talk  business"  during  the  meetings  as  a  23  year-­‐old  to  some  of  the  finest  minds  in  their  industries,  all  of  them  many  more  decades  older  and  more  experienced  than  I  am.  It  was  truly  a  humbling  experience.  

What did you do there? Apart  from  the  daily  stock  researches  and  doing  up  of  earning  reports,  I  was  also  tasked  to  lead  a  weekly  macroeconomic  presentation  to  the  entire  team  of  17  fund  managers.  This  involved  discussing  key  macroeconomic  indicators  and  news  stories  which  were  released  over  the  week  and  relating  the  data  in  terms  of  how  it  affects  the  portfolios  that  we  hold.  As  my  team  was  split  up  half  in  London  and  half  in  Edinburgh,  the  meetings  and  presentations  were  usually  done  via  video  conferencing.  Being  in  a  global  firm  like  Aberdeen,  I  also  had  the  chance  to  attend  such  meetings  with  other  teams  in  Singapore  and  Sao  Paulo  to  update  one  another  with  what  was  happening  on  the  ground  in  these  key  emerging  markets.    What’s most memorable from this internship? I  I  will  never  forget  the  friendships  that  were  forged  during  this  short  but  memorable  internship.  There  were  interns  from  Scotland,  Italy,  UK,  Australia  and  many  others  from  disciplines  as  diverse  as  languages  and  classics  to  history  and  economics.  I  even  met  British  friends  there  who  spoke  fluent  Japanese  and  grew  up  in  Singapore!  Aberdeen  also  has  an  extremely  flat  hierarchical  structure  where  even  my  head  of  desk  sits  right  next  to  me.  No  one  in  the  firm  has  an  office  except  for  the  CEO  and  even  he  prefers  to  sit  outside  in  the  open  office  with  us.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  I  could  literally  walk  up  to  anyone's  desk,  be  it  a  managing  director  or  a  junior  associate,  to  ask  questions  or  just  have  a  chat.          This  is  the  wonder  of  studying  and  working  in  London  where  one  could  meet  all  kinds  of  people  and  do  work  that  transcends  the  boundaries  of  our  small  country.  I  once  thought  I  knew  what  cosmopolitan  meant  before  I  headed  overseas,  now  I  know  I  knew  nothing  at  all  back  then.        

Introducing…

Sef  is  studying  Statistics  and  Business  Mathematics  at  LSE.  Now  in  his  final  year,  Sef  shares  on  his  experience  last  summer,  and  how  he  finds  London  after  close  to  three  years.  Feel  free  to  email  him  at  [email protected]  if  you  have  any  questions  about  his  internship.  

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   Considering  the  many  options  available  for  tertiary  study,  we  decided  to  have  a  special  feature  of  someone  who’s  based  in  Tokyo!  Japan  is  definitely  not  within  Europe  but  we  decided  to  have  this  feature  to  highlight  how  the  best  opportunities  may  be  the  path  less  taken.  Here  on  exchange  at  Oxford,  and  based  at  Waseda  University,  

Introducing… Lee Shu Shien

Fall  2012,  against  the  west-­‐ward  currents  of  my  friends  who  flocked  to  Europe  for  their  undergraduate  studies,  I  flew  solo  to  Tokyo.  And,  I  have  never  looked  back  ever  since.  Here’re  5  reasons  why  I  think  studying  in  Japan  is  my  best  decision  ever,  and  why  you  too  should  consider  the  Land  of  Rising  Sun  as  your  higher  education/exchange  programme  destination!   1. Experiencing the best of both worlds Living  in  Japan  means  subjecting  yourself  to  a  constant  state  of  dichotomy  in  your  surroundings.  For  a  starter,  this  country  best  known  for  its  superior  technological  prowess  and  robotic  innovation  is  on  the  ground  still  heavily  reliant  on  hard  copies,  fax  machines  and  snail  mails  for  communication  and  formal  exchanges.  The  characterless,  suited-­‐up  businessman  zooming  across  business  districts  in  Tokyo  is  contradicted  by  the  graceful  apprentice  geisha  (maiko)  donned  in  traditional  Japanese  kimono  practising  tea  ceremony  in  Kyoto.  Japan  is  cosmopolitan  but  conservative,  global  but  local,  new  but  old.  The  country  is  as  tremendously  fascinating  as  it  is  incomprehensible.  This  peculiar  trait  however  makes  it  especially  gratifying  to  live  in  Japan.  You  learn  something  new  and  interesting  –  and  oftentimes  bizarre  –  about  the  country  every  day  that  contests  your  earlier  presumptions  about  it.  You  get  to  experience  the  best  of  both  worlds,  and  there’s  nowhere  else  to  understand  the  eccentricities  than  in  the  country  itself.    

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2. Actually really, make international friends Everyone  I  know  leaves  home  with  a  determination  to  forge  international  friendships  with  people  from  all  over  the  world,  but  many  a  times,  I  witness  my  friends  slipping  back  into  a  comfortable  and  secure  social  circle  filled  mainly  with  Singaporeans.    In  Japan,  however,  the  Singapore  student  community  while  strong  and  close-­‐knit  tends  to  be  rather  small.  The  circumstance  forces  you  to  really  practise  your  social  skills  and  mingle  with  schoolmates  from  different  parts  of  the  globe,  no  excuses!  It  makes  for  a  fantastic  opportunity  to  truly  immerse  in  a  study  abroad  experience  that  is  legitimately  global.  I  for  one  have  friends  from  Germany,  Taiwan,  Korea,  China,  America,  Italy,  Israel,  Pakistan,  Mexico,  every  ASEAN  countries,  and  the  list  continues.  The  backgrounds  and  stories  of  these  people  never  fail  to  impress  and  inspire  me,  and  it’s  always  an  immense  pleasure  to  share  our  Singapore  culture  with  them  in  return!    3. Japanese food is to-die-for No  matter  how  long  you’ve  been  in  Japan  –  or  even  if  you’re  a  native  –  there  is  always  an  exotic  local  cuisine  or  a  twist  to  a  ramen  that  you  have  yet  to  try.  The  brave  culinary  experimenter  will  be  spoilt  with  peculiar  dishes  like  raw  horse  meat  and  puffer  fish  fugu,  which  literally  is  to-­‐die-­‐for.  While  these  are  acquired  tastes,  you  can  still  revel  in  infinite  safe  and  delicious  food  options  in  Japan.  On  top  of  the  usual  sushi,  tempura,  ramen,  yakitori,  soba  and  okonomiyaki,  there  is  a  whole  array  of  unfamiliar  but  equally  exquisite  Japanese  cuisines  such  as  monjyayaki,  tsukemen,  abura  soba  and  so  on.  From  Michelin-­‐starred  restaurants  in  five-­‐star  hotels  to  hole  in  the  wall  establishments  in  dim  alleyways,  tasty  food  is  everywhere  and  available  at  all  price  ranges.  Word  has  it  that  even  the  food  from  the  convenience  store  is  awesome  (I  concur).        

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5. Living expenses are not as costly as you think it is Think  Tokyo  is  the  most  expensive  city  to  reside  in?  Try  living  in  the  UK  and  think  again.    I  got  the  shock  of  my  life  upon  arriving  in  London/Oxford  and  realising  that  boy,  LIFE  IS  EXPENSIVE  IN  HERE.  I  thought  I  had  it  bad  enough  in  Tokyo,  but  recalling  how  I  survived,  I  remember  that  there  were  always  cheap  alternatives:  DAISO  and  other  equivalent  100yen  shops  which  prevalence  is  hard  to  ignore,  generous  lunch/student  discounts,  free  upsizing  of  rice  and  noodles  (so  two  people  can  share),  “family  restaurants”  (which  are  franchise  joints  selling  cheap  Western  food)  and  convenience  stores.  Prices  of  perishable  foods  and  bentos  in  supermarkets  also  start  to  drop  to  as  low  as  50%  after  9pm.  Supermarkets  also  love  to  give  discounts  on  random  occasions  such  as  when  commemorating  the  arrival  of  a  new  

6. BONUS: Learning a new language, and being good at it What  really  makes  Japan  enticing  is  also  the  chance  to  master  a  new  language.  Remember  that  time  you  said  you  wanted  to  learn  a  new  language?  This  is  it.  Placing  yourself  in  a  country  that  speaks  a  foreign  language  is  definitely  the  most  effective  and  quickest  way  to  learn.  You’ll  be  surprised  at  how  fast  you  pick  up  words  and  expressions  just  because  you  live  in  an  environment  where  you’re  exposed  to  the  language  all  the  time!  It  also  helps  you  comprehend  the  embedded  culture  in  Japanese  society  at  a  more  meaningful  and  deeper  level.    Well  of  course,  studying  in  Japan  is  not  always  a  bed  of  roses.  But  overall,  it  has  been  an  extremely  rewarding  journey  that  is  unlike  what  I  get  in  the  UK,  and  I  really  enjoyed  myself  in  Tokyo.  Can’t  wait  to  be  back  already!  If  you  are  interested  in  learning  more  about  study  opportunities  in  Japan,  feel  free  to  get  in  touch  with  the  Singapore  Students’  Association  (Japan)  –  just  Google  “SSAJ”.  You  are  also  welcome  to  message  me  on  Facebook  anytime!    

4. Every travel experience is unique I  lived  in  Shinjuku  where  my  school  is  located  in,  but  life  is  not  always  neon  lights,  jostling  crowds,  congested  trains  and  towering  skyscrapers.  Within  an  hour  out  of  the  metropolitan  city  centre  I  have  access  to  theme  parks,  beaches,  and  hot-­‐springs  for  quick  weekend  relaxations.  Further  away,  there  are  quaint  towns  to  discover,  temples  to  visit,  new  foods  to  try,  islands  to  explore,  forests  and  mountains  to  trek,  sunflower  and  lavender  fields  to  cam-­‐whore  in,  and  the  list  goes  on  and  on  and  on.  Plus,  Japan’s  seasonal  landscape  is  stunning,  which  makes  every  trip  a  unique  one.  Cherry  blossom  and  picnic  in  spring,  festivals,  yukata  and  firework  displays  in  summer,  hiking  and  maple  leaves  in  autumn,  snow  festival,  skiing  and  light  illuminations  in  winter  –  there’s  always  something  different  to  see  and  to  do  in  different  seasons,  in  places  not  far  away  from  wherever  you  are  in  Japan.    Oh  yes,  and  the  convenience  of  public  transport  in  Japan  and  its  punctuality  –  amaaazing.  Also,  Japan  is  really  safe  so  it’s  very  suitable  for  solo  trips!  It  is  also  a  good  way  to  get  internships  with  organisations  /companies  overseas  if  you’d  like  to  work  overseas  after  your  degree.  That  being  said,  I  feel  the  main  purpose  of  university  is  a  transition  to  living  independently,  and  learning  to  cope  with  stress  (such  as  exams,  planning  events)  and  responsibilities  (eating  well  and  taking  care  of  your  finances),  which  can  be  done  anywhere  as  long  as  you  really  want  to!  

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In our final section for our last issue, we would like to highlight some opportunities that Victorians have found abroad, and where they have gone on after their undergraduate studies. Most of these opportunities were unprecedented – opportunities that Victorians discovered upon coming abroad for their studies.  

Gregory Kang Law  at  King’s  College  London  (2011-­‐2013);  Columbia  University  (2013-­‐2015)  

Jerald Khoo Law  at  London  School  of  

Economics  and  Political  Science  (2012-­‐2014);  Columbia  University  (2014-­‐2016)  

Two Victorians have been admitted into the prestigious Columbia/ University of London JB/LLB Programme in 2013. This is a special programme that allows its participants to attain a JD and LLB within 4 years. For more information, check out: http://web.law.columbia.edu/international-­‐programs/study-­‐abroad-­‐programs/foreign-­‐dual-­‐degree-­‐programs/columbia-­‐university-­‐london-­‐jd-­‐llb-­‐program      

Leonard Royce Young University  College  London  (2011-­‐2013);  Leonard  worked  as  a  summer  analyst  at  Global  Financial  Advisory,  Rothschild  during  his  most  recent  summer  holidays  in  London  for  3  months.  Here’s  what  he  had  to  say:    During  the  summer  vacation  between  my  2nd  and  3rd  year  of  university,  I  spent  10  weeks  at  a  London  based  financial  advisory  firm.  My  job  basically  entailed  helping  my  other  colleagues  at  the  firm  advise  corporate  clients  on  various  issues.  I  really  enjoyed  working  there,  and  learnt  a  lot  about  the  field  I  was  interested  in.  What  I  particularly  liked  was  the  fact  that  my  colleagues  were  extremely  patient  and  supportive;  there  was  a  learning-­‐oriented  culture.  I  had  initially  hesitated  to  study  abroad  because  I  wasn't  on  a  government  scholarship.  But,  studying  here  has  not  only  broadened  my  horizons,  it  has  also  opened  a  lot  more  career  opportunities  for  me  to  explore.  I  now  know  my  options  betters.  I  look  forward  to  working  in  London,  something  I  would  never  have  thought  possible  had  I  not  pursued  a  degree  at  UCL.  

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Desiree Sim Law  at  London  School  of  Economics  and  Political  Science  (2011-­‐2014);  New  York  University  (2014-­‐2015)    Desire  is  doing  a  LLM  in  International  Law  at  NYU,  having  spent  three  years  at  LSE  in  London.  For  more  information  about  her  LLM,  check  out:  http://www.law.nyu.edu/llmjsd/internationaltaxation    

Connect  with  us  on  Facebook  by  searching  for  the  following  groups:    Victorians  in  Europe  https://www.facebook.com/groups/Victorians.in.Europe/  VinE  Freshers  2015  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1387590154825145/  Vine  Freshers  2016  https://www.facebook.com/groups/654825631226549/  

Feel free to email us at: [email protected] Upcoming Events: VinE Annual General Meeting and Elections: 22nd November 2014 Whitstable and Canterbury

The 8th VinE Committee would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this newsletter and for all your support the past year J We have enjoyed ourselves thoroughly during our term and we hope that subsequent committees will keep the Victorian spirit burning bright abroad!  


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