This university, while very similar to UT, has a lot of subtle differences. The campus, like a lot of Singapore architecture, is mostly open to the outdoors. Hallways, cafeterias, and even bathrooms are lacking walls; more emphasis is placed on rain gutters and overhangs. I assume this is because of the climate that never changes and a very wet rainy season that lasts for months. Half of the university seems to be under construction, similar to the city itself. Overall, the campus is built like a three-dimensional maze, the buildings rise and fall with the hilly terrain, dead-ends and crossways have disoriented me more than I can remember, and my classroom seems to be always hidden behind a corner; all this from just the first week of classes. Notwithstanding, this is a beautiful university that exemplifies urban planning and efficiency, despite being less densely packed than central Austin.
Despite an initial international student orientation, most of us have been on our own to find our way around and find what's needed. It took me a week to learn which buses go where and I have yet to even see my resident assistant. Registering for classes involves a bizarre system of bidding points for classes, submitting your interest in classes, and waiting for registration approval. Even now, three weeks from my orientation, I don't know which classes I will be taking this semester. All in the experience I suppose.
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