Another Update from Singapore: Moving, Meeting the Sociology/Anthropology Department

I. Moving in

On Monday, I moved into what will be my home until about December. I was happy to leave Geylang. Geylang certainly has its charms, but it'S probably the most third world part of Singapore. While known for having some of the best food, some of the food there is quite suspect. Its also one of the few areas in Singapore where it's actually (almost) difficult to get by in English... just because of all the immigrants hanging around.

So I moved to Boon Lay. The place isn't terrrrrrrrible. The neighbourhood seems rather nice, there are NUS students around here (ie, people I could talk to), I am lucky enough to have my own bedroom (although I pay double what most ppl pay as a result), there is a "gym" and "study room" which I have access to.... oh and the premises are REALLY secure (CCTV everywhere; you have to use your fingerprint to get in!). The downside? There's not really a kitchen (a fridge, a microwave, a hot plate, and a kettle). There is no sink in the bathroom. The air-con has a mind of its own. The mattress in the bed feels like its made of medal pins, and is without a doubt the most uncomfortable bed I've ever had (I think it would be an improvement to sleep on the floor), and it's particularly far from everything, including downtown, and NUS. It does seem somewhat close to Malaysa however (the Tuas causeway).

In short, the place is liveable, but I'll be happy to leave in December. I think that for what I'm paying, I could certainly do better, at least with respect to location and the damn bed.

II. Meeting the Department

On Monday there was a meeting with the new postgrad students and Prof. Erb. Prof. Erb explained, in rather clear terms, what the requirements of the degree are, and I do have a somewhat better idea of how things are going to work. I do know, for instance, that unlike at McGill, I get a whole semester off to do my fieldwork. It presently remains unclear what, if anything, I will do during the summer (May - July), but I'll keep you guys posted about that.

I had a very nice first impression of everything regarding the department. Prof. Erb was really nice, and the administrative folks are also quite friendly and helpful. More surprising was the fact that despite being the only foreign new masters sociology student (but not the only foreign grad student, as there are a few foreign phd students), the other folks are going out of their way to help me. I guess being the only westerner in a group of 8 or so people who all know each other could go either way: either I'd be ignored (which would probably happen at McGill), or I'd be the focus of everyone's attention (which is what has happened so far). So, to my great merriment, my fellow sociology postgrads are quite nice and I do enjoy spending time with them. Actually I have met quite a few people I consider to be quite pleasant and worth spending time with... the only problem is that, particualry with most of the Westerners I've met, they are only here for either 1 semester or 1 year.

Similarly, my early impressions of NUS are quite good. The infrastructure is as good or better than McGill's. The campus itself, while certainly lacking the 19th century charm of, for instance, the arts building, embraces its 21st century style as well as it embraces and plays into the tropical climate. Food outlets are abundant, cheap, and good. I strangely feel at home at NUS, in a city that, despite its cleanliness, modernity, and anglo-friendliness, is still abrasively foreign. This of course may or may not change drastically starting next week when classes officially starts. Word has it that the corridors get super crowded and chaotic.... although I'm not sure how that will effect me since my classes are all at night (18:30-21:30).

There seems to lack a bit of postgraduate social life (although there is NO lack of undergrad social life), with the exception of the ever-present "teas" (NUS's version of the wine and cheese which, as I found out today, includes much more than tea).

I'll give you guys another update when the semester starts, to give you an idea what actual classes are like (and I might have an even clearer picture of what the next 2 years will look like for me). Until next time... take care, and thanks for reading. :-)