September 1999 Article 6
Nanyang Technological University & University of Surrey
International Industrial Exchange Program 1999
by Ed Walford
 
At first I was not sure what working in another country was going to be like.  Singapore seemed like such a long way away from England, and I did not know whether or not I would be able to adapt to working in a totally different culture.  I had not heard much about the Industrial Exchange Program between Nanyang Technological University and the University of Surrey in the UK before I was invited to join in November 1998.  However, now that I have just completed six months of employment, I know that it is an experience I will never forget.

I spent my six months working for an American Pharmaceutical company called Schering-Plough, which is in the West Coast of the island, very close to the second link to Malaysia.  As part of the Engineering & Maintenance department, I worked in a team to install, to improve and to maintain process equipment around the plant.  Schering-Plough Singapore manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients for a wide variety of Schering-Plough products.  During the training program I was able to further develop my personal skills in the areas of teamworking and problem solving as well as gain a lot of site experience that can never be gained in the classroom.
 
 

One thing that helped me immensely was the fact that I was able to stay on the NTU campus throughout my stay.  The advantages are huge, the cost of living is almost halved, and I had the opportunity to make a lot of friends with people my own age.  Being a campus there are also plenty of social activities going on which I was free to join as I was treated just like any other NTU undergraduate.

Singapore is an excellent place to work for foreigners as the business climate is not totally unlike the West.  Furthermore, English is the common language.  Coupled with a reliable transport system, working in Singapore was actually easier than working in the UK.

The cultural experience was also very good.  Singapore is an excellent base to explore other Asian countries, and even if you are not the adventurous type, there is still plenty to do within Singapore.  One thing I shall probably miss most is the food; I have never been to a country where there is so much variety with different cultures living in harmony.  I will definitely miss living and working in Singapore.