Lukáš wanted to escape the Czech winter. He was drawn to the exoticism of Southeast Asia and wanted to experience life in a multicultural metropolis. So he headed to Singapore – a tropical country where skyscrapers blend into the jungle. He swapped theoretical lectures for experiments and interactive seminars and discovered that the famously strict Singaporean laws stem from a culture that values mutual respect.
“This city-state caught my interest while I was studying for my high school graduation exams. I was reading King Rat by James Clavell, which is about the struggle for survival of prisoners of war in the Japanese Changi prison camp in Singapore during World War II. That sparked my interest in the history of that place,” explains Lukáš. When choosing where to go, he also considered Korea and Japan, but Singapore won out thanks to the use of English in official communications and the clarity of the host university’s website. He opted for James Cook University (JCU), an Australian institution that operates a campus in the island nation.
Teaching full of experiments
Although JCU isn’t at the very top of the global university rankings, Lukáš was impressed by its methods. “The study there is less theory-based and more interaction-focused than at Masaryk University. No long teacher monologues in the lecture hall,” he says. Instead of passively listening, students are constantly engaged in debates, conducting psychological tests, or participating in experiments right in class.
The local study culture has its unique features: “There’s a strong emphasis on ongoing assignments. In some programmes, there are no final exams at all; everything depends on your work during the semester,” he explains. However, Singaporeans are very performance oriented. Passing a course is not difficult, but earning top grades requires tremendous effort, as good grades are a matter of prestige.
Life between skyscrapers and the jungle
A curious rule at the university is the mandatory time spent on campus – even on days without lectures, international students must spend at least three hours there. As Lukáš was not an exchange student who needed to extend his visa, this did not apply to him and he was free to explore the city. “Every day was packed. I’d head straight from campus to the city, to the hawker centre for example,” he recalls, referring to the legendary clusters of dozens of food stalls. “When I first went there, it was stunning. I wanted to try absolutely everything, from all kinds of noodles to exotic desserts.”
Although Singapore is a modern metropolis, it was the ubiquitous greenery that captivated Lukáš. The city adheres to the “City in a Garden” concept, so vegetation is found everywhere – on skyscrapers, rooftops, and along the roads. “The combination of futuristic architecture and tropical growth is something to behold,” says Lukáš. “At first, I was fascinated by the high-rise buildings, and I was a little disoriented in such a big city, but I soon got used to it.”
Strict laws and the local mindset
Singapore is known for its strict penalties and bans on chewing gum. However, this was not Lukáš’s experience: “As long as you don’t bother anyone and behave decently, no one bothers you. Following the rules here is more a matter of social consensus and respect than fear of the police,” he says, adding that the locals are direct but used to foreigners. “Singapore is a multicultural melting pot where influences from China, Malaysia, and India all blend together. I immediately felt like I fit in among the locals.”
Asia is not a monolith
Lukáš’s experience abroad reshaped his priorities and his view of the world. He also managed to visit Indonesia, Malaysia, and later also China, Japan, and Korea. “In Czechia, we tend to see Asia as one homogeneous mass. But even within Southeast Asia, it becomes clear how different the individual nations are from one another. The region is incredibly diverse.”
His study abroad gave him confidence and purpose: “I realised what I want to focus on. “I am now certain I want to complete my Master’s degree abroad, perhaps in Vienna or France,” he says. He would recommend going abroad to everyone as a great investment in their future life and career.