Journey to the Midwest

Annually, an increasing proportion of Singaporeans decide to spend part of their lives overseas. Some decide to go overseas due to the better opportunities and salary available, others leave because they enjoy experiencing new cultures, yet others seek new horizons because they desire freedom from the heretic lifestyle of Singapore. Whenever I'm asked why I chose to pursue my studies overseas, the story 'Journey to the West' comes to mind. The story retells the experiences of the monk Xuanzang who undertook a perilous journey for the sake of obtaining new knowledge. Certainly, I believe that spending time overseas has taught me many useful lessons in life and has equipped me with valuable skills which I could not have obtained locally.

My first trip to the States was definitely both a great adventure and trial. Coming from a typical middle class family in Singapore, I never had the opportunity to vacation in the USA, and did not have the privilege of being accompanied by family in my first voyage into the unknown. I found that it was extremely helpful to have sought the advice of friends who had spent time overseas and learn more about their experiences, it was also very important to network and make new friends when I arrived in university.

I would like to share four things which I would/wouldn't have brought along with me in retrospect.

1. VISA debit/credit card with good international rates
   A VISA (or Mastercard) is often the best method to pay for items in USA; I use my VISA even if I'm just buying a cup of coffee. The primary advantage of using a VISA includes the fact that you can easily track your monthly expenditure through online banking and manage your budget more effectively.


2. More cash in the form of traveller’s cheque
   Bringing about 6-12 months of cash in the form of a traveller’s cheque is probably a good idea as you would want to set up a US bank account when you reach the States. Having a US bank account and credit history (social security number) will also enable you to take loans more easily when you purchase a car/apartment.
   
   
3. Singaporean Driver's License
   Obtaining a Singaporean driving license can also be helpful as it enables you to drive for a year in the States and prior driving experience also makes it very easy to pass the US driving test.
   
   
4. Less clothes and winter clothing/boots
   Finally, I wouldn't recommend purchasing excessive winter clothing before you arrive in the States (unless you plan to arrive in winter).  The plethora of outlet malls almost ensures that there will be a huge winter sale a couple of months after you arrive and you will be able to purchase winter clothing that is specifically tailored for the weather in the state you are in. ●

Joel Sng

** The Author is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.