Hello everyone!
It's been a while since I last posted here. The main reason is this "posting ennui" I've felt since the start of the year. Another reason is that I've been busy preparing for and eventually settling into my new place here in Singapore. I guess I'll be staying here for good. I'll share the whole story of how I got here, but for now, I just want to share my experience visiting the ranked #8 in the world and #1 in Asia by the QS World University Rankings for 2026: National University of Singapore (NUS).
For context, I'm visiting @glecerioberto in his current playground. He's pursuing his PhD in one of the best universities in the world. He might not have shared it here, so I'm the one sharing it to you guys. Anyway, he invited me to visit NUS last Sunday. I was reluctant at first because it would be my first time to try Singapore's public transport alone, but I don't have anything else to do, I thought I might as well get acquainted with my new environment.
Let me just say how efficient Singapore's public transport is. You won't really get lost because everything's in Google Maps, including the location of the incoming bus and the time it will arrive at the stop. Google Maps suggested that it would take 50 minutes from Boon Lay Avenue to NUS UTown, but I already arrived at the bus stop near the university in just 15 minutes. Maybe because it was a Sunday and it was raining, so there were only a few people going out.
When I arrived at Aft NUS High School bus stop, GB was still in his dorm because he thought I would arrive 40 to 50 minutes after. He just said we would meet at the Education Resource Center (ERC). I just walked towards ERC, following Google Maps instructions. My university could never relate because NUS has no gate nor guards. I just walked to the university just like any student. GB said that the university is often packed with people during weekdays because of the tourists. The university is a tourist spot in itself.
This is the map diorama of the whole university. The ERC is located at the center left of the map, near the expressway. NUS main campus covers 150 hectares of land and I visited just one small part of the campus.
When we met, we decided to immediately head to the canteen because I was so hungry at that time. I had no dinner the night before and it was already almost 11:00 AM. Since the canteen is located at the other side of the lawn facing the ERC, we had to pass by a lot of facilities and one that really amazed me was the indoor wall climbing facility.
I asked GB if he can try wall climbing, but he said you have to join a club in order to use the facility. It was a Sunday, but there were students trying wall climbing. I was already amazed by USC's (my university) land area and facilities, but NUS is on a different level. It's almost double in land area and the number of buildings, collages, laboraties, and facilities are in a different league. USC could never compare (sorry USC).
Our brunch. On the left was my plate and GB's on the right. The food selection at NUS's canteen is so much better than at the hawker center near my place.
After our brunch, GB toured me around. We went to the second and third level of ERC and then went to the UTown Residences. All I observed are green spaces especially those at the rooftops of the buildings. This is the Singapore that I imagined because of their laws related to having green spaces all over the city-state.
Every single tree, shrub, and ornamental plant is deliberately planted and well maintained. The conscious effort to set up and maintain green spaces is part of NUS's "green living" to enhance the campus's livability.
When we went to UTown Residences, I noticed chickens and birds freely roaming around. The chickens are strays and GB said they can't be killed because they're protected by law. They just forage all around the campus. Too bad I don't have a photo to show here.
Of all the photos here, these next two photos are my favorites. It really blends urban aesthetics and green spaces.
I can't get over with the green spaces!
I guess that's all for this post! See you on the next one!
Kim Ybañez
Welcome to Kim's small corner in Hive. He is a chemical engineer by profession but a blogger by passion. He is a wanderlust and an adventure seeker. Join his quests as he visits remote destinations, climbs mountains, tries new and exotic dishes, and explores his country (The Philippines). He's also a trying-hard photographer, so stay tuned as he shares his photos and his thought process while creating them.
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What surprised me most and what I love are the green spaces in the middle of the university and the city, and those two photographs you point out as your favourites were mine too. It is an aesthetically and architecturally spectacular place, with great style and beauty.
It's normal for a change of location to affect your mood and cause boredom or other emotions, but you did well to go out and see the surroundings. You'll surely get used to it soon and love it. You always have to give places a chance, and this one looks great! Thank you for bringing us this beauty!
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I'll start working next week, but I'll try to blog more often now in my free time. I would like to share more on my previous travels while also sharing my perspective about living and working here in Singapore. I'm so glad this post has resonated with you. Keeps me going. Thank you!
It's a beautiful place and I'd love to hear about the trips you've taken. Cheer up and keep going, life is beautiful, and simplicity is the most beautiful thing of all! Hugs!🤗
Thank you! Keep going indeed.
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Hope you had fun! Welcome!
I had fun so far. It's more on adjusting to living alone, but it's been liberating so far.
👍
National University of Singapore The city is very beautiful to see, full of huge circular buildings and nature decorations, you have shared your beautiful journey with us, including different foods, especially rice and chicken. Of course, the trees and green, beautiful grass create conditions for living in this area to be preserved. Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful journey with all of us.
Thank you for you kind words! Glad you liked this post.
Rains adds a cozy vibe to campus visit, have a safe travel @ybanezkim26
Thank you! It's been great exploring my area here.
Hi Kim!
Thanks for sharing! It was truly a pleasure to read your post. The details and photos you shared about Singapore and NUS made me feel like I was there. I was particularly drawn to the campus's emphasis on green spaces and its integration with the city—truly inspiring. The efficiency of public transportation and the little surprises on campus also added to its beauty. Sharing your experiences so candidly and in detail brings us, the reader, into the journey.
I wish you success in your new life in Singapore and look forward to your next post! @ybanezkim26
Thank you! I'm so happy that it resonated with you the way I candidly share my perspective in sharing about NUS.
Thank you! It's been a real pleasure to share my thoughts about NUS with you and to be able to chat so candidly.
Hiya, @lauramica here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2680.
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Thank you so much, @lauramica!
You are very welcome @ybanezkim26! it was well deserved. ☀️
We are already looking forward to reading more about your adventures!
A very beautiful city my friend, it looks like a very big and unique building 🥰🥰
Indeed!
Congratulations on your new home. NUS is one of the best universities, and I'd love to visit it if I ever get the chance to return to Spore.
Thank you! It's free, so it's definitely worth a visit.
so you will closer to Hivefest veneu now, are you coming?
Sadly, I can't. I have work and I don't have leave yet. I really planned to attend, but my circumstances changed.
This experience was more than just a campus visit, it was also a step toward feeling at home in your new environment. Excited to hear more about your journey and life in Singapore.🤗
True! Getting used to the transportation system while also exploring the area. I hope I can share more soon!
It’s a fun challenge to get the hang of a new transport system while discovering your surroundings. Looking forward to seeing more of your journey and what you uncover next!
I work at Arizona State University in Barrett, The honors college. We have a exchange program with NUS. So, it was great to see NUS through your eyes. I know many students that go there to study there. They love Singapore.
That's so nice! I also learned from GB that a lot of American exchange students really love it here.
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STOPLoved reading about your first NUS visit! The green spaces sound amazing—I can see why you were so impressed.”
Thank you! Glad you love this post.
Suya ko. magblog nasad ko balik
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Excited to read about your SG escapades soon madiii. ✨
Salamat sa pagcheck sa akong Strava madi! 😂