CINTRA FAQ 

1. What type of visa should I apply?

For non-graduating student (Internship, research student), you need to apply for Training Employment Pass (TEP) to enter Singapore, for more details please visit:
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/isc/immigration/Pages/TrainingEmploymentPass.aspx

For graduating student (PhD students), you need to apply for Student Pass to enter Singapore for more details please visit:
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/ISC/Pages/default.aspx

For project officer, research associate and research fellow, you have to apply Employment pass (EP) in order to work in Singapore, for more information please visit Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website:
 http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/employment-pass/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx  

2. How  is the working condition looks like in CINTRA

Our students are welcome to use facilities in CINTRA. We have a small library for you to reading and relaxing, and meeting room for group discussion and presentation.You will be assigned a cubicle for working, the open cubical concept enhancing interactive discussions and a conductive layout for research communication. CINTRA staffs and students have to use access card to enter our centre which ensure a quiet and secure working environment. All Nanyang Technological University’s buildings have a central air-conditioner atmosphere.

3. How is life in Singapore

Click the links below to learn more about Singapore (aka Spore):

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/experience.html
http://gothere.sg/maps
http://www.insing.com/
http://www.pa.gov.sg/

4. The living cost in Singapore?

The living costs you incur will depend on your lifestyle. The costs tabled below are subject to revision.

Item                                                        Estimated monthly expenses

Off-campus accommodation
(varies with room type)Deposit                  S$550 -   S$850+ (Mostly 1 month rental)

Meals                                                         S$300 -  S$500

Personal expenses                                      S$200 -  S$400

Transport for travel
within Singapore                                        S$100-  S$200

5. How can I travel by public transportation to CINTRA

CINTRA is located at Level 6, Border X Block, Research Techno Plaza, 50 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637 553.
 
You may take the MRT to Boon Lay MRT station and transfer to Bus No 179 from the Boon Lay Bus Interchange.
Our office is located at the Research Techno Plaza level 6 which is near Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. You may alight at the bus stop at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (after seeing the Research Techno Plaza).

NTU campus Map: http://maps.ntu.edu.sg/maps

NTU transportation: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/campus/Pages/transportation.aspx 

Singapore public transportation: http://www.transitlink.com.sg/index.html

MRT maps of Singapore: http://www.transitlink.com.sg/images/eguide/mrt_sys_map.htm

Information of EZ-link card: http://www.ezlink.com.sg/index.php

Transport tickets system in Singapore use magnetic card. A cheap deposit is needed for each card. You can easily find a terminal to purchase a single ticket for one journey. You can also get the EZ-link card at the counter. This card can be top-up at any terminal with the amount you want.

Taxis are also available in Singapore and are cheaper than in Europeans countries. 

6. Food at NTU & Singapore

A wide variety of food choices is readily available at NTU. You can enjoy delicious international cuisine, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian and India favorites. (No charcuterie and fine cheeses!)

Food Outlet                         Location                            What’s Special

North Spine Eateries            North Spine 1&2                Level 1 Fast food: McDonald’s, 
                                                                                      Subway,Canadian Pizza, Old Chang Kee
                                                                                      Restaurants: The Palette, Sakae Sushi
                                                                                      Level 2 Food Connection: Canteen AFood court

Canteen B                            South Spine                       Muslim, Chinese & Vegetarian food

Cafè by the Quad        School of Biological Sciences      International Cuisine and grocery store

Cafè AI Fresco               International House                 Western and Asian cuisine

Caffe Express              Next to Nanyang auditorium       Coffee and pastry

Canteen 1-16              Near Hall of Residence 1-16       International Cuisine

In Singapore you can find lots of food courts with various Asian’s cuisines which are most fortunately affordable. There is also a wild range of restaurants and bars near the city center, little india, Chinatown, Holland Village, Clarke Quay, Marina Bay Sands, Dempsey road, Boat Quay, Orchard Road, and big malls (Jurong Point, Vivocity), those ones could be more expensive.

7. Off-campus accommodation

Students seeking for off-campus housing should begin the search well before arrival.
You need to know what type of room you prefer, how much is your monthly budget, and how important it is for you to be close to campus.
Student Hostels close to NTU:

Yoha Student Hostel

Phone  : +65 6275 8880
E-mail: pschng@emservices.com.sg
Website: www.yoha.com.sg

Long term house renting:

http://www.easyroommate.com.sg/
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/

8. Non-scholar activities

During your free time in Singapore you can enjoy beach activities at places like Sentosa Islands or East Coast Park. You can also enjoy trekking or Mountain biking at Pulau Ubin or at the Nature Reserve.
For Nature friendly people you can visit Singapore Zoo which is the largest one in Asia, for flying fellows you can enjoy a day into the Bird Park. For a relax afternoon you can lay down on the grass at the Botanic garden or the Chinese garden. You can also appreciate live music at the Esplanade (Outdoors Theater, opera) with an impressive view on Singapore’s skyline. Travelling in South East Asian is easy and cheap by low cost companies such as Tiger Airways or Asia Airlines.