Emigration...understandable or uncalled for?
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Hi people,
I have been reading all your posts in this forum. Recently, i chanced upon the topic regarding Singaporeans in Perth. The Australian ethos of "FAir go" where every individual is given a fair chance in life. Well, the article fascinated me and certainly piqued my interest and curiousity in seeking a better life outside Singapore. I am still a student studying in a polytechnic. Life has been rather low for me ever since i went into a polytechnic. It has never been a choice for me to consider a polytechnic education(not that i look down on poly), just that i have always been brought up with this notion of "being somebody" when you follow the trodden path, of going to a good secondary school, then to a junior college and finally secure a foot in the local university. Yes, though it might sound cliche, but subconciously, if one does not follow this route, naturally one might be inclined to feel inferior. Many times i have pondered and worried what is there left for me in Singapore. If i am not academically inclined, what can i do? Set up a business? Like many said, Singapore is only where the big boys play. I do not see myself just getting a normal white collar job and slog my ass off for another 30 years, paying bills and more bills, and when its "time" to retire, my CPF savings can hardly sustain me.
I have been considering life overseas after my NS to work and live overseas. Some might call me an escapist, whatever you might think, but i find it really tiring living here, despite the superb medical facilities and standard of living we have here. But i just find there is hardly time to even stop for a breather. I have considered US and more often than not, down under, solely for the fact that we geographically closer to Australia. Perth sounds like less uninhabited place compared to Melbourne or Sydney. I do have friends here in Singapore, very few though, and many times or not, i just find the people of my age harder to click with. And yes, it does not mean seeking a life elsewhere naturally offer greater things, as one brings his or her own problems along there. But upon thinking about my life here in Singapore in the years to come, i really do not have the courage to think any further, simply for the fact that i more often than not, very average academically.
I would love to hear your views , especially from people like "the Bear", "Atobe" and "CX" just to name a few, as from the posts you guys have posted, i appreciate your insights that you could enlighten me with on my future plans.
cheers -
Why despair by taking the ‘Poly’ route ?
You are in good and illustrous company, as there are more then a few successful Singaporeans, who have graduated from the Singapore Poly, and have made their mark in Singapore.
The most famous will be Sim Wong Hoo, the founder of Creative.
Do you know that Dynasty Hotel and its C.K.Tang complex is designed by an Architect, who is a graduate from the Singapore Polytechnic ? This was during the early 1970s when the School of Architecture was with the Singapore Polytechnic.
With each cohort of students completing O-Levels, there has always been the agonizing decision whether to go the ‘A’ Level or the ‘Poly’ routes.
While those who are academically inclined and willing to take the hard grind of 2 years will accept going through ‘A’ Levels.
Some others will prefer to take the safer ‘Poly’ route, in which they are prepared for the ‘Real World’ over a period of 3 years, and then move on to University.
Unfortunately, our Singapore Universities do not see the Poly Diploma with the same vision and respect that Overseas Universities give to our Poly graduands.
Attending a recent Singapore Poly graduation ceremony, I listened to an invited guest speaker, who was a past graduate of Singapore Poly, and he related how his disappointments with the admission procedures of NUS spurred him on to complete his tertiary education in Scotland; and completing it with distinctions.
Despite his distinctions, he was denied entry into NUS to do his MasterÂ’s Degree, for the same reason that his foundation was from Singapore Polytechnic. Ironically, he was awarded a Merit Scholarship from SHELL Petroleum and a bursary from Cambridge University, both accepting his superb performance in his basic Honors Degree.
He graduated with a Doctorate Degree, and worked for SHELL, changing career to work as a hot shot Venture Capitalist in Silicon Valley, and subsequently returned to Singapore to head a newly formed Singapore Government Entrepreneurship Committee, after which he was invited to head a US based Fund Managing Company operating in the Far East.
What an illustrious career for a Singapore Polytechnic graduate who is now in his late 30Â’s or early 40Â’s ?
Singapore will always be what it is to each of us in a personal way.
No matter what our political leanings, and whether we support the Ruling Party or admire the guts of any Opposition Party, we must believe that we can contribute in some way for the continuous improvement of Singapore – socially, culturally, economically, or politically.
With the size of Singapore, it is critical that we do not limit our vision to within our borders, but to look to the larger hinterland of ASEAN that afford us a place to make a living.
With our high standards of education, and our disciplined approach in conducting ourselves and our business approach, and the flexibility and resilience ingrained in us through National Service, we should be able to adapt successfully in offering our skills and knowledge to the remaining ASEAN countries that are floundering in Third World standards of living.
There is tremendous potential in ASEAN and also in PR China that we can respond to with our knowledge and connections of products from the First World.
We can truly serve as a bridge between the manufacturers of Europe and USA, with the economies of ASEAN countries, much like what our forefathers have performed. -
i've been running to stand still all my life in singapore...
the 3 years i spent abroad broadened my horizons... showed me that there are other ways to live...
some may like it here in singapore, slogging their lives away..
some may like it elsewhere, also slogging their lives away...
the thing is that we make our choices.. and not let circumstances make the choices for us..
i would go elsewhere in a flash.. if i could.. being a slave to the grind here, wears one down.. makes one forget what it is to live, to be human... we tend to be come automatrons, cogs in the machine.. and we are treated like so...
will we be any better off anywhere?
who knows? we can only try... and try i will... one day when i can...
just sharing personal feelings, nothing political in this...
mayhap my life will be tougher elsewhere, maybe even better? but i would have made my choice.. not something i can do here without becoming a cog.. short of striking big sweep a couple of times, i would never be able to live my life debt-free and find my place in the sun..
i can only try... and to those who say i am a quitter, i return this question to them: haven't you already quit yourself? unwilling to make your own decisions for yourself? deriding those who stand apart from you?
i choose to be different.. it is my right, not yours.. say what you will, PM's words or not, i will quit this rat-race that has become my beloved country.. somewhere i can never ever find my own place in the sun
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No matter where you go or what you choose, make sure you know what you are doing and have made a clear, rational, choice.
Okay? -
singapore is my home.
the world is my work place. -
I must confess that i, like you, was taken in by this false notion that the poly path are for the weaker ones and the cream go JCs. The gahmen did not realise it but by setting up the JC path as the direct entry route to university, they subconsciously annexed those who preferred a polytechnic eduction by dictating that only the top 5% would be allowed entry into local universities.Originally posted by Insightist:Life has been rather low for me ever since i went into a polytechnic. It has never been a choice for me to consider a polytechnic education(not that i look down on poly), just that i have always been brought up with this notion of "being somebody" when you follow the trodden path, of going to a good secondary school, then to a junior college and finally secure a foot in the local university. Yes, though it might sound cliche, but subconciously, if one does not follow this route, naturally one might be inclined to feel inferior. Many times i have pondered and worried what is there left for me in Singapore.
Those top 5%, those of whom i have met during my own university days have indeed displayed the ability and knowledge of capable students. Armed with a diploma, they are more than equal to any but the very best from JCs.
Realising this fact, i came to believe that it was wrong to have stereotyped them with the inferiority tag. Most of the poly grads are down-to-earth people with rational thinking and a great sense of humour.
And as atobe has already mentioned, some of them have gone on to greatness.
Now that you have begun to link our education with our current situation, i see no reason why emigration should become a difficult choice. People who emigrate does not mean they are quitters, rather if life ouside of singapore suits you, why not?
Make that choice, but do it with your conscience clear. Every decision must have a reason. But always remember: you answer to yourself and no one else.
And if you're worried abt the NS thingy, don't bother. The best recalling methods in the world would not succeed if the person on the other end didn't have the courage and desire to defend his homeland. Judging by your write-up, i believe you are not one of the "rats" who would desert a sinking ship.
On a separate note, while overseas, i once asked an israeli immigrant working as a salesman how the IDF would recall him in the event of hostilities. His answer was frank but simple:
They do not need to recall me, i will go back myself.
I thrust that is not lost on any level-headed singaporean. -
I do not see why it would be a must for you to leave Singapore.
Like what nismo said, our roots are in Singapore but we shouldn't limit ourselves here. This, i very much agree with him.
Do not worry too much about fitting in or succeeding in the current system, great men often do not flourish under such systems. Who knows, perhaps you might be on your way to greatness one day.
While i greatly respect people such as Atobe for willing to bring out such information to support his stand and speak his mind you might be watchful of what the Bear says, he lied once to prove his stand and being the typical arse that i am i would never let him forget it. -
lied? where?Originally posted by Stevenson101:I do not see why it would be a must for you to leave Singapore.
Like what nismo said, our roots are in Singapore but we shouldn't limit ourselves here. This, i very much agree with him.
Do not worry too much about fitting in or succeeding in the current system, great men often do not flourish under such systems. Who knows, perhaps you might be on your way to greatness one day.
While i greatly respect people such as Atobe for willing to bring out such information to support his stand and speak his mind you might be watchful of what the Bear says, he lied once to prove his stand and being the typical arse that i am i would never let him forget it. -
Insightist,
as the others have mentioned already, the poly route is not as bad as some have thought it to be. I'm from a local polytechnic myself, despite my O-Level results qualifying me for a good JC. I was unable to get into the local Unis on the basis of my results not being in the top 5% (not that I was that keen on local Us) and then went on to a uni Down Under. I don't think my taking the poly route has made me a worse person, in fact, it has given me much more in my field of study as it has given me more hands-on knowledge as well as getting me into my vocation in NS which has increased my chance to get hands-on experience on what I've studied.
As for emigration, I spent 4 years in Australia, and immensely enjoyed my life there (Melbourne). Initially my thoughts were always with the line that Australia was a stopover, and that I'll always return to Singapore, work, start a family and grow old. However the more time I spent there, the more I questioned the wisdom of that logic, as I found myself disagreeing with more aspects of life in Singapore (social, economic and political) and finding out that I increasingly enjoyed life Down Under. I've made the decision to leave and will certainly apply for PR status once my work experience is sufficient to qualify me. If anything, I've regretted not getting a PR before returning to complete my NS, due to misconceptions about Aussie residency requirements then.
Whether its the path for you, nobody can decide but yourself. But from what you've typed so far, you and me seem quite alike. We have specialised interests that do not get much mileage in Singapore, and would prefer a less hectic, more carefree life that Singapore neither accepts socially or permits. My advice for you is to make the decision carefully, as obviously, life there is not suited for everyone. IMO your best bet would be to spend some time there (studying?) or to speak with people who have lived, or are living there for a while. I've been to 3 different Australian cities, as well as did research and spoke to people who've lived in others. For me, my choice would be Melbourne, as it offers to me a slower pace of life, yet one which is not overly slow (a common complaint with Perth). Melbourne also has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and is easily the events capital of Australia. In short. its a modern cosmopolitan city, yet offers enough for people with all kinds of interests.
My take on the pros and cons of Australia (mostly from my experiences in Melbourne but mostly applicable elsewhere):
Pros
- Cars/Houses are cheaper
- A friendly, welcoming people (mostly)
- Slower pace of life (how much slower depending on where you are)
- A much more carefree political and social system (and more forgiving and tolerant - this one can cut both ways)
- Much more space and places to go on your free time
- 4 seasons (in the case of Melbourne, in one day!)
- Lots of medical and social benefits
- Driving does not significantly increase blood pressure
Cons
- Security not as good as Singapore. but not much worse
- Public transport not as efficient or cheap.
- Not as clean as Singapore (some say not as "sterile" - good or bad? Your call)
- You're the racial minority (though rarely noticeable)
- Cost of living higher (Melbourne/Sydney especially)
Generally, as a Singaporean who speaks good English, you'll be almost universally accepted and welcomed there. And you'll have no trouble integrating. While I was there, I've been mistaken more than once for a local by the Aussies I've come in contact with (and no, not because I speak with an Aussie accent but due more to my command of English). The "racism" issue that rears its head often in the local press (and in the mind of many Singaporeans) here is way overblown, the anger at immigrants is by and large directed towards the economic refugees from the Mid-East and S Asia who claim political asylum to get in, then refuse to integrate and become a burden on the state's welfare system -
Originally posted by nismoS132:singapore is my home.
the world is my work place.
short and sweet. i kinda agree with you. except that my home is the place where my dearest people are. so it's geographically unfixed. Singapore is my home for as long as my loved ones are here. and not a moment longer than that. my life does not belong to any flag. -
One of my friend has left Singapore in the stake of finding a better living somewhere in the Australia. To me, he has been forced by his parents to go there with his low qualification while his parents are all professionals. But i think somehow, they might realise that Singapore is still the place that have pushed them to success and where all their close friends and relative are.Originally posted by boy in blues: short and sweet. i kinda agree with you. except that my home is the place where my dearest people are. so it's geographically unfixed. Singapore is my home for as long as my loved ones are here. and not a moment longer than that. my life does not belong to any flag. -
For someone who stayed in Perth, i must protest that Perth is not overly slow - this is the common misconception by Singaporeans that studied / work from Sydney or Melbourne but many never ever stayed in Perth for long before..Originally posted by Viper52:Insightist,
For me, my choice would be Melbourne, as it offers to me a slower pace of life, yet one which is not overly slow (a common complaint with Perth). Melbourne also has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and is easily the events capital of Australia. In short. its a modern cosmopolitan city, yet offers enough for people with all kinds of interests.
My take on the pros and cons of Australia (mostly from my experiences in Melbourne but mostly applicable elsewhere):
Pros
- 4 seasons (in the case of Melbourne, in one day!)
- Lots of medical and social benefits
- Driving does not significantly increase blood pressure
Cons
- Security not as good as Singapore. but not much worse
- Public transport not as efficient or cheap.
- Not as clean as Singapore (some say not as "sterile" - good or bad? Your call)
- You're the racial minority (though rarely noticeable)
- Cost of living higher (Melbourne/Sydney especially)
Perth's weather is also not 4 season in 1 day as Melbourne and NOT HOTTER than melbourne / sydney as many S'poreans wrongly believe on average it is about as COOL / warm as season changes - the latitude is not much different..., (only hobart and canberra is cooler i think due to sea level and latitude difference).
Sydney and Melbourne got more Hong Kees and Perth have RELATIVELY more Singaporeans and Malaysians (migrants and Makan)...so I recommend if u prefer less Asian Gand related crimes and more Singaporean/Malaysian food, and less havoc lifestyles (but there is also bars and entertainment in Northbridge area of perth and Burswood Casino). - one should choose perth - of course that is up to oneself's perference....
esp. perth if u hate hearing Cantonese dialect all day long in China town.... Perth's chinese are more diverse...in origin... -
sigh...
u wanna go, just go... as u can see, many pple share your sentiments.
its ultimately an issue of how u choose to live... Sg has many opportunities and much to stay for also, but if its not what u want and not how u wanna live, then u should be free to go... the hell with stoopidd labels... like "quitter" or crap like that... most singaporeans had ancestors who "quitted" from somewhere else anyway (even malays... most would've "quitted" from the peninsula or the islands to come here) ! something the govt conveniently forgets when the PM needs to make an interesting speech...
as for paper qualifications, i really don't think i'm the best person to comment since i do believe that claims of "elitism" are mostly made by the mediocre...
its just unfortunate that the label has been overly narrow to refer only to govt scholars... u think the JC/uni "chosen ones" are elites? please... they're just as unfortunate as the rest... fighting for jobs in a mature economy, facing ridiculous competition from "foreign talents" ...
ultimately, u have to see something for u to wanna stay. every place has its perks and its problems... running away FROM something is a bad idea. running away TO something is often more sensible...
personally, i see enough here to wanna stay for now. but in the age of globalisation, it makes sense to see opportunities on a global stage and gravitate towards where u think suits u best. -
lied where?
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=46442
More specifically.quote:
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Yah.. but he could have stayed and made a stink, couldn't he? He left...
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So you knew Churchill lost the elections but you claim he stepped down willingly? Not everyone is thick skinned, he knew he lost so what point was there to stay there and make a joke out of himself?
How do you expect to be respected if you are willing to exaggerate and lie about historical events to support your stand? -
my bad... that was what i read...
it was wrong.. mea culpa
oh, it was something written from the Arthurian legends, where Arthur said that he would come back whenever England needed him.. and they likened Churchill to Arthur...
'sides, won't it be cool if people knew went to step down?
again, my badOriginally posted by Stevenson101:lied where?
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=46442
More specifically. -
Originally posted by Rob Chen:
Rob, for each their own I suppose. The friends I've spoke to about Perth have lived and studied there for a few years, and by and large are not the "cheonging" type, and "boring" was a common term they used to describe Perth to me. Those that have been to Melbourne from Perth liked it more there, saying that
For someone who stayed in Perth, i must protest that Perth is not overly slow - this is the [b]common misconception by Singaporeans that studied / work from Sydney or Melbourne but many never ever stayed in Perth for long before..
Perth's weather is also not 4 season in 1 day as Melbourne and NOT HOTTER than melbourne / sydney as many S'poreans wrongly believe on average it is about as COOL / warm as season changes - the latitude is not much different..., (only hobart and canberra is cooler i think due to sea level and latitude difference).
Sydney and Melbourne got more Hong Kees and Perth have RELATIVELY more Singaporeans and Malaysians (migrants and Makan)...so I recommend if u prefer less Asian Gand related crimes and more Singaporean/Malaysian food, and less havoc lifestyles (but there is also bars and entertainment in Northbridge area of perth and Burswood Casino). - one should choose perth - of course that is up to oneself's perference....
esp. perth if u hate hearing Cantonese dialect all day long in China town.... Perth's chinese are more diverse...in origin...
[/b]
Yeah the weather in Melb is pretty dodgy at times, but for me the cosmopolitan life, wonderful events calender and the exciting lifestyle makes it my choice.
As for more locals, personally I'm planning on leaving Singapore to experience a different lifestyle and mix with more different types of people. To me, it kind of defeats the purpose when you move to a place with so many Singaporeans. Might as well stay here....
As for the makan, make your own! In my 4 years in Melbourne, I've made all manners of local foods, ingredients which are available there anyway!
Anyway, for each their own. One man's meat is another man's poison, for anyone planning to leave, I would suggest checking out that place for themselves before making any decision. -
in every case, u lose some u win some. singapore offers lower taxes, secure environment, stable society and political climate (not everyone is happy, but u gotta admit its stable at the moment)
if u think that others benefits like cheaper housing, private transport, etc appeal more (actually kinda appeals to me too. . .) then yah, make ur own decision.
singapore govt emphasises too much on family n friends in getting people to stay or be loyal or keep roots here while expanding overseas, perhaps its time for the govt to lets in real physical terms the benefits of staying. . . not to say that there arent, but that perhaps it would be wise to just put these down in black and white as well as the family and friends aspect that we all already know. -
Originally posted by laser51088:
Frankly, the Singapore Government a.k.a the Ruling Party seems to be running out of ideas how to stop the outgoing flow of Singaporeans thinking of migrating overseas - especially the younger and educated Singaporeans who are now being faced with the stark reality of the crash of the glorious idea of a Swiss Standard of Living.
in every case, u lose some u win some. singapore offers lower taxes, secure environment, stable society and political climate (not everyone is happy, but u gotta admit its stable at the moment)
if u think that others benefits like cheaper housing, private transport, etc appeal more (actually kinda appeals to me too. . .) then yah, make ur own decision.
[b]singapore govt emphasises too much on family n friends in getting people to stay or be loyal or keep roots here while expanding overseas, perhaps its time for the govt to lets in real physical terms the benefits of staying. . . not to say that there arent, but that perhaps it would be wise to just put these down in black and white as well as the family and friends aspect that we all already know.[/b]
They tried to chastise those who migrate by labelling them as quitters.
They tried to convince those who remain in Singapore that they are the 'real winners' while those who left Singapore are the 'Losers'.
Then they implemented the policy of those who have stayed away from Singapore for more then TEN YEARS, will NOT have their Passport renewed - which means an AUTOMATIC loss of the Singapore Citizenship.
Now that they are bankrupt of any more new ideas to stop more Younger and Abled Singaporeans from migrating, they are turning to the softer image of emphasising the importance of Family and Friends.
Some bright young spark had once asked If it is worth to be a Singaporean, when the right to be Singaporean can be so easily revoked based on the say so of someone in Government ?
Can a Political Party with a majority vote and elected to form a Government, simply pass a Law that revoke a Singaporean of his Citizenship on the basis of his absence from Singapore for a period of TEN Years ?
To those that remain in Singapore, there is much work to be done to reclaim Singapore for ourselves, and redeem the dignity of the Citizens from being trampled by any Political Party who can hold our Citizenship to ransom. -
maybe we just need to re-define what it means to be a singaporean, or a citizen of any country for that matter...
citizenship and nationalism has lost much of its magic in this new globalised, cynical world... we go where we have to and we do what we must to survive...
if Sg can no longer provide all citizens with a certain level of livlihood, and it is not able to convince citizens that it is worthwhile to live here despite the limited opportuninities, no amount of persuasions or threats will change the brain drain.
the govt is just as much a prisoner of circumstances as the next man on the streets. we assume too much when we think that they are capable of fully manipulating the circumstances we live in.
sure, they've tried... but nothing can change the fact that china is rising as a competition and a force to be reckoned with, that malaysia is attempting to erode our competitive advantage, that everybody else is trying to improve their lot and Sg has reached its peak and is going downhill. no economy grows forever...
sure, the FT program is overly liberal, but then again, it is wishful thinking to assume that we can carry on as usual by erecting barriers around us.
there's no point in blaming the govt. ultimately, its up to all of us to decide HOW and WHERE we CHOOSE to live.
it is only when we ourselves decide WHAT is it that we want that we can conceive of HOW to change it in that direction... and actively participate to do so.
having a small group of moaners and groaners won't help. finding faults won't help. hoping that the govt will change to our liking is just about the lamest thing i can think of.
screw citizenship. screw citizenship privileges. its all about yourself. the state has power of enforcement over our body, but we alone decide what we think in our mind. the state facilitates the means which u acquire your livelihood, but we alone decide how and where we want to live.
who cares if they revoke your citizenship after living abroad for 10 years? u get another one in a more welcoming place. its only a punishment if u let them hold u hostage.
one problem with us is our absolute refusal to take a firm stand with ANY issue... always looking for a safety net, always looking for an emergency exit.
PLEASE! have a spine pple! what's the point of being a sneaky relativist? don't just live in nothing. beLIVE in something! -
i prefer to leave spore and have a good memory of it rather than stay around and bitch
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Hi,
well, after staying away from Singapore for the last 20 years, and then seeing my freind who had graduated and work in Singapore , being sacked only because companies had JUSt had a bit of lost, I must say, that the idea of working outside Singapore is Valid.
What the recent recession had shown is that there seem to be not much loyalty to the Singapore workers, on the part of big Singapore home grown companies.
So ; choose well -
It's good to have exposure to different ways of thinking and doing things.
No matter where you are, Singapore will always be your home even if you choose to take up a different citizenship for whatever reasons.
Yes, there're a lot of Singaporean in Perth having landed property and cars. The positive part for me is the beach where you can body surf. There are some crime but it's manageable, I know that it's not as busy as Sydney and Melbourne.
Can you believe a clerk can own them, car and landed property. Fair Dinkum -
Interesting article in the Straits Times on 09/12/03, about an increasing trend of graduates not returning to Singapore after living and studying for a few years.
In my university class where there were about 10 Singaporeans citizens and PRs, only 2 (including me) returned after graduation. 1 has gotten his Aussie PR and the other is applying to leave
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http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,4386,224284-1071007140,00.html?
More overseas grads staying put abroad
They are now more likely not to return home after graduation, preferring either to work or further their studies abroad
By Irena Josoeb
WHILE only in his second year of university in Britain, Mr Shawn Er decided he wanted to stay on and work in London after graduation.
The 27-year-old University of Bristol law graduate is now a trainee solicitor in a London law firm.
Many other Singaporean graduates of overseas universities are, like Mr Er, choosing to stay on abroad to work.
It marks a change from just two years ago when students were more likely to return to Singapore after graduation, said Mr Hernaikh Singh, Singapore International Foundation's (SIF) deputy executive director.
Although he did not have hard figures, he said he noticed the change at the informal discussions he had with Singaporean students overseas at SIF conferences.
'Two years ago, the sentiment about not wanting to come back was not so strong,' he said. 'Now, there are more students exploring the possibilities of staying overseas because of the economic situation in Singapore.'
Miss Nora Anniesha Hussin is one of those who chose to work overseas after earning a master's degree in applied linguistics in Hong Kong.
The 33-year-old assistant language instructor in a Hong Kong university now earns close to $100,000 a year, which, according to her, is 2 1/2 times what she would have earned if she had returned to Singapore.
Said Miss Nora: 'I love to learn in a different context and feel the need to explore and go out of my comfort zone.'
Horror stories of working life in Singapore have also persuaded overseas graduates to stay on.
'I have heard stories from my Singapore counterparts about working extremely long hours and horrendous stress at work,' said Miss Vanessa Teo, a 24-year-old senior business analyst in Minnesota, the United States.
She said the more relaxed lifestyle, higher pay and career opportunities were what made her stay on after graduating with a business administration degree from Indiana University.
Supportive parents also play a part. When Mr James Tan, 26, graduated from the University of Chicago last year with a master's in international relations, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do next. But his parents helped him decide.
Now based in Washington DC, the analyst in a business-to-business content firm said: 'They wanted me to stay on to get the exposure, though I was pretty ambivalent about where I worked.'
With more than 20,000 Singaporeans going abroad to study every year, and with more wanting to stay on, is the Republic losing its talented young citizens?
Of the six overseas graduates The Straits Times interviewed, five said that they wanted to work abroad for at least two years before deciding if they would return home.
Some are worried they would not be able to fit into the Singaporean work culture, or get used to living at home after living independent lives overseas.
Mr Er said he was comfortable with his life in London and does not rule out the possibility of staying on indefinitely. 'I have come to realise that living in Singapore was like living in a glass bowl,' he said. 'I have become aware of issues such as crime, race and politics. I used to be neutral about such matters in Singapore, but I no longer am.'
But for Miss Nora, the choice is clear.
'I feel like I still haven't learnt enough,' she said. 'But Singapore is home base and I will eventually return.'