Phase 1 Intervention Programmes

Phase 1 interventions are positioned to facilitate initial Settling-in assistance.

The initial concerns of the inbound expatriate centres on the basic needs of ensuring a residence is secured with the necessary utilities and creature comforts normally enjoyed in the home country, and appropriate immigration procedures are complied with, to cover the period of stay in Singapore.

Next, would be knowing how to keep in contact with the home country and ensuring that the links of communications are adequately catered for financial, social, and other needs.

Knowing where’s where and how to commute, getting basic essential services such as daily necessities, food supplies, banking, healthcare, etc, feature strongly as prime needs of the expatriate at this stage of relocating to Singapore.

Depending on whether the family is included in the relocation process, the expatriate may also need to place their children to schools and solve related problems of school transportation, day-care services, etc.

Expats2Singapore provides these offerings to Phase 1 concerns:

Immigration Services: Applications and management of immigration requirements for Employment Passes, S Passes and Student Passes.

Home Search Services: Working with professional licensed property agents, expatriates are systematically brought to view properties that match their expectations and budgets. Completion of Tenancy Agreements and applications for utilities, telephone etc, are included as well.

School Placement Services: We will be able to advise on the various options in which your children can continue their education, be it child-care, pre-school (nursery, kindergarten), and make the necessary arrangements for you in the international school system or the local school system.

Orientation Programmes: These programmes are designed systematically to immerse an expatriate to Singapore and can be offered to individuals, family or corporate groups.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Surviving your Host Country – Singapore”

This 1/2 day talk cum workshop introduces various aspects of Singapore. The emphasis of this program is directed at providing the “How to…” aspects of surviving in Singapore. Besides the workshop content, participants will also be directed to various other resources (publications, websites, etc.) available to new expatriates to Singapore.

Participants will be systematically introduced to the following:

• “Welcome to Singapore” – a video presentation of Singapore’s history, demographics, economy, challenges, etc.
• Laws of the Land – an introduction to Singapore’s Regulatory Framework; what constitutes a criminal offence and Singapore’s unique ways of combating crime and consequences when the law is flouted.
• Transport: Go as you please – an overview of Singapore’s Transportation system, with in-depth instructions on how to utilize the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, the various bus services, taxi services, etc. General rules and regulations of driving / riding and conversion of international driving licences will also be covered.
• Getting connected and staying in touch –Provides information on getting connected with various agencies to get help in Singapore; telephone services, internet connections and postal services.
• Essential services and supplies – an introduction to the range of services available in Singapore related to finance matters, library, health, housing, daily necessities and leisure.
• Culture, language and social norms – basic social norms, traditions, customs, beliefs, food and taboos of the main ethnic groups. An awareness of Singapore’s unique brand of English – “Singlish”, will also be introduced.
• Home Search: The Leasing process – an update of the property market in Singapore and what to be aware of when leasing a property.
  

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Surviving Your Host Country, Singapore” – Outdoors Experience

This is a full-day program with an experiential approach adopting a charted learning experience of a Singapore lifestyle using an adapted “Amazing Race” format. An in-house summary debrief (2 hours) brings to life various aspects of the key learning points in the program. Participants will be organized into teams and will be tasked with specially crafted challenges at each on-site station, to bring home the key learning points of “Surviving in Singapore”.

Terms & Conditions

Group Size

For the “Surviving Your Host Country – Singapore” Talk and Workshop, we cater to individuals, Families or Corporate Groups. For Corporate groups, the maximum group size is 30 participants.

For the “Surviving Your Host Country – Singapore” - Outdoors Experience,
Minimum group size: 16
Maximum group size: 40

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Colonial and City Tour

This 1/2 day programme is specially designed for new arrivals to have a glimpse of Singapore’s colonial past as well as the people, cultures and customs. This coach tour provides a historical profile of Singapore and showcases the multi-cultural and multi-racial dimensions of the Singaporen way of life. Short stops will be made at the following places:

• Kampong Glam - Bussorah Street, Sultan Mosque, Traditional Trade Shops.
• Chinatown - Pagoda Street, Thiam Hock Keng Temple, Sago Street.
• Little India - Tekka market, Traditional Trade Shops, Sri Veeramakaliaman Temple.
• Colonial Explorations - Civic District, Supreme Court, Merlion Park, Padang.
  
• Terms & Conditions

Group Size

Minimum group size: 10
Maximum group size: 40

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phase 2 Intervention Programmes

The interventions at Phase 2 aim to reduce the agonies of culture shock. We recommend that you join our various workshops and talks between the 2nd to 4th month of your stay in Singapore.

At this stage, you would have settled the initial relocation concerns and settled into some form of routine. Just when you think you’ve got things in order, other issues – the quirky, the unbelievable and the….. starts to get to you. To arrest the feelings, you’d need to get a better grasp of what makes Singapore what it is and why Singaporeans are what they are.

The programmes designed here lets you to take a closer look at such issues and for you to discover the “WHY”

Expats2Singapore provides these offerings to Phase 2 concerns:

Integration Programmes

"Understanding Singaporeans"

“Understanding Singaporeans” is a series of Talks and Workshops. We offer three topics:

• Different Cultures, Different Values [ click here ]
  
• Making Sense of Singaporeans [ click here ]
  
• Communicating with Singaporeans. [ click here ]
  

Terms & Conditions

Group Size

For the “Understanding Singaporeans” Talk and Workshop, we cater only to Groups. Each of the 3 topics can be conducted as independent packages.

Minimum group size: 10
Maximum group size: 40

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Managing your Maid

An important programme if you’re employing a live-in Maid for the first time.

“Yes Sir, No Ma’am”

Terms & Conditions

Group Size

Minimum group size: 4
Maximum group size: 12

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cultural Walks and Tours

These are collaborative programmes with various strategic partners and focuses on allowing you to get a achieve a better understanding of the various facets of Singapore’s history, its changes and more…..

The Original Singapore Walks
Get Expats2Singapore vouchers, valid for 3 months, for various themed walks conducted by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) certified tour guides. These vouchers will entitle an individual to join in with any of the following Walks:

Mondays (9.30 am – 12.00 noon)
“The Time of Empire” – A Colonial District Walk
Going through places like St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Coleman Street, Armenian Church, CHIJmes and Raffles Hotel, this walk, which focuses on Singapore’s colonial past, will let you learn about Singapore’s national flower, the Sarkies brothers, The Straits Times and about the wonderful drink, “Singapore Sling”.

Tuesdays (9.30 am – 12.00 noon)
“Red Clogs Down the Five Foot Way” – A Chinatown Walk
This walk brings you through Thian Hock Kheng Temple, Ann Siang Hill, Traditional Chinese Medicine Store, Chinatown Wet Market and an Ancestral Worship Shop. You will get an insight into how early Chinese migrants arrived on the shores of Singapore and the cultures and practices they brought along.

Wednesdays (9.30 am – 12.00 noon)
“Dhobis, Saris & a Spot of Curry” – A Little India Walk
(TOURISM AWARD FINALIST 2005)
Going through a Sireh and Garland shop, the Tekka Wet Market, meeting a Parrot Astrologer, Little India Arcade, Spice shop and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, you will get to know much more on the life and ways of our Indian community in Singapore.

Thursdays (9.30 am – 12.00 noon)
“Sultans of Spice” – A Kampong Glam Walk (Arab Street Area)
(TOURISM AWARD WINNER 2004)
Learn how Singapore was sold to the British for 60,000 Spanish Dollars, uncover a curious blend of Malay folk traditions and Islam in the legends of the keris, exotic perfumes and various jamu remedies to every conceivable ailment. This walk will bring you to a Keris gallery, Sultan Mosque, Bussorah Street, Traditional Muslim Supplies Shop, the old Istana Kampong Glam (Royal Palace) and even visit a Royal graveyard.

Fridays (6.30 pm – 8.30 pm)
“Secrets of the Red Lantern” – A Chinatown Night Walk
(TOURISM AWARD FINALIST 2005)
This walk will bring you through Trengganu Street, South Bridge Road, Food Street, Red Light District, a Barbequed Pork Shop, to find out about brothels, opium and gambling dens in Bu Ye Tian – The Place of Nightless Days, traveling through time in Chinatown, and venture into the fringes where entertainment, in its rawest form, is still practiced today. Tread with us as we go where men have gone before!

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Governance and Urban Development Tour

This is a themed guided tour that brings you to Parliament House and the Supreme Court, to get an insight into issues of governance. Visiting the URA Centre completes the experience of knowing how Singapore developed over the years….and gives you a peek into what Singapore will look like in the future.

Terms & Conditions

Group Size

Minimum group size: 10
Maximum group size: 40

[ Email Us ]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phase 3 Intervention Programmes

The interventions at Phase 3 aim to provide opportunities for the Expatriate to integrate with both the environment and its peoples. If you have been following our Phase 2 intervention programmes, you would have adequately improved the “Knowledge Gaps” about Singapore culture (Academics call this Cultural Awareness).

What needs to be done now is to put this into practice…… This is the stage where you further develop your Cultural Mindfulness……the ability to try out your knowledge in actual interactions with the local Singaporean.

Expats2Singapore offers the following:

HOME VISITS

This programme is meant to provide expatriates with the opportunity to get an experience of visiting and meeting Singaporeans at their actual homes. You would have noticed that Singaporeans, generally, prefer to entertain outside the homes – in restaurants, various nightspots, etc – but seldom (save for the few) in their actual homes. If you’re fortunate enough to be invited to their homes, you’ll know that they are now treating you as a friend and not an associate or a client.

To fully appreciate and benefit from this programme, expatriates should have been in Singapore for at least a few months.

Home visits will allow participants to get an “inside” view of homes belonging to the various ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian) from various religious backgrounds, share a typical home cooked meal and enjoy exchanges on their beliefs, practices, customs and other cultural aspects of Singaporean living.

Participants signing up for this programme can select to visit homes of the different Singaporean ethnic groups. With these visits, participants of this programme would also have the opportunity to view and appreciate the different types of Singaporean dwellings:

Each of these visits will last approximately 3 hours and will be hosted by carefully selected families, representative of the various ethnic groups in Singapore.

Terms & Condictions

Group Size

The minimum group size is 2 and maximum group size for such visits is capped at 10 per group. This is to allow for more interaction with the host families.

Dietary Constraints

Participants are to note that food prepared by the host families is home-cooked, bringing out the ethnic diversity of the food types and may not suit dietary constraints of all participants. Host families are not obligated to provide alternative food fares to the participants with dietary constraints.

Out of Bounds Area

As these are actual homes of Singaporean families, participants are to be sensitive to areas within the homes which are designated as out-of bounds by the host families. When in doubt, participants are requested to ask the owners.

Local Customs & Religious Practices

Participants are required to adhere to local customs and practices adopted by the host families, e.g removing of footwear before entering the homes, etc. Places of worship and articles of worship within the homes should not be touched.

[ Email Us ]

back to top