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Daily Living, Financial Matters & Staying Safe

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This page covers Daily Living, Financial Matters and Staying Safe

Daily Living - Groceries, Household Items, IT Equipment, Stationery, etc.

​Things you need when you drop down that luggage in your dorm. Find everything in the following stores. We have recommended places nearest to our campus. Please note that for Electronics and Appliances, Singapore uses 230 Volts, 50 Hertz, and a British-style plug with three flat pins or prongs, also known as the Type G plug
​Note: Due to Covid 19, opening hours and services may differ. Safe distancing measures are in force in most places. For more info, please refer to the respective retailer's website.
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IKEA
The ideal one-stop shop to make your room feel like home. All your start-up needs like household items, kitchen utensils, and bathroom accessories can be found here.
Timings:  10 am – 10 pm
Location: Alexandra Road, near Queenstown MRT
Getting there: Bus 14 from ESSEC, alight 5 stops later next to IKEA
Online Order: www.ikea.com/sg 
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NTUC Fairprice
Grocery store for daily needs. Widest network in Singapore and lowest prices.
Timings:  Most outlets open till 11pm. Some are open 24 hours
Location: Fair Price Holland Drive, near Buona Vista MRT
Getting there: Bus 74, 91, 191, 200 from After ACJC stop, alight 3 stops later next to NTUC.
Online Order: 
https://www.fairprice.com.sg/
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Cold Storage
Classy grocery store. More imported items than Fairprice, and pricier.
Timings:  8:30 am – 10 pm
Location:  Fusionopolis Basement 2, next to one-North MRT entrance
Getting there: Walk towards one-North MRT – 4 mins from ESSEC
​Online Order: 
https://coldstorage.com.sg/
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7-11
24-hr store to pick up snacks, phone and bus top-ups. Prices are steeper though.
Location: NUH Medical Centre, outside Kent Ridge MRT
Getting there: Take MRT and alight at Kent Ridge, 1 stop away. Walk 2 mins
Website: https://www.7-eleven.com.sg/
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Mustafa Centre
​This mega-mall carries over 100, 000 items – clothes, electronics, grocery, jewelry.
Timings: 24 hours
Location: Syed Alwi Road, Little India
Getting there: Take MRT and change 4 stops later at Botanic Gardens to Downtown Line. Alight at Little India 3 stops later and walk 10 mins.
Online Order: https://www.mustafa.com.sg/
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Le Petit Depot
Le Petit Depot is the place of choice in the hearts and the fridge of many French people and fans of French products in Singapore. It's the leading French online product sales platform, and has more than 8000 products.

​Website: www.lepetitdepot.com/fr/index1.php
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Popular Bookstores
Singapore's largest chain of bookstores - selling books, magazines, stationery, office and school supplies. See list of stores here.
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Challenger IT Stores
Singapore’s largest homegrown consumer electronics chain Challenger has grown to serve over half a million ValueClub members across over 40 stores islandwide. Shop here for the latest IT gadgets, lifestyle products and services. See list of stores here.​

Financial Matters

​As a financial hub in Asia, Singapore boasts excellent, state-of-the-art banking and financial services. Many local and international banks and financial institutions offer a full suite of financial services to meet all your financial needs. You will be glad to know that though Singapore has one of the highest standards of living in Asia, its cost of living is kept at an affordable level compared to many Western countries. In this page, we provide an overview of the financial market in Singapore, latest currency exchange rates, cost of living information and procedures for opening a local bank account.
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Opening a Bank Account
Online account application is only available for Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and foreigners with a valid Singapore work pass (e.g. employment / S pass) or student pass. For Online Personal or Joint-Alternate Account Application, each applicant will need to upload photos or scanned copies of the required documents. For Branch Account Application, each applicant will need to bring along the original copy of the required documents.
1. Identification Document
a) Provide valid Passport (biodata)
b) For Malaysian - Provide front and back of Malaysian IC
2) Proof of Study in Singapore
a) Matriculation card/ Student card (includes In-Principle Approval by ICA)
b) Acceptance letter from school (restricted to official letters from educational institutions or schools under the purview of Council for Private Education or Ministry of Education)
3) Proof of Residential Address
a) Provide the latest copy (within last 3 months) of any of the items below: Overseas residential address is acceptable.
b) Local utility/ telecommunication bill
Local bank statement/credit card statement
c) Acceptance letter from school (restricted to official letters from educational institutions or schools under the purview of Committee for Private Education or Ministry of Education)
Cost of Living
Below is a compilation of common monthly expenses in Singapore dollars. Correct at of 27th July 2022.
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Currency & Exchange Rates
​The Singapore currency is in dollars and cents. 100 cents are equivalent to one Singapore dollar. The notes run in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $1,000 and $10,000. The coins run in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and $1. Cashless payment methods include credit cards, debit cards a.k.a. Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS), EZ-Link cards and mobile/internet banking.

Exchange Rates (as of 27 July 2022)
For the latest rates, please go to Oanda
United States        US$1 = S$1.39
Euro                        Euro 1 = S$1.42
China                      S$1 = 4.87 Yuan
India                        S$1 = Rs 57
Indonesia               S$1 = 10, 800 Rp
Japan                      S$1 = 99 Yen
Malaysia                 S$1 = RM 3.22
Morocco                S$1 = 7.37 Dirham
Philippines            S$1 = 40 Peso
Russia                     S$1 = 42 Ruble
South Korea          S$1 = 945 Won
Switzerland           CHF 1 = S$1.44
Taiwan                    S$1 = NT$ 21.60
Thailand                 S$1 = 26.50 Baht
United Kingdom UK Pound 1 = S$1.67
Vietnam                 S$1 = 16,850 Dong

Staying Safe

Singapore is famous for being one of the safest countries in the world. However, a low crime rate does not mean no crime at all. So do exercise caution as required. 
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Legal System
Emergency Numbers
Medical Facilities
​Singapore has a very strict legal system. You will be fined if you are caught jaywalking, chewing gum, spitting, smoking in prohibited areas and littering. Carry your ID card when you go to night clubs for security purposes. Identity theft is a major offence; don’t try using somebody else’s ID to get into a place.

Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in all public indoor places and most outdoor places. Those who wish to smoke may do so at smoking zones or boxes often denoted by a signboard followed by a yellow box drawn on the floor. In addition, smoking is not allowed at all entertainment nightspots unless within approved smoking zones. Offenders can be fined up to SGD$1000 and the throwing of cigarette butts on the floor will carry a fine of $300.

Chewing Gum: Chewing gum is not allowed to be brought into Singapore or to be consumed locally as it is banned unless the gum serves medical purpose such as dental-health gums and nicotine gums which help people to quit smoking. Offenders who are caught bringing chewing gum will be fined SGD$500 – SGD$1000.

Spitting and littering: Spitting and littering is an offence and carries a fine of SGD$300.

Drug Abuse and Trafficking: Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited. Offenders will be sentenced to a long jail term or even death if caught possessing more than 15g of heroin.

More info at 
  1. GoAbroad.com: https://www.goabroad.com/articles/study-abroad/singapore-laws-to-know-before-you-go
  2. Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs: https://www.mha.gov.sg/
Fire/Ambulance                            995
Non-Emergency Ambulance   1777
Police                                              999

Please also note down the contact details of your country’s embassy in Singapore. ​ We have included below the links to a few embassies:
1. Embassy of France in Singapore
https://sg.ambafrance.org/-Francais-

2. High Commission of Canada to Singapore 
https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/singapore-singapour/index.aspx?lang=eng

​3. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Singapore
http://www.chinaembassy.org.sg/eng/

4. High Commission of India, Singapore
https://www.hcisingapore.gov.in/

5. Embassy of Indonesia in Singapore
https://kemlu.go.id/singapore/en

6. Ambasciata d'Italia Singapore
https://ambsingapore.esteri.it/ambasciata_singapore/en

​7. Embassy of Republic of Korea to Singapore 
http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/index.do

8. High Commission of Malaysia, Singapore
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/sgp_singapore

9. Taiwan Representative Office in Singapore https://www.roc-taiwan.org/sg_en/

10. Royal Thai Embassy, Singapore
https://www.thaiembassy.sg/contact-us

11. U.S. Embassy in Singapore
https://sg.usembassy.gov/

12. Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore
​https://vnembassy-singapore.mofa.gov.vn/en-us/Pages/default.aspx
​The Clinic @ Fusionopolis The nearest clinic to our campus
 Fusionopolis Place #01-05
Getting there: Walk towards one-north MRT – 4 mins from ESSEC
Opening hours:  Monday – Friday    8:30am to 1:00pm
                       2:00pm to 5:30pm
             Saturday                    8:30am to 12:30pm
Phone: 6466 0602 (It is better to book appointments during busy periods)

National University Hospital (NUH) The nearest hospital to our campus, it serves as a tertiary hospital, clinical training and research center for the medical and dental faculties of the National University of Singapore (NUS)
5, Lower Kent Ridge Road Getting there: MRT to Kent Ridge, walk 2 mins
Opening hours: A & E is 24 hours. Other clinics and services vary
​6799 5555 (24 hours) More details at https://www.nuh.com.sg/

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  • ESSEC AP
    • Campus Floor Directory
    • Learning Center
    • Contact Us
    • Resources
    • Website Directory
    • FAQ
  • Prep & Arrival
    • Pre-departure & Arrival Checklist
    • Student's Pass
    • Health Insurance
    • Medical Check-up
    • Working in Singapore
  • Accommodation
    • Property Types
    • Budget
    • Location
    • Source Options
    • Property Viewing & Negotiation
    • Sign Agreements
    • Move In
  • Guide to Singapore
    • Daily Living
    • Transport & Communication
    • Food and Dining
    • Culture
    • Travel & Leisure
  • Campus Life
    • Student Leadership
    • Student Clubs
    • Annual Events
    • Events Calendar