Liking it, not loving it: International students in Singapore and their navigation of everyday life in transience

This chapter looks at international students studying at Singaporean universities and their relationship with their host nation. While, on the one hand, Singapore is an attractive destination for international students because of scholarship opportunities, a high standard of living and job opportunities post- graduation, on the other hand, the city- state can be a challenging place to live, with many Singaporeans nursing deep anti foreign sentiments as expressed online. Here, this chapter points out that international students have a laissez-faire relationship with their host nation, expressing only a mild form of integration and demonstrating indifference to their host nation on social media and in their social relations. This emotional disconnect from Singapore takes place even though the Singapore government is uncompromisingly welcoming to international students, and despite the fact that most participants have studied in Singapore since their early teens and a majority intend to take up permanent residence.