Mon copain vient de se faire offrir un post-doc à Singapour. J'ai déjà vécue en Nouvelle-Calédonie et au Québec et suis donc habituée à m'installer dans un nouveau pays.
Toutefois je ne sais que penser.
J'ai lu plusieurs avis sur le forum mais plusieurs questions demeurent :
La première est relative à l'intégration. De loin, j'ai l'impression que les expats vivent ensemble et dans une bulle de confort. J'espère me tromper ? est-ce que l'on peut s'intégrer, rencontrer des singapouriens et partager leurs modes de vie ? Est-ce que l'écart entre les riches et les pauvres et important ou plutôt est-ce que les locaux ont une vie décente (taf, santé, éducation, etc.) ?
La deuxième est relative à la politique ; je me fous un peu du fait que l'on ne puisse pas fumer partout ou macher da la gume. Par contre j'ai plus de mal avec la peine de mort, l'autocratie, la loi sur l'homosexualité. Je ne suis pas revolutionnaire mais l'injustice et l'autoritarsime me répugne. Mais encore une fois je suis loin, comment vit-on tout ça sur place ? Est-ce possible de parler et de s'impliquer ou faut-il mieux que je ne vienne pas ?
J'ai vécu à Singapour en 2006-2007. Je me permet donc de te répondre.
- "est-ce que l'on peut s'intégrer, rencontrer des singapouriens et partager leurs modes de vie ?"
Oui on peut! Les singapouriens parlent tous anglais (en plus de leur langue maternelle), et beaucoup ont des amis étrangers. Je me suis fait beaucoup d'amis Singapouriens, et je dois dire que si beaucoup d'expatriés vivent dans des "bulles" c'est parce qu'ils l'ont choisi, et qu'ils ne font pas toujours d'effort pour aller vers les autres. Après comme partout, ça n'est jamais facile de se faire des nouveaux amis, et comme les expatriés viennent souvent seuls... ils se retrouvent entre eux.
- "Est-ce que l'écart entre les riches et les pauvres et important ou plutôt est-ce que les locaux ont une vie décente (taf, santé, éducation, etc.) ? "
Singapour est un pays développé : le revenu par habitant moyen est le même qu'en France (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_pays_par_PIB_%28PPA%29_par_habitant). Cependant l'écart entre riches et pauvres est plus important, mais il n'y a pas de misère à Singapour. Le niveau d'éducation et de santé est très bon, le chômage faible. Mais les conditions de travail ne sont pas les mêmes que chez nous : plus d'heures, moins de garanti. Mais tout le monde (ou presque) a une vie décente, voir très confortable. C'est un des pays d'Asie où l'ont vit le mieux.
- "La deuxième est relative à la politique"
Singapour est un régime autoritaire, mais RIEN à voir avec la Chine par exemple!! L'internet n'est pas bloqué, tu peux parler de ce que tu veux avec les gens, tu peux mâcher du chewing-gum (tant que tu le jettes dans une poubelle!), fumer (tant que tu jettes ton mégot dans les cendrier qui se trouvent avec les poubelles), il y a effectivement une loi sur l'homosexualité, mais il y a bien une communauté gay, et pour avoir vécu en résidence universitaire, il y avait des homosexuels qui ne se cachaient pas, donc dans les mœurs pas tellement diffèrent de la France (sauf au niveau de la loi bien sûr). En fait cette loi n'est jamais appliqué.
Après les lois sont bien plus sévère qu'en France : un vol peut te couter cher, de même qu'une bagarre : il vaut mieux éviter de se battre si tu ne veux pas passer 2 jours en prison (très confortable paraît-il). Pas de drogue également... Mais c'est le prix à payer pour avoir un pays très sécurisé, et sans grosse délinquance.
Globalement, si tu ne fait pas parti de la mafia, ou si t'es n'es pas cleptomane, la vie à Singapour est TRÈS agréable.
Aller là bas peut être une expérience très enrichissante, et te faire voir les choses un peu différemment. En France on pense être un pays exemplaire, que tout le monde nous envie. Le fait est que ce n'est pas vrai, et surement pas à Singapour. En France on est pas capable d'offrir aux gamins de cité une éducation décente, et on les laisse s'engluer dans la misère ou la délinquance, et pour moi ça n'est pas digne d'un pays exemplaire, démocratique et tout ce que tu veux. Je ne veux pas faire l'apologie de la politique à Singapour, qui reste un pays autoritaire, dirigé globalement pas la même famille depuis 50 ans, où on ne pas critiquer ouvertement le gouvernement. Cependant aller à Singapour te fera comprendre que ce n'est pas parce que ça n'est pas une démocratie que l'on y vit mal, et que l'idée que "démocratie = bonheur assuré" n'est pas exacte (exemple : Inde). Les choses sont plus complexes que ça.
Hi everyone, my son’s school is offering him a one-month Erasmus trip to Ireland, but he has to find a junior cycle school that will accept him and a host family on his own. Honestly, we’re struggling—we’ve contacted two schools and haven’t heard back! If you have any leads...
What price should I expect to pay for a modest small apartment or a large room in a bedroom community in Quito? Are restaurants and food expensive? And which airline is best to travel from Montreal? Thanks for your answers
I’m considering moving to Miami to live and work for a few years.
If anyone knows what the administrative formalities are—both for getting a work permit and for the steps and reputable organizations to contact (since I imagine there are scammers in this space) when buying a studio in Miami or Miami Beach—I’d love any info you can share!
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has already had the experience of working abroad?
I don’t have a specific country in mind yet, so I’m open to hearing about your experiences on this topic—the pros and cons, etc.
Hi there!
I’m a young Malian looking to work in Morocco. Besides a passport, what other documents are required at the **Moroccan** border?
Thanks for your help!
Hi there. I’m planning to move to Luxembourg around December 2025 or January 2026. I’ll be looking for a job and settling in. My question is: is it too complicated to find housing? Is the job market more advantageous and easier than in France? I’m open to any information that could help me.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences about marrying a Cuban and moving to Cuba (not the other way around!). Yes, some of us actually *want* to stay on the island! Is it possible to work there without too much hassle, or is it really complicated?
I’m heading to Bangkok for a 5-month internship, and I’m wondering about the budget because I’ve read all sorts of things—so I decided to post here to get answers tailored to my situation! :D
I found housing that costs me 7,000 baht (I know it’s a bit pricey, but it’s super convenient...), which works out to about 160 € all-inclusive. So, I was wondering if it’s realistic to live on 500 or 600 € per month, and if so, under what conditions? Is that enough, considering I’ll be working 40 hours a week?
Thanks in advance for your replies—I hope they’ll reassure me!
WEP offers loads of different projects, including one I really like: helping and volunteering on a farm, particularly in South America (Peru or Argentina).
I’d love to know if anyone has tried this project or knows someone who has... or has done something similar? I’d like to get some feedback before diving into the adventure.
If so, could you share your thoughts on the project, any tips, etc.?
Hi there,
Our departure time is getting closer (we have less than 2 years left—it’s both a long time and so short!). To start preparing seriously, we’ll need quite a bit of info. If anyone knows the rates charged by movers for a crate to French Polynesia, or what pitfalls to avoid (I know you can get quotes directly from movers, but I’d love insights from actual customers😉).
Are there any special requirements before leaving France (aside from taxes...)?
Thanks to everyone for your help—every bit of info is useful. We’re aiming for a departure around 06/2010 (just need to save up a little more...).
Thanks again!
Hi, I’m a self-employed physiotherapist in France, and as my wife (a nurse) and I look into working abroad in about two years, I’ve been offered an equivalence to become a respiratory physiotherapist in Switzerland. Actually, I’m currently doing a postgraduate diploma in pediatric respiratory physiotherapy and want to specialize in that area. Anyway, that’s not the main point—could anyone explain the pros and cons of doing this job in Switzerland? Based on the paperwork I’ve received, the equivalence seems purely administrative or almost... What about working conditions, quality of life, salaries, etc.?
Thanks for your replies.
PS: Same question for my wife, a nurse, regarding her integration.
I’m looking for information about jobs in early childhood in New Caledonia. I’m currently a childminder in a MAM (multi-accueil) and I’ve also worked for about 6 years in several daycare centers as a childcare assistant.
In the summer of 2026, my husband is being transferred to New Caledonia. We’ll be living near Nouméa. Do you know if the early childhood sector is a good field for jobs there?
Can’t wait to discover this island! Right now, we’re in the middle of all the administrative paperwork for our 3 kids, finding housing, bringing our cat to the territory, and so on!
Thanks for your feedback!!
Hi there,
I’ve been living in Bali for a month now, but unfortunately on a VOA visa. I’m looking for a European company that’s set up in Indonesia. I’m in electrotechnical maintenance—air conditioning, cold rooms, 220V/380V electricity. I’ve been a tradesperson for 3 months and can bring my full professional toolkit. If anyone’s interested, let me know!
You can send me a message.
Best regards,
I’d love to go to Japan to travel, and if things go well, work there too.
Has anyone tried finding a job there? Is it even possible without speaking Japanese?
I’m thinking of starting out in restaurants (dishwashing or serving) and then moving into my field, IT.
I’d like to move to Spain, specifically to Málaga.
To do that, I’d like to know if I’ll need any official documents from France to work there, or anything like that...
I’d also love to hear from people who’ve moved to Spain for work—do Spaniards like the French? Is it hard to fit in? What are the salary ranges for a ready-to-wear salesperson? And is it easy to find housing?
My partner and I currently live in Antibes—we’re both freelancers working remotely. We’re thinking about potentially moving to Italy.
We’d like to settle near the French border, between Ventimiglia and San Remo (this is important because we need access to Nice Airport twice a month). ✈️
I’d love to hear about life in this region! We’re looking for a quiet spot close to the sea. Any recommendations? As for the paperwork, is it difficult to get everything official? Is finding housing tough in this area? What kind of guarantees are usually required? If any kind soul could shed some light on this, we’d really appreciate it! 🥺🏻
I'm looking for an au pair who'd like to come to Bournemouth in the south of England, and I'd love to know what the best websites are to find one, please.
I’d like to get some information about my eligibility for the DV Lottery.
About my background:
• I earned a *Bac Pro* through VAE (*Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience*), issued by the *Éducation nationale*.
• I also have a professional certification as a *Conseiller en Insertion* (Employment Counselor), issued by the Ministry of Labor.
• Altogether, this adds up to a *Bac+2* level.
I’d like to know if this level qualifies me to apply for the DV Lottery.
Regarding my work experience:
• I work as an *Employment Counselor*.
• I checked on O*Net Online for the classification: Job Zone 4, SVP Range: 7.0 – <8.0.
• I only have one year of experience, but I handle similar tasks in business creation.
So my question is: can I apply for the DV Lottery despite my relatively short experience, given that my job falls under Job Zone 4?
I’m looking for info on villages around Aix, like Fuveau, Bouc-Bel-Air, or even Éguilles and Venelles?
We’re a couple with a child living in the Paris region, and I’ll be relocating to Aix-en-Provence in spring 2026. We’d love to swap our apartment for a house with a pool within 20-30 minutes max of central Aix, with a budget of around 650k €.
In terms of climate and geography, I’ve read that Aix is in a basin where it can get really hot. What about the surrounding villages that are a bit more elevated, like Venelles? Is it just as stifling?
Starting this spring, we want to settle near Aix-en-Provence. We're tired of living in the mountains with all the snow—we really need some sunshine and a fresh start. Is it hard to find a house to rent there? What about prices? If you have any great tips or useful info about the area, we’d love to hear it. I work in education and want to do prevention work in Marseille or Aix—are there jobs in the social sector?
Anyway, we need tons of info, but we’re sure we’re going to take the leap—no hesitation, adventure is adventure!!!
Thanks for your help and any experiences you can share.
I’m an osteopath and I’d like to set up and open an osteopathy practice in Thailand. I don’t have a precise location in mind yet, but I’m thinking maybe Hua Hin.
I saw there’s an osteopath based in Phuket, so I wrote to him for some info, but he still hasn’t replied🤪!
So I’m reaching out to people who live there or know the country well:
I’d like to know what the best ways are to advertise and get known in Thailand. Are there any local classifieds newspapers?
First, I’d like to practice from my apartment. Is that allowed in Thailand?
Ideally, I’d like to work part-time in a private hospital as an osteopath. I’m thinking that in Thailand, the medical field is much more open than in Europe!!! Has anyone seen an osteopath or chiropractor working in a Thai hospital? Do you know the price of a consultation?
Any info you can share will be super helpful! Thanks in advance[;)!!!]
Hello everyone,
We’re a small family from the south of France, with a 2-year-old little boy, and we’re dreaming of starting a new adventure abroad by opening our own business. For now, we haven’t chosen a specific destination yet.
We mainly speak French, with a basic level of Spanish and English, and we’re ready to improve these two languages if needed. We’re looking for a multicultural, safe country with quality healthcare and good schools accessible for our son. We’d also love a pleasant place with a mild climate where life is good.
Our idea is to travel to different countries to explore, compare, and refine our project. We’d be really happy to read your tips, experiences, or anecdotes if you’ve already undertaken a similar project or if you know key points to anticipate.
Thanks in advance for your shares and help—it would really help us move forward with our project! 😄
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Dublin as an au pair in a few weeks.
I’m looking for a reputable language school. It’s so hard to choose! Has anyone already done a language stay in Dublin? Any tips? Thanks so much! :)
Hi everyone, so I’m planning to go study at a community college in the U.S., but the only snag is which one—there are so many options over there! I’ve heard about one in California, Diablo Valley College, and another in Florida, Valencia College. I know both states are super attractive for tourism, but my main criteria are teaching quality and price. I’m open to any advice, comments, or suggestions—thanks in advance! The start of the semester is coming up, and I’m a little nervous...
READY, SET...... GO...... TO YOUR KEYBOARDS!!!!!!!! lol
Hi! I’m looking for an apartment in Malaga from September (2025) until January for my Erasmus exchange, but I’m not finding much, and it seems like there are a lot of scams. Does anyone have any leads or tips? Thanks!^^
Hello. We’re a couple with an 11-year-old daughter and we’re looking for a good deal on a bar and/or restaurant in the tourist areas of Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Mérida. If anyone knows of one or is on the ground and can give us some great tips, we’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Safe travels.
