Living in Singapore for 3 Months: A Memorable Adventure

Living in Singapore for three months was an exhilarating adventure packed with lively activities, breath-taking light displays, mouth-watering cuisine, and convenient travel options throughout Southeast Asia. Here’s a snapshot of my unforgettable time discovering this vibrant city-state.

Activities — Exploring Singapore’s Iconic Attractions

Singapore is a city that perfectly blends modernity with nature, offering a plethora of activities to suit every interest.

Marina Bay Sands: A must-visit landmark with its iconic rooftop infinity pool and observation deck offering breath-taking views of the city skyline. I enjoyed leisurely walks along the Marina Bay waterfront and admired the architectural marvel.
Gardens by the Bay: This futuristic garden captivated me with its towering Supertrees and themed conservatories — Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. A stroll through the lush greenery brought a refreshing escape from the urban buzz.
Sentosa Island: A playground for fun and relaxation. I spent sunny days at the sandy beaches, explored the fascinating marine life at the Oceanarium, and got my adrenaline fix at Universal Studios Singapore with thrilling rides and shows.
Night Safari: An exceptional nocturnal wildlife experience where I observed exotic animals in their naturalistic habitats under the moonlight. It was a unique way to connect with nature after dark.
Jurong Lake Gardens: A serene spot away from the city's hustle, perfect for jogging, picnics, and enjoying lakeside views. The peaceful environment made it one of my favourite green retreats.
MacRitchie Reservoir: For nature lovers and hikers, this spot offered scenic trails and a chance to walk on the famous TreeTop Walk, a suspension bridge among the forest canopy.

Light Shows — Singapore’s Night time Magic

Singapore truly comes alive at night with spectacular light shows that illuminate its landmarks and gardens.

Wings of Time: Set against the sea on Sentosa, this multimedia show combined water, laser, fire effects, and music to create a mesmerizing story of friendship and nature.
Supertree Grove Light Show: Every evening, the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay light up in sync with music, creating a magical ambiance that draws crowds to watch the dazzling display.
Botanical Gardens Light Show: The Singapore Botanic Gardens occasionally host enchanting light installations that add a whimsical layer to the natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Spectra: A free light and water show at Marina Bay Sands, featuring colourful fountains and laser beams dancing in harmony with music, providing a perfect end to a day of sightseeing.

Food & Lifestyle — A Culinary and Cultural Feast

Singapore’s food scene is as diverse as its culture, with hawker centres and vibrant neighbourhoods offering flavours from all over Asia.

Hawker Centres: I indulged in local delights at Maxwell Food Centre, Food Republic, and Lau Pa Sat. Sampling dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and satay was a daily treat.
Haji Lane & Arab Street: These areas offered more than just food — the hip cafes and Middle Eastern eateries paired with colourful street art made for a lively lifestyle experience.
Chinatown: A bustling enclave where traditional Chinese cuisine mingles with trendy cafes; I loved wandering through the market streets and tasting dim sum and local desserts.
Bugis: Known for its street food and youthful vibe, Bugis was great for casual dining and evening strolls.
Orchard Road: Beyond shopping, Orchard offered excellent sushi spots that satisfied my craving for fresh seafood with a modern twist.
Raffles Hotel: No visit is complete without experiencing the colonial charm of Raffles Hotel. Enjoying a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar is a classic cultural experience.

Malls — Shopping and Leisure

Singapore’s malls are more than just shopping centres; they are entertainment hubs.

Bugis+: A trendy mall popular among young locals and tourists, perfect for fashion, gadgets, and casual dining.
Marina Bay Sands: Apart from its iconic hotel and casino, the mall features luxury brands and waterfront dining with stunning views.
VivoCity: The largest shopping mall in Singapore and the gateway to Sentosa, VivoCity offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and even an open-air playground.

Singapore as a Travel Hub — Gateway to Southeast Asia

One of the best perks of living in Singapore is its strategic location, making weekend getaways and day trips affordable and accessible.

Weekend in Cebu, Philippines: I took a quick, budget-friendly trip to Cebu, where I experienced thrilling canyoneering adventures, exploring waterfalls and natural pools in the scenic countryside.
Day Trip to Batam Island: Just a short ferry ride away, Batam offered a relaxing break with beaches, resorts, and local seafood.
Southern Islands: Closer to home, I explored Lazarus, St. John’s, and Kusu Islands for tranquil beaches, snorkeling, and a glimpse into Singapore’s lesser-known natural side.

Experiencing the Formula 1 Night Race

Attending the Singapore Grand Prix was a highlight of my stay — the electrifying atmosphere of the night race, the roar of engines, and the dazzling city lights made it a truly unforgettable experience. The event brought together fans from around the world, combining world-class racing with entertainment and nightlife.

Final Thoughts

Living in Singapore for three months offered a perfect blend of urban excitement, cultural richness, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, thrill-seeker, or traveller looking for adventure beyond, Singapore is a vibrant hub that promises unforgettable memories.

Imagine the thrill of embarking on an adventure that defies all your expectations – that's Camp America. It was nothing like I had anticipated, but it turned out to be the best experience I could have asked for. Of course, it has its highs and lows; that's inevitable. Spending three months in a new place with new people, juggling work (including looking after kids and animals in my case), making new friends, and trying to catch up on sleep is bound to be challenging.

In this post, I'll share a taste of my own experience balancing counsellor life with amazing travel opportunities, along with a few tips on how to make the most of your adventure.

Day-to-day life as a counsellor

As a counsellor, I worked on a ranch in San Diego, California, for three months. My responsibilities varied from taking care of campers, running activities, and line dancing, to feeding and maintaining the animals. These included horses, a pig called 'Mini Muffin,' sheep, chickens, an alpaca, and goats. One goat, in particular, named 'Siren,' was everyone's wake-up call, along with a Rodeo klaxon that echoed 'Yee-haw' at 6:30 am every morning.

For me, the best part of the day was lunch breaks. We would crank up the music, and all the counsellors, campers, staff, dogs, and even the sheriff himself joined in line dancing to the classics non-stop throughout lunch break.

Our day started at 7 am with a morning roll call at the flagpole before breakfast. Then, we'd clean and feed the animals. I personally looked after the goats, who were eagerly hungry and loud enough to make sure everyone knew it. The mornings were filled with activities, followed by lunch, afternoon activities, feeding and cleaning the animals again, dinner, and evening activities. At the end of the week, we'd gather for a big campfire with games and songs before getting ready for bed with a little flashlight time before falling asleep.

All in all, it was an eventful, non-stop hardworking but fun week. On the last day, we'd have a Rodeo to show the parents what the campers had been up to all week before seeing them all head home. We could then relax and enjoy our weekends, getting up to lots of adventures – enjoying the beach, indulging in In-N-Out burgers, getting lost in Target, attending American house parties, counsellor-only campfires, midnight ranch walks, and counsellor-only pool parties!

Travel experiences!

After the summer finished and all the campers were back in school, we international counsellors jumped on the opportunity to do a little travelling before flying back home. It was planned very last minute—we were booking the next hotel hours before leaving the one we were in—but the amazing memories will last forever.

One of the top places we visited in California was Disneyland in Anaheim. We spent every minute we could queuing up for rides, meeting characters, and exploring the new world of 'Star Wars,' even though we could barely walk the next day.

After Disneyland, we headed to a camper's house just outside of LA, where we were offered a place to stay. Being hosted by locals made the experience all the more exciting. We enjoyed the luxuries of a pool house with a jacuzzi and made more memories with the camper and her family outside of the ranch.

Finally, we headed up to San Francisco and stayed with another counsellor who was studying at Berkeley College. With a spare blow-up bed and couch, we were able to explore the campus, venture into San Francisco itself, and enjoy food delicacies from Chinatown and Japan town. We saw the Painted Ladies and enjoyed a sunset on Baker Beach with the Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop, all while arguing over who was winning at card games.

So, there you have it! My time in California as a camp counsellor was definitely a one-of-a-kind trip with many unexpected surprises. The best surprise was the long-lasting friendships made who I am still in contact with today now writing this blog two years later. We even meet up when we can from time to time across the world and keep in contact through social media of course.

Here are a few tips I’d want to know if I was going to do the experience all over again:

Prepare all the correct documentation thoroughly before going for your visa interview.
Research the area of where you will be staying and what you want to do there during weekends or if you have time to travel afterwards to get the most out of your trip.
Before heading to the camp, get in touch with fellow international counsellors through the agency before you leave, to arrive to familiar names and faces.

A backpackers travel tales

Wednesday, 22 October 2025