Global classrooms for diverse talents

by Kenny Chee and Dr Daphne Ng / Photos by Adriana LaVopa and Livio Tecchiati

University of Florida Materials Science and Engineering undergraduate Adriana LaVopa did a semester exchange at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

With dreams of pursuing a PhD, University of Florida Materials Science and Engineering undergraduate Adriana LaVopa was looking out for an overseas exchange where she could gain knowledge and skills that would go a long way in helping her build a career in research.

All signs pointed the young American to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore).

For a start, the modules offered by NTU at its School of Materials Science and Engineering mapped really well with those the final year student needed to take to graduate.

“Seeing that NTU is No. 2 in the world for Materials Science was definitely a plus,” says Adriana, adding that the quality of the classes she attended at the University was very high and a research project she undertook at NTU provided her invaluable training as she prepares to do her PhD.

She also wanted to study in and experience Singapore because the country is akin to a “mini Asia”, which she says has “a really vibrant and dynamic mix of different cultures coming together”.

Adriana is among the almost 3,500 inbound students that NTU welcomes each year. Overseas students seeking a world-class education experience in the heart of Asia can look forward to financial support at the University, too.

Going places

A hot spot for diverse and global talents, ideas and innovations, NTU attracts students from different corners of the world. 

These inbound students gain global perspectives and immerse themselves in different cultures at NTU, thanks to the University’s 8,300-strong faculty, researchers and staff who hail from 70 countries, and bring with them dynamic international perspectives and years of industry experience.

One of the world’s top young universities, NTU ranks 12th in the QS World University Rankings and 31st in the Times Higher Education Global Ranking, both published in 2025.

NTU is located in Singapore, one of the safest countries in the world which sits between East and West as a gateway to Asia. English is the working language in Singapore and classes are conducted in English at the University.

Safety is a priority for exchange students, observes Livio Tecchiati, an undergraduate student from the University of Bern in Switzerland.

“Even my female friends from home felt secure here, so we sometimes went for midnight walks,” he says, adding that it is not unusual to see students enjoying late-night snacks and leisurely strolls.

Undergraduate Livio Tecchiati from the University of Bern in Switzerland spent a semester on exchange at NTU taking literature and international relations modules

At NTU, exchange students can explore a broad range of learning experiences from schools with many ranked globally in the Top 10 in disciplines ranging from Materials Science and Electrical & Electronic Engineering, to Education and Communication & Media Studies.

Besides mingling with a variety of students including top scholars and international Olympiad medallists, exchange students can expect a host of cultural, social, intellectual, sporting and recreational activities. They range from K-pop dance to wildlife conservation.

“There are so many clubs to join, and it’s not just limited to sports, although the sports clubs, with activities like scuba diving, sailing and wakeboarding, are already impressively varied,” says Livio.

“Every other week, the University announces new themes like self-awareness, Earth or Art Week. Students pick a venue and organise engaging programmes complete with booths, live music and free food for anyone interested,” he adds.

Adriana enjoyed attending various activities on campus, too, such as dance classes, lunchtime concerts and a TEDxNTU event.

“The dance classes were really fun. Everyone was really welcoming, even though I didn’t really have dance experience,” says Adriana. “It was a fun time learning the choreography and interacting with other members of the class.”

Quality instruction

For Adriana, studying in a university well regarded in Materials Science has been a boon.

Amazing: that’s how University of Florida undergraduate Adriana LaVopa describes her lecturers at NTU where she did a semester exchange

One professor, she recalls, played an animated video explaining how hip replacement surgeries are done, during a lesson that covered ceramics used in hip prosthesis. “It really helped me connect what we were learning in class with actual applications that are affecting real patients today,” says Adriana. “My lecturers are amazing. Their enthusiasm and quality of instruction really come through.”

Seeing theory connect with practice was also an important aspect of a research project Adriana pursued during her NTU exchange.

Under the tutelage of NTU Assoc Prof Hortense Le Ferrand, Adriana worked on a project that used “bio-ink” to 3D print structures with potential construction applications. Fungi were later grown on the structures to strengthen them and they were nourished by nutrients in the ink.

“The research work helped me better understand concepts I learnt in class and how to execute them in practice,” she says, adding that it was very fulfilling seeing how what she did in the lab contributed towards a larger goal – an academic paper that the research team is preparing for publication in a scientific journal.

Melting pot of cultures

Another benefit of studying at NTU: experiencing a melting pot of cultures and languages. This was particularly important to Adriana as she is also doing a minor in Linguistics.

Back in the US, most people around her speak English. But in Singapore, she was able to see and hear different languages used daily in real-time.

“It’s a lot more tangible to experience firsthand how languages have the ability to influence how we think and approach the world. Seeing these different perspectives in Singapore was very enriching, compared to just learning about Linguistics from a textbook,” she explains.

The many cultural activities organised in NTU also added to her experience. She enjoyed seeing lanterns with lantern riddles hung up for the Mid-Autumn Festival and watching Indian dance performances during Deepavali festivities on campus.

Adriana enjoyed soaking in the Mid-Autumn Festival activities held on NTU’s campus

“Experiencing these celebrations in Singapore was really cool. There’s so much colour here in the environment and its people,” she says.

Would she recommend her friends to go on exchange at NTU?

“Absolutely. I’ve had such a good time here, honestly,” she quips. “The classes are high quality. The people here are so amazing and nice – my classmates, professors and everyone I’ve interacted with have been really welcoming. And the food here is really good, too; I’m going to miss dishes like kaya toast. There’re just so many reasons to come to NTU.”

Whether it is for a semester, a year or just the summer, NTU’s flagship GEM Trailblazer Programme opens the door to an unforgettable exchange experience in Singapore.

The University welcomes both undergraduate and postgraduate students from universities worldwide. Participants can spend one or two semesters studying, conducting research or both.

For those craving a shorter but equally enriching experience, there is the summer or research programme, which offers a dynamic blend of academic or research discovery and cultural exploration – the perfect taste of life at NTU.

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