#NOC

INBOUND unfiltered

JANUARY 2023

International University - vietnam national university

wHY THE NOC INBOUND PROGRAMME?

I am Sam Nguyen, 22 years old, majoring in Business Administration with a specialisation in International Business at International University-Vietnam National University (IU-VNU). I am passionate about supporting startups in their growth and development and therefore chose to participate in the NOC Inbound Programme. It offers a unique opportunity by combining an internship experience at a startup and entrepreneurship courses at NUS which allows me to make the most out of my time overseas. Also, Singapore is renowned for its thriving start-up scene and entrepreneurial culture, so participating in the NOC Inbound programme will offer me invaluable insights of the vibrant ecosystem.

how did you apply?

The application process begins first with applying through IU-VNU. I submitted an application including my CV and motivation letter in English, transcripts, certificate of English proficiency, and a scanned copy of a valid passport. IU-VNU reviews all applications and nominates students to NUS. Upon nomination, a briefing was held by the NOC Inbound Programme Manager to share on the CV format, application to NUS and the internship placement process with the companies.

Thereafter, I went through a series of interviews with the start-ups. It was a challenging process with my fair share of ups and downs, accompanied by feelings of uncertainty. However, after multiple interviews, with the support and advice of the NOC Programme Manager, I eventually secured an internship placement with a company.

I also applied to NUS as a Non-Graduating student and then to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for my Student Pass. As I was intending to stay on-campus, I also applied to N-House. I completed the NUS student registration formalities, obtained a Student's Pass, and secured a place at N-House. The process of application for all of these involves several steps and timelines, but by following the guidance provided in detail, it was manageable.

what did you do on the programme?

My weekdays followed a fairly structured routine. I would start by waking up and preparing for the day ahead. Occasionally, I would meet up with fellow residents from N-house and engage in casual conversations over breakfast. I would then commute to work by bus, which typically takes around 45 minutes. For lunch, I often enjoyed the mouth-watering food options available at the nearby hawker center. At work, my primary focus was on research and deal sourcing. In the mornings, I would immerse myself in the latest news, conduct industry and start-up research, and then reach out to potential start-ups to set up meetings with them. In the afternoons, I would engage in meetings with the start-ups I had scheduled the previous week to familiarise myself with their business models, understand their operations, and note down key meeting takeaways. Once I finished my tasks, I would commute back to the hall, join my NOC Inbound programme friends for dinner. Afterwards, I would spend some time preparing for the following day before sleeping.

On weekends, my schedule varies based on any ongoing academic commitments. If I have classes or assignments, I would allocate time to complete them and prepare for upcoming classes. In-between when there are breaks from classes, I would relax and recharge by socialising and spending quality time with friends. Sometimes, we would go trekking, visit cafes, have a good dinner, and in general explore Singapore.

During the programme, I had the opportunity to attend numerous entrepreneurship events that enriched my experience. One of the interesting events I attended was a sharing session led by a N-house Resident who shared his experience with venture capital and private equity. This session was particularly insightful as it helped me gain a broader perspective on the journey of start-ups, the different sources of funding and support available to them, and provided me with information on the various career paths I could pursue.

How were classes at nus like?

For the course related to my internship at the company, I worked diligently and documented my experience into a comprehensive logbook and report. Additionally, I had the opportunity to present my work to the assessor and programme manager who shared constructive feedback and valuable advice. This course provided me an opportunity to reflect on my professional journey, including the tasks I accomplished and the achievements I have attained. It also allowed me to identify areas in which I could further improve myself and was a significant contributor to my personal and professional growth.

For the entrepreneurship related course at NUS, this was an on-campus class on new venture creation. Through various class workshops and assignments, our Professor guided us through a framework of how new ventures were created. We were also introduced to a variety of useful and interconnected frameworks that helped us structure and validate our ideas. This class challenged my previous belief that the start-up process is always characterised by ambiguity and vagueness. I gained further clarity on how to navigate the intricacies of starting a venture.

any tips for settling into singapore?

Housing: My top choice for housing was N-house. Since I arrived in Singapore alone, I wanted to connect with a community and make new friends. Additionally, living in a hall was more cost-effective compared to renting housing off-campus. Being budget-conscious, I hoped to utilise my internship stipend to partially cover my living expenses, which makes N-house the ideal option for me.

Transportation: I relied heavily on Google Maps and NUS NextBus to navigate. NUS NextBus was particularly useful for checking NUS bus routes and arrival times within campus. The key thing is to pay close attention to the signs and information displayed at the MRT stations or in unfamiliar areas, which were helpful in navigating the train routes and finding my way around the city.

Food: For breakfast and dinner, I mainly enjoyed my meals at the dining hall, so I don't have any specific comments about the food there. However, I highly recommend exploring the food courts in Utown or at each NUS faculty, as well as visiting the various hawker centers throughout Singapore. Additionally, many shopping malls have food courts that provide reasonably priced options. The key is to keep an open mind when it comes to food, embrace the diverse culinary experiences that Singapore has to offer, even if some may not align with your personal taste preferences. If you happen to miss Vietnamese cuisine, there are numerous Vietnamese restaurants in the city that you can discover and try.

Shopping for Daily Needs: On my first day in Singapore, I was fortunate to receive support from one of the N-house Resident Assistants. She accompanied me to VivoCity Mall to purchase the necessary items. Since then, I have continued to buy essential items from VivoCity and Clementi Mall. Additionally, I found online shopping platforms like Shopee to be quite convenient. Simply changing the phone location setting to Singapore allowed me to order daily necessities with ease.

Tissue for hawker centers: When visiting hawker centers, it's helpful to carry tissue with you. It's common practice to reserve a table by placing tissue on it, signaling that it is occupied. This unique cultural aspect ensures you have a place to sit and enjoy your meal.

Left-side etiquette: In Singapore, it is customary to walk on the left side of paths and elevators, leaving the right side free for people who need to pass quickly. This is in contrast to Vietnam, where people generally walk on the right side.

Adaptors for power plugs: Prepare adapters with three square prongs as Singapore's power plugs differ from Vietnam's that are two square prongs. Having multiple adapters will ensure you can easily plug in your devices without any inconvenience.

Be prepared for unpredictable weather: Singapore's weather can be unpredictable, so it's advisable to carry an umbrella with you at all times. Sudden rain including heavy thunderstorms can occur throughout the day. While they typically disappear quickly, having an umbrella on hand will ensure you can stay dry and not have your plans disrupted.

Bring a jacket and water bottle: While Singapore's weather is hot and humid just like in Vietnam, indoor areas such as offices and malls tend to have air conditioning set to low temperatures. It's vital to carry a light jacket or cardigan. This will help you adapt to cooler indoor environments without experiencing drastic shifts in body temperature when moving between indoor and outdoor areas. Additionally, carrying a water bottle will keep you hydrated and prevent thirst, especially when walking a lot under the hot weather.

your biggest takeaway?

I had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship. One of the most significant takeaways for me was the importance of customer discovery in the start-up process. I learned that it is crucial to thoroughly understand the true needs of the target market before developing or scaling a product or service. By engaging with potential customers and gathering feedback, start-ups can refine their offerings and increase the chances of achieving product-market fit.

Another key lesson learnt is the significance of keeping the initial idea and business model focused and simple. Start-ups often face the FOMO to add numerous features or expand into multiple markets right from the start. However, I think that simplicity and a clear value proposition are essential in the early stages. By focusing on a specific problem and providing an effective solution, start-ups can establish a strong foundation for future growth.

are you our next enterprising

noc inbound student?