Chinese Singaporeans are fairly Chinese speaking. Most have the
ability to converse and write in passable Chinese, even the English
speaking crowd that is SMU. Their spoken Chinese is of a low
standard, but is easy to learn, especially for a beginner.
Ironically your learning Chinese from them will be hampered by
their even poorer standard of English, which makes for very poor
and incomplete explanations.
I would instead suggest you have a good time while you're here.
Be fun and hang out with the party crowd at SMU. Exchange students
don't come here to study at all. Grades earned here don't count
towards your grade point average. So plan on taking the harder
mandatory credits here and aim just to pass.
Many Singaporeans have a reflexive anti-Americanism that they
can't explain having. Some of it comes from identifying with China
or resentment of sometimes obnoxious American expats here. But you
won't encounter this at the personal level, much less with
university age people. Most people know very little about your
country (or any other) and aren't inclined to know. You will
however be seen by taxi drivers as a schmuck. So have a friend show
you around on buses and trains which will take you almost anywhere
or at least ride cabs with you.
Four months is way too long. We're a boring, and small, city
except with less cultural depth than a hamlet. It is as sterile a
"city" as it's reputed to be. If you're into tourist attractions,
none are "organic". You'll find your local friends very into food,
and showing you the local tastes and little else. That's because
we're a small, congested country with little room (physical and
legal) for any other pursuit. We live in tiny apartments and don't
own cars. There's lots of very affordable travel to neighbouring
countries on weekends though. And you'll find few Singaporeans
nearly as introspective as I am. I fully expect to be slammed and
flamed for my honest comments here. You pay the flamers no
attention, no one at SMU is as uncool as to express it in
person.
Most Singaporeans have personal insecurities towards people of
western origin (including asian western-nationals) and readily
defer. This especially applies to girls so have a great time with
them. They will however make a weak pretense of having "pride" in
front of "westerners". It's a form of over-compensation.
You'll want to live as close to school (or transportation nodes)
as possible because weather here is hot and humid. The hostels you
mentioned are not within walking or biking distance but Pearls Hill
is very accessible by bus from school. It's in a noisy, congested
neighbourhood though. Carlisle is relatively more inconvenient but
quieter, with some walking on both ends of a short train ride and
would be my choice. Be careful where you chain up your bike. Your
person is very safe in Singapore, but bikes do get stolen.
I could think of better places for an exchange term. But if you
want an English-speaking country offering exposure to the growth
part of Asia and where the course work is easy and you can party,
Singapore's your place.
Thank you Alize, I appreciate your comprehensive and honest
response :)