SINGAPORE: The talk may be all about how to help
foreigners fit in Singapore, but children of expatriates here seem
to find it relatively easy to integrate.
Some 56 per cent of expat parents said their children are
more socially integrated here than they were in their home
countries, according to the world's largest survey of expats, Expat
Explorer.
Not only did 71 per cent say their kids adapted "really well" to
the education system here (compared to the global average of 49 per
cent), 65 per cent said their children found it easy to make new
friends (global average 50 per cent).
Expat kids fit in easiest in Australia. In contrast, expat kids in
the United Kingdom and United States struggled the hardest to make
friends and integrate.
These were the findings of the second annual survey issued by HSBC
Bank International, which polled over 3,100 expats from more than
50 countries.
Overall, Singapore was ranked next best, behind Australia, for
expats to raise a family. Nine in 10 expat parents living here felt
they had moved to a safer, more childcare-friendly place for their
youngsters.
Three in four said education standards were better than in their
home country (global average 56 per cent), while 70 per cent felt
childcare had improved since moving here (global average 50 per
cent).
But the Republic was also rated one of the most expensive place to
raise a child - 60 per cent said they now spend more on
childcare.
As for providing an environment to raise healthy kids, expat
children in Singapore ate the least junk food, according to the
survey. But over a third tended to spend less time outdoors and
playing sports after moving here.
Overall, the UK was indicated as the worst country for childcare
and education.
Agreeing with the survey's findings was one expat based here - Mr
Sebastian Arcuri, HSBC Bank International's head of personal
financial services.
"As a father of three young children, all born in Singapore, I have
been able to experience first-hand how child-friendly Singapore is
and can vouch for the high standard of childcare available here,"
he said.
"I found it easy to enroll my children in local kindergartens and
international schools, which provide a quality education as well as
a conducive environment for them to make new friends and integrate
into the community here ... Having lived in five different
countries, I think Singapore is a great place to raise children and
I am very glad the survey confirms this."
- TODAY/sc