FAQs

Welcome to our Southeast Asia Friendship Initiative (SFI) FAQs page!

General Information

What is the Southeast Asia (SEA) Friendship Initiative (SFI)?

Southeast Asia (SEA) Friendship Initiative (SFI) officially launched in May 2023 since AY2022/23 Special Term Part 1.

Designed for undergraduate (UG) students in residential units to read a credit-bearing course introducing them to a SEA country, complemented by a study trip to the targeted country with experiential learning in mind focusing on the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) theme and/or Innovation and Enterprise.

This initiative is being organized by 12 Residential Units, i.e., 6 Halls, 2 Houses and 4 Residential Colleges in collaboration with the Global Relations Office and Provost’s Office, with Southeast Asian Studies and Malay Studies Departments as academic hosts for SFI courses being offered to Halls and Houses.  

What is SFI2034 course?

Eusoff Hall provides EH residents the opportunity to take the SFI Course, which is a 4 credit-bearing course with experiential learning components that includes an overseas study trip.

Who is eligible and can sign up for this SFI2034 course?

All UG students living in Eusoff Hall being enrolled in full-time UG degree programmes i.e., local (Singapore citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident holder) and international students, who are paying tuition fees to NUS can apply to read SFI course only once during their candidature. This course is not applicable to non-graduate/exchange students.

What does SFI2034 course consist of?

1. Lectures (3 x 2 hours): Lectures are scheduled to occur during the weeks of 1, 2, and 9.
2. Tutorials (2 x 2 hours): Tutorials are planned for the weeks of 3 and 10.
3. Language Classes (5 x 2 hours): Language classes are scheduled for the weeks of 4 to 8.
4. Participants will be introduced to the country covering relevant aspects in history, population, government, politics and society, economy and heritage.
5. Overseas study trip (see below for more information)

When will the course be conducted?

When: Offered in Sem 2 AY2024/2025. Tentative dates: 17 - 26 May 2025 (after exam weeks)

Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Are the lectures and tutorials mandatory?

Yes, attendance for both lectures and tutorials is mandatory, as they are designed to enhance participants' learning experience and contribute to their overall assessment.

What are the key Learning Outcomes from the SFI2034 course?

1. Gain global and intercultural intelligence to appreciate the social and working norms in the specific SEA country.
2. Deepen their knowledge of the key development goals SDG(s), or Innovation & Enterprise in the target country/countries.
3. Learn about the significant local challenges to achieving specific SDGs, and what local solutions are being used by these communities.
4. Understand the intricacies of collaborations between Singapore and the country against the larger socio-economic backdrop of the region.
5. Expand the student’s social and professional networks to aid their future career prospects in the region.

What is the key difference between a regular course and the SFI2034 course?

1. Component of study trip and its focus of experiential learning whereby students are expected to apply and promote critical thinking through engagement with important sites, and two-way dialogues with representatives from universities, well-established organizations and community partners related to targeted SDGs or social enterprise, and government offices, in understanding and empathizing with the issues that are important to the community.
   
2. Students apply what they learn in classes to out of class through immersion learning, and real-life experiences.

How much does a participant need to pay for the trip?

The study trip is heavily subsidized by the University, hence as part of students’ commitments to the trip, there will be a co-payment required by each student (between $300 to $500 per student). The co-payment fee will cover air fare, ground transport, overseas accommodation, cultural activities and most meals.

Overseas Study Trip

How will the course be assessed?

1. Academic assessment: 50% to be graded by FASS
   - The 50% component may comprise of class participation, Group Project, Post-trip Group project, quizzes/ test and others.
2. Experiential learning assessment : 50% to be graded by EH
   - The other 50% component will be based on Immersion visit assessment (which may include group presentations and individual reflections).

Please note that the above may be subject to changes.

Is this course CS/CU or letter-graded?

1. All SFI courses offered are major-coded and credit-bearing. Students can read to full major or unrestricted elective (UE) requirement, and letter-graded on students’ transcripts.
2. Students may exercise the satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) option with the understanding that they are Malay Studies/SEA major students, and on the assumption that they have yet to exercise the S/U option for up to 32 Units for courses.

Any other questions?

Please email RF in charge, Mrs Rungnapa (clskr@nus.edu.sg) 

For more information on SFI, please visit NUS Global's SFI website by clicking here.