Singapore: Global Gateway Summer 2025 (First Impressions)

Hemanth I: “We’re not in Madison anymore” Moment

After landing in Singapore last week, one of the first activities we did was visit the Cloud Forest and Gardens by the Bay. It’s one thing to read about, watch videos, or look at images of an environment in another part of the world—but seeing, in person, the very things I wrote about in my scholarship application for this program felt quite literally surreal. Everyone who sees the beautiful nature and architecture just appreciate the sight in front of them, however there is more to the story.

After visiting Nanyang Technological University, one thing I realized is that Singapore’s insane architecture and nature aren’t just for show, but more importantly everything is designed to have a purpose and are used for very functional purposes. For example, some of the super trees are used to harvest solar energy and some of the remaining ones are used to fight Singapore’s problem of water scarcity.

Singapore’s insanely hot climate allows them to maximize the amount of solar energy they can use to help power their city. Another interesting thing I learned about Singapore is that although they have skyscrapers, beautiful greenery, and advanced shopping malls, they have almost no natural resources. In fact, Singapore purchases about 50% of their water supply from the neighboring country of Malaysia. Having to depend on another country for something so vital like water is never a good thing, so that is why some specific architecture and greenery is designed or placed specifically to catch water from rain which they later filter into clean drinking water.

The second I glimpsed these beautiful buildings and nature I knew I wasn’t in Madison anymore. However, the true appreciation and realization of being in another country across the world came when I understood the purpose behind why Singapore designed these views.