Starting Fresh in Singapore

 

It’s funny — after two years of living in Singapore, I’ve finally decided to start a new blog.

The journey since we moved here has been a mix of ups and downs. We relocated from Hong Kong, uncertain about the future of our jobs there. Singapore seemed like a natural choice — a new opportunity, a new culture, and hopefully, some stability.

When we arrived, one thing was clear: we didn’t want to live in an all-expat community. Not only was it financially out of reach, but more importantly, we wanted to integrate. I’m from the UK, my wife is from Japan, and we have two boys, Kai and Eita, now aged 6 and 7.

It was important for me not to become the kind of expat I’ve grown to dislike — someone who moves to another country, imposes their culture, and becomes defensive when challenged. Integration, to me, is crucial. It opens your eyes to what your own culture might be missing, and it creates real connection with the people around you.

When we first arrived in Singapore, we enrolled Kai and Eita in a local school. It was a great experience — we met local parents, shared stories, and got a real sense of everyday life here. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.

Kai has learning difficulties and doesn’t absorb information the same way as other children. Although the learning support teachers were fantastic, the amount of homework and external pressure made it tough for him to cope.

We eventually moved both boys to DPS (Delhi Public School), an affordable Indian school in Kovan. It’s been a positive change. The school has a friendly environment, and once again, our children are immersed in a different culture — not Western, not expat-heavy, but something unique to Singapore's diversity.

That’s a brief look into how our journey in Singapore began. I’ll be sharing more soon — stories, experiences, and reflections as we continue to find our place in this amazing country.