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Expat clubs in Singapore

Expat clubs can make a significant contribution in helping you settle in a foreign country you have recently moved to - Singapore being no exception. Considering Singapore's modern westernised environment, wide use of English and cosmopolitan socio-cultural fabric, it is often regarded as an easy country to adjust to when relocating from elsewhere. Yet, one can never discount that there is an inevitable culture shock that every newcomer experiences and invariable adjustments have to be made in order to settle in. Most of us resort to our own coping strategies and reaching out to members of our community is an instinctive and effective mechanism. This is where expat clubs come into play by offering you a venue to get in touch with like minded members from your community.

While some are hesitant to join these clubs, most expats (especially from countries like USA, Europe, Australia) consider it a great means of expanding friendships and accelerating the settling-in process. Most clubs are open to all nationalities and tend to have a central focus - providing entertainment, promoting socio-cultural, sports and special interest activities. You not only make new friends and begin feeling at home in Singapore, but you also have opportunities to discover Singapore, develop new skills and of course have fun.

If you are looking to join an expat club or association, this guide will serve as a search tool guiding you to the respective club's informational website.

Why join an expat club or association?

There are several benefits of joining a club or association that caters to your community. Some of the common benefits include:

  • Helps you build relationships with like minded members of your community
  • Provides networking and socialising opportunities with diverse members across different communities
  • Most members are likely to have experienced what you are currently going through on your arrival and stay in Singapore. Hence they act as a support system and can help you cope with the new environment you find yourself in
  • Most clubs offer attractive membership benefits and several facilities and activities which can prove to be beneficial to you over a long period of time
  • Helps you stay connected to your cultural roots as almost all expat clubs celebrate major festivals and events unique to the culture of the community they represent

The only possible drawback of joining a club is the high initial membership fee that you need to fork out. There are various membership schemes that most clubs offer. Life membership fee and term membership fee varies across clubs. Life membership fee ranges from SGD 5000 - SGD 10,000 and can even go up to as high an amount as SGD 20,000. Term membership fee, say for a one year period, ranges between SGD 2000 - SGD 5000. Apart from the membership fee, a monthly subscription fee of approximately SGD 100 - SGD 200 will apply.

The membership fees for associations is much lower and is normally under SGD 300. Associations, unlike clubs are much smaller in size and although they organise several activities for the community to engage in, they seldom offer the facilities that clubs do.

Common facilities offered by clubs

Most of the expat clubs located in Singapore offer the following facilities:

  • F & B Outlets
  • Bowling Alleys
  • Gymnasiums
  • Swimming Pools
  • Tennis Courts
  • Squash Courts
  • Library
  • Children's Play Area
  • Gaming room (popularly known as the jackpot room)

Note: Most expat associations do not offer the above mentioned facilities. However, they do organise regular activities for the community and serve as an excellent support group.

Finding your expat club/association

Most clubs have a membership base that comprises of several nationalities. However the majority of members will belong to the community that the club represents. Some of the popular expat clubs include:

There are several expat associations set up for most communities. These include:

Other Related Topics

Singapore Immigration | EntrePass | Employment Pass


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