As a master's student arriving at SMU, what is the single most important thing to do from day one?

The mentor said do not stick to an Indian social circle. This was the same advice she gives to every incoming student she speaks with. It is natural to gravitate toward familiar culture, you are in the same professional situation as your Indian batchmates, you will be job hunting together, but if you have come all the way to Singapore, the most valuable thing you can do is deliberately build a network beyond the Indian community.

• For a master's student specifically, the degree is shorter than an undergraduate program so the window for professional networking is compressed.
• Join networking events from day one, this is the most direct way to build connections that are professionally useful in Singapore.
• The mentor's network of Singaporeans has opened doors for her that purely Indian connections would not have.
• Being in an Indian group can also create herd mentality around social plans, being more selective about how you spend your time matters more in a shorter programme.