Milaap 2011

Register

Registration for Milaap 2011 is closed.

Schedule

Milaap 2011 will be held from 5 August to 8 August 2011. Don't worry, we'll make sure it doesn't clash with NTU's other compulsory events!

Timeline for Milaap 2011

Registration and Ice-breaking Session

Date: 5 August 2011
Time: 7.00 pm - 9.30 pm
Venue: Hall 12 Function Hall

Flag Painting

Date: 5 August 2011
Time: 9.30 pm - 11 pm
Venue: North Spine

Heritage Appreciation and Learning Experience

Date: 6 August 2011
Time: 9.00 am - 11.30 am

Island Wide Amazing Race

Date: 6 August 2011
Time: 11.30 am - 6.30 pm
Venue: Singapore

Sports Day @ Sentosa Island

Date: 7 August 2011
Time: 8.30 am - 5.00 pm
Venue: Sentosa

Performance Night

Date: 8 August 2011
Time: 6.00 pm - 9.30 pm
Venue: Hall 12 Function Hall

About

What is Milaap?

"Milaap" is an annual orientation camp organized by IUC India, which aims to ease them into their new lifestyle. Adjusting to a new place can be quite challenging, and we hope to make this challenge a little more fun by guiding freshmen through the process of adapting and adjusting to their new surroundings at NTU and Singapore.

At Milaap 2011, you will get to know your batchmates (you'll realize just how many there are once you get here) through a busy weekend of games and activities planned by us. You'll also get to interact with your seniors at the same time – maybe even gain a few "pearls of wisdom" from them!

While you get to know all these people around you, get ready to have a great time touring the campus and the city. There is a campus-wide treasure hunt (it's exercise time – the campus is huge!), a city-wide Amazing Race that will leave you panting, games and maybe even a few surprises. Take a look at our schedule to get an idea of what's in store.

Who are we?

Milaap is a camp organized by SU IUC India – basically, students from second year and up who started out at NTU quite the same as you will be, i.e. wondering whether to hang your laundry out and risk getting it wet in the rain, or spend $1 to use the dryer.

Apart from organizing and conducting Milaap activities, we all will be available to answer your queries about NTU, from setting up bank accounts and submitting fees to getting around campus and finding the tastiest food.

We're all really looking forward to seeing you at Milaap!

Download the Milaap 2011 pamphlet.

Committee

View the committee page. (opens in a new window)

Ask Us

Ask us any questions and we will reply as soon as possible. Do go through the Frequently Asked Questions first – your query may have been answered already!

Ask a question. (opens in a new window)

FAQ

In case you have any queries not answered on the FAQ, ask us a question here or email us at ntumilaap@gmail.com. We'll add more questions to this list as they keep rolling in.

Getting Started

How do I open a bank account? Which bank should I choose?

OCBC Bank and DBS Bank are probably the two most common options for opening a bank account.

OCBC is convenient as there is a branch on campus – all bank operations including cash deposit can be done on campus.
DBS has branches in India and may be more convenient for money transfer from India. The list of DBS branches in India can be found at http://www.dbs.com/dbsgroup/global_offices/default.aspx#india.
The DBS branch nearest to NTU is at the Jurong Point Shopping Centre (#B1-20, JP1 Jurong Point Shopping Centre, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore).

In addition to these , there is also a Citibank ATM and a State Bank of India ATM on campus.

To open a bank account, all you need to do is to visit any branch of the bank and fill in the requisite forms and attach supporting documents. Some banks require account holders to maintain a minimum balance (e.g. OCBC requires a minimum balance of $1000 for a statement savings account), while others may not or may have different requirements.

How much cash should I bring for initial expenditures?

Initial expenses would include paying for medical fees, buying basic necessities for your room, topping your transport EZ link card, etc.

Students on the SIA-NOL scholarship should be able to manage with around $1000- $1500 for initial expenses as they will get their scholarship money within a few weeks of arrival – having $2000 should be more than enough.

Students not on scholarship should bring around $3000 for their initial expenses, as mentioned in the NTU 2011 Guide for New International Students.

Milaap

Why should I attend this camp?

This camp is a great opportunity for you to meet new people in a friendly environment. Such orientation camps are crucial for integrating into university life. You can make friends without Milaap, but Milaap just makes it a lot easier.

Interacting with seniors and other peers will allow you to get a better understanding of NTU. The seniors can especially give you important information and tips about NTU from their experience so far.

Lastly, come for the fun! Even if you don't learn anything (which is highly unlikely), you'll get to have some fun over the weekend, and we think that's always a great thing!

Does registering for Milaap mean that I have to compulsorily take part in other Indian activities in my freshman year?

No, Milaap is an independent event. It does not affect participation in any other event, Indian or otherwise, in NTU.

What is the camp all about?

This 3-day camp organized by SU IUC India basically makes freshmen go through a series of bonding activities, games and team building exercises so that they can meet new people in their batch. It also allows freshmen to interact with their seniors and have lots of fun.

Similar to many faculty orientation camps, this one too aims to foster stronger ties within batch mates and in the Indian community in NTU.

My faculty organizes its own faculty orientation camp. If I'm attending that or similar activities, should I still go for Milaap?

There is not a cap on the number of camps a freshman can attend in NTU. We encourage freshmen to attend as many camps as possible.

However, we welcome you to Milaap because it is a unique experience tailored to the likes and needs of new Indian foreign students. Students will get to meet other friends from the same community and it will definitely be a valuable experience.

Food and Lifestyle

Where is Indian food available on campus?

You can get Indian food at the following canteens: A, B, 1 and 11. North Indian food is sold at Canteen 11 while Canteen B's Indian stall sells South Indian food. Canteen A's stall sells a mix of both South and North Indian food.

Is Indian food readily available near/around NTU?

There are Indian stalls in nearby hawker centres, and Jurong Point, a central mall located in the Boon Lay neighbourhood, has an Indian restaurant as well.

I am a vegetarian. What are the food choices available for me?

Being vegetarian is manageable in NTU. Apart from the Indian stalls that sell a range of Indian vegetarian food, there is Chinese vegetarian also sold. Also, fast food outlets like MacDonald's, Subway, Canadian Pizza and the eatery, Palette (within NTU) ensures that you will have choices.

Alternatively, you could cook in the pantries available in your hostel. Each hostel has a few pantries in the blocks and this makes cooking a few small dishes possible.

Miscellaneous

I would like to work part-time in Singapore. If I want to earn some money while pursuing my university studies, what are the options available to me?

The NTU website has a part-time job portal (accessible via StudentLink) where students can apply for jobs under the Work Study scheme (e.g. a job in the library).
Students can also work off campus in various places including fast food joints like Subway.

Undergraduates working part-time on campus under the Work Study Scheme may work a maximum of 14 hours a week during term time and nine hours a day or 44 hours a week during the vacation. Further information can be obtained NTU's Student Jobs page.

Do I need to bring formal clothes for first year?

We suggest that you bring a set, in case you add business electives for Year 1 or if you need it for an event in the course of a semester.

How are the laundry facilities?

There are multiple laundry rooms in every hall, where you can wash your clothes in the washing machines provided. You have to use your own detergent. Some halls also provide dryers, but you have to pay $1 per use. There are laundry lines for you to dry your clothes and ironing facilities as well.

Milaap Guide

The Milaap Guide provides you with information on surviving on the island we call NTU (it's quite easy, really!). From which laptop to buy to where to find vegetarian food on campus, we've got you covered. Keep checking back for new articles!

1. Let's Go Shopping! (opens in a new window)
   All you need to know about shopping in and around NTU.
2. What's Packing? (opens in a new window)
   Tips on what to pack.
3. Getting a Mobile Connection in Singapore (opens in a new window)
   Learn about getting a mobile connection in Singapore.

Photo Gallery

A little peek into Milaap and life at NTU.

Useful Links

These are some handy links to resources that you can go through for more information.

1. NTU Undergraduate Admissions
2. NTU Freshmen Survival Guide
3. Freshmen Admissions Handbook 2011/2012 (pdf)
4. ISC Guides to Getting Started at NTU
5. 2011 Guide for New International Students
6. NTU - Undergraduate Admission Events Facebook page
7. NTU Map (pdf)

Sponsors

Sponsored By

SBI

Social Development Network (SDN)

Co-sponsored By

FRANK by OCBC

McDonald's - NTU

Supported By

NTU Student Affairs Office
NTU Alumni Affairs Office

Contact

In case you have any queries not answered on the FAQ, do email us at ntumilaap@gmail.com or use the box on the Ask Us page.

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