Last semester at QMUL, we analyzed case studies of European companies hemorrhaging budgets on unnecessary business travel. It struck me then: if I’m learning about economics and finance, why aren’t we questioning the economics of how we travel itself?
My placement in Singapore offers a perfect testing ground for this. Singapore’s already ahead its Smart Nation initiative shows how Asian cities are leapfrogging traditional models. The city-state ranks first globally in the UN E-Government Development Index, proving that digital infrastructure can fundamentally reshape how we move and work. I want to study this firsthand, but I’m committed to practicing what I’ll be learning about strategic resource allocation.
Here’s my approach: I’ll take the train to my departure airport rather than a connecting flight. Small? Maybe. But rail travel produces 80% less CO2 than flying equivalent distances, and it’s about building habits that scale. Once in Singapore, I’ll rely on their exceptional public transport the MRT is faster than taxis anyway, and with 85% of peak-hour trips made via public transport, I want to experience the city how locals do, not through car windows.
The real test is integrating this into my academic work. For my Asia Pacific Business module, I’m planning to research how regional companies are embedding sustainability into their supply chains post-pandemic. McKinsey’s 2023 survey found that 70% of Asia-Pacific executives now consider ESG integration critical to competitive advantage this isn’t fringe anymore, it’s economic reality. Instead of theoretical desk research, I’ll visit local social enterprises, use virtual collaboration tools to connect with businesses across ASEAN, and document how digital transformation actually reduces the need for carbon-heavy regional travel.
I’m also pushing myself beyond the obvious. Singapore’s hawker centres are UNESCO-listed for good reason eating local isn’t just sustainable, it’s smarter economics. Understanding local food systems teaches you more about supply chains and market efficiency than any textbook. The city’s “30 by 30” goal to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030 shows how resource constraints drive innovation exactly the kind of real-world case study you can’t get in a London classroom.
Will I get everything right? Probably not. But that’s the point of an international placement to test economic theories in real contexts, make mistakes, learn, and bring back insights that actually matter. The UN SDGs aren’t just policy goals; they’re increasingly priced into markets and corporate valuations.
I want to come back not just with completed coursework, but with a practical framework for sustainable international study that other foundation students can actually use. Because the future of global education isn’t about flying more it’s about connecting smarter and spending resources wisely.
References:
Smart Nation Singapore – www.smartnation.gov.sg
UN E-Government Survey 2022 – publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/reports/un-e-government-survey-2022
European Environment Agency: Rail and Waterborne Transport – www.eea.europa.eu/publications/rail-and-waterborne-transport
Land Transport Authority Singapore: Master Plan 2040 – www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/who_we_are/our_work/land_transport_master_plan_2040.html
McKinsey: Does ESG Really Matter – www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/does-esg-really-matter-and-why
Singapore Food Agency: 30 by 30 – www.sfa.gov.sg/food-farming/sgfoodstory
UN Sustainable Development Goals – sdgs.un.org/goals
