Singapore: A Beautiful Blend of Order and Diversity
By: Xinzhao Xie (SP2 ’26)
GRIP: Lien Centre for Social Innovation in Singapore
Singapore is one of the most unique places I’ve ever experienced. It’s not just a country — it’s also a city, and somehow it manages to feel both global and local at the same time. Located near the equator, it’s warm and humid all year round. The weather changes fast — one moment you’re walking under bright blue skies with clouds floating lazily above, the next you’re caught in a heavy downpour. Mornings often begin with golden sunshine that gives you a sense of energy, and by the time you’re heading home in the evening, the sea breeze cools you down and helps you unwind.
What really makes Singapore stand out is its people. It’s incredibly multicultural. You see people from all over the world — East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the West — all living, working, and sharing space together. What’s amazing is how naturally it all fits. There’s a calm, welcoming vibe when you walk around. You don’t feel like an outsider, no matter where you’re from. It feels safe, respectful, and easy to breathe.
Even though the population is super diverse, everything somehow runs smoothly. The city is clean, quiet, and extremely well-organized. People follow the rules without needing to be told. There’s no eating or drinking on the subway, and everyone waits patiently for the bus or to cross the street. The order isn’t forced — it feels like a shared understanding.
But behind the clean streets and modern buildings, you can see the more complicated side of Singapore too. It’s a wealthy country, but not everyone is rich. There’s a clear gap between high earners and ordinary working people. Some live in futuristic apartments covered in plants — beautiful, eco-friendly buildings that cost a fortune. Others live in HDB flats, which are government-built apartments designed to be affordable. These flats are packed and practical, and they house the majority of Singaporeans, as well as many foreign workers and students.
The same contrast shows up in the food scene. You can have fancy, Michelin-starred meals in luxury restaurants, or grab equally delicious food from tiny hawker stalls — no air-conditioning, plastic tables, but full of life and flavor. Both are part of the real Singapore.
What I love most about Singapore is how it brings all these contrasts together. It’s clean but full of energy, strict but welcoming, high-tech yet deeply human. It’s not perfect, but it’s carefully designed, thoughtfully balanced, and genuinely inspiring.
In a world that often feels chaotic, Singapore shows that diversity and order don’t have to clash. They can, in fact, make each other stronger.
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