Ten Sure Signs You Are At An International School in Singapore

"Please, sir, I want some more..."

A few weeks ago, I was invited to give a writing workshop at one of the better known international school in Singapore. As expected, it was great fun to meet such an engaged group of students. Afterwards, over a delicious meal of naan and curry, I wondered if there were any tell tale signs that I was at one of those landmark institutions in Singapore: the international school. 

Here's what I noticed:

1) The kids' sneakers cost more than my handbag.

2) There's an olympic sized pool.

3) There's kayaking for P.E.

4) Students walk around with water bottles. You know, for the drought you haven't heard about yet.

5) Lunchtime looks like a mini UN convention.

6) Kids have a hard time pronouncing their best friend's name. 

7) Field trips include skiing in the Alps and trekking in the Himalayas.

8) Kids only see their grandparents on skype.

9) On the day back from school holidays, most kids walk around in a jetlagged stupor.

10) The canteen has its own clay pot tandoori oven (see photo above).