Foundermom. Relocating the family.
Singapore special edition. By Kaidi Ruusalepp, CEO of Funderbeam.
It has now been 3 months since I moved with my husband and kids (8 and 11) to Singapore. It wasn’t an easy decision at all. To pack our life and routines up (yes, it sounds silly) and to start all over in a new setting. But then again — if you look at it as an adventure, then maybe this is doable, after all. So far, it is very good and it HAS been a full-scale adventure!
It all started with founding Funderbeam, the funding and trading platform for private companies. As the company is operating in a regulation-heavy business, we decided to apply for an operating license from Singapore in order to achieve global scale.
It’s another story, to explain ‘why Singapore’, but in short — Singapore provides the necessary trust and understanding of the new business model of securities trading that we operate. On submitting the license application, it was clear that one top figure from the company has to relocate there. To secure the business and scale in the region, ASEAN.
First, I didn’t like the idea at all. I mean — Estonia is my home, all the family and company related routines are in Tallinn — I have invested significantly to set it all up so that kids can go to school easily, our social network is there, and we have a beautiful home to finish the list with. But then my husband, who has lived a third of his life abroad, and then followed by my kids, convinced me we absolutely have to move. I have been travelling to Singapore once a month for the last year, so I had some idea where we’re heading to.
So ok, but where do you start? Believe me, business is the easiest in this list since Funderbeam already had an office and one staff member in place.
Start with finding a school for the kids
School. That is where it all starts. You need to find a good school for your kids and then find a home close to the school. Not vice versa. That was the first advice given to me by several expat friends in Singapore and it is absolutely sound advice (for anyone planning to relocate here). School first, home second (may be difficult to follow only in SF and Bay area. 😊 We compiled a list of 10+ international schools in Singapore from locals and expats and the Expat Living magazine (oh yes, the source of all secrets in Singapore!). Then launched a study of school websites. PS! To all international schools — the landing page gives the first feeling of your school and the second impression is the UX. Only the third or the fourth is what the school is about…
We decided to pick a school that fits best for our two boys’ personalities, not the best ranking school. So, we ended up taking entry tests to the Nexus International School (with some help from their school in Estonia, Audentes). The kids were accepted immediately and we have not had a single regret so far!
Nexus International School uses only computers for studies and supports heavily kids’ creativity. At first, it is strange for parents coming from a school system heavy with textbooks and formulas but, to be honest, that was one of the main criteria that made us choose Nexus. Kids obviously love it at school — 28 nationalities and at every break, you’re outdoors! The fun fact about Nexus school is that they are building a new campus. Their science lab for kids will be the largest school lab in the whole world and now the school has a challenge — how to fill it and make it work both for teachers and kids. 😊
At the end of the first semester we had a chance to talk to every single teacher of the Secondary School and what we heard, was just impressive.
Music teacher: “Hendrik is doing just good. He has joined in very smoothly and he loves music. I am very pleased with the piece of music he is composing.”
Me: “He is composing what?!?”
Music teacher: “A piece of music. In our music class we listen, perform and create. His piece of music is fascinating. Hendrik is now working on the visual design for the piece.”Humanities teacher: “Hendrik is doing good. But he needs to understand that there is not always truth in every story. We study Tollund man and kids had to write their own story of it. Hendrik was one of the boys who wrote their story as the final truth. But there is none. What I wanted them to do is to create their story, illustrate it with photos and graphs, find the source of the statements, (hyper)link it to the source and prove their story is true. Hendrik needs to learn this more.”
Me: “ … /Silence in astonishment/”
With Teodor, the younger one, the main issue was the language. He basically could only speak and write very basic (I mean really-really basic) text in English before entering Nexus. His teacher gave us feedback that Teodor still needs to practice his writing and reading as it is not yet there. I had to confess how we tricked the system (a bit) to get him accepted (I’m so sorry!) and we both agreed Teodor’s development has been remarkable.
So — once the school is set, kids love the school and you see the progress, rest of the life in Singapore is a piece of cake. Like the internet connection, which is surprisingly slow for this country; that connecting the gas takes weeks; that initial setting-up costs (SIM card fees, deposit to the gas and electricity company, etc) is a massive burden to your cash flow; that there is a rule for basically everything, and that it rains when it rains (every day).
Nevertheless, Singapore is one of those countries where they welcome you as you are and, actually, things get going easy. Even getting the EP (Employment Pass) from the Ministry of Manpower was one of the top service experiences I have experienced in my life!
Find a good real estate agent
The second lesson learned is to find a good real estate agent for finding you an apartment. Ask them to do the list of available properties based on your criteria and you will end up saving so much time (and in the end — money!). In Singapore, the agents do the full list of viewing for your preferred days, agree the schedule, drive you around (we could view 13 apartment is 2 short days!) and once decided — help to negotiate and help with taking over the apartment. Our agent noticed every single (tiny little) scratch on the doors and floors that I even wouldn’t consider or just didn’t see.
Connect with the expat community ASAP
Plug in as fast as possible to the expat community. This is the source of all the advice you need. How and where to shop, the best butcher in town, cleaning ladies, doctors, the best places to visit, where NOT to go and most importantly — there is always someone selling off their furniture when relocating from Singapore. There are many bargains to be had for pre-loved furniture. We urgently needed a dining table and chairs once we had gotten the keys to our apartment, and within a day there was someone offering a full set for 150S$ (which is like 90€).
Network, network, network
The fourth lesson — start networking in the local business community. Because at the end of the day your social network is the strongest capital. Especially, when living outside of your homeland.
Don’t think twice
If you ever have a chance to relocate, even for a year, just do it! It is an eye-opening life experience, full of new people, cultures, food and emotions. Having founded a business in a small country, even if this is super tech-savvy Estonia, your global business connections are actually out there in the big world and this you will understand fully only once you have become an expat.
And the final advice — don’t ever underestimate your kids! They are the source of life, confidence and comfort. And you can actually rely on them when going through some hard times.
