the exchange student's survival guide to singapore

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Useful information for exchange students on how to survive your stay in Singapore. Enjoy the read! Written and published by ESN SG.

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Page 1: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

/groups/esnsg2014

Page 2: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

1

WELCOME TO SINGAPORE!

A study period abroad on exchange is an exciting prospect, but planning for it can be a daunting experience. Where will I live? How do I get around? Where do I go for a good night out without tearing a hole in my pocket? Will I successfully learn Singlish? Who will feed my pet turtle while I’m away?! Thankfully, you won’t have to face these issues all by yourself. Having been international students ourselves, we understand your needs and are here to help you make the most of your stay in Singapore! The most expensive city in the world, home of the best airport, the country where it is illegal to chew gum: these are but some things you might have heard about Singapore. As true as those things may be, rest assured there is much more that this sunny little island has to offer! a bustling metropolitan city state, Singapore prides itself on its high standard of living, efficient public transportation system, and intricate multiculturality. Because of that, the country offers what is arguably the most diverse selection of cuisines, all of them available at affordable prices. Singapore is also the perfect launchpad for your travels around Southeast Asia, with several budget airlines operating from our airport. In this guide, we give you a crash course on how to survive your exchange in Singapore. You will find tips on how to look for off-campus accommodation, suggestions on where to find authentic Singaporean cuisine and a listing of events for exchange students. If what you’re looking for is not in these pages, feel free to connect with us through our Facebook Group; we will be happy to help you! Meet the Team Sabrina is a 23 year-old DJ and event organiser. She got involved in the international atmosphere during her studies at Singapore Management University, and while on exchange in Madrid. Having organised events since she was 15, Sabrina went on to throw some of Singapore’s biggest inter-university beach parties for international students in 2012 and 2013.

Born and raised in Singapore, Gaffar has been involved with international students for years. A student of Communication in Rotterdam, he has been an active member of the pan-European organisation Erasmus Student Network for three years. Besides travelling, Gaffar has a passion for all things food, and loves cooking up a storm in the kitchen!

We hope you find this guide useful, and look forward to meeting you soon! With love, Sabrina & Gaffar - The ESN Singapore TeaM

Page 3: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED Budgeting for exchange 3

Accommodation: Pre-Arrival 4

Find your accommodation 5

Upon Arrival 7

Telecommunications 8

Getting around 8

Money matters 9

SINGAPORE 101 Get acquainted 10

Explore Singapore 10

Hangout Spots 11

Food & drinks 11

Get connected 12

EXCHANGE LIFE Exchange events 15

CONTENTS

Page 4: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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GETTING STARTED

New to Singapore? Let us show you the ropes! This is the essential start-up guide for exchange students

in Singapore. Find out everything you need to know about living on this sunny island! In this guide, we

address the practical matters from budgeting for exchange to finding off-campus accommodation and

opening a student bank account.

BUDGETING for exchange

Cost of Living in Singapore as an Exchange Student

You might have heard that Singapore has been named the world’s most expensive city to live in 2014 due

to its strong currency, high costs of owning a car and soaring utility bills.

As an exchange student, off-campus room rental will take up a significant amount of your monthly

expenses, ranging anywhere from $500 for a shared room in the Jurong/Boon Lay area to $2,000 for a

single room in the city. But fret not: local food and public transport are relatively cheap, and you can

always indulge during your getaways to other Southeast Asian cities and beaches!

To budget for your stay in Singapore, here’s a monthly estimated expenditure breakdown and a price

list of various goods. All prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD).

Estimated Expenses per month as an exchange student in Singapore:

Accommodation: $500 - 1,800

Utilities: $80 – 100

Food: $300 – 500

Personal Expenses: $100 – 300

Public Transport: $50 – 150

Telecommunications: $30 onwards

Weekend trip: $350

Average monthly expenses: $1,400 to $2,400

Monthly expenses for students attending SMU are generally higher due to the higher cost of food and

accommodation in and near the city.

Estimated Cost of Goods in Singapore adjusted to the exchange student’s lifestyle:

Room in the city (Dhoby Ghaut, condo, single): $2,000/mth

Room in the city (Dhoby Ghaut, condo, shared): $1,000/mth

Room off the city (Kallang, HDB, single): $1,000/mth

Meal in a local food court: $4 – 6

Meal in a cafe/mid-tier restaurant: $15 – 30

Kopi (local coffee): $1 – 2

Coffee from Starbucks: $6

Drink in a bar/club: $15 – 20

GETTING STARTED

Page 5: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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Club cover charge: $20 – 30

Pack of cigarettes: $12

Hair cut: $10 - $50

Movie on a weekday (student): $7

Taxi fare from NTU to the city: $27

Taxi fare from the city to Changi Airport: $18

Bus/MRT trip: Below $2

2-way budget plane ticket to Bali: $200

School Textbook: $30 - 70

Did You Know?

Alcohol is heavily taxed in Singapore - best to stock up on your favourite spirits at the airport

upon arrival or when returning from your trips!

The cost of a Toyota Corolla in Singapore is $136,000 - 5x more than in the US!

It’s very easy to eat cheap (and good) in Singapore’s food courts! Check out the local section

under “Food & Drink” for must-try recommendations.

ACCOMMODATION: PRE-ARRIVAL

Get Ready for your Accommodation Search

Exchange students generally search for their accommodation in pairs to groups of 4 - 8, within their

first week in Singapore. Appointments for apartment viewings may be made prior to arrival, however

they can be arranged within the week or even on the same day of enquiry.

Book A Hostel For Your First Days in Singapore

Typically, students intending to stay off-campus will book into one of few hostels below as a base to

meet up with other exchange students, and find their potential roommates for the semester. Hostels

cost between $20 - 30 per night for a bunk bed.

Recommended Hostels:

RuckSack Inn @ Hong Kong Street

River City Inn

Bunc @ Radius Clarke Quay / Little India

Beary Nice! by a beary good hostel

The above hostels listed are situated in the central of Singapore: Clarke Quay, Chinatown, Little India.

Exchange-related activities will generally be held around this area 2-3 weeks before the semester

begins, so it’s the ideal location to stay at before you move in to your final location!

You can also book your temporary stays at sites like www.hostelworld.com.

Page 6: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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Find Your Accommodation

Off-Campus Living - Finding Your Home in Singapore

For those planning to live off-campus, finding the right accommodation - single/shared room or

apartment, close to or further from the city - will be a challenge at the start. There are two types of

accommodation available in Singapore: Public housing (HDB) and Private Accommodation

(Condominiums or apartments).

Public Housing: HDB (Housing Development Board)

80% of Singaporeans stay in multi-storey HDB flats which are public housing built by the government.

HDBs are 3-room, 4-room or 5-room flats.

Usually located near MRT stations, supermarkets, food centres

Located everywhere in Singapore except Orchard Road

Immerse in the local culture and live like a Singaporean

More economically feasible

Cost for a 3- or 4-room flat: $2,200 - $3,000

Private Accommodation: Condominiums / Apartments

Condominiums tend to have facilities such as pools, gyms, tennis courts and BBQ pits. Apartments are

not as comprehensive.

Usually located further away from MRT stations

More luxurious and therefore more expensive

Cost for a 2- or 3- room condominium: $4,000 - $5,000 & up

Recommended Locations:

NUS: In between the Central and Western part of Singapore - Dover, Commonwealth,

Queenstown, Redhill. Central area is also manageable.

NTU: Western part of Singapore - Jurong, Boon Lay, Lakeside, Pioneer. Living in the city is

generally not recommended as you’d be spending lots of time commuting - it takes at least 1-1.5

hr from NTU to the city! Taking into consideration the number of days per week you’ll be

spending in school for classes and project meetings, it’s best to live closer to the campus.

SMU: Central Singapore - Within 5 MRT stops from City Hall or Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. It’s

most expensive to live in the city itself - be prepared to pay minimally $1,600 for a room in the

city! Students generally find accommodation within a 30-minute commute.

START SEARCHING!

Property rental websites:

www.easyroommate.com.sg

http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/apartment-condo/property-for-rent/1

http://www.stproperty.sg/room-for-rent

Page 7: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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Room rental websites:

www.easyroommate.com.sg

http://singapore.roomsdb.net/

www.homie.co

NTU has an Off-Campus Accommodation System: https://wis.ntu.edu.sg/webexe/owa/oca_main.mainpage

General recommendations/tips:

Find an apartment close to the MRT station (within a 10 minute walk) to take advantage of the

efficient transport system. These will usually cost more, but will save you lots of time! There

may also be buses from your accommodation that go directly to school / the city, so take that

into consideration as well.

Find out the route & time it takes from your accommodation to school, the city & the airport:

www.gothere.sg

A “fully furnished” apartment should contain basic furniture, but may not contain household

items like hairdryer, ironing board, bed linen, etc.

For more information on rental procedures and tenancy agreements, refer to in-depth guides provided

by the schools:

SMU

http://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/pdf/accommodation_guide_for_incoming_s

tudents.pdf

NUS http://nus.edu.sg/osa/images/has/downloads/a_guide_to_private_housing.pdf

NTU http://www.ntu.edu.sg/has/Off-Campus/Pages/Off-Campus_Renting.aspx

MOVING IN - Get household items:

IKEA: Bed linen, kitchen utensils, standard offering

317 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159965

http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/store/alexandra

Giant Hypermarket: Household items, basic electronics & groceries

Find one near you: http://www.giantsingapore.com.sg/locate-us_hyper.html

Supermarkets for groceries & basic household needs

o Standard: NTUC Fairprice, Giant & Sheng Siong

o Premium supermarkets: Jason’s & Cold Storage

o Located in most shopping malls and neighbourhoods

Mustafa Centre: 24/7 budget shopping for toiletries, groceries, electronics

o Money changer offers better rates

o 145 Syed Alwi Rd, 207704

Page 8: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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Upon Arrival

Some tips for your arrival at Singapore’s Changi Airport:

1. Exchange Money - Money changers in the airport are reliable, but those in the city may offer a

slightly better rate. Estimated based on $50/day for your personal expenses. At least $300 cash is

advisable to get started for your stay in Singapore.

2. Drop by the Duty Free

Alcohol is especially expensive in Singapore as its heavily taxed - $88 per litre on spirits - so stock up

upon arrival to the airport! For duty concessions, refer to:

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/Duty-free+Concession+and+GST+Relief.htm

3. Getting from Changi Airport to Your Accommodation

Relatively affordable and efficient, it is generally advised to take a taxi to your accommodation in

Singapore when traveling with all your luggage for your stay in Singapore. All taxis are metered, and

there is a $3 surcharge for trips from the airport.

Taxi:

NUS - Approx. $35, 35 minutes

NTU - Approx. $45, 45 minutes

Commonwealth - Approx. $28, 30 minutes

City Hall - Approx. $20, 22 minutes

Alternatively, you may take the MRT (mass rapid transit/train) to your destination. It should cost

within $2 - 3. Note that it gets especially crowded during peak hours: 8am - 9:30am, 5pm - 8pm. The MRT

starts operating at approx. 6am and stops around midnight. Certain destinations may require bus

transfer as well. Refer to www.gothere.sg for specific routing information.

MRT:

NUS - Approx. 80 minutes

NTU - Approx. 100 minutes

Commonwealth - Approx. 65 minutes

City Hall - Approx. 45 minutes

Tip: Look at the mrt map on the last page to get your bearings!

Page 9: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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Telecommunications

Getting a Local SIM Card

A Singapore SIM card will work on any unlocked GSM phone - Singapore operates on the 900/1800 bands.

So if you’re coming from a European or Asian country, chances are good that a Singapore SIM card will

work. If your phone doesn’t work in Singapore, you may purchase a cheap phone at 7 Eleven for $80 - 150.

Each of Singapore’s three main phone companies (Singtel, Starhub and

M1) offers their own prepaid service. Expect to pay $0.08 – $0.16 per

minute for local calls, $0.05 for a local text message, and $0.15 for

international text messages.

You may purchase a prepaid SIM card at:

Convenience stores - 7 Eleven & Cheers

Phone stores by local mobile operators Starhub, Singtel, M1 and their retailers

Simply select the SIM card you want, present your passport, and pick a phone number, which is then

registered with your passport details. Starhub and Singtel generally have better prepaid plans.

Getting Around

Get an EZ Link Card for buses & trains

The EZ Link card is a stored value card that allows you to pay for bus and train fare on the move,

offering numerous top-up options. You may also enjoy easy and fast payment for purchases at various

F&B and retail outlets across Singapore.

You can purchase the ez-link card easily wherever you are in Singapore:

TransitLink Ticket Offices located at MRT stations and bus interchanges

Passenger Service Centres in most MRT stations

7 Eleven stores

At the MRT stations & bus interchanges, you can purchase an ez-link card at $12 out of which $7 is

stored value for your use. The remaining $5 is the cost of the card which is non-refundable.

At the 7-Eleven stores, you can purchase an ez-link card at $10 out of which $5 is stored value for your

use. The remaining $5 is the cost of the card which is non-refundable. We have included a map of

Singapore’s mrt network on the last page for your reference!

Taxis

Taking a taxi is relatively affordable in Singapore. All taxi rides are metered. Fees start from $3.30 -

$4.50 (depending on the type of taxi). Additional surcharges may apply based on peak hour, ERP &

location.

Page 10: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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Taxi fare for a 10km taxi ride during off peak hours & no surcharges: Approx. $9.80

You may hail a taxi along the road, at a taxi stand or make a booking through the phone or a taxi

booking app with your smartphone.

Taxi Booking Mobile Apps:

GrabTaxi - http://grabtaxi.com/singapore/

“Taxi Booking” by Comfort Taxi & City Cabs

Easy Taxi

More information on fares & payment:

http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/public-transport/taxis/fares-and-payment-methods.html

Money Matters

Opening a Local Bank Account

Exchange students staying in Singapore for two semesters may want to consider opening a local bank

account for convenience and to save money on cash withdrawal surcharges.

Most foreign banks in Singapore have only a restricted number of branch offices and free-of-charge

ATMs. If that is a priority for you, check beforehand which banks are close to your school and/or

accommodation. For instance, ANZ, Citibank, HSBC, Maybank, Standard Chartered, and the State Bank of

India form the so-called ATM 5 network. 140 of their ATMs have the ATM 5 logo and thus qualify for free

cash withdrawal. If your bank falls outside of the ATM 5 network, you may wish to open a local bank

account.

Among local banks, POSB/DBS has the largest citywide network of ATMs. UOB and OCBC are also good

local bank alternatives.

To open a bank account, you need to present the following:

Passport (original and photocopy)

Student's Pass or Letter of Acceptance from the school

Matriculation Card (if available)

Minimum deposit amount of $500 or $1,000 (varies from bank to bank)

Remember to check the terms and conditions needed to open a bank account at the various banks.

DBS Remix eSavings Plus for foreign students:

http://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/deposit/esavingsplus/remix/default.page

Find the closest DBS branch near you: http://locator.dbs.com/

Page 11: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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SINGAPORE 101

Get acquainted with Singapore

Start exploring Singapore!

Most of the entertainment, business and cultural activities are located in the Central-South of

Singapore. Here’s a general guide as to where the city’s main attractions and activities are located:

Marina Bay Sands: Bayfront MRT station (Circle Line)

Orchard Road, Singapore’s Shopping Belt: Dhoby Ghaut, Somerset, Orchard (NS Line)

Nightlife - Clubs and Bars: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Boat Quay: Raffles Place

Cultural Centres: Chinatown, Little India, Bugis

Museums: City Hall area

Beach: Sentosa island - get there from Harbourfront MRT, then take the monorail or walk from

Vivo City

Central Business District: Raffles Place, Downtown

Find more information on these attractions/activities in the next section, or share your tips on our

Facebook group! Also Refer to MRT map at the end of this guide.

Explore Singapore

Top Attractions:

Marina Bay (skyline) & Marina Bay Sands

Universal Studios Singapore (theme park)

Sentosa Island (beach & lifestyle)

Culture: Take a walk in the various ethnic enclaves of Singapore, and discover the rich cultural

heritage.

Chinatown

Little India

Kampong Glam (Bugis MRT)

Nature & Parks:

Gardens By The Bay

Botanic Gardens

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

East Coast Park

Wildlife:

Singapore Zoo (Recommended by us)

SINGAPORE 101

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Night Safari

River Safari

Hangout spots

Thirsting for a drink or simply a casual hangout? Here are some areas we recommend:

Boat Quay / Clarke Quay (Raffles Place / Clarke Quay MRT)

Emerald Hill (Somerset MRT)

CHIJMES (City Hall MRT)

Siloso Beach (Sentosa Island, Harbour Front MRT)

Arab Street / HAJI Lane (Bugis MRT)

ANN Siang Hill / Club Street (Chinatown MRT)

Dempsey Hill (Bus from Orchard or Holland Village MRTs)

Food & drinks

Food is a huge part of the Singaporean lifestyle, and might even be considered as Singapore’s favourite

past-time to the point of obsession! For the best food, Singaporeans will queue endlessly and make the

effort to traverse the island.

Singaporean cuisine reflects the country’s demographics, with the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Fusion

cuisines well-represented. The ‘hawker centre’ is a true Singaporean establishment: order your food

from one of the many stalls, find an empty table anywhere and you’re good to go! Alternatively, every

shopping mall offers air-conditioned versions called ‘food courts’, while residential areas often have

simpler versions called ‘coffee shops’. These all offer local dishes at very affordable prices.

Local Must-Trys

Chicken Rice - More accurately known as Hainanese Chicken Rice, this is one of

Singapore’s most well-known and celebrated dishes. The rice is cooked in a

chicken broth, served with chicken available in steamed and roasted varieties.

Tip: Tian Tian Chicken Rice - Stall 10, Maxwell Road Hawker Centre

Laksa - Thick rice vermicelli is soaked in a spicy coconut gravy mixed with

ground dried shrimps, topped with fragrant laksa leaves. This quintessential

Singaporean dish is an all-time favourite amongst locals!

Tip: 328 Katong Laksa - 51 East Coast Road

Char Kway Teow – A hawker mainstay that Singaporeans love to indulge

in. Essentially a simple plate of fried flat rice noodles, soy sauce, chilli,

bean sprouts and Chinese chives are mixed in for a truly local flavour.

Tip: Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee - Hong Lim Market and Food Centre

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Roti Prata - This indian flatbread is a common meal for late night suppers.

Watch the Indian prata men flip and toss the dough before frying it to

crispy perfection, this is an experience on its own! served with curry.

Tip: Casuarina Curry - 126 Casuarina Road

Chili Crab - This is one of Singapore’s signature dishes. With a self-

explanatory name, the only thing you need to know is: prepare to get

messy! Also try the black pepper version.

Tip: No Signboard Seafood - 414 Geylang Road

Satay - Bite-size pieces of meat (usually chicken, beef or mutton) are

skewered, marinated in local spices and grilled over charcoal. Served

with raw cucumber, onions, rice cakes and a peanut sauce.

Tip: Haron Satay - Stall 55, East Coast Lagoon Food Village

This list has been adapted from an article on CNN. For a more comprehensive list, check out CNN’s “40

Singapore foods we can’t live without”.

Late Night Meals

Having a late night supper and chatting with your buddies until the wee hours is a Singaporean

pasttime. Besides the many 24-hour McDonald’s restaurants and their delivery service, indian

restaurants are known for their long operating hours. Centrally located at River Valley Road (near

Clarke Quay), Spize is a famous food establishment open all night, offering an extensive menu with

diverse food options. Other all-night hotspots include the stretch along Upper Bukit Timah Rd (West) or

Simpang Bedok (East, near Tanah Merah MRT).

Get connected

Singapore is one of the most highly connected countries in the world. Its telecommunications

infrastructure is very well-developed, and wireless (mobile or WiFi) internet is available almost

everywhere in the country.

There are three major telecommunications companies in Singapore, each offering competitive rates.

Besides the national carrier SingTel, StarHub and M1 also offer mobile (internet) telephony services,

with affordable 4G technology. For your stay in Singapore, we recommend getting a Prepaid SIM card.

SingTel’s hi! Card, StarHub’s Happy Prepaid SIM Card and M1’s M Card or SuperPac Card are all

available at their respective retail outlets and at the 24-hour 7-11 and Cheers convenience stores.

Remember to bring your passport to sign up for a SIM card!

Free WiFi is also widely available across the country. Many restaurants and cafés offer their own in-

house WiFi for free to guests, while the nationwide Wireless@SG is available at most shopping malls

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and public libraries, all KFCs and McDonald’s restaurants, and many other locations. Registration is

free, but you will need a local Singaporean mobile number to sign up!

Once you are connected, the following information will come in handy…

Important Numbers

Emergency Ambulance & Fire Service 995

Police 999

Non-Emergency Ambulance 1777

Comfort / CityCab Taxis 6552 1111

Useful Websites

Getting Around

Find out best route: Google Maps

Find out best route, estimated travel time & cost: gothere.sg

Food & Drinks

Food recommendations, restaurant search - HungryGoWhere

Food recommendations - Burpple

Food blog - Lady Iron Chef

Food delivery - www.foodpanda.sg

McDonald’s Delivery (24/7) - McDelivery or 6777 3777

Entertainment

Things to do in Singapore - TimeOut Singapore

Movie timings - inSing Movies

Concert and event tickets - SISTIC

Travel

Budget Airlines

o AirAsia

Page 16: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide to Singapore

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EXCHANGE LIFE

Exchange events

ESNSG organises regular activities, meetups and parties for the exchange student community in

Singapore. It’s a great way to meet and mingle with fellow exchange students, discover new places,

and learn more about Singapore!

Every Tuesday: ESNSG Meetups - Drinks

Every Thursday: ESNSG Parties & Events

For the Fall 2014 semester, the first ESNSG meetup kicks off on 31st July! Stay tuned for event updates

by joining our Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ESNSG2014/

Mark Your Calendars!

Saturday, 23 August: Mega University Beach Party “TRIBE” at Wave House Sentosa

Details can be found at www.tribebeachparty.peatix.com

Get your tickets at our ESNSG events, or via your local student ambassadors.

And more…

We also organise events for special occasions and activities:

Hari Raya Puasa - Explore the Hari Raya bazaar, try local Malay foods

National Day - Join in the celebrations around Marina Bay and watch the fireworks

Mid-Autumn Festival - Join in the festivities, experience a full Chinese dinner, try moon cakes!

Mega Exchange Seafood Dinner @ East Coast - For foodies. Try Singapore’s famed Chili Crab &

local seafood delicacies

EXCHANGE LIFE

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