Singaporeans who lived abroad tell Venessa Lee why they move back

Singapore a refuge for globalised citizens

As the Singapore diaspora grows, some are also returning home temporarily, between spending months or years abroad

Digital nomad Crunch Ranjani Rajandran (left, in a photo taken in Xochimilco, Mexico) has a flexible writing career that takes her around the world. She can return to Singapore when she needs to, such as to take care of her mother.
Digital nomad Crunch Ranjani Rajandran (left, in a photo taken in Xochimilco, Mexico) has a flexible writing career that takes her around the world. She can return to Singapore when she needs to, such as to take care of her mother. PHOTO: COURTESY OF CRUNCH RANJANI RAJANDRAN
Mr Richard Kuppusamy (in this 2018 file photo) says he built a successful architectural career in the UK, but returned home in 2012 for better job prospects. Though his skills are portable, he says his family keeps him here.
Mr Richard Kuppusamy (in this 2018 file photo) says he built a successful architectural career in the UK, but returned home in 2012 for better job prospects. Though his skills are portable, he says his family keeps him here. ST FILE PHOTO
Dr Faye Lim (with her daughter Elena, husband Chan Jin Hoe and son Alisdair in London during the school holidays in June this year) came back to Singapore for her children.
Dr Faye Lim (with her daughter Elena, husband Chan Jin Hoe and son Alisdair in London during the school holidays in June this year) came back to Singapore for her children. PHOTO: COURTESY OF FAYE LIM
Mr Ernie Voon (with his wife Ca-ryn Lim, and daughters Natasha and Naomi) brought his family back to Singapore from Holland because he wanted his children to learn Chinese and be bilingual.
Mr Ernie Voon (with his wife Ca-ryn Lim, and daughters Natasha and Naomi) brought his family back to Singapore from Holland because he wanted his children to learn Chinese and be bilingual. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ERNIE VOON
After living in the United States for 19 years, Mr Ian Chan and his wife Janice Chua had to adapt to the different work culture here, but they want to be here till they retire.
After living in the United States for 19 years, Mr Ian Chan and his wife Janice Chua had to adapt to the different work culture here, but they want to be here till they retire. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
Venessa Lee
Senior Correspondent
Updated
Jan 19, 2020, 08:09 AM
Published
Aug 11, 2019, 05:00 AM
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In recent years, Ms Mariana Ahmad, 38, has lived and worked in places like Belfast, Georgia and Istanbul.

After university, she worked in the television and infocommunications industry in Singapore for eight years before heading to Europe.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 11, 2019, with the headline Singapore a refuge for globalised citizens. Subscribe

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