a raph introduction

Hey everyone! My name is Raphael, Raph for short. I’m from the little red dot of Singapore and to come all the way here to the beergardens and bustling streets of Munich has been a real eye-opener, to say the least.

Right now, I am a second-year Communications student and I hope to dabble in branding and creative direction as a career in the future.

I chose to do my semester-long exchange programme in Munich because I’d heard great things about living and studying in Germany from friends who have been here before. Being located in Central Europe has also proved to come in really handy when exploring the many countries this continent has to offer.

Before school started in April, I went on a solo trip that covered Spain, Portugal, and Morocco – and got to see some pretty cool sights! Above are some of my favourite shots that I took on the trip.

Photography is one of my biggest hobbies and I was really happy that I got to go on an adventure of such sorts, all on my own (a first for me). Even now as I type this, I can still remember how thrilling and humbling it felt to live in and capture these moments. There’s nothing that can beat the historic ruins and palaces I saw, the seemingly unending seas and bluest of skies, and of course, the great people I met along the way.

And here in Munich, I’m similarly looking forward to seeing even more amazing sights and making new friends!

Besides photography, I also really enjoy writing and reading, and exploring the outdoors when I have the chance. As with all millennials, I also need my regular fix of Netflix nights. I can’t go a day without drinking coffee (it’s bad) and ever since coming to Munich I’ve found myself having more and more wine nights, because alcohol is so much cheaper here than back home!

I’m constantly thankful that I’m getting the opportunity to do my student exchange here, miles away from home in an unfamiliar place with starkly different cultures and I can’t wait to have even more experiences and stories to tell when I go back home.

Till then, here’s to a fruitful and fulfilling semester ahead 🍻