Every INSEAD admit eventually asks the same big question:
Should I go to Fontainebleau (Fonty) or Singapore (Singy)?
The short answer: both campuses deliver the same academic excellence. Professors fly back and forth, the course content is identical, and your degree holds the same weight whether you spend your entire year in France, Singapore, or split time between both.
But the real difference lies in your lifestyle, personal experience, and career geography. That’s where choosing your campus becomes a deeply personal decision.
Fonty: The European Small-Town Charm
Fontainebleau, affectionately called Fonty, is set in a thick forest just outside Paris. It’s a small town with big history, home to the famous Château de Fontainebleau.
- Lifestyle: If you’ve never lived in Europe before, Fonty is like stepping into a postcard. Imagine wearing boots and coats, shopping at weekly farmers’ markets, sipping wine in cozy bistros, and walking through autumn leaves in the forest. The town itself is quiet, and once the sun sets, it really gets quiet — but that’s when student life takes over.
- Social Scene: The magic of Fonty is in house parties at châteaux. Groups of students rent countryside homes, and weekend gatherings are legendary. The close-knit nature of the town means you really bond with your classmates — everyone knows everyone, and your MBA community becomes family.
- Travel Opportunities: With Paris just a short train ride away, you have access to the entire European continent. Weekend trips to Barcelona, Amsterdam, or Rome are totally doable.
- Career Angle: If you’re aiming for consulting, finance, or corporate roles in London, Paris, or European headquarters, Fonty gives you an edge. Recruiters and alumni connections in the EU are strong, and being physically closer to hiring hubs helps.
Singy: The Asian Urban Playground
Singapore, or Singy as INSEADers call it, offers a completely different vibe. The campus is compact, modern, and located in one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities.
- Lifestyle: Shorts, flip-flops, and summer all year round. The campus is small, but the city is buzzing — efficient public transport, a skyline filled with rooftop bars, and endless hawker food stalls where meals cost just a few dollars.
- Social Scene: Unlike Fonty’s house parties, Singapore’s nightlife is about convenience. You can finish a group project and still head out for a late-night dinner or dancing. The social energy of the city is contagious, and you’re right in the middle of it.
- Travel Opportunities: Want to spend a weekend in Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, or Thailand? Easy. Flights are cheap and short, and students make full use of it. This is a huge plus if you want to explore Southeast Asia during your MBA year.
- Career Angle: If your goal is to work in Singapore, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, or even Australia, the Singy campus is the better base. Recruiters in Asia are active here, and you’ll find strong alumni connections across regional business hubs.
Key Differences in Experience
- Fonty feels like a retreat — quiet, charming, and communal. It pushes you to create your own fun and build tight-knit friendships.
- Singy feels like acceleration — fast-paced, urban, and diverse, with endless options right at your doorstep.
Both experiences are incredible, but they shape your MBA journey in different ways.
My Recommendation
If you can — experience both. That’s the beauty of INSEAD. Many students spend two periods in one campus and two in the other, which lets them enjoy Europe and Asia in a single year.
At the end of the day, the choice isn’t about academics (they’re the same), but about:
- What lifestyle excites you more right now?
- Where do you want to build your post-MBA career?
- Do you dream of wine and château parties, or rooftop bars and hawker food?
There’s no wrong answer — just the one that fits your personality and goals better.
Fonty or Singy? The real secret is that you’ll fall in love with whichever you choose.