By SGN | 13 Oct 2025
When Calista first arrived in Singapore in 2022 for a short study-abroad programme, she had no idea it would change the course of her life.
“I was only supposed to be here for four or five months,” she recalls. “But I fell in love with the city, its culture, how warm its people were, and, of course, the food.”
By the end of her exchange, a chance encounter with her now-partner, a Singaporean, made the thought of returning feel even more meaningful.
After graduation, however, her plans did not fall into place as easily as she had hoped. “I really wanted to start my career in Singapore, but it wasn’t easy to secure a role right away,” she shares. So, she packed her bags and moved around Southeast Asia, trying out opportunities in different cities, before eventually landing a position in Hong Kong.
Although Hong Kong became a stepping stone, Singapore was never far from her mind. When she was later headhunted for a role back in the city, she knew it was time to return with intention.
“The first move was a surprise,” she reflects. “The second was deliberate. I came back knowing what I wanted and why.”
Calling Singapore home for the second time
When Calista moved back to Singapore the second time, everything felt easier, because she’d already experienced the culture shocks during her exchange.
“Back then, I remember being surprised by how familiar Singapore felt,” she says, “The malls, the food courts, even the way people dressed reminded me a lot of home in North America.”
At the same time, there were some small things that threw her off. “As a Canadian, I was used to chatting with cashiers or waiters, but here, conversations felt very transactional,” she shares. “People didn’t really smile or make small talk, so that took some getting used to.”
With those adjustments behind her, settling back in Singapore felt nearly effortless. She already had a circle of friends from university, and having a Singaporean partner made the city feel even more like home.
On their days off, they’d explore the sights and sounds of Singapore. East Coast Park is my favourite,” she admits “Singapore is so hot that most of the time you don’t see many people out walking, but the park is one of the few places where people are actually out and about.”
Calista was also excited to be back for the food, her favourite spot being the East Coast Lagoon Food Centre. “I love their oyster omelette, satay (grilled meat skewers), and Hokkien mee (Hokkien stir-fried prawn noodles),” she mentions. “It is my go-to spot to bring friends to, when they visit.”
Another favourite hangout of hers is Joo Chiat, a neighbourhood she describes as young, artsy, and full of life. “I love the architecture, the cafes, and the food scene there. It’s always fun to wander around the Peranakan houses and discover what else the area has to offer.”
Getting the idea of building a community in Singapore
During her second stint in Singapore, Calista started sharing glimpses of her life as a young Canadian expat, posting about her discoveries, favourite spots, and everyday adventures.
“Soon enough, I started getting messages from other young women professionals in Singapore,” she shares. “Some were locals, some were expats who had just moved. They’d say things like, ‘Hey, I love your content, do you want to hang out?’ It was so unexpected!”
Having moved and worked across Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Calista understood how important it was to reach out and build connections in a new city. “When you move somewhere new, you have to rebuild your community from scratch,” she says. “It can feel isolating, and I relate to how lonely it can be at first.”
She met up with some of the women who reached out, including Nim a fellow Aussie expat and content creator, who quickly became a close friend. But as more messages kept pouring in, it became impossible to reply to everyone individually.
“That’s when it clicked for me,” Calista says. “If these women were reaching out because they resonated with me, chances are they’d resonate with each other too. So why not get everyone together?”
Hosting her first Singapore Sosh event
Inspired by the connections she had been making online, Calista teamed up with Nim to host their very first Singapore Sosh event.
“We wanted to create a space for young women professionals who are into health and wellness to meet in person and connect in a relaxed, meaningful way, not just exchange LinkedIn connections,” she says.
Their first event in May 2025, a morning barre class, was designed to be both active and social. “We wanted to start with a physical activity, because it makes connecting much easier,” Calista explains.
“Barre is really popular among young women professionals, and it’s perfect for this kind of event,” she adds. “During class, you’re close to the person beside you, and it’s pretty challenging. I think the pain also gives everyone something to bond over, before moving on to the socialising part,” she says with a laugh.
Since it was a morning session, Calista and Nim made sure to provide refreshments and breakfast to keep the atmosphere welcome.
“We worked with local matcha and pastry vendors, and charged a small fee to cover the costs,” she explains. “And this may sound funny, but I think having a croissant or a matcha in hand makes it easier for people to start conversations,” she laughs.
Subsequent Singapore Sosh events
The first event was such a hit that Calista and Nim quickly started planning the next ones.
After the barre class, they branched out, hosting everything from yoga in the park and sound baths, to spin classes, brunches, and even an upcoming matcha-making session.
“We hold two to four events a month, and we like to mix active and chill activities,” Calista says. “It keeps things fresh and gives everyone a chance to bond in different ways.”
The events are kept small, usually 15 to 20 people, which allows attendees to connect on a much deeper level than at a typical networking session.
Having Nim as a co-organiser also makes it easier to balance Singapore Sosh with her full-time job. “We split the work, which involves reaching out to cafés, studios, vendors, and handling logistics. It’s so much easier with two,” she laughs.
But what really keeps Calista going is seeing the connections flourish. “I remember one of our early events,” she recalls. “A group of women met for the very first time. At first, they were a bit shy, laughing and joking over small talk, but by the end, they were swapping Instagram handles and planning a coffee meet-up. Seeing them go beyond basic conversation honestly felt so validating.”
“That moment remined me why I started this in the first place: to give young professionals a space where they can actually connect,” she says.
“I’m so glad I can help these women find their core group of girl friends.”
Calista’s advice for fellow young female professionals
For someone new to Singapore and perhaps feeling a bit lost, Calista has a simple mantra: get out and explore.
“I’d say start by discovering different neighbourhoods,” she says. “Make it a routine. Go café-hopping, try local food, work out in different spots. You’ll be surprised at the people you meet and the experiences you have. It really helps you feel at home.”
She also stresses the importance of putting yourself out there in multiple ways, especially with Singapore’s intense work culture. “Go to events like Singapore Sosh, try Bumble BFF, join alumni associations, and make online friends. The sooner you start, the faster you feel connected and like you belong.”
For anyone thinking of starting their own group or collective, Calista’s advice is simple.
“Focus on a niche. If your community is too broad, it’s hard to form genuine connections. When you focus on something specific, in our case young professionals who care about health and wellness, people are more likely to bond on a deeper level.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to see Singapore Sosh grow from its grassroots beginnings into something bigger, perhaps a platform or app where people can interact more easily.
“Corporate life can be draining, so creating this space for connection and real friendships has become my way to bring purpose and joy into life beyond work.”
About Calista
Calista Battista is a Canadian expat and community builder based in Singapore. She is the co-founder of Singapore Sosh, a community for young female professionals focused on fostering meaningful connections through curated offline experiences.
Connect with her here.
