Student Spotlight: Calvin Hanggara, Indonesia

Hello. I am Calvin Hanggara from Indonesia. Back in my country, I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and currently, I am on a semester exchange at ITMO. My major is in energy conversion, but it’s not just about generating power or electricity. It’s more focused on fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and topics like that.

I see. So, you’re currently in the final year of your Bachelor’s program?

Yes, I’m in my final year. Actually, I was pretty surprised that the level they assigned me here at ITMO for this exchange program was that of a Master’s! I have been studying above my current level for the past few months.

Why is that?

It's because at my faculty, only Master’s programs are provided in English, and in no way could I have studied in Russian.

How did you come across this exchange program and what made you want to apply?

This is actually a flagship program by the government of Indonesia. It’s called the Indonesian International Student Mobility Award (IISMA). It’s very popular with students and I’ve known about this program for a long time, but I wasn’t interested at first. I thought it would be really hard to get in because there are so many smarter people and I didn’t think I stood a chance. But this year, I suddenly got the courage to apply and somehow I got accepted. It’s actually a very good program. You can do an exchange not only in Russia but all over the world – Western Europe, Australia, the US, Canada, etc.

Interesting. Are your expenses covered by IISMA?

That’s one of the main reasons why this program is so popular. It is fully funded. They cover everything: flights, visa applications, accommodation, and even provide us with a monthly living allowance.

That’s nice. And do you get to choose the country you want to apply to?

Absolutely, we get to choose. At the beginning of the program, before we finalize our applications, they give us three options in terms of countries. I chose Russia as one of them.

Why did you choose Russia?

Honestly, it was specifically because of ITMO. I searched for the top universities in Russia and ITMO popped up as one of the best in the world. I found out that ITMO has a world-class control systems lab and courses related to it that are connected to mechanical engineering. Back in my university in Indonesia, they only acknowledge certain courses if we study abroad, and control systems are one of them. So, that’s the reason behind my choice.

I see. So, what subjects are you studying here?

I chose several courses. The first one is control systems programming, the second is modern control theory, the third is machine learning technologies, and the last one is the best available techniques in production.

I’d love to hear more about your experience studying at ITMO so far.

It’s been like a rollercoaster ride. It was crazy because I had a very basic knowledge of control systems. In Indonesia, at the Bachelor’s level, they don’t teach it much. When I attended my first class in modern control theory, I was about to cry – it was so hard. But the professor, Dr. Alexey Vedyakov, has been incredibly helpful. He even held a three-hour-long special class just for me and two other Indonesians who are also exchange students like me. The professors here are very supportive and I really appreciate what they’ve done for me.

That’s wonderful to hear. Are you also involved in any practical projects?

There were hands-on elements, definitely. For example, we worked in the lab and studied MATLAB Simulink. I had never coded in my life before and at ITMO, it was the first time I did it. I also learned C++, which I had never even touched before. So, there were a lot of new academic experiences for me and the lecturers were very patient despite my lack of prior knowledge.

It’s great to know that you were supported well. Did you notice any differences in the education system between Indonesia and Russia?

Definitely. Maybe it’s because of the difference between Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, but in Indonesia, the approach feels less advanced compared to what I’ve experienced here. The workload is also much heavier here compared to Indonesia. Back home, we usually have classes twice a week. But here, I have to be at the university almost every day. The schedule is very hectic in Russia and it does take some time to adapt.

I see. So how has your student life been at ITMO so far? 

It has been amazing. I didn’t expect ITMO to be this diverse! I really love the international community here. The Buddy System is great – they organize events where I’ve met people from different countries. I’ve talked to people from Vietnam, China, Myanmar, and many other places. It’s nice to connect in English since I can’t speak Russian yet. The atmosphere at ITMO is very welcoming and they give us plenty of opportunities to meet new people.

Have you been to Yagodnoe?

Yes, and I loved it! The 2 days and 1 night trip was a blast. There I tried banya (Russian sauna) for the first time in my life. Taking a dip in the cold lake after being steamed inside the banya is a thrilling experience! I also met new international friends and got to know them more through games. We had a barbecue together which made the atmosphere really warm on a super cold night. Truly a 10/10 experience that I will remember forever.

That is so cool. Where are you staying? 

I’m living in VALO – it’s one of ITMO’s partner apart-hotels. It’s really spacious and nice. I share my room with another guy from Indonesia who is also here for a semester exchange.

Cool. And how has your experience been with St. Petersburg?

Extraordinary! This is my first time abroad and when I saw St. Petersburg for the first time, I was amazed. We don’t have anything like this in Indonesia. The streets, like Nevsky Prospekt, feel very European. I love taking strolls down the streets, taking pictures, and relaxing. The people here are also very welcoming. I had heard stereotypes about Russians, but I haven’t seen any of them yet.

That’s great to hear! It’s starting to get colder. How are you preparing for the winter?

I don’t know if I’m prepared or not. A few days ago, it felt like minus eight degrees and my ears felt frozen! Before that, I thought I was ready, but I clearly wasn’t. I’ve bought woolen gloves, but I feel like I need warmer ones!

Yes, this year winter is arriving late. Last year, by this time, it was already below -10℃ with snow everywhere.

I’m excited about it! I’ve just touched snow for the first time and I can’t wait for more unique experiences.

What about food – have you tried Russian cuisine?

Not much. I’ve tried plov but I think that’s an Uzbek dish, not Russian. I’ve also tried different types of bread from local shops and they are delicious. However, I mostly cook at home to save money. I did bring a few packets of instant noodles from Indonesia, but I’ve already finished them! Nevertheless, I can find everything I need to cook a proper meal at the supermarkets here.

Have you been to any other Russian cities?

Not yet, but I’m planning to visit Moscow. I’ve heard it’s beautiful, especially during the New Year with all the decorations.

That’s true! It’s a must-visit during the holidays. If you’re planning to go, you should book tickets soon because it gets crowded and expensive.

Thanks for the advice. I’ll plan it soon.

What are your plans for the future?

Once the exchange program is done, I plan to return to Indonesia to finish my studies. After that, I want to pursue a Master’s degree abroad, possibly at ITMO if I get the chance. Alternatively, I might find a job first and then apply for a Master’s program later with some work experience.

That was a really insightful conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and good luck in the future.

Thanks to you for taking the time to chat with me. It was a pleasure knowing you!