Undergraduate Journey [I]: Institut Teknologi Bandung
B.Sc Mechanical Engineering ITB: A review of my 1st semester
As a recent highschool graduate from ACG Jakarta, though I had applied and been accepted to study at Germany, unfortunately due to visa problems regarding COVID-19, I had instead decided to study here in Indonesia — which I’ve come to accept as God’s plan for the best.
The university itself, named Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), or Bandung Institute of Technology, has also had a history with my family, namely my grandfather being a lecturer there, as well as the place my father and mother met during their studies. It was also located in the youthful city of Bandung, which I absolutely love because of its culture and ambience.
As for the specifics for my application, I got accepted through the International Program for the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) using the grades from my International Baccalaureate Diploma in high school. In the past, ITB also requires taking their personalized entrance test called ITB-AQ test for those in the international route, however due to COVID-19, I was quite lucky in not having to take the additional exam hehe.
Classes taken:
Mathematics I ; Chemistry I ; Physics I ; Introduction to Computation ; Sports ; Introduction to FTMD
Highlight #1: Student Orientation [OSKM ITB]
Though I can only dream of being part of the orientation program and all the stories, videos, and photos that the alumni have posted on the actual campus grounds of ITB, I was unfortunately only able to experience OSKM ITB through a screen. Despite that, I still enjoyed the program and was able to meet a lot of interesting people from the other faculties along with learning the values, history, and culture of my campus.
Highlight #2: ITB Merch & Alma Mater
In Indonesian universities, each student receives an alma mater jacket that represents each of their respective campuses and becomes a symbol of sorts — To name a few: ITB with their dark teal, UI with their fierce yellow, and UGM with their light brown. From this, you can imagine how excited I was to get mine. After waiting well over several months due to shipping complications, I finally received it and though I haven’t really worn it anywhere, it was still a euphoric feeling.
Highlight #3: Getting a Mid Term Test Score the Size of My Shoe
Before you judge me - and though it doesn’t completely justify the grade, everyone in my class also got a score below 50. Even the campus instagram meme page (itb.receh) features this campus wide phenomena every year with the new students witnessing this humbling moment. However, after receiving said grade, I learnt my lesson and did much better in the finals and earned the grades that I was satisfied with (bless the curve).
