Aldwin Winata Harjono’s AIMS Student Exchange Journey at Hiroshima University (2024–2025)

My name is Aldwin Winata Harjono, a mechanical engineering student at Institut Teknologi
Bandung, and I’m currently living one of the most exciting chapters of my life as a student
exchange participant at Hiroshima University from September 2024 to January 2025. My
program involves taking at least 14 credits and doing some small research, but it has turned out
to be so much more than just academics. The campus is full of students from all over the world,
such as USA, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Nepal, the UK, India, and beyond. It’s amazing how
quickly you form connections with people from such different backgrounds.
Every day here feels like an adventure. On this campus, I’ve made so many new friends and
even joined various activities with other AIMS students. We even have a weekly sports
schedule that we all look forward to. One of my favorite things about campus is the cafeteria,
where not only the food tastes amazing, but it’s also very affordable. Plus, the campus is full of vending machines, so you’re never far from a drink. You’ll never be thirsty, no matter where
or when.

Beyond the campus, I’ve made it my mission to explore as much as I can. I’ve already been to
Hiroshima City and visited Hiroshima Castle, where I was struck by the rich history all around
me. Another unforgettable trip was to Ōkunoshima Island, once a secret World War II weapons
storage site. The eerie, abandoned ruins make it feel like stepping into a piece of lost history.
And yet, the island is also known for something much softer, rabbits. It’s full of them, hopping
around freely, which is why it’s also called Rabbit Island. The contrast of history and nature
there is fascinating.

Academically, it’s been just as rewarding. The professors, or sensei, are not only
knowledgeable but also incredibly kind. Some of them aren’t fluent in English, but their
enthusiasm shines through, and they make sure to connect with the students in every way they can. One of my favorite classes is Advanced Biofuel Engineering with Prof. Yukihiko
Matsumura. He’s the kind of professor every student dreams of, funny, approachable, and
always finding a way to make even the hardest topics feel within reach. Another class that has
broadened my horizons is the Study on International Issues and Challenges with Prof. Hotta
Taiji. In this class, we present our own research, and it’s so enriching to hear from classmates
who aren’t in engineering. I’ve gained so much by listening to their projects and researches.
Apart from classes, I’ve been diving into research too. I’ve joined the Materials for Energy
Conversion Laboratory, where I’m working on hydrogen production through thermochemical
water splitting using sodium redox reactions. It sounds complex (and it is), but my task is to
figure out the best sample placement to achieve the highest reaction rate, which is an essential
factor in producing hydrogen efficiently. Although it’s challenging, I’m lucky to have seniors
in the lab who are always there to help me. With their guidance, I hope to finish my research
by the end of the program. The lab itself is impressive, filled with high-end equipment that’s
unlike anything I’ve seen before.
 

This exchange experience has deepened my perspective on university life. I used to focus
mainly on academics, but now I see campus as a place where people grow together, support
one another, and pursue larger goals. This journey has shown me how much there is to
explore—not only in terms of knowledge, but also through friendships, experiences, and
pushing ourselves to achieve what once felt out of reach.