A Passion Redirected
Growing up in Indonesia, Michelle envisioned a future in music. That changed when her math teacher encouraged her to join the Informatics Olympiad.
“I was amazed by how coding could simplify everyday tasks. I still remember writing a programme that generated complementary DNA sequences for my biology project, creating games like Tic Tac Toe and even coded a fun little programme to print a birthday cake for a friend,” she recalled.
Those first creations sparked a lifelong interest. “It feels completely different when I build programmes myself, using my own logic instead of just following tutorials. That excitement is what drew me to Computer Science.”
Building a Foundation at SIM
Eager to pursue her new interest, Michelle enrolled in SIM, completing her Diploma in IT before moving on to the University of Wollongong’s Computer Science (Big Data and Cyber Security) programme. The decision was shaped by the practical nature of the course.
“I was drawn to SIM-UOW because many seniors shared that the programme emphasises practical assignments and includes a final-year project. I particularly love doing projects, as they allow me to apply what I learn, solve real problems, and develop skills that will be valuable for my future career,” she explains.
Life in Singapore, however, came with its own challenges. Living with her aunt in Sengkang meant a 2.5-hour daily commute to campus, and her vegan lifestyle made eating out difficult. Homesickness surfaced occasionally too, though she returned home every few months. “Sometimes, when deadlines were tight, I even made use of my MRT rides to work on assignments,” she says with a laugh.
Learning Beyond The Classroom
Michelle’s journey has been marked by a drive to go beyond what was taught in lectures. Hackathons, in particular, became a defining part of her student life.
Her first was a Web3 hackathon, a notoriously complex field for beginners. “I taught myself through YouTube tutorials, official documentation, and open-source projects on GitHub. Web3 resources were so scarce that even ChatGPT couldn’t always help,” she recalls. “I treated it like a treasure hunt—every time I found something useful, I shared it with my teammate, and we learned together.”
Her competitive streak also led her to apply for a selective scholarship bootcamp in Indonesia, where she trained in Back-End Java Development. Over six months, she built real applications, including a fully functional mobile banking app.
Freelance projects during her breaks in Indonesia further strengthened her skills. One of her first assignments was a simple company website. A later project required her to train staff on using the admin panel she had built.
“At first, I was nervous and overthinking. But when I completed the project, it gave me a huge confidence boost,” she said. “It wasn’t just technical — I learned communication, patience, and how to manage real clients.”
Leadership and Community
Michelle’s involvement at SIM extended far beyond academics. She served as Vice President of the IT Club and Director of Innovation for the Data Analytics Club (DAC), roles that pushed her to organise hackathons, lead workshops, and teach juniors.
“Initially, I struggled with balancing multiple responsibilities, but eventually I learned how to manage deadlines and work with different people. Looking back, I only wish I had gotten involved earlier because clubs have made my time at SIM so much more meaningful and fun,” she reflects.
Her contributions weren’t confined to tech. She joined InSIM (Indonesians in SIM), and performed as a dancer in their large-scale annual musical, InSIGHT. “It pushed me completely out of my comfort zone, but it also gave me some of my best memories and friendships,” she adds.
Mentorship and Giving Back
Michelle credits much of her growth to the support she received from peers, teachers, and family. Naturally, she feels compelled to give back.
“Giving back is important to me because helping others genuinely makes me happy. Whether it’s mentoring, sharing experiences, or simply being there when someone needs help, it feels like the right thing to do,” she says.
She highlights one of her closest collaborators, a friend named Desmond, with whom she has tackled multiple hackathons. Together, they are developing SIMCAL, a website that converts timetables into Google and Outlook calendar formats, making life easier for SIM students. “Working with him taught me so much about organisation and attention to detail. His influence motivates me to improve my own work,” she says.
A Milestone of Recognition
Michelle’s achievements were recently recognised with the SIM Award, given to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community spirit. For her, the award is more than just financial support.
“Receiving the SIM Award is both an honour and a responsibility. It eases my family’s financial burden, especially since my sister is preparing for university, but it also motivates me to keep contributing and making a difference,” she said.
The SIM Award is part of the SIM Impact Fund, which supports accessibility in education through financial aid, lifelong learning, and experiential opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Today, Michelle is in her second year at SIM-UOW and plans to keep blending creativity with technology. Whether through hackathons, side projects, or mentoring juniors, she believes technology is most powerful when it creates meaningful connections.
Her advice to juniors? “Don’t be afraid to try new things. I was quite introverted and never expected to join clubs, but getting involved was one of my best decisions. For Computer Science students, I’d also say: do hands-on projects, because learning through practice is really the best way to connect all the concepts we learn in class, everything suddenly "clicks" when you're actually building something.