Anton Indrawan

Anton Indrawan

“If you are intelligent, motivated, creative and serious, with leadership qualities and communicative skills, Brainport is the place to be” 

“There are a lot of interesting companies in the Netherlands and Brainport, and there are many students and workers from all over the world. The ICT industry is very internationally oriented. On a typical day, I interact with colleagues from different nationalities such as German, Ukrainian, Indian, Romanian and, of course, Dutch. Sometimes, communicating with international customers is needed to align some requirements. It’s a fantastic challenge to deal with all those different nationalities. I love communicating with others.” 

“During your studies you get work experience in real companies”

Anton Indrawan (23) obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Informatics at Petra Christian University in Indonezia. His goal was to work in the Netherlands, but this required further qualifications. He could choose to continue his studies after graduated in either Singapore, Australia or the Netherlands. Because Petra Christian University is partnered with InHolland and Fontys universities of applied sciences to do the last year of Bachelor degree, Anton opted for the Netherlands, where he chose the ICT programme at Fontys. “There was no waiting list and I received a scholarship!”
Anton particularly liked the practical approach to education at Fontys University.“You work in a project group and you’re responsible for your own work and results. Fontys creates a realistic working environment that really prepares students for the real world. You get work experience by doing internships in international companies, which is not that common in Indonezia.”

“After my studies I went straight to work with an international company, I didn’t need to move and was offered a great salary”

After his studies, Anton quickly found a job. He uploaded his resumé online which soon attracted the interest of two international companies. While waiting for their final verdict, Anton decided to apply for a job at TomTom. “TomTom attracted me with a challenge to work there. It was ideal: I wouldn’t have to leave Eindhoven, was offered a great salary and I got the chance to work for an international company! I love working together with people from other countries, and international work experience always looks good on your resumé.”

Anton is a Junior Software Engineer at TomTom. His team is working on developing an automotive application: a navigation system to place in a car’s dashboard. “We typically start our day with a meeting, where each team member talks about the progress of his or her tasks. This way we keep a close eye on the development process.” He further notes, “In the Netherlands you’re expected to explain your solutions in great detail like what, why, and how you’re going to do them. With this typical habit, I learn lots of things and can’t say that I give ‘magical’ solutions.

Name
Anton Indrawan
Company
TomTom
Function
Junior Software Engineer
Country
Indonezia
City
Eindhoven
Education
ICT
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”From the Netherlands you can get anywhere in no time by train, plane or car. Travel is also much cheaper here than in or from Indonesia. You can see a lot in a short time!”

All contact with colleagues and clients is conducted in English, although Anton would like to learn Dutch. During his breaks, he tries to pick up bits and pieces of the Dutch language. He is also very enthusiastic about the networking possibilities of the country and this region specifically. He is on the mailing list of (former) students of the Eindhoven University of Technology. One of the advantages of this list is being able to sell things to each other. He met a Hungarian lady selling him her squash racket. When she told him she was looking for a job, Anton introduced her to TomTom because there was a job opportunity that fit to her education and experience. “ I have made a lot of friends through this mailing list. In Brainport you meet people easily and quickly.”

“If you’re intelligent, motivated, creative and serious, with leadership qualities and communicative skills (you like giving your opinion and sharing knowledge), Brainport is the place to be for both study and work”, according to Anton. Anton expects to stay in Brainport for at least 5 years. His parents prefer him to stay in the Netherlands for a good future. Once a year, Anton travels to his native country – where his girlfriend lives as well. During his stay in the Netherlands, Anton has made a lot of friends, many of which are also from Indonesia. He thinks they view the working life in Brainport as extremely interesting and a great opportunity for personal development and experience.

On weekends, Anton regularly goes on city trips in Europe with friends. “From the Netherlands you can get anywhere in no time by train, plane or car. Travel is also much cheaper here than in or from Indonesia. You can see a lot in a short time!” Sometimes on Sundays, you can find Anton in the Pauluskerk in Tilburg. “This is a typical Indonesian-Dutch church. Church services are conducted in two languages.” As a former Fontys student, Anton can use his sports card for a year with a low price at the UT/e’s sports facilities. He plays squash and likes fitness training and swimming. “I also spend a lot of my free time on Skype, talking to my parents, brother and sister”, he laughs. Another favourite pastime is shopping, cooking and having barbecues with friends – “Indonesian style”!

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