For Clemens Osimo Vetaro, known to his friends simply as Taro, life in Tomsk has been an experience completely different from life in his hometown of Pontianak, Indonesia. After living in Russia for nearly a year, the student, who will continue his studies at the Faculty of Historical and Political Sciences at Tomsk State University, has experienced the full cycle of seasons: autumn, winter, spring, and summer.
"Autumn Suited Me Perfectly"
This experience has given Taro his own perspective on each season in Tomsk. Although he initially thought winter would become his favorite season because of the snow, it was actually autumn that he came to love the most.
"Autumn has very beautiful scenery. It's neither too hot nor too cold. And since I really love rain, autumn suited me perfectly," Taro says.
For a student from a tropical country, the dramatic change in climate was an entirely new experience. However, Taro admits that adapting to the cold was not particularly difficult for him. Before coming to Tomsk, he had gone hiking in the mountains of Indonesia, where temperatures could drop to around 9 degrees Celsius.
Photo: Clemens Osimo Vetaro
Nevertheless, the Siberian winter still brought some surprises. Snow, which always looks so romantic in films, felt completely different in real life.
"When winter first arrived, I was excited. I thought, 'This is going to be my favorite season!' But after experiencing it for myself, I realized that I prefer autumn," the student recalls.
According to Taro, one of the main challenges was having to put on several layers of clothing every time he went outside. The severe cold also made outdoor activities very different from those in other seasons.
Summer, on the other hand, gave him an opportunity to explore Tomsk more comfortably, although the Siberian heat came as a surprise.
"I thought summer in Tomsk would be cooler than in my hometown. But it turned out to be just as hot. Even though the numbers on the thermometer are different, it feels just like the heat in Indonesia," Taro notes.
Exploring History and Architecture Beyond the Classroom
After completing his studies at TSU's Pre-University Training Center, Taro spent his summer holidays working, relaxing, and exploring the city.
As someone interested in history and architecture, Taro spent much of his free time in the city center. He walked through numerous streets, including Lenin Avenue and Tomsk's historic districts.
"I've always loved history. Back in secondary school, I was already interested in Russian history and architecture," he says.
For Taro, walking around Tomsk became an opportunity to experience the city's history firsthand-something he had previously known only through stories and textbooks. The city's historic buildings became one of the main reasons why he wanted to keep exploring Tomsk again and again.
Coffee as a Cultural Contrast
Besides history and architecture, another thing caught Taro's attention during his time in Russia: coffee.
Before moving to Russia, Taro worked at an Indonesian coffee shop for about three months. That experience inspired him to compare the coffee cultures of the two countries.
"Before coming to Russia, I worked at a coffee shop for about three months and learned about coffee. When I arrived here, I also set myself the goal of exploring the local coffee culture," Taro explains.
He noticed a significant difference in the way people approach coffee. While in Indonesia, going out for coffee is often part of socializing and can last for several hours, in Russia, Taro observed a faster and more practical approach.
"Here, people have a simple approach: they sit for a while and then move on. They order coffee, drink it on the spot, and immediately leave to continue with their day. Essentially, it feels more like an express coffee bar for a daily dose of caffeine," Taro explains.
This cultural contrast gave Taro the idea of introducing local residents to Indonesian coffee traditions.
"In Indonesia, you can sit over a single cup of coffee for three or four hours. During the summer, I even had the idea of opening a small coffee shop here to introduce people to Indonesian coffee culture, with its wide variety of flavors and our own way of enjoying the drink," he shares.
"I'm Ready to Begin a New Chapter in My Life"
However, after a year of living in Tomsk, a new stage is now beginning for Taro. On September 1, he will officially begin his studies at Tomsk State University.
Despite all the experience he has gained while living in Russia, one thing still worries him: the Russian language.
During the holidays, Taro had fewer opportunities to communicate with Russian speakers, and he worries that his language skills may have declined, especially since his studies will be conducted entirely in Russian. His concerns are mainly connected with the language and how he will adapt to the academic process in the classroom.
However, when it comes to his overall readiness to study, he is much more optimistic.
"If we're talking about my overall readiness, then yes, I'm ready. Of course, I'm ready," he says.
After spending nearly a year in Tomsk, experiencing all four seasons, exploring the city, and gaining countless new impressions, Taro is ready to begin a new chapter in his life as a student at Tomsk State University.
His biggest challenges may still lie ahead. But after everything he has experienced over the past year, Taro is facing them with a simple mindset: to be ready and keep moving forward with confidence.
Text: Ari Adzkari, TSU student
