High schooler came to the US from Indonesia to get a head start on college.
Editor’s note: International Education Week (November 18-22) celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. A joint initiative of the US Department of Education and the US State Department, the week highlights the value of global and cultural competencies and promotes programs that help students and teachers develop global skills for success in the 21st century.
Michael Tan is the epitome of ambitious, a that trait seems to run in his family.
Michael’s oldest brother was the trailblazer—he came to Colorado from their home in Indonesia at the age of 16 to study aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. He now works as an inspection engineer for a photonics company.
His middle brother (pictured at right) graduated from CU too—at age 17, he was the youngest graduate ever from CU’s computer science program last year. Now 19, he’s working toward a PhD in computer science.
Following in the Family Footsteps
Now it’s Michael’s turn to go to college, and like his brothers, he’s getting an early start. A very early start, in fact—he’s just 14 years old.
“My dad taught my brothers and me that time is the most important thing in life,” says Michael. “When we researched this idea of me going to college sooner than later, I began studying hard so I could get ahead in math and pass the GED in a state that would allow me to sit for it with preparation and a parent waiver.”
Starting the Journey at FRCC
After passing the GED in North Dakota earlier this year while still in eighth grade, Michael applied to Front Range Community College. His parents own a business in Indonesia but currently run it remotely when they are in Colorado. They’ve been traveling between Longmont and Indonesia since 2021.
This fall, Michael is taking 22 credit hours, which is more than a full load. He’s studying:
- English composition
- Pre-calculus
- Chemistry
- Intercultural communication
- Engineering projects
- SolidWorks
He wants to become an engineer one day like his oldest brother and will finish the Associate of Science in mechanical engineering degree by 2026. He then plans to transfer to CU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering sciences.
A Welcoming Environment
So far, Michael is having a great experience at his first college. “The teachers at Front Range are nice and helpful to everyone,” Michael says. “If I was at a larger university, I might not get that personal attention in big classes.”
Perhaps the biggest adjustment has been the inherent expectations. “College is different than middle school with all its rules and everything. It’s up to you how much you study and pay attention! But I’m doing well. My friends in class are older than me, and that’s helping me mature as a student.”
Michael is excited for next fall when he’ll go to CU, where he’s visited his brothers many times. If all goes as planned, he will finish his bachelor’s degree at age 17. Since he won’t be old enough to get an internship or job in the US on an OPT visa for F-1 students, he plans to go immediately into the accelerated master’s degree program in aerospace engineering sciences at CU.
Big Plans for the Future
“My goal is to stay here in the U.S. for about five years to get experience, and then I’ll go back to Indonesia,” he says. “That’s home to me, but I am really grateful to be here.”
“Not everyone has an opportunity to do this, and I want to make the most of it,” he adds. One day, Michael hopes to start a business with his brothers.
Even at 14, he feels very comfortable in his FRCC classes on both the college’s Larimer and Boulder County campuses. “All the people at FRCC are so friendly,” he says.
“What I really like about going to a community college is that there are all different types and ages of people. That makes it easy to make friends.”
