Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Recipient, Inesh (Eskanesiari) from Indonesia, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Master of Energy at the University of Auckland, New Zealand

My name is Eskanesiari, but most people call me Inesh. I’m from Indonesia. I have been working for over 12 years as an Avionics Systems Engineer at Indonesian Aerospace. Since 2025, I have been pursuing a Master of Energy at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

I chose to pursue a Master of Energy because the program is highly multidisciplinary. Rather than limiting me to a single technical area, it allows me to take courses that directly support my professional background and long-term goals. Through the program, I study renewable energy, aerospace system design, sustainability and life cycle assessment, accounting and finance, and project management. This combination has helped me view aviation not only as an engineering discipline, but also as part of a broader energy and sustainability system.

Currently, my research project focuses on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a topic that reflects my commitment to bridging aviation and energy. By expanding my expertise beyond traditional avionics, I aim to contribute more meaningfully to the transition toward sustainable aviation, particularly in the context of Indonesia’s future development.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Details

In 2024, I was honored to receive the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Beyond covering full tuition fees, the scholarship provides holistic support, including a weekly living allowance, establishment and reintegration allowances, medical and travel insurance, round-trip international travel, academic preparation through the PGAP course, and additional tutoring support.

For me, this level of support meant more than financial assistance. It gave me the space to focus entirely on learning, research, and personal growth.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes. In 2024, I was also offered the LPDP–Australia Awards Scholarship, a collaborative scholarship program between LPDP and Australia Awards.

Educational Background

I earned my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Diponegoro University, Indonesia. While my GPA was not particularly high, my academic journey provided a strong foundation in engineering principles that later became highly relevant in my professional career.

Academic performance has always been important to me, but I also realized early on that learning does not stop in the classroom. Alongside my studies, I focused on gaining meaningful real-world experience. Throughout my career, I have been involved in various aircraft development programs in Indonesia, including commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and UAV projects. These experiences allowed me to apply academic knowledge to complex, real-world challenges and strengthened my understanding of systems, reliability, and long-term impact.

This balance between academic learning and professional experience prepared me well for postgraduate study. It also shaped how I approached scholarship applications by demonstrating not only academic readiness but also the ability to translate knowledge into practical contributions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Auckland?

To prepare for the application process, I familiarized myself early with the university’s requirements and prepared key documents such as my CV, academic records, and supporting statements. I also reached out to alumni through LinkedIn to get a more realistic picture of the program beyond what was available on official websites.

In my case, I applied for the scholarship before applying to the university. This approach made the process more efficient, as having a confirmed sponsor helped streamline the application and made it easier to obtain a Letter of Offer. For English proficiency, I used the IELTS test provided during the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship selection process, which was later accepted for my university application.

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and the University of Auckland?

I started by looking for scholarships that did not require an IELTS certificate at the initial application stage. At that time, I wanted to minimize upfront costs and avoid spending money on language tests before knowing whether I had a real chance of being selected. This approach led me to the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship website.

From there, I focused on understanding the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, priority areas, and overall objectives. Beyond official sources, I also followed scholarship communities and online forums where applicants share experiences, timelines, and practical tips. These spaces helped me stay informed and motivated throughout the process, especially during the more uncertain stages.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests?

I did not take IELTS independently. The IELTS result required for my university application came from the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship selection process, meaning the test was already covered as part of the scholarship.

Before reaching the IELTS test stage in the selection process, I prepared myself using freely available resources. For reading and listening, I practiced with IELTS Cambridge materials that are widely available online. For writing, I used AI-based tools such as Engnovate to get feedback and improve structure, coherence, and clarity. To prepare for speaking, I focused on building confidence by regularly practicing conversations with native speakers through platforms like Episoden.

I studied consistently every day, usually two hours before work and another two hours after working hours. I found that studying in manageable portions but consistently each day was far more effective than studying for long hours all at once, which often leads to burnout. The IELTS result from the Manaaki process met the University of Auckland’s English language requirement, with an overall score of 6.5.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Scholarship?

I started by reflecting not only on why I wanted to pursue further study, but also on how my goals aligned with the purpose of the scholarship itself. I paid attention to what the scholarship is trying to support: long-term impact, sustainable development, and candidates who are committed to contributing back to their home countries. From there, I asked myself a simple question: How can my background in aviation and my interest in energy transition create real value in that bigger picture? This alignment became the foundation of my application and helped me stay focused throughout the process.

After that, I focused on understanding the scholarship requirements in detail. I read the official guidelines carefully and prepared the documents step by step, including academic records, recommendation letters, and my personal statement. I worked on my essays gradually rather than rushing everything at once, and I asked for feedback from others to improve clarity and strengthen the way I communicated my story.

To stay organized, I created a simple Excel tracking sheet to manage the entire process. I used it to keep track of deadlines, required documents, application stages, and follow-ups. Balancing a full-time job while applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming, and having everything clearly laid out in one place helped me stay disciplined, reduce stress, and avoid missing important details.

I also prepared for interviews by practicing how to explain my background, motivation, and goals in a way that felt natural and relevant to the scholarship’s values. This helped me become more confident and communicate my story clearly, especially when discussing how my study plan connects to long-term impact beyond my own career.

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Auckland?

Studying at the University of Auckland has been a very rewarding experience, especially as someone returning to university after years of working full-time. The academic environment is structured and challenging in a good way, and the university provides strong facilities and resources that support both learning and well-being.

One of the most valuable parts of my experience has been learning alongside international students from many different countries. It has helped me become more open-minded, improve my communication skills, and appreciate different ways of thinking. Overall, the experience has strengthened me not only academically but also personally, and it has given me a wider perspective on the global transition toward sustainability.

How Do You Rate the University of Auckland Academically and Why?

Academically, I would rate the University of Auckland very highly. The course content is well structured, and the assessments are designed in a way that feels closely connected to real-world industry problems rather than purely academic exercises.

As someone who had already been working for years before returning to university, I found this approach extremely valuable. Many assignments felt similar to the types of challenges I would face in the workplace, which made the learning experience practical and directly applicable. Because of that, I believe students who graduate from the University of Auckland are well prepared to transition into industry and handle real professional responsibilities.

How Does the University of Auckland Support International Students?

The University of Auckland is very supportive of international students, both academically and personally. They provide dedicated international student services, student clubs, and platforms that help students adjust to campus life and build connections.

As a Manaaki scholar, I also received additional support before classes started, including orientation sessions that introduced us to the university system and helped us understand what to prepare for. There is also an International Student Officer who can be contacted whenever support is needed, whether it’s related to academic concerns or personal challenges. This support system made the transition much smoother and helped me feel more confident studying in a new country.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because I wrote it from the scholarship provider’s point of view. I didn’t only focus on what I wanted to gain from the scholarship; I focused on what they would gain by choosing me as a scholar. I wanted them to see that supporting me would be a meaningful investment, someone who would take the opportunity seriously, perform well academically, represent the scholarship positively, and contribute to the scholarship community.

I also brought a clear sense of relevance and urgency. My professional background is in aviation, and while aerospace is not explicitly listed as a priority field, I connected it to renewable energy and sustainability through the lens of sustainable aviation. Aviation is an energy-intensive industry, and its future depends on cleaner energy systems and solutions like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This made my study plan feel realistic, aligned with the scholarship’s goals, and impactful.

During the interview, I stayed authentic. My passion for aviation also showed in small details, like my Zoom background with aircraft miniatures and a few photos from my work. It became a natural conversation starter and helped the conversation flow more comfortably.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I could go through the process again, I would practice explaining my story to people outside my field much earlier. Coming from an aviation background, I realized that what feels “obvious” to engineers doesn’t always translate clearly to others.

Since I was applying for a scholarship that prioritizes areas like renewable energy and sustainability, I needed to communicate my aviation-to-energy connection in a way that was simple, relatable, and convincing even to someone who has never worked in aviation. If a non-engineer can understand why my background makes sense for the scholarship, then the selection panel will understand it too. That clarity is what makes an application memorable.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s this: don’t reject yourself too early. Many people assume they are not eligible because of their age, GPA, or academic background, but scholarships are often looking for clarity, purpose, and potential impact, not perfection.

Read the scholarship goals carefully and position your story around what they value. If your field doesn’t look like an exact match, find the connection and explain it clearly. The strongest applications are not always the most “perfect,” but the most intentional and aligned.

And most importantly, keep going. There will be moments of doubt, especially if you feel “late,” not perfect enough, or not exactly the right fit. Even if you get rejected multiple times, stay resilient and don’t let it define your potential. But the people who succeed are often the ones who simply stay consistent and finish what they started.