How I Won the Australia Awards Scholarship: My Journey from New Guinea’s Forests to Studying Conservation in Australia

My name is Reza Saputra, and I come from Sorong, in the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia. I work as a Forest Ecosystem Specialist (Ranger) with the Ministry of Forestry, specifically under the West Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency. For almost a decade, I’ve dedicated my life to conserving Papua’s pristine forests and rich biodiversity, particularly orchids. This deep connection with nature and community-driven conservation work inspired me to pursue a Master of Science in Tropical Biology and Conservation at James Cook University, Australia. I wanted to enhance my scientific and policy knowledge to better protect the ecosystems I’ve grown up with and worked in.

Australia Awards Scholarship Details

I was awarded the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship in 2024. This fully-funded scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, airfares, and academic support for postgraduate studies in Australia. I chose James Cook University due to its strong reputation in tropical ecology, its proximity to New Guinea’s biogeographic region, and the opportunity to connect with the ATH herbarium’s orchid collection, which aligns perfectly with my work. I was also offered a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship in the same application year. While both opportunities were incredibly generous, I committed to the Australia Awards Scholarship because it best matched my academic and professional goals.

Educational Background

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Indonesia, with a focus on plant conservation. I graduated with a GPA of 3.35. During my undergraduate studies, I worked on various field projects, including research on orchids and ethnomedicine in Papua. This academic foundation helped me build the skills necessary for a career in biodiversity conservation and was instrumental in framing a strong case for my scholarship application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to James Cook University?

My institutional search was guided by relevance. I looked for universities that specialize in tropical ecology and conservation science and have connections to New Guinea’s biodiversity. I spent months reviewing faculty profiles, research centers, and potential supervisors. James Cook University consistently stood out. I reached out to academics, reviewed course structures, and ensured the program aligned with my long-term conservation goals.

I took the IELTS Academic test as required by both the institution and the Australia Awards Scholarship. My journey with IELTS began in 2021 when I was selected for the English Language Training Assistance (ELTA) program, funded by Australia Awards. It was a 3-month intensive English training course that significantly improved my academic writing, speaking confidence, and test strategies. This early exposure helped build my foundation.

In 2024, after being shortlisted for the interview stage, Australia Awards provided me with a fully funded IELTS test, which I took at an official test center. I scored a 7.0 overall, with no band lower than 6.0. To prepare, I reviewed my ELTA materials and also used free online resources like IELTS Liz, IELTS Advantage, and practice tests. I practiced writing and speaking with peers, focusing on fluency and structure. Having the test costs and preparation support covered by the scholarship program lifted a huge burden off my shoulders and allowed me to focus fully on doing my best.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship?

My journey with the Australia Awards Scholarship didn’t start with success, in fact, I failed the first time I applied. That experience, however, became one of the most valuable lessons in my life. After the rejection, I took time for a deep self-assessment, reflecting on what went wrong and identifying areas to improve. I revisited my essays, clarified my goals, and sought more targeted feedback from mentors and alumni. I realized that while I had strong field experience, I needed to better communicate how my work connected to broader development priorities and how studying in Australia would amplify my impact.

When I applied again, I came back with a stronger and more focused application. I refined my CV, strengthened the coherence of my essays, and clearly aligned my goals with both Indonesia’s and Australia’s development objectives. I also engaged more deeply with the Australia Awards community, attended webinars, and reviewed successful applications to better understand what stood out.

One of the most important things I learned through this journey is the value of having a growth mindset. Rejection is not the end — it’s part of the process. We grow through setbacks. When it’s your time, it’s your time. When it’s meant to be yours, it will be yours. Keeping that mindset helped me stay resilient, focused, and hopeful.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe what made my application stand out was a combination of my strong track record, relevant publications, and clear achievements in the field of conservation. I have consistently proven my commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity through more than 28 field expeditions across remote areas in West Papua, particularly focusing on orchid diversity and indigenous ecological knowledge. These accomplishments weren’t just listed as activities, they demonstrated impact, leadership, and consistency over time.

I showed the panel that I am resilient, persistent, and strongly motivated, with a clear long-term goal. My application communicated not only what I’ve done but why I do it, and what I hope to achieve in the future. I made it clear that pursuing a master’s degree wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was part of my intention to give back to my home country, especially to West Papua, where conservation efforts are deeply tied to community wellbeing and indigenous rights.

By framing my story as both a professional journey and a mission to serve, I believe I presented a compelling case of why I was not only deserving of the scholarship but also ready to make the most of it, for the benefit of others.

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

Start early and reflect deeply on your personal “why.” Build a strong narrative that ties your background, current work, and future goals into one cohesive story. Connect your aspirations to real development issues in your country and how studying abroad will help you contribute to solving them. Don’t just list achievements, show your growth, impact, and purpose.

Take advantage of all available resources, mentorship programs, webinars, previous awardees, and official scholarship guidelines. Get your application reviewed multiple times and be open to constructive feedback. Practice for the interview and don’t underestimate the importance of clear communication.

Be honest and authentic. Scholarship panels can sense sincerity. Highlight your passion, your long-term vision, and how your experience makes you uniquely qualified to be part of their program.

And above all, don’t give up! You only fail when you stop trying. If you don’t make it the first time, treat it as a learning experience. Improve your application, strengthen your story, and apply again with more focus. Your time will come.