From Bali to Dartmouth

From Bali to Jakarta, and now Dartmouth College in the United States, Angelica’s academic journey has been filled with purpose and a deep passion for enacting meaningful change — both in her own life and those of others. As an eighth-grader in Bali, she set her sights on attending JIS through the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (BTI) Scholarship. Just two years later, her determination paid off when she secured a coveted spot in the program and started Grade 10 at the Cilandak campus. She would wrap up her JIS experience with the Head of School Award, which is presented to one exceptional student each year in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership, dedication to service, and Dragon Spirit. 

Since then, she’s reached one milepost after another in areas that mean the most to her, from science and research to women’s empowerment and poverty eradication. Angelica is now in her second year at Dartmouth College, where her academic and personal pursuits have already garnered her a string of recognitions. 

In this special Q&A, Angelica reflects on her BTI experience, how JIS shaped her as a scholar and leader, and the vision she is pursuing for her community and for the world.

Could you tell us a bit about your personal background?

Hi everyone! My name is Angelica. I’m a proud JIS Class of 2024 alum and the first King Scholar from Indonesia at Dartmouth College, where I am now a rising Sophomore.

I was born in Jakarta but was raised in Bali almost my whole life, and moved to JIS in Grade 10. I have a passion for research that began in middle school and continued at JIS, where I joined Sigma Xi, represented our school at international science conferences like the ASEAN Innovative Science, Environmental, and Entrepreneurship Fair, and founded Power of Pen, a service club supporting young women’s access to higher education through scholarships and mentorship.

At Dartmouth, I am designing my own major focused on human development and poverty eradication, bringing together psychology, education, neuroscience, sociology, and public policy to better understand and address systemic inequality. In my first year, I did research with the Geography department, exploring climate-related flood risks for low-income communities in the Northeast, which inspired my current summer internship at Upper Valley Haven, a local nonprofit addressing poverty and homelessness.

Beyond academics, I stay active in campus life: I am an Academic Fellow for the First-Year Summer Enrichment Program (one-month orientation program for first-generation and low-income students that I also did last year!), Communication Chair for the International Student Association, and 2025 Co-Chair of AAPI Heritage Month. I am also part of Global Issues Scholars, Interfaith Leadership, and Dartmouth Tuck Pathfinders (through which I met Shonda Rhimes!).

What led you to apply for the JIS BTI Scholarship?

I first learned about JIS in Grade 8 when their middle school visited Bali for the ESP [Extended Study Program] and invited my school to join. I still remember thinking, “This is it. This is where I want to be.” I was drawn to the diversity, the energy, and the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom.

In 2020, I searched for full scholarships to attend international schools in Bali but found none. I came across the BTI Scholarship too late, and at the time, it was only open to students in Jakarta. I stayed in Bali and enrolled in the closest public high school, as my mom suggested. While I am grateful for that experience, it made me realize how much I craved a more rigorous and globally-minded education.

During the pandemic, I deepened my involvement in community service with nonprofits like WWF Indonesia, but I found that my school environment didn’t support this passion. In 2021, I applied for the BTI Scholarship the moment I saw it had expanded to include students from across Indonesia. It felt like my final shot, and thankfully, it became the opportunity that changed my life.

How did your time at JIS shape your perspectives and aspirations?

My three years at JIS transformed me not just as a student, but as a leader, changemaker, and global citizen.

When I first joined, school was fully online, and I struggled with my first Advanced Placement course and learning entirely in English. I nearly gave up, but my counselor, Mr. Tavares, told me, “[...] I know you may be disappointed earning B’s and C’s, but I personally think it’s better to earn Bs and Cs in a challenging class than earn As in [an easy class] and not feel challenged.” That stuck with me. Since then, I have learned to value growth and resilience over perfection.

As I settled in, I began taking on leadership roles. I co-founded Power of Pen, helping six young women secure scholarships for higher education. I served as an officer in Young Activists Abroad, leading forums and writing on current political and social issues. I also participated in IASAS Original Oratory, IB ESS trip to Belitung, and LEAD Week — opportunities that shaped my voice and values.

JIS taught me that education is most powerful when paired with action. When we take what we learn and use it to serve others. That belief now drives my aspiration to design solutions to poverty and inequality. With the foundation JIS gave me, I am continuing this journey at Dartmouth, combining research, service, and interdisciplinary learning to help drive social change, starting in Indonesia and extending beyond.

What are your future goals for yourself and for Indonesia?

After Dartmouth, I hope to continue my studies in human development and poverty alleviation, deepening my research through comparative and policy-focused work. My long-term goal is to build my own nonprofit (and hopefully schools) that support underserved communities, especially in rural Bali, where I grew up.

I also aspire to work with international organizations as a consultant on human development projects and policies across Southeast Asia. Through these roles, I want to help shape more equitable systems and contribute to poverty reduction efforts in Indonesia. Ultimately, I hope to return to academia as a professor, mentoring future changemakers and expanding the field of human development through teaching and research.

Do you have a message for the newly graduated Class of 2024 or your own former classmates?

You have the power to change the world for the better. That power has always been within you. The power is you. Keep showing up for yourself, even on the hard days. Dream boldly, stay grounded in who you are, and trust that everything will fall into place in time.

This is just the beginning, and we are all so proud of you!