From small town girl to SG scholar!

Dejah (centre), at ANZAC Day commemorations in NZ

Growing up in the small town of Kihikihi in the Waikato region of Aotearoa, I was a full-on pā kid. As a child from a traditional Māori background, I lived just ten minutes from my marae, and Mum was always taking me and my brother to Owairaka Valley to help with whatever kaupapa was happening – funerals, weddings, birthdays, working bees, committee meetings, the lot. Some of my best childhood memories include playing with my cousins at the river, helping our kaumātua in the kitchen, playing spotlight in the bush, and performing Kapa Haka. I was always active and busy, but as I got older, I started craving something a bit bigger than a place where everyone knows one another.

Finding my path

I’ve always been a bit of a go-getter at school. I remember when I was ten years old at Kihikihi Primary School and discovering I was really into arts and politics – not your average childhood hobby, but discussing women’s rights came naturally to me!

It was my auntie who spotted the ad for the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) scholarship at United World College Singapore (UWC) on Facebook back in January 2024. I had no clue what the IB was or what UWC meant, but when I read “two years abroad” and “full scholarship”, I thought it sounded amazing and applied straight away.

The scholarship was for a two-year programme to study at one of the 18 international high schools under the United World Colleges organisation. Designed especially to give international students from low-income communities the chance to study the IB, it was an incredible opportunity.

The selection process was intense, lasting around two months with rounds of essays, interviews, and financial checks. When I made it to the finalist round, I was flown to Wellington for a few days of activities and panel interviews. Walking into a room of six people firing questions at me was pretty nerve-wracking, but I must have said something right in there! Because UWC values diversity and culture, I think what made me stand out for the Māori and Pasifika scholarship was my pride in my heritage and my excitement to share it with others.

I kept my application between my immediate family, and the moment I found out I’d been accepted was the best feeling ever. When I shared the news on social media, the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. Everyone was so proud and excited – my huge new adventure was about to begin.

Second right, at the boarding orientation 2025

A new life

Landing in Singapore in August 2024 was a total shock to the system. The heat hit me first  – it’s so humid here, and it took a while to adjust. I live on campus in Tampines in a boarding house with other students, including scholars from all over the world. The first few weeks were a blur of new faces, routines, and food (which is next level!), but I instantly loved the area. The local Singaporeans were so lovely and helped me settle in quickly. Everything’s close by, and Tampines is quieter than the city, which suits me perfectly as I like being away from the tourist spots.

Almost eighteen months on, life on the red dot is full-on! My day starts around 7am with breakfast, then it’s straight into classes. After school, if I don’t have an activity, I’ll hang out with friends at the boarding house, go for a walk, or cycle. Dinner’s at six, then it’s usually study time until ten. Since my best friends are literally down the hall, sleeping straight away doesn’t always happen, and we often end up chatting till one in the morning.

Thankfully, my scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, flights, and even a fortnightly allowance, so I don’t have to worry too much about living expenses. The biggest challenge has been balancing school with a social life. The IB is different to the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) back in New Zealand in terms of difficulty and rigour, and living in a house with 150 people so far away from home can definitely be a bit much at times.

But for every challenge there have been a million blessings. One of the things I love most about living in Singapore is how safe and easy it is to get around. Coming from a rural town where there was never much to do, it’s so cool that I can just hop on a bus and head anywhere – the beach, the mall, the city – for just a few dollars. As I’m a big foodie, I spend a lot of time exploring hawker centres. Good, cheap food whenever I want is the best!

Celebrating UWC Day 2024 with students from all over the world

Missing home, finding myself

Of course, there are moments when I wobble a bit. Sometimes when school gets tough, I just want to be in Kihikihi with my family, even though we’re in touch all the time. Apart from my people, I also miss the scenery in New Zealand. Everything here is so built up, and I miss looking out over green hills, but I adore living abroad and hope to keep doing it after high school.

The people I’ve met and the connections I’ve made here have made the biggest difference. The bond you form living with others from so many different backgrounds is hard to describe. We’ve learned so much from each other, and it’s wild to think about graduation and having to go our separate ways.

Dejah with her hapu in front of their wharenui, Takihiku

Looking ahead

Without a doubt, this scholarship has helped me see what’s possible. It’s helped me grow in ways I didn’t know I could. As a kid, I always hoped, but never really believed I’d have the means to travel and experience new cultures. But since moving to Singapore I’ve visited five countries in a year, made friends from every corner of the globe, learnt new languages, and joined in cultural celebrations I never imagined possible. I’ve discovered a new passion for film – something I hadn’t explored before UWC – and I’d love to pursue it further. I always thought I was an introvert, but moving here has shown me that I just needed to find the right space to be my true self – loud and proud!

Next up is university, which still feels surreal because I never thought it would be an option for me. Debt always felt like too big a barrier, but this scholarship has opened so many doors. I’m very grateful for this experience, and if given the chance to do it again, I wouldn’t do anything differently.

If I could give one piece of advice to other students thinking about applying for a scholarship or studying abroad, it would be: just go for it. Don’t overthink it. Take every opportunity that comes your way. Studying abroad is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially if you’re still figuring out where you belong. I applied on a whim, and it’s completely changed my life.