How studying in a beautiful country inspired a beautiful, award-winning skincare brand.

Her degree equipped her with the knowledge and skills to develop a skincare range that won Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry 2024 cosmetic start-up competition. Devika believes the whole experience of studying in New Zealand led to this prestigious win.

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Growing up in Indonesia, Devika always had a natural curiosity for science — especially biology. It was her favourite subject in high school. But with limited career paths available at home (mainly teaching or going to medical school), she knew she wanted to explore more.

After convincing her parents to let her apply for an overseas scholarship, she started exploring her options. While scrolling through potential universities and countries, one thing stopped her in her tracks — a photo of New Zealand’s stunning natural beauty. That image really sparked something. It was then that she realised New Zealand was the place she’d been looking for — beautiful, peaceful, and well-known for its high-quality education.

New Zealand qualifications are highly regarded and sought-after by employers and other educational institutions around the world.

Devika applied for several scholarships and was thrilled to be awarded both the University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship and the High Achievement Scholarship for International Students.

Find out how to apply for a scholarship to a New Zealand university.

Devika found that studying in New Zealand gave her the opportunity to gain a world-class degree and have a life experience like no other. She was able to get out just about every weekend and discover a new place to hike and explore and she learnt a lot about Te ao Māori, New Zealand’s rich Māori culture. She soon felt at home here and well supported in her studies. She actively volunteered in the local community where she worked as a mentor and helped organise events. These experiences helped her develop teamwork and communication skills, and they expanded her network beyond the classroom.

Devika was pleasantly surprised at how welcome she felt, not just by the people on her campus but by the whole community. She met people from all over the world and found that interacting with different cultures widened her connections and deepened her knowledge of how other cultures lived. She grew confident speaking English and was able to apply her newfound skills to her start-up business, communicating and negotiating in English with vendors across the world.

Looking back now, she describes her time in New Zealand as more than just education. It was an adventure that gave her skills, confidence and community she needed to grow — not only as a student, but as a future entrepreneur.

After graduating with her bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Devika didn’t follow a traditional science path. Instead, she blended her passion for skincare with her knowledge of biotech to create something entirely new.

In November 2024, she launched her own skincare brand, Keyoura, inspired by the phrase ‘Kia ora’ a warm greeting she heard many times while living in New Zealand. Keyoura also stands for ‘Key to your healthy skin’ which has become the tagline for the brand. Her first collection, a line of anti-aging products was grounded in the science she learned during her degree.

Starting her own business wasn’t easy, but Devika felt she was ready. Her time studying in New Zealand had given her not just the technical know-how, but the entrepreneurial mindset to bring her vision to life.

If you’re wondering how to choose a career path, Devika’s story may give you inspiration to choose a degree that could take you to unexpected places. Devika started with a simple love of biology, but by being open to new experiences, asking questions and following her interests, she found a path that was uniquely hers. New Zealand’s unique teaching style helped Devika to achieve her goals. Students here are supported to solve problems, work with others, create and innovate. From student to mentor to business owner, every step she took helped shape her future.

Find out about New Zealand’s internationally renowned education system.

So, if you’re wondering how to find your career path, start by asking yourself a few questions:

Doing a little research now and really thinking about what’s important to you in life will help guide you along the right career path.

You may also get the opportunity to work part-time while you study and if you choose, full-time during holidays.

If you’re thinking of studying overseas, New Zealand offers something truly special. It’s a place where education meets self-exploration. Degrees from New Zealand are internationally respected, especially in science and technology fields. You’ll gain practical, real-world skills that prepare you for the workforce — or even launching that award winning start-up, and you’ll enjoy unforgettable experiences along the way.

Start exploring courses that could set you up for a fabulous career.

Website: keyoura.co.id TikTok: @keyoura.official Instagram @keyoura.official