Monalisa Handoko’s hard work and determination truly paid off when she was accepted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She was admitted to the Human Development and Education programme, specializing in School Counseling Licensure, a highly selective programme that accepts only around ten students each year.
Her journey started at Sekolah Victory Plus, where she studied from toddler all the way through Grade 12 as part of the Class of 2018. Growing up in an environment that encouraged curiosity, exploration, and trying new things shaped her into the learner she is today.
Building Confidence from a Young Age
During her time at SVP, Monalisa was actively involved in a variety of projects, class discussions, and international activities that helped sharpen her critical thinking and communication skills. One of her most memorable experiences came in Grade 10, when she took the lead role in the school’s production of The King and I.
That moment became a turning point for her. Stepping onto the stage pushed her out of her comfort zone and helped her build confidence in herself. It was through that experience that she began to trust her own abilities, something that later helped her take on academic challenges with greater courage and resilience.
A Research Project That Shaped Her Path
In that same year, Monalisa worked on her IB Personal Project, focusing on the impact of self-esteem on students’ learning processes. Her interest in mental health in schools was inspired by the work of Josephine Kim, a counsellor and educator known for her research on supporting students’ mental well-being in educational settings.
This project became her first real experience diving deeply into research. Through the process, she discovered a growing passion for understanding students’ emotional and psychological needs. It was also where she began to see how she could make a meaningful impact, sparking her desire to contribute more broadly to the field of education and student well-being.
Returning as a Career Counsellor
After completing her undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Notre Dame, Monalisa chose to return to Sekolah Victory Plus as a career counsellor from 2022 to 2025. For her, this decision was more than just coming back, it was a way to give back to the community that had shaped her.
In her role, she guided students in planning their academic paths, exploring their interests and strengths, and preparing university applications both in Indonesia and abroad. She also developed a Career Counselling programme that continues to be used at the school today.
Working closely with students and supporting them as they planned their futures only strengthened her passion for education and student well-being. It became clear to her that she wanted to continue her studies at the graduate level, focusing on education and mental health.
The Journey to Harvard
Applying to Harvard was not an easy process. Along the way, Monalisa faced several rejections from other universities and scholarship programmes before finally being accepted. In her application essays, she wrote about the connection between academic achievement and students’ social-emotional development, as well as the importance of mental health support in Indonesian schools.
For Monalisa, this journey is a reminder that persistence and the courage to keep trying can open new doors.
“If I don’t try, I will definitely fail. But if I try, there’s always a chance I might succeed,” she shared.
She also encourages students to stay actively involved in projects, organizations, and social activities that truly match their interests and talents. According to her, good academic results are only the first step, the more important goal is to create a real impact on others.
“Studying abroad is an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the world and come back ready to make a difference in my own community,” Monalisa said.
