Learning online with Oregon State was ‘a bridge between the life I had and the life I dreamed of’

Hardships turn into hope and global opportunity thanks to alum’s perseverance, earning an OSU business degree online from Indonesia

Growing up, I thought my future was already planned out. My family owned a business, and when I was a child, we lived comfortably. I never imagined that everything could change so quickly. But one day, our business collapsed. The life I knew disappeared almost overnight. After finishing middle school, there was a moment when I genuinely thought I would not be able to continue to high school because we simply could not afford it.

There were days when survival became more important than dreams. I remember eating instant noodles for an entire week because that was all we had. When I applied for a scholarship to attend an international high school, the selection process was held out of town. I did not have enough money for accommodation, so I slept on a piece of cardboard during the trip. It was exhausting and humiliating at times, but deep inside, I kept holding on to one thing: I always knew I wanted to study in the United States.

For years, that dream felt impossibly far away. Still, I kept moving forward one step at a time. Eventually, I was given the opportunity to join a double degree program between Sampoerna University and Oregon State University Ecampus. Even though I was not physically studying in America, it was the first time I truly felt close to the future I had imagined for myself. Through the online business administration bachelor’s program, I experienced an international academic environment that challenged me to grow academically and personally. I was even named to the OSU Honor Roll three times, something that once felt unimaginable for someone who had slept on cardboard just to stay in school.

Alya Birzana Devi, second from left, was invited to speak at an event for Oregon State University alumni and personnel in Jakarta, Indonesia, in spring 2026. From left to right are Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy, Birzana Devi, OSU Foundation President and CEO Shawn L. Scoville, and Dr. Sanjay Mathur, an aerospace engineer and President Murthy’s husband.

More importantly, the experience gave me confidence to dream bigger. I began participating in international writing competitions and youth conferences overseas, where I was fortunate to win several awards and be recognized as Best Speaker multiple times. For the first time in my life, I stopped seeing my background as a limitation and started seeing it as part of my strength.

The knowledge and exposure I gained also inspired me to start my own business focused on helping students prepare for IELTS and pursue overseas education. What began as a small initiative eventually grew into something much bigger than I expected. I have now assisted thousands of students, and many of them have been accepted into top universities around the world, including Ivy League institutions. Being able to help other students reach dreams they once thought were impossible has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

Alya Birzana Devi has worked as an interpreter for the U.S. Army for major military exercises. She is shown here with her former boss at Air Base Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Indonesia.

Along the way, I also had unique opportunities to work as an interpreter for U.S. Army joint exercises such as Super Garuda Shield, Cope West and ODA 1234 exercises. I got to experience things I never imagined as a kid, from trying military shooting training to seeing fighter jets up close and learning about international defense cooperation. It was both exciting and eye-opening.

Today, I have been accepted to Georgetown University, another milestone that once felt impossible. Looking back, I realize that earning my degree online from Oregon State was more than just an academic opportunity. It became a bridge between the life I had and the life I dreamed of. And hopefully, it will continue opening doors and helping me unlock even bigger dreams in the future.