Alya's Story, Orphaned CT Arsa High School Graduate Reaches Four Foreign Universities

It is known that Alya was admitted to Han University Of Applied Science (the Netherlands), Western Sydney University, University Of Wollongong, and Swinburne University. Alya recounts the early days of her journey at the school in July 2023. The first three months in the boarding school were the hardest period to adapt away from her family. Her toughest exam came in September 2023. While she was focused on studying at school, her father at home was battling terminal-stage lung cancer. Due to school quarantine rules that prohibited students from bringing mobile phones, Alya could only pray. Until the sad news arrived. “Alya, pack your things; you’ll be picked up to go home,” she recalls the teacher’s words during the graduation ceremony, as reported by detikJateng, on Thursday (21/5/2026). “I fell to the floor. My father passed away. It turned out that the first day I came to this high school, which my father had long hoped for, also became the last day I spoke to and touched my father,” Alya said, her voice trembling. Losing her father momentarily left Alya directionless and lacking in motivation. However, she believes that CT Arsa Sukoharjo High School transformed into a second home for her. Anita Tanjung was moved to tears by Alya’s account. Alya then continued her story, persisting until she eventually gained entry to several overseas universities. “Today, standing here as one of the students admitted to several universities overseas, I realise that none of this happened by myself. Behind every achievement there are prayers, sacrifices, support, and the kindness of so many people,” she said. Alya also expressed deep thanks to the founders of the foundation, Chairul Tanjung and Anita Ratnasari Tanjung, who have provided opportunities for underprivileged yet high-achieving children to realise their dreams. “Many of us had almost given up on education before the hands of Father and Mother invited us to stand with CT Arsa. Thank you for creating spaces for us to grow, learn, and strive,” she said. Alya also encouraged her peers, reminding them that life after graduation may be far more challenging, but the training at CT Arsa has prepared them for bigger things. “Let us vow that the success we achieve in the future will not be for ourselves alone, but also for our families, this school, and this foundation. Let us become people who will never forget where they came from,” she added.