“As an immigrant to Canada, I’ve shared the desire to gain new skills, new opportunities and an enriched life. As a lifelong traveller I’ve explored new geographies and new cultures – and like many of our students and staff I’ve grown through experiences outside my comfort zone. I’ve been privileged to co-lead ILSC Education Group for the last 20 years, working with an inspiring and talented group of colleagues to build schools that welcome international students from around the globe to participate in transformative learning and living experiences in Australia, Canada and India. We empower through education.”

“In my youth, I had the amazing opportunity to travel and live around the world. That gave me a lot of insight into many things – the richness of different cultures and languages, socio-economic inequalities around the globe, and so much more. This definitely informed my goals when I founded ILSC, which, as it has grown, has welcomed so many students looking for something deeper and more meaningful in their lives, and given them other visions of how they can play a role in transforming the world.”

“I have always loved to travel. During a six-month secondment in Belfast, I had a transformative working and living experience. I was challenged at work, connected with colleagues, made great friends and my family joined me to experience the adventure together. Since then, Irish dancing and rugby communities continue to be part of my life and those new memories stem directly from my secondment. The experience cemented the benefit of saying yes to work opportunities and truly immersing myself in the journey.”

“In the early 1980s I went to live and work as an English language teacher in Bilbao in the Basque Country in Spain. Initially the experience was challenging as my spoken Spanish was incredibly weak. But I persevered and by the time I left Bilbao I was fluent in Spanish and I'd gained my first valuable work experience in international education. The confidence this gave me for my future work in international education reminds of the life changing opportunity that thousands of ILSC & Greystone students grasp for themselves when they travel to Australia or Canada to embark on their own transformative educational journeys.”

“I’ve always felt that challenging our limits and boundaries are the keys to growing as individuals. Completing my first half marathon in 2016 and then second in 2018 was a transformational experience for me. After multiple injuries and setbacks and being told by professionals that it couldn’t/shouldn’t be done, I set out to do it anyways. I’ve learned that working towards a larger goal can be completed by taking advantage of small triumphs. I’ve also developed the mental fortitude to push through obstacles, both mental and physical. The experience and mantra carry me through all the challenges I face.”

“I’ve always been keen taking on new challenges without a clear path ahead, and in August 2001, it was Vancouver Island's West Coast Trail. This hike wasn’t about the quality of our gear, knowledge of what each segment of trail commanded, or being an expert outdoorsman; for me, it was about being comfortable with ambiguity, helping and encouraging others when they needed it, being kind to everyone as you never know what you may need that yourself, and perseverance. It’s your character that will define the path ahead.”

“Transformation for me has been the lifelong pursuit of growth through understanding, of acknowledging that inner voice of doubt and moving towards those challenges anyways. Transformation has always tended to happen when focusing on being present and being curious, in the little moments just as much as the big experiences; taking the time to listen and learn from others, through healthy debates of ideas, through travel, and challenging myself to run, cycle and walk wherever I am.”

“Travel has provided the most transformative experiences in my life. The opportunity to meet new people, cultures and ways is the opportunity to learn more about yourself. ”

“Transformation comes with discovery, with exploration and with adventure. I'm a "journey over destination" person and if the journey is a new one and a slightly uncomfortable one, I love it even more. On weekends, you'll find me adventuring on new scenic roads by bike, or in the mountains, backpacking or backcountry skiing. I love developing new skills that allow me to explore further like avalanche rescue training, or learning new languages that allow for travel to distant lands and connections with different cultures. As part of the ILSC leadership team, not only do I get to learn, explore and grow professionally but I also get to meet and connect with incredible people from all ends of the earth, all also eager to adventure, explore, learn and grow.”

“Growing up I lived in 12 cities, 21 houses in 5 countries, and went to 14 different schools. As an adult, I worked solely in multicultural teams and industries, as well as traveling and living abroad for work and artistic passions. Some places were urban high density cities like Tokyo, others remote like the forty-two family outpost in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. My first piano teacher when I was 8, was a Korean woman who spoke no English, she was my teacher for 2 years. Moving around taught me to love and let go, to be more fluid and try and flow through change or uncertainty; that communication is not reliant on only speaking and that you don’t have to see someone to hold them in your heart forever. Working at ILSC has been an intrinsic and joyous part of that journey of understanding and growth.”

“I’ve had many transformative experiences in my life, but one that stands out is getting involved in the annual Indo-Canadian hockey tournament in the town of Leh, Ladakh, India while I was School Director in New Delhi. Thinking back to my own youth, growing up with this traditional Canadian sport, it was amazing to see the familiar joy it brought to local kids in Ladakh, to be part of creating this cultural bridge and inspiring ILSC schools to participate in donating hockey equipment to this amazing project.”

“I believe the real transformative experience never ends. We're in constant change and should embrace that as one of the most exciting aspects of life. I have had several key moments where true transformation happened. Doing the Inka Trail with my 60-year-old dad was both physically demanding and inspirational. Coming to Australia as an international student without much planning was dreading and exciting. Taking up a new sport in my 30’s was challenging and rewarding. Stepping out of my comfort zone to develop new skills was painful and worthwhile. Interacting and learning from others was delicate and essential. But, above all, becoming a father has been (and will continue to be) the most transformative and beautiful experience of all.”

“Born and raised in the military, I travelled and lived in many countries around the world. When I was 7, I had to fly, alone, from one country to another, and this made me independent at a young age. At 24, I moved to Taiwan hoping to 'find myself'. After a year, I realised I already knew who I was before I left England-I just hadn't realised that my journey was to better myself through my experiences. Throughout my worldly travels, I have learned independence, strength, resilience, acceptance, respect, and kindness. I have thrown myself, and been thrown into, unexpected transformational journeys, and I have always embraced the changes that have unequivocally made me who I am today. I will continue to embrace future transformative experiences to become a better, wiser, and kinder human being.”

“Collectively, I have spent more than 20 (transformative) years of my life at different schools, as a student. I have also been a teacher for the same number of years. I am hopeful that (as a teacher) I managed to inspire the same transformation that I experienced as a student myself, in my own students. And then, there is the transformation brought about through exposure to different cultures. That, I owe to my travels and, more importantly, to my job at ILSC because I am fortunate to see the world everyday without leaving home.”

“When I was an international exchange student moving to France for a year, I got on the plane with mediocre French, and without knowing for sure where I would stay when I arrived. Despite all the unknowns, I learned that I could figure things out, I could trust myself to face challenges, embrace change and learn from it. From there I was hooked. As a lover of languages, travel, and learning, I quite naturally pursued a career in international education, and every step of the journey, from being a student to a teacher to a School Director, I have relished the discoveries along the way, and I always love to witness those moments of discovery in others. Transformation happens to us no matter where we go or what we do, but it’s so exciting when we can seek and embrace it!”

“My interest in exploring the world started when I was a kid flipping through the pages of my parents' stack of National Geographic magazines fantasizing about the adventures I would have when I grew up. The adventures finally began when I moved to Osaka, Japan to teach English after graduating from university. From then on, I haven't stopped. I've travelled the world, have met some awesome people along the way from whom I've learned so much, and have done some pretty incredible things that have transformed me. I've made sure that I continue working in an international environment that allows me to collaborate with others who have the same love of travel and similar life-changing experiences. For this reason, I feel lucky and proud to be a member of the ILSC team.”

“Straight after unversity, I moved to Eastern Europe where I worked and travelled for 8 years. Strangely enough, coming back to India was a bigger culture shock than leaving. ILSC New Delhi is the first job I've had in India that has made me feel like I belong. I've met an amazing set of people who are like family to me. In the last couple of years, I've learnt so much about people and relationships which has made me get to know myself even better. The journey has finally begun!”

“I came to Canada as an International student 20 years ago. After finishing my study, I always wanted to help other international students to have the best experience. Then I met ILSC. I could share my story with international students and could see them having a transformative experience in their lives. It is just amzaing experience to be with others learning and growing.”

“I’ve always been a curious soul wanting to travel and read about the world beyond where I am from, South Korea. I started my career as a librarian following my love of books then moving on to working for airline to pursue international travel to feed my curiosity, then ended up in Australia since 2002. I did not stop traveling up until last year then started falling in love with yoga and meditation over the last 2 years getting to know more about myself through nurturing my mind and body. With ILSC, I have been able to shape shift with so much love and joy. Beautiful people at ILSC have always inspired and influenced me to become who I am today and I look forward to my ever-expanding journey with ILSC.”

“I have had the opportunity to work with a local restaurant chain on numerous occasions to help feed and serve meals to the homeless and in-need families in Vancouver. Giving back feels amazing, and this experience has taught me empathy and helped me realize that poverty is more about circumstances – the circumstances I was born and raised into gave me a huge advantage. I encourage everyone to go out and spend a day at a homeless shelter and see what lessons you can learn that could help you grow as a person and in your business.”