Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

For this year’s International Women’s Day, The Koala News is celebrating women who work in the international education sector. Some of the women featured are very experienced professionals and some have come to the sector more recently; many are known to me (some for more years than they would want me to disclose) and some have become new connections. I hope you find their stories inspiring and can spot the common themes that run throughout them. I’ve been a bit cheeky and included mine at the end.

We asked each woman to answer these three questions:

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?
2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?
3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.

Note that the stories are sorted by first name alphabetical order (except mine at the end).

Ailsa Lamont, International Education Sustainability Group

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first job in international education was as International Marketing Officer with James Cook University (as their first ever international recruiter) back in 2001. Now I am Co-Founder of the International Education Sustainability Group (IESG).

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

I am incredibly lucky because our work focuses on making international education more environmentally sustainable – so I have the privilege of helping the amazing people in our sector use the power of international education to educate and influence for the good of our planet.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

It has to be that I was one of the founders of CANIE: the Climate Action Network for International Educators. I was the global Chair for the first four years of its life and it’s a joy to see it now flourish under the leadership of Ainslie Moore.

Ainslie Moore, AEMG Education

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first role was in promotions for IDP. The main function was engaging Australian unis in the IDP events calendar, working with country offices and understanding what drove students to seek and select an Australian university education. A brilliant first job in international education. I learnt a lot and met so many people in those first few years (including the talented Tracy Harris!).

Today I work for AEMG Education supporting the Board with policy, strategy and branding. It’s early days, but I am loving the pace of work and the commitment to excellence in student experience and partner support.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

Always the people. Whether this is the students, my team or partners globally. I have been tremendously fortunate to work with and for some magnificent women. The entrepreneurial expertise of Jenny Wang (AEMG’s co-founder) and Jenny Dixon now U21 Provost, to name just two. I get such joy and pride watching the women in my teams thrive and grow. Meaghan Butler now Partnership Director at UC, Debs McAllister at U21 and Chandra Leenheer capably running the best learning abroad programme in NZ at Auckland are absolutely killing it just now. Gives me a happy glow.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’ve been fortunate to work with some fabulous women in my work for CANIE. Ailsa Lamont and Pi-Tuulia Nikula, Fiona White @Sydney, the amazing Rebecca Hall, CJ Tremblay, Debs McAllister, Tracy Harris, Kelly Davis and the incomparable Emily O’Callaghan. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together, driving meaningful change in our sector.

Claire Field, Claire Field & Associates

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first role in international education was as a manager in the former NSW VET regulatory agency (VETAB). It meant dealing with a lot of CRICOS providers – many of whom were doing a great job and sadly, just as we see today, some who were deeply unethical. Today I run my own consulting business – providing advice on the broader international education sector, watching how it is changing and looking at the opportunities and challenges for providers. In this role I’m lucky to be able to look not just at onshore international education but also at the offshore opportunities (and challenges) for Australian providers.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

The impact that Australian educators have on the life opportunities and aspirations of international students and their families is the best part about working in the sector. We need to always have at the forefront of our minds the enormous trust that the parents of international students place in us to educate and take care of their sons and daughters – as we would want international education providers to do for our children if we were sending them overseas for a better future.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

Being nominated for and ultimately winning the 2023 IEAA Excellence in Professional Commentary Award. To be nominated and judged for this award by people I hold in the highest esteem in the sector is the most incredible honour.

Eliza Chui, enjoying retirement

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

The year was 1988 as I moved to Australia beginning a new chapter in my higher education career amidst the Dawkins Reform that allowed Australian universities to admit overseas students on a full-fee paying basis.  While in a role for domestic admission, I got involved in international student recruitment and travelled widely in Southeast Asia for several years. I was however keen, as a new migrant, to work in such ‘mainstream’ areas as university governance, research and quality management before returning to lead international admission and marketing in 2003.

After 20+ years in 5 universities, I joined Austrade in 2010 when it became the Australian Government agency responsible for the international promotion of Australian education and training.  The subsequent 13 years saw my taking three diplomatic postings to China, Taiwan and Vietnam supporting international education providers (and other industries) across Northeast and Southeast Asian markets until I retired last year.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

International education is about nurturing the next generation through knowledge sharing and talent development.  When working in universities, my favourite times were orientation and graduation.  It is not an understatement that we play a part in their lifechanging experience. One aspect I wish we could think deeper about and work harder on is how to harness the goodwill and connections of the global network of Australian alumni to expand the Australian influence.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

For someone coming from higher education background, I’m mostly proud of my work in the past 13 years to have supported not only universities but also the other sectors notably VET (both public and private) and schools through market research, opportunity identification and partnership facilitation together with Austrade’s global network.  My fond memories into retirement would be those wonderful times and conversations with our friends and colleagues in sounding out business strategies, sharing latest market insights and eating tips!

 Desma Smith, Swinburne University of Technology

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first role came from having completed a semester on exchange overseas. After speaking to first year students about exchange opportunities, a part time option was offered to me at the Melbourne Australian Catholic University Campus where I was doing an honours year. Finding that I had a psychological appreciation for comforting the plight of both short- and long-term students coming into the country, that understanding led to a National Education & Student Adviser role and Melbourne International Student Adviser support.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

With students: After 24 years the reward is still assisting students with the joys and challenges of taking yourself half a world away from everything that is familiar. Regardless of the idea that newer generations are “digital natives”, or marketing approaches changing and trying to hit the latest age bracket, personal fears and concerns have not changed much. I see providing a practical problem-solving approach to the advice given is more like teaching a person to fish, rather than feeding them.  At times it feels like standing up a toddler and giving them a little push to have the confidence to try again.  Watching them gain some confidence in themselves and move forward independently is hugely rewarding.

With education providers: Having had great mentors and international education leaders who have encouraged and supported my developing expertise and commitment to both protecting the institution and supporting the students with compassion and fairness.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am fairly confident these days to call myself a risk management professional in this industry. I am proud of being heavily involved at times in developing practical industry support materials such as The Rainbow Guide, and the gig worker support Delivery Driver Training materials, all freely available to the industry and education providers as a basis for their own effective student welfare and safety support.

I am honoured that my contributions over the years have also earned an award for outstanding individual contribution to ISANA and an IEAA best practice award (Delivery Driver Training consortium) because it respects and acknowledges the expertise and specific professional skills that international student support staff can develop to enhance both their institutions reputation and the international student experience.

Kanchana Vishwanath, Kaplan Business School

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

I started my international education career as the Marketing and Communications Manager with AECC Global, a leading study abroad consultancy, headquartered in Melbourne. Now, I am a finishing my MBA at Kaplan Business School Australia. As a Student Ambassador, I provide support to the KBS team with real student insights and meaningful student content and respond to queries from prospective students from international geographies through The Ambassador Platform (TAP). I am highly passionate about my recent efforts towards building a STEM community on LinkedIn for international students and professionals that will feature their STEM achievements, aspirations and contributions that will support the future of STEM for next generations.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

Real human interactions that are bonded through knowledge and cultural diversity are the most significant part of working in the international education sector. It gives me a sense of fulfillment when I am able to bring a change in the lives of other students and support, guide and help them in their international education journey.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

Being a Dean’s award recipient at Kaplan Business School, a Student Ambassador and a Student Mentor have been the most rewarding accomplishments for me that I am proud of in my international education journey. By being an inspiration for others to strive and fulfill their dream education and careers in a new study destination and going over and above to support the KBS student community has been the most thrilling and fulfilling experience for me in this journey.

Melanie Duncan, IEP Advisory

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first role in international education was as an “Enrolment and Finance Officer International” at the University of Western Sydney – I used to watch the International Student Advisers work with our international students and knew that was where I wanted to be. Twenty-five years later, I’m still working in international education having recently set up a consultancy business to help education providers meet their ESOS obligations and aspire to a best practice experience for their international students.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

It sounds cliche but supporting your international students makes their global dreams come true. They come to study in Australia future-focused and – like any young people – sometimes need support to find their way to achieve their own measures of success. My most fulfilling moments have been watching students who have struggled initially start succeeding both personally and academically.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

The award of my ISANA Life Membership in 2014. ISANA is a special organisation to me and this recognition of my role in professionally developing international education practitioners across the years still means the world to me.

Prachi Tyagi, IDP Education

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My journey in international education began in 2021 when I joined IDP Education as a social and content coordinator. Fast forward to today, where I proudly hold the position of marketing manager at IDP Education, responsible for overseeing campaign development and execution. Collaborating closely with the marketing team, my focus lies in crafting social and content strategies across various platforms in the Australasia region, encompassing web, social media, print, and SEO content.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

Having experienced life as an international student firsthand, I have a deep understanding of their core needs and desires. I take pride in my extensive network of international students on LinkedIn. I regularly engage as a speaker at networking events, where I provide guidance and support to fellow international students. The most recent one being a Study Melbourne x InternMatch event where I talked about the importance of personal branding for international students.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

Currently, my greatest source of pride lies in hosting the IDP Real Talk for International Students Podcast. Not only does it provide international students with a voice, but we also talk about real issues such as job searching, making friends, and adjusting to life in a new city. Additionally, I’m proud of the IDP Student Stories program, showcasing the journeys of both current IDP students and alumni. This initiative encourages them to share their inspiring stories with our community.

Sarah Chamberlain, ReadyTeacher

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first ever role was as a vocational (VET) trainer in Diploma of Community Welfare (now Services). Every single student in my evening class of 30 in Melbourne was a young Vietnamese woman. I was working as an Advocate for persons with a primary physical disability during the day and teaching at night; I’d bring my anecdotes from the day to my class. Our bond as a group was instant and strong, and as international students I was their local “person”; point of reference, teacher and cultural guide.

My boss at that college encouraged me to take a Certificate IV in TESOL before moving to London, which I did, and it was in London that I started working as an English Language Teacher to international students.

I am currently the Founder/CEO, ReadyTeacher, an on-demand recruitment platform where education providers have access to qualified teachers of popular certificate, diploma and language courses, as well as online content developers, learning technologists, bootcamp facilitators, and other education experts.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

Motivationally, I always position myself to work back from the end of the story – I imagine myself as a high school graduate about to embark upon the overseas study trip of a lifetime. What are my hopes and dreams? What are my needs?

When it comes to my business ReadyTeacher, our values that we pass on to our teachers are very much centred around the international student experience and their role in making the trip of a lifetime successful and memorable.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

By trade and by heart, I am an English language and VET teacher to international students, migrants and refugees. I took a huge chance on building ReadyTeacher when I had no experience of software development or business whatsoever. I was a nervous wreck before any client meetings. I didn’t know what an app was.

Now ReadyTeacher is an incredible workforce recruitment and management app fit for purpose, impacting teachers through ease of employment and changing education providers to become more efficient and open to using tech in their operations. I’m most proud of our recruitment model which encourages teachers to work directly for our member colleges through our Employee Trial Period (which I’ve been criticised for as it means we “burn” through more teachers) as it is more supportive than the traditional model which handcuffs its employees to the agency they’ve signed up to. I hope our model becomes commonplace in recruitment as we seek to do something really different.

Sonia Riverland, Golden Key International Honour Society

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first role in international education was as a Study Abroad & Exchange Adviser at Melbourne Uni. Having gone on exchange to Japan and studied abroad in China, I was excited to work in this area. I enjoyed looking after international exchange and study abroad students and welcoming them to Australia, arranging activities and cultural programs.  It’s been nearly 30 years in international education, and I still enjoy engaging with students.

Now I oversee partnerships for Golden Key International Honour Society in the Asia Pacific, which is a global network of 2.65 million members with over 400 university partners. Golden Key is the world’s largest international collegiate honour society for top-performing undergraduate and postgraduate students. We recognise academic excellence and provide continuous lifelong professional and personal development for all members. My role at Golden Key is to expand our partnerships in the Asia Pacific, and I’m enjoying meeting our members and learning about their journeys.

 What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

What I love is connecting with people, and the opportunity to be in a learning environment where there’s always something happening. I have always been grateful that I have been able to visit places I never dreamed I would go, and been challenged with experiences that made me grow and develop as a person. I have never taken it for granted. I have met amazing people who have inspired me and I would do it all again. It has been an adventure. It’s been great to be part of the growth and maturity of the sector over so many years.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

In 2017 I was awarded the Tracy McCabe Future Leader Fellowship by the Australian Universities International Directors Forum (AUIDF) and was extremely honoured. I knew Tracy and she was amazing – very strong and so in tune with people. The projects I have worked on that I have been most proud of, are those involving outbound international study experiences that have enabled students to do something different, particularly those that have involved social impact and making a change in local communities.  Another highlight is to be able to write and be published contributing to research on cultural transformation and the impact of global changemakers, and more recently to work on a book for international students and English language learners, which will be launched this year.

Vali Ratanavali, Swinburne University of Technology

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

I was an administrative assistant, providing admin support and pastoral care support to young international students who studied a Foundation Studies program. I am now the Associate Director, TNE Partner Relations, Swinburne University of Technology, leading and managing a team of partnership managers and set of TNE partnerships in South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia and Australia (Sydney).

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

1) Working alongside colleagues, peers and partners who are passionate about international education and supportive of each other (even though we work in different universities). And 2) knowing that international education provides a significant role in shaping individuals’ lives and perspectives. I was once a transnational education student, benefiting from a VCE program offered in Indonesia. It gave me a pathway to study my UG and PG in Melbourne, and of course, where I am now.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

I have two most proud achievements to share. The first was at RMIT, where I assisted in the development of a partnership in India – from research, proposal, meeting with the partner, helping with identifying a model. The second was at Swinburne, when I worked with Swinburne College to revamp the Foundation Studies program, from the moment we generated the idea to coordinating different parts of the university to implement the new product.

Varsha Devi Balakrishnan, The Lygon Group

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

I’m originally an international student from Singapore and spent most of my student journey in the international student advocacy and leadership space through Monash, StudyMelbourne and CISA as their National Secretary and Acting President (2019-2020), which was when COVID hit and was an interesting time to be in CISA. I joined The Lygon Group part-time as an Education Analyst whilst in my final year of my Master of Counselling and transitioned to full-time once I graduated. I’m currently their Head of Student Insights and Strategy.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

From being an international student to receiving the 2023 Tony Adams Rising Star award, I’m truly humbled as I’ve got such an amazing group of women within the sector who support and push me both personally and professionally, to name a few – Rebecca Hall, Helen Kronberger, Melissa Banks, Janee Heffernan, Sarah Todd, Emily O’Callaghan and Angela Lehmann.  I in turn have the privilege to mentor many other international students who are keen to explore the possibility of working within the sector and be a champion for international students. One of the avenues I’m able to do that is through my role as the Strategic Director of  Future Forte a not-for-profit, where I work alongside amazing current and past international students, to support the growth and empowerment of international students, multicultural women and gender-diverse people.

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

My biggest accomplishment is being the innovator behind the award-winning #TheSocialSource. When I was an international student it was a constant struggle to have student voices heard by decision-makers and it was not because the sector didn’t value student voices, rather we didn’t have the means to do it in a dynamic way that adapted to market conditions and policy landscapes. As an early professional in the international education sector, having the opportunity to turn my years of lived experience as an international student and a representative of international students on an institutional, State and Federal level, to inform the methodology and creation of #TheSocialSource has been a dream come true for me. It’s incredible to see how the sector has rallied behind the insights and student voices to inform decision-making and we’re only just getting started, which is a really exciting way to have kicked off my career.

Yenny Andrianti, Education Communicator

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

My first role was an Education Counsellor following a role as a Student Recruitment Manager for undergraduate degree at a business school in USA. I am currently active on LinkedIn as an Education Communicator to promote the value of international education to a greater number of people. Through LinkedIn, I am telling stories of my first-hand experiences and knowledge as international student, counsellor and student recruiter.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

I found it most rewarding when I could help students with a smooth process, starting from giving advice, handling their university and visa applications, providing ad-hoc assistance (including accommodation, medical insurance subject enrolment, etc), until they arrived and enrolled to their respective university without any issues. The bonus part for my personal fulfillment is when they reached out to me with great news of their success (ie: they got awards, scholarships or high GPA).

3. Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am mostly proud when my students have successfully arrived in their country destinations and pursued their study with great achievements. On the other side, I am also proud when I successfully bring higher education institutions from overseas to connect with local universities and government institutions and they are able to create a partnership or MoU in order to promote the value of international education to many Indonesian students.

Tracy Harris, Tracy Harris Solutions

1. What was your first role in international education and what are you doing now?

While I was an undergraduate student at the University of Canberra (UC) I worked in an independent learning centre (ILC) in the English language school at UC. Most of the students were studying through Australian government aid scholarships, primarily from Vietnam. I worked at the ILC for about three years, and I found that I really enjoyed working with international students.

More than three decades later almost my entire career has been spent in international education specifically, or education more generally. I am currently on a dedicated hiatus from the full-time workforce, taking a portfolio approach to life. I established Tracy Harris Solutions to work with individual clients, I write for The Koala News, and I’m looking forward to studying from April.

2. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about working in the international education sector?

The most rewarding aspect of working in the international education sector is that it makes a tangible impact on the lives of people from across the world. One of the most fulfilling aspects of this work is witnessing the transformative journey of students as they navigate through academic, cultural, and personal growth. Every interaction has the potential to shape a student’s perspective, broaden their horizons, and empower them to become global citizens. I still have a connection with some of the students that I recruited to UC in the 90’s and early 00’s.

In addition to the connection with students, I have built enduring relationships with professionals in the sector. Seeing their passion, dedication and commitment to the student experience is inspiring.

 Throughout your journey in international education, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

It’s difficult to choose a single accomplishment in a thirty-plus year career and I’ve been fortunate to have had many opportunities and achievements. The most rewarding job I’ve ever had was as ASEAN Education Commissioner and Trade Commissioner, Singapore, with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. Spearheading initiatives that fostered greater collaboration between Australian providers and their counterparts in the ASEAN region, raising the profile of Australia as a provider of quality education, and providing real-time market insights, was incredibly satisfying.