“I’ve always found that international schools are filled with people who have not only moved into the country but have made moves many times before. It creates an environment of constant turnover and a sentiment that people know what it’s like to be new, not to know anyone.”
Jessica May is the epitome of internationalism, arriving in Malaysia from destinations that included Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and the United States of America. The bug of travel has never left her as, after graduating from ISKL in 2016, she has since lived and studied in Canada and France, and she is now embarking upon an entrepreneurial career in Australia.
ISKL formed two years of Jessica’s education, starting Grade 11 in 2014 and graduating in 2016. She remembers her transition into the school with fondness, grateful for the connections she made with classmates through her initial interactions with a hospitable Peer Helper and the introduction to a new country made even easier by the welcoming attitude of other students who contributed to the international community of ISKL. This initial experience heightens her recollection of that first semester, telling us, “While being at a new school and not knowing anyone can seem daunting, the students and faculty at ISKL made the transition smooth, and the surroundings felt familiar very quickly.” This initiation encouraged Jessica to join STARs (Student Admissions Representatives), an ISKL support initiative that assists new students in a seamless and comfortable transition.
ISKL’s impact on Jessica was a positive and integral one in shaping her future. Inspiration came in the form of many teachers like Paul Hengstler, who contributed to her interest in international studies; Laurence Myers, who encouraged her desire to help the world; Drew Davis and his ability to ignite her curiosity of knowing how things work; and Noren Sahari who was the contributor of her ability to research and write. This was a necessary skill required for her Bachelor’s Degree, and she is “grateful to every one of my educators at ISKL for not only teaching me valuable life and professional skills but for making it fun while doing so.”
The co-curricular offerings at ISKL aim to provide a grounding for all students, serving as memorable opportunities to grow in personal development. Jessica believes that the moments that most impacted her future were the Global Action Program (GAP) to Manado in Indonesia, building camaraderie by playing and competing in volleyball, basketball, and softball, participating as a STARs member, and contributing to varying school committees that make an impact on external organizations and groups. These included her participation as an executive member of the Special Children Society of Ampang (SCSOA), which supported the development of life skills for individuals with varying developmental disabilities. Jessica was also a co-founder of the Global Issues Network Club (GIN), a platform for discussing global issues to devise local solutions. All these opportunities allowed Jessica to diversify her skills and passions, enabling an understanding of leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, an aspect of learning that escalated her drive to succeed in this direction.
Jessica’s family in Malaysia consisted of her parents and younger sister, Hannah, who also attended ISKL for her education until her graduation in 2018. Jessica’s elder brother, Brendan, had already graduated from high school in Texas before the family moved to Malaysia. Despite this, all three siblings opted to attend Queen’s University in Canada for their further education studies. After completing their studies, they settled in Toronto to work.
Being exposed to an international network in ISKL provides terrific connections that help grow mindsets, afford mentoring opportunities, and encourage courageous conversations. “Being a part of an international network opens up opportunities, whether it be knowing someone who works in a particular industry and using them for guidance or working for a fellow or former student, staff, or community member, the latter of which I did (twice),” adds Jessica.
As she embarks on her career, Jessica remembers the emphasis placed on preparing students for life beyond school and how ISKL faculty members work diligently to prepare students with real-world experiences, exposing them to activities that ignite their interests and passions. “It’s not that ISKL created our future life after school, but it equipped us with the tools, mindsets, and people that can and will support those successful journeys.” The ISKL GAP program is a core example of this as it prepares students for the real world, encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zone with hands-on opportunities and experiences that create conversations and memories. It is fundamentally an education beyond the classroom, focusing on developing global citizens and connections and often identifying a career path. This has positively impacted Jessica, and she has taken into the wider world, believing that her exposure through the GAP Program led to her love of supporting community projects.
Upon graduating from ISKL and pursuing a Bachelor of International Development Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Jessica undertook internships with WorldVolunteer Malaysia and Laos, developing and conducting surveys in rural villages to collect demographic and geographic data to access education, OCEAN Nepal, an orphanage in Kathmandu and; Cowater International, a private international development consulting agency in Ottawa, Canada. Fortunately, this has led to a permanent role as a Project Coordinator who facilitates project communications, researches opportunities, and assesses donor requirements and corporate feasibility.
Currently, Jessica is based in Sydney, Australia, relocating after completing an Interior Design degree. She has since established her professional organizing business, May & Co. Design, specializing in organization and storage solutions. Jessica works across home, retail, and commercial spaces to blend beauty, function, and form in creating harmonious and organized spaces with operations in Sydney, Australia, and Canada (and beyond) soon. Alongside this entrepreneurial venture that transforms clients’ homes into functional, practical, and aesthetically pleasing spaces, she has now completed her real estate license to work as an Associate Agent for Laing+Simmons in the Double Bay area of Sydney.
This spirit of transformation and adaptability is an ethos that Jessica translates as ‘learning on the go.’ She feels that “it is easy to become discouraged by the saturation of industries as well as threatened by the knowledge and success that other people enjoy. However, there is room for everyone”. This is aligned with the mission and vision of ISKL, ‘Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world,” which Jessica carries with her on her life journey.
We are constantly inspired to hear more stories from our Alumni community. Please share your journey with us at [email protected].
