Floris Gast (’20) - from ISKL to Oxford: A Journey of Cultural Awareness and Academic Excellence

What does it look like when a student’s school experience ignites a lifelong passion and shapes a global perspective? For Floris Gast ('20), the answer began at ISKL. From arriving in Kuala Lumpur with limited English to walking the halls of Oxford University as a postgraduate student, Floris’s journey reflects the transformative impact of an inclusive, globally minded education.

When Floris Gast ('20) arrived at ISKL at age 11, he faced more than just a new school. Having returned to Malaysia after early childhood in Kuala Lumpur, the Dutch student navigated unfamiliar territory: new languages, cultures, and challenges. Today, he studies African Studies at the University of Oxford, a path shaped in no small part by his experience at ISKL.

Floris credits ISKL’s emphasis on global awareness and cultural understanding as the foundation of his international relations and interests in politics and the economy. “ISKL broadened my perspective in ways that have been indispensable for my studies and career,” he shares.

EARLY CHALLENGES AND MEANINGFUL MENTORSHIP

Floris’s first ISKL class covered the Chinese Cultural Revolution, a difficult topic, especially with limited English. However, with the support of teacher Ann Whiting, he learned to persevere. That early resilience paved the way for growth both in and out of the classroom.

Through guidance from educators such as Shawn Staley, William Regan, and Shane Graham, Floris began to thrive. Lessons learned on the volleyball court, particularly during the 2019-2020 IASAS season, where the team earned a silver medal, instilled in him the values of teamwork, discipline, and dedication.

INSPIRATION IN THE CLASSROOM

Academically, Floris thrived. He points to faculty Richard Martin, Michael Bollom, Matthew Popovich, and Thomas Musk as shaping his academic passion. Martin introduced him to the Congo Crisis, sparking a lasting interest in African political history. Meanwhile, Socratic dialogues in Musk’s Theory of Knowledge (ToK) class pushed him to engage deeply and critically, a skill that still guides his thinking today.

A WELL-ROUNDED EXPERIENCE

Outside the classroom, Floris embraced opportunities to lead and create. His involvement in photography and the yearbook, under the guidance of former faculty member Paul Ubi, helped him hone his design, storytelling, and collaboration skills.

He later served as Senior Editor of the High School yearbook, a role that strengthened his communication and project management abilities. Whether playing ping-pong with friends on the Senior Deck or coordinating the student publications, Floris found joy in the connections he built. “The relationships formed at ISKL continue to shape my life, personally and professionally,” he says.

FROM KUALA LUMPUR TO THE WORLD STAGE

Following graduation, Floris pursued a Liberal Arts and Sciences degree at Erasmus University College in the Netherlands, taking on leadership roles across various committees and student bodies. He interned at Telecommunications service provider HumanityLink, taught at Stichting Landmerk, and engaged with policy through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He contributed to conversations on youth integration in foreign policy and even presented at the Rabat Process, a diplomatic dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States and the European Union.

AT OXFORD: A RETURN TO A SPARK FIRST LIT AT ISKL

Now at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, U.K., Floris continues to explore the political economy of Africa. His focus on extractive industries, governance, and the dual role of conflict and resource wealth builds directly on his foundation at ISKL.

“As a Publicity Coordinator for St Antony’s International Review, a peer-reviewed journal of international affairs published by Oxford University, I bridge academic research with policy discourse,” Floris shares. His postgraduate work includes field research and collaborations with civil society organizations across the African continent.

Looking ahead, Floris remains committed to refining his perspective and driving meaningful change. And it all began, he reflects, with teachers, teammates, and experiences at ISKL that pushed him to grow, care, and think critically.

Read his story and more in our latest edition of the alumni magazine, Selamanya, here.