As the sun gets ready to rise on the final day of 2020, I debated with myself long and hard about whether or not to write my usual "Happy New Year" post. Why? Well, simply because this year has been anything but happy. It has been stressful, full of anxiety, packed with hardships, full of doubt. But on second thoughts, I realised that it has also been a year that has brought out the true colours of our industry....strength, resilience, innovation and diversification. It has been a year of a million and one lessons....and for that alone, I finally decided that it does deserve a proper send-off.

Innovation and Diversification

2020 will forever be known in international education as the year in which many schools, agents and service providers changed their narrative overnight. As more and more countries started facing more restrictions, we all had two options - to sink, or to stay afloat. Many of us chose the latter option, and even though for most of us this meant using up every ounce of strength we had, we are here, on the last day of 2020, writing about it. And that alone, my friends, deserves a pat on the shoulder.

Strength and Resilience

We've always said this about our industry, but this year International Education's true colours really came out shining, even through the bleak and dull days we've all been through. 

Thank you!

There isn't much to say after the year we've had, but I don't want to rush off before saying a big thank you to each and every one of our industry partners spread over 82 countries worldwide. Your random messages in our inboxes, your heartfelt emails, seeing you on camera during one of the virtual conferences we've participated in, getting your calls, following you on social media, joining the groups you created to help each other stay positive, the video chats and the group calls, the zooms (and all the other platforms!), your participation during our live broadcasts.....thank you for all of that. These preciour moments have been our highlight during this past year.

Happy New Year!

So as this year (finally) comes to a close, Lynne and I would really love to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for this coming year. May 2021 be the year we all get back up on our feet. May 2021 be the year in which Hope shines once again. 

See you in 2021.....and this time #intled, we mean it!