Admissions Ambassadors
Semester & Summer Term Ambassadors
We believe the best people to tell you about our programs are those who have lived it for themselves! As Admissions Ambassadors, the students below embody the core of The Island School’s ideals; leadership, curiosity, sustainability, and community. Our Ambassadors are excited to connect with you to share more about their experiences applying to The Island School, their time on Eleuthera, and the transition returning back home. We truly believe that the success of our program is represented by our passionate alumni.
Below, we hope you find a student that reminds you of yourself (scroll through based on residential location)! If you would like to speak with an Admissions Ambassador, please submit the form at the bottom of the page. An Ambassador will reach out to you shortly after!
The Bahamas
Darrielle, The Bahamas
Darrielle, The Bahamas
“Being away on my own for 100 days made me feel more mature and independent allowing me to think more for myself and how to survive.”
Tayé, The Bahamas
Tayé, The Bahamas
“Unlike my sending school, everything at The Island School was very hands-on. During research, we began by shadowing our advisors and learning about a field they had spent most of their life doing. This gives us a strong foundation to not only make valuable contributions to their study but also step back and give us the opportunity to lead discussions about the research.”
Harper, The Bahamas
Harper, The Bahamas
“Placed-based learning stood out to me the most. I loved learning about fish Identification while scuba diving or learning about plants on a farm.”
Courtnee, Parent Alum
Courtnee, Parent Alum
“Harper connected with all the staff there and said how everyone was helpful in making sure he and the other students were supported, encouraged, and felt safe. This also translated to how the students felt about each other because they were each other’s biggest cheerleaders!”
Bridgette, Parent Alum
Bridgette, Parent Alum
“Moments of celebrations were hearing the growth in my son’s voice during our weekly conversations and experiencing his own village of friends he had created during his 6-week experience and hearing how well they spoke about him.”
Jodie, Parent Alum
Jodie, Parent Alum
“The support in this community is wonderful, which made us feel very comfortable while he was there. Today he keeps in contact with his friends from The Island School daily. The community really helps to make each student feel very comfortable with who they are and where they come from.”
Northeast
Brooke, MA
Brooke, MA
“My biggest takeaway is definitely the growth and empowerment I felt. The Island School really pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways and I will forever be grateful for all of the achievements I made there because they make me so proud”
Shay, MA
Shay, MA
“Being completely disconnected from my phone and the internet was one of the best things The Island School had to offer. It allowed me to connect with people on a deeper level and really embrace nature and learn about the Bahamian culture.”
Audrey, ME
Audrey, ME
“The academic courses at The Island School are unlike anything I have experienced thus far in my academic career. I love how learning is not restricted to the classroom and it is involved in all aspects of your Island School experience.”
Ava, NY
Ava, NY
“The passion my research teacher had for our class and the passion with which every teacher taught stood out so strongly, it was something I didn’t have at my other school. Also, the control and responsibility we had in our research groups stood out because I truly absorbed everything I learned, especially when we went out in the field.”
Lily, RI
Lily, RI
“The support system that you gain from the other students around you or the faculty also just makes it so much easier because you know there is always someone rooting for you. I also was able to learn more about pushing myself beyond what I thought I was capable of which was such an amazing feeling.”
Brady, CT
Brady, CT
“I loved our English class and discussions because they intertwined environmentalism and literature which was very interesting. All of our courses were somehow intertwined with environmentalism or how to live well in a place, and this showed how everything connects to our world and its ecosystems.”
Roselym, MA
Roselym, MA
“The course that stood out the most to me would be my research class. I was able to conduct my own research with the help of my classmates and create a research poster which we were able to present which was something I hadn’t ever done before.”
Ila, D.C.
Ila, D.C.
“I was really surprised that I was able to run the half marathon. I didn’t expect to enjoy training for it but over the course of the semester, I started finding it fun.”
Xander, NY
Xander, NY
“I gained a much better understanding of myself throughout the Semester and will always be grateful for all The Island School taught me. I learned that personal growth and development can often be more important than strictly academic growth – a lesson that has proved invaluable in the months since.”
Rainey, MD
Rainey, MD
“One of my favorite things to say at The Island School was ‘anything can be fun with the right attitude.’ Being surrounded by encouraging friends makes any challenge a fun challenge.”
Erica, VT
Erica, VT
“The Island School helped me gain so much confidence. I felt like I was searching for who I was for a long time, and having such a unique experience grounded me and helped me learn about myself.”
Colin, CT
Colin, CT
“The late-night talks around the same two beds or outside on the hammocks were some of my favorite memories from the semester. I loved not having my phone because it made my friendships so much more special with no outside distractions.”
Ellie, MA
Ellie, MA
“One particularly memorable moment was when my expedition group was surprised with being able to spend the night at Lighthouse Point. After 9 miles of kayaking in wind and waves, we got to spend an afternoon bodysurfing in the clearest blue water at a pink sand beach and then watched the sunrise over the ocean at the point the next morning.”
Anna, MD
Anna, MD
“Something that surprised me about the program was how much it entered around finding a sense of place. We did a lot of work that focused on appreciating where we were, as well as the history and the community that made it.”
Jessie, MA
Jessie, MA
“During expeditions and solo, I really felt that my understanding of myself, my limits, and my friends really peaked. Seeing myself struggle, thrive, and live so simply in such a beautiful environment really changed my life and my whole sense of self. Through this 2 week period of challenge, friendship, and perseverance, I learned more than I ever have in school.”
John, NJ
John, NJ
“Before coming to The Island School I had never done research and I was nervous about doing research on campus. However, it was so much fun because it felt like I was actually doing something that mattered.”
Lauren, MA
Lauren, MA
“My biggest takeaway is to find my sense of place, wherever I am. Not only does a sense of place ground you, but it also lets you understand yourself. Now that I have learned about querencia and other mindfulness techniques, I can find a sense of place wherever and whenever.”
Lizzie, MD
Lizzie, MD
“My biggest takeaway is the community that is at The Island School and even the community I have now because of it. I know I can still reach out to everyone and feel that same sense of community from miles away.”
Giuliana, NY
Giuliana, NY
“No matter the time, people were smiling, laughing, sharing love, and supporting each other through every aspect of the outdoor programs. I found that we stopped caring about competition and became passionate about cheering everyone on, supporting the ups and downs of working hard physically, mentally, and emotionally, and encouraging people to be okay with being uncomfortable.”
Gracie, RI
Gracie, RI
“The Island School is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and community. It is a place that you are immediately connected to and feel at home. A place where you find your courage, your passion, and life-long friends. I will forever cherish the adventures, the learning, and (most of all) the people. ‘Be where your feet are’.”
Natalie, D.C.
Natalie, D.C.
“It stood out to me how pervasive learning was at The Island School. I could be doing things I absolutely loved and didn’t perceive as academic such as snorkeling, scuba diving, exploring settlements, and still be learning so much that could be connected back to my academic classes.”
Natalie, MD
Natalie, MD
“Being able to disconnect from the world and truly be where your feet are was incredible, and helped me form the deepest bonds with the people I met than ever before simply because we were all present together.”
Bella, CT
Bella, CT
“At The Island School, experts from different parts of the world shared their knowledge on topics such as mangroves, sharks, and crabs. Their presence not only allowed us to gain insights into these subjects but also enabled us to grasp the systematic approach they took to address the issues.”
Jake, NY
Jake, NY
“During the tourism and development course, I found it really meaningful to be learning about the roots and culture of Eleuthera, without the comfort and protection of being on campus. Being surrounded by locals truly opened me up to a whole new way of life and culture, which challenged my perspective on my life at home.”
William, NY
William, NY
“The Island School was an alignment of all that was important to me: caring for the earth, learning about our impact and relationship to the earth, intentional community, phone-free campus, immersion in nature and a natural living and education space, service to each other and the earth, deep meaningful relationships, morning exercise with the sunrise.”
Riley, NY
Riley, NY
“My biggest takeaway from Island School was that “my mental barriers are a hell of a lot stronger than my physical limits”. The Island School taught me to lower my self-expectations and learn to take pride in my accomplishments, regardless of their size or status.”
Dami, NJ
Dami, NJ
“The Island School changed the way I think about life challenges, my friendships, and my place in the world. At The Island School, I proved to myself that I could do hard things and that’s a lesson I’ll never forget.”
Elizabeth, Parent Alum
Elizabeth, Parent Alum
“The Island School exceeded my expectations in every way. The program taught her resilience, fortitude, and that there is nothing you shouldn’t try. From the solo, to the 1/2 marathon, to the peer leadership opportunity, she embraced the challenges and came away a more confident person with an incredibly strong sense of self.”
Jen, Parent Alum
Jen, Parent Alum
“Biggest takeaways were that Ollie was able to jump in with two feet to a program (during the height of Covid!) and have a very positive outdoor learning experience. He felt both freedom and also very cared for. He came home so happy, deeply touched, more compassionate and introspective, more thoughtful and kind, and overall very transformed by the experience.”
Bob & Catherine, Parent Alumni
Bob & Catherine, Parent Alumni
“She spoke to us about the inclusiveness of the community right from the start and explained how anyone could approach anyone else, at any time, and find openness. On weekly phone calls, we listened to the physical and emotional gains she made, and also how much she was changing because of what she was seeing and learning.”
West Coast
Georgia, CA
Georgia, CA
“The people you meet at The Island School and the experiences you share with them are experiences that you will never get anywhere else. By disconnecting from technology you become so much closer to your semester because you’re not surrounded by constant distractions.”
Bede, CA
Bede, CA
“One aspect of The Island School that was pleasantly surprising was the freedom to choose our own path through our semester experience. For example, we could choose the research groups that we found interesting and decide whether we wanted to do the run or swim for AMX.”
Amanda, CA
Amanda, CA
“The dorm helped build so many connections and friendships that I still have to this day. Being a community in Treehouse made The Island School experience 1000% better.”
Mo, CA
Mo, CA
“I think I underestimated just how much self-growth comes out of the place and how different I look at certain things in my life.”
South
Mimi, FL
Mimi, FL
“I knew going into the program I would make friends, but the sense of community by the end is something I can’t even describe. It was just such a great feeling.”
Cuatro, FL
Cuatro, FL
“The disconnecting from technology made our friendships grow so much more and easier. I made some of the best friends I’ll ever have while I was there, life long friendships that will never end.”
Victor, NC
Victor, NC
“I loved the remote aspect of the campus and the commitment to sustainability. The steps in place to remain eco-friendly at The Island School were extensive and impressive.”
Olivia, OK
Olivia, OK
“Before coming to The Island School I always doubted myself and chose not to do things because I believed I could not be successful. During the Summer Term I pushed myself and learned that when I trust in my own abilities, I can do things I never thought possible.”
Midwest
Charlie, WI
Charlie, WI
“Research classes were so cool and one of my favorite parts of The Island School. It was amazing to be able to experience research first hand, and try and answer a question when nobody actually knows the answer.”
Lolly, Parent Alum
Lolly, Parent Alum
“The staff and fellow students at the school left Charlie feeling comfortable around adults–as friends and mentors–and shine in different groups within the student body. He came home confident, physically and mentally strong, and excited to share with family the details of his experience.”
Mountain States
Tyler, WY
Tyler, WY
“I enjoyed living on a green campus, and learning how it all works. The Island School inspired me to become more sustainable in my own life and also inspired me to start the Sustainability Club at my high school.”
Bella, ID
Bella, ID
“I loved pretty much every second of dorm life. Living with 27 other girls was the highlight of my experience. I was able to make strong bonds with people in the dorm and loved getting dressed up together and sharing clothes and everything.”
May, WY
May, WY
“The Island School community is truly amazing and our mentors and teachers were there for every activity. They participated in AMX, helped with dish crew, ate meals with us, checked us into our dorms at night, and played so many more roles in our daily lives as students.”
Audrey, CO
Audrey, CO
“AMX showed me that sports is less about individual achievement and more about finishing as a team. Our group run-swims in particular highlighted how every individual came together to accomplish something great with the rest of the community, which was very beautiful to me.”
Theo, CO
Theo, CO
“During AMX and Expeditions, I learned the important value of working together and that being the first is not as important as finishing as a team.”
Adam & Jen, Parent Alumni
Adam & Jen, Parent Alumni
“The theme of ‘living well in a place’ is not just a statement, it is infused into all aspects of IS life. From educating and debating topics in tourism and development to understanding the role of conch as a food source to having a close enough bond with the local ice cream shop that the owner attends graduation, values are lived.”
International
Laya, India
Laya, India
“The community was at the heart of the experience for me, it surprised me how above and beyond the educators and staff can go to help you and make you feel comfortable. Personally, I didn’t know how to swim when I came to Eleuthera but in the end, I went as a certified scuba diver which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community.”
Maddie, Canada
Maddie, Canada
“What stood out to me most in my academics was just how real all the learning was. At The Island School, we got to learn hands-on and see how theories are developed and applied to the real world. I found I learned a lot better this way and found it more engaging.”
Ari, United Kingdom
Ari, United Kingdom
“The three-month AMX routine was something I had never attempted before. The one thing that incentivized me to push myself was the fact that my Island School friends and I experienced everything together and pushed each other to succeed.”
Margaret, Parent Alum
Margaret, Parent Alum
“My daughter was well supported during the programme and I appreciated how her advisor and other teachers – and her friends – looked out for her emotional well-being. It was amazing to see the strengths of her relationships and the warmth of the community.”
To get connected with an Admissions Ambassador, fill out the form below and specify the name(s) of the ambassador you would like to speak with. An Ambassador will reach out to you shortly!
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