ILAC‘s Familiarization (FAM) Trip is one of the most renowned events in the industry. Agents from all over the world attend ILAC’s event-filled FAM Trips to learn firsthand about studying at the No. 1 English school in Canada and its university and college partners.
Last week (May 6- May 10, 2015), ILAC in partnership with Niagara College hosted over 95 agents from 23 countries, who participated in both educational and social events. We would like to thank our main sponsors: Braemar College, Thompson Rivers University, Seneca College, Guard.Me and TNT-Tours.
May’s five day long trip kicked off in Niagara Falls with the Niagara College campus tour, where the group tasted Canadian fine wine at the college winery and learned a lot about the winemaking process and food pairing. For those who were not big fans of wine, the college offered a tour of a local beer brewery.
[justified_image_grid ids=4712,4713,4715,4720]
Tasty Canadian beer and wine boosted agents’ mood not less than their next stop at the Niagara Falls, where they soaked up every drop of powerful spray aboard the Maid of the Mist.
[justified_image_grid ids=4717,4718]
After spending two fun-filled days in the Niagara region, the group travelled to Toronto, where ILAC staff was happy to show off the school’s modern and renovated facilities. While sipping champagne, agents were impressed by boutique-style campuses that provide an open environment for learning and socializing.
“It was a real pleasure visiting ILAC school in Toronto. It was extremely useful to see the location, staff and experience the school’s atmosphere. To be honest this is the first time I have ever seen so many agents at a FAM trip. It is really impressive how popular ILAC is around the world,” said Yuliya Kayumbayeva, Managing Director from V&A Education Services, Kazakhstan.
[justified_image_grid ids=4729,4730]
The tour was then followed by a Toronto sightseeing bus tour and a fun get-together at night.
At the following seminar, FAM participants had the opportunity to meet Jacob Reeleder, ILAC’s Director of Studies, and get detailed information on ILAC’s educational methodology and teaching.
I have experienced myself being an ILAC student and didn’t want to leave the school,” said Ildus Galimov from ITEC-Kazan, Russia.
[justified_image_grid ids=4742,4743]
The day continued with a higher education workshop, where agents had one-on-one meetings with over 40 of ILAC’s 65 University and College partners from across Canada.
“We were very happy to connect with agents from a diverse set of markets in a fantastic environment. ILAC’s staff did an excellent job of both hosting and catering the event. We are looking forward to growing number of students coming through our pathway agreement with ILAC,” said Derek Lemieux from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario.
[justified_image_grid ids=4747,4749]
The FAM Trip came to an end with an epic networking dinner and party at Amber, one of the nicest bars & restaurants in the Yorkville area, where agents were greeted by ILAC’s Executive Directors, Jonathan Kolber and Ilan Cohen.
[justified_image_grid ids=4753,4754,4755,4745]
Positive feedback from FAM participants has been very great, with many agents expressing their genuine appreciation and thanks.
“I would like to thank all ILAC team and college & university partners for their warm welcome. Everything was organized well and it was really interesting. It was very useful for me to visit ILAC campuses in Toronto, attend trainings, and to meet ILAC’s college and university partners. I really enjoyed my time in Canada and will continue sending more and more students to ILAC,” said Emilie Cholet from WEP, France.
To top off the fun week, ILAC held a photo contest and encouraged agents to share FAM Trip’s best moments in their social media feeds, using the hashtag #ILACFam. Yuliya Kayumbayeva from V&A Royal Education Services, Kazakhstan won our hearts and a $1200 credit towards her flight to Vancouver for the ILAC FAM Trip, that will take place from December 10-19, 2015.
A massive thank-you to all the participants of this year’s ILAC FAM Trip Photo Contest.
Alena Khabibullina
