April 2026 marked the beginning of my 15th year with Navitas and the end of my second decade in the international education industry. To say that we’ve seen change over that time would be an understatement.
But despite all that change, I’m so grateful to be ending 2026 still surrounded by so many of the amazing people in this industry that I started with 20 years ago. Partnerships, like the best friendships, are absolutely a long game.
Back in early 2020, when the world shut down and I found myself locked down in my apartment in Istanbul, I finally had the space to think beyond the next intake and begin developing a longer-term idea that would eventually become our global school engagement team.
Six years on, we have a wonderful team of school engagement managers based around the world, dedicated to building and nurturing relationships across the entire ecosystem (to borrow a favorite expression from the fabulous Lorraine Castanares, our school engagement manager for Latin America) of people who support students throughout their K–12 education.
This isn’t work driven by quick wins. It’s about showing up consistently, listening, building trust, and becoming a valued partner to the counsellors, teachers, and school leaders who help young people navigate their educational futures. We know we still have a long way to go, but I’m very proud of how far we’ve come over the last six years.
These relationships won’t necessarily translate into immediate student enrolments, and that’s okay. Our aim is to become a trusted resource for schools and the students they serve, recognising that the value of these relationships extends well beyond any single recruitment cycle. And ideally, to do all of this without driving already overstretched school counsellors crazy with a million more emails in their inboxes!
And while six years might feel like a long time to invest in building relationships, another milestone we’re celebrating this year puts that commitment into an even broader perspective.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between Navitas and Simon Fraser University in Canada.
SFU was actually the first Navitas campus I ever visited. I was fresh-faced, relatively new to the company, and still somewhat amazed that I was being paid to travel for work. Could there be anything better?!
I remember walking into the Fraser International College building on campus and being completely overwhelmed by the scale of what we were doing. Here was a beautiful building, bustling with staff and more than a thousand students, all part of something much bigger than I had imagined.
Fifteen years later, that first impression has stayed with me. Today, more than 13,000 students have progressed from FIC to SFU. It’s a remarkable example of what a partnership can achieve over time.
Professor Dilson Etcheverry Rassier, SFU’s provost and vice-president Academic, who will also deliver a keynote at the upcoming PIE High Brazil, reflected on the partnership:
“SFU is deeply proud of our partnership with Navitas and Fraser International College, which has only continued to grow and strengthen over our 20 years working together. International students are a core part of SFU’s community and contribute to the vibrancy of our campuses in so many ways. Thanks to this partnership, we have supported thousands of students to come to Canada and to thrive across the full length of their educational journey.”
Of course, international education is a business, and results matter. But after twenty years in this industry, I’m increasingly grateful to work for an organisation whose leadership recognises that not every meaningful investment delivers an immediate return. Whether it’s a university partnership spanning decades or relationships with schools that take years to nurture, this willingness to think long-term creates opportunities for the students we’re ultimately here to serve.
And on a more personal note, I’m equally grateful for the partnerships that have turned into friendships along the way. Across our wonderful international education ecosystem—agents, school counsellors, university colleagues, and so many others—I’ve had the privilege of building relationships that have lasted for years, even decades. We’ve collected memories, shared milestones, and, yes, watched a few wrinkles and grey hairs appear along the way (mine included!).
About the author:
Brittany is regional general manager for Europe, Türkiye, RCIS and Latin America at Navitas, where she leads international student recruitment and strategic partnerships across diverse markets. She also serves as director of global schools engagement, overseeing initiatives that strengthen relationships between secondary schools and higher education institutions worldwide. With extensive experience in international education, she is passionate about expanding access to global study opportunities and building meaningful partnerships across the sector.
