2010 Brentwood College International Admissions Trip

In the words of Steven Wright: “It’s a small world but I wouldn’t want to have to paint it!”.  I’ve been back for two days now and have had time to reflect on my last trip.  When visiting so many different cultures, there are times when this world seems so immense, intense and diverse; but mostly it seems familiar, familial and wonderfully friendly; as Depeche Mode states emphatically: ‘people are people’. These admissions trips are such valuable endeavors as it allows me to meet prospective students and families, as well as current families, in their own backyard.  Not only do these families learn about our school, I learn so much about educational systems around the world.  This kind of insight is valuable in helping new students adjust to our school. The traveling component of Admissions work is tiring but terribly rewarding.  This past trip was the longest but most successful yet.  Like anything in life, it has its good days and its tough days.  Here are the nuts and bolts of my last trip:
*    26 days away
*    13 airplane connections  (13 security clearances!)
*    46 hours flying
*    6 train connections
*    8 hotel check-ins and outs.
*    13 hours on a train
*    38 hours in taxis, train stations and airports
*    5 countries visited
*    6 currencies used
*    24 time zones crossed
*    36 degree Celsius temperature change in one day (Mumbai to Munich)
*    6 days of ‘Bombay Belly’ + 10 days on antibiotics!
*    12 hours in School Fairs
*    164 families met and introduced to Brentwood College School.
*    2 days off.
*    1 understanding wife and family. The opportunity to meet some amazing families and offer a Brentwood education to many more prospective students…… priceless!