From Marine Biology in Hawaii to Architecture in Spain, Economics in Canada and Fine Arts in London, this year’s graduating class at ISN is preparing to embark on remarkably diverse journeys around the world.
Among the destinations chosen by ISN’s 2026 graduates are McGill University, the University of St Andrews, IE University, EHL, the University of Hawaii, and the University of the Arts London. One student will pursue the prestigious HEC/Bocconi Data, Society and Organisations track, a double degree programme within the Bachelor of Science in International Politics and Government.
Behind many of these success stories is Dione Smith, ISN’s Head of University Counselling, and English teacher, who has spent the past 15 years helping young people identify their strengths, explore their options, secure places at leading universities, and prepare for life beyond school in a rapidly changing world.
At a time when technology is transforming industries and career paths are evolving at unprecedented speed, Smith believes preparing students for the future requires more than simply helping them gain admission to university.
That philosophy sits at the heart of ISN’s Futureproof programme, which was developed six years ago and continues to evolve in response to the changing world.
“The programme’s aim is to give students the tools to be life ready when they graduate,” she explains.
The initiative involves the entire High School team and combines workshops, individual meetings, guest lectures, university fairs and personalised guidance. Students also use the Unifrog platform to build individual profiles and explore potential pathways.
Importantly, the process begins long before university applications are submitted.
At ISN, Futureproof sessions start in Grade 8, encouraging students to reflect on their strengths while learning how to research careers and university options. As they progress through High School, guidance becomes increasingly personalised, with academic advisers helping students make informed course selections based on their interests and potential career ambitions.
One of the highlights of the year is ISN’s university fair, which welcomes more than 50 universities from around the world.
While university destinations and career trends may change, Smith believes certain qualities will remain essential for success.
“The skills that I think will be most valuable in the future are soft skills, teamwork, communication, adaptability, open-mindedness and reliability,” she says.
For Smith, helping students discover what genuinely interests them is equally important.
Students are encouraged to explore a range of personality and interest assessments, alongside annual PASS (Pupil Attitudes to Self and School) testing, which provides additional information for advisers. However, she is careful to ensure students remain focused on their own aspirations rather than external expectations.
“I am an advocate for students to recognise what interests them and to pursue what they genuinely enjoy doing, not what they are expected to do,” she says.
The school’s relatively small size also plays a significant role.
“ISN is a small familiale school and our teachers and advisers know our students well,” Smith says.
That personalised approach can sometimes open doors students may not have realised were available to them.
Dione recalls one student who decided to pursue Architecture despite not having taken a higher-level Mathematics course, Art or Physics. With guidance through ISN’s Futureproof programme, the student secured a place at a Russell Group university in the United Kingdom for a Foundation Year in Architecture.
Another student found herself unable to decide between New York University and the University of St Andrews. After months of discussions and decision-making exercises, she ultimately chose Scotland because of the unique course offering and its proximity to home.
Today’s students are showing strong interest in International Relations, Economics and Business, with a growing number specialising in Finance. Medicine and Dentistry have also become increasingly popular choices, while the Creative Arts continue to attract many students.
Throughout the application process, ISN advisers work closely with students and their families. In Grade 11, students create detailed roadmaps for their higher education journeys, while personal essays are refined through multiple drafts and feedback sessions. Mock interviews also form an important part of the preparation process.
Beyond academics, Smith believes extracurricular activities play a vital role in developing confidence, resilience and adaptability.
“I cannot advocate enough for sports and the positive attributes of it,” she says.
ISN students participate in the French Riviera International Sports League (FRISL), Med Cup events and a variety of after-school sports activities. The school’s Model United Nations programme has also inspired many graduates to pursue International Relations, Law and Diplomacy.
Music, Drama and Performing Arts remain important parts of student life. ISN stages an annual school production, while students can also pursue performing arts qualifications through the New Era Academy.
As Smith sees it, encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones is an essential part of preparing them for adulthood.
“Our extracurricular opportunities and tailored senior projects are an example of how we encourage our students to push themselves,” she says.
For families considering ISN, Smith believes the school’s greatest strengths lie in its experience, personalised support and long-standing track record.
“Our advantage is a 45+ year proven track record of excellent placements at universities for our graduates, our student-centred approach, and our wealth of experience and knowledge,” she says.
Looking at the graduating class of 2026, Smith remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
“The graduating class of 2026 are a diverse group who have immense talent and kindness,” she says. “The future is in good hands with this bunch of talented individuals.”
It is a sentiment shaped by her own international journey. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Smith studied English at the University of California Berkeley, where she also played NCAA Division I volleyball. She later completed a Juris Doctor in Law at Pace University in New York, spending semesters at University College London and the University of Manchester.
After working as a lawyer specialising in class action lawsuits, she changed careers and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. In 2012, she moved to the French Riviera from Brittany after her husband accepted a position in Monaco. Three years later, she joined ISN after hearing a job advertisement on the radio.
More than a decade on, she remains passionate about helping young people discover their potential and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
“It is a real privilege to be a part of such an amazing team and community here at ISN.”
