A YEAR INTO IDP PHILIPPINES

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see the world and be in a brand-new country? If you’re someone who aims to broaden your education and life experience, then you can be a strong candidate to be an international student. Go abroad and experience different styles of education, find incredible new foods, customs, traditions, and social atmospheres, also see neighboring countries as a bonus. What could be the better way to learn than to dive right in?

In the Philippines, IDP has remarkably developed over the past year alone and its Country Director Ria Dela Viña witnessed it, yet she hasn’t been with the company very long. She only assumed her current position only in (month and year), but she is grateful for having been part IDP’s success.

“My first year with IDP went by quickly,” says Dela Viña. She admits it was a bit overwhelming, with so many things happening all at the same time. It was a year of learning, coping with challenges, and forging a team while gaining inspiration from the students and test candidates she has come across. “We started hiring more talent, developing new leaders, and collaborating with partners,” she says. It was a time when the company started aggressively making an effort in invigorating the IDP brand in the country, making good on its promise of opening the world to students and people who want to start a future abroad. “It was a year of venturing into new initiatives while strengthening our best practices,” she adds.

Dela Viña is optimistic, sure she hasn’t seen the last of it, and knows there will be more challenges for her to face in the future, but she is ready to embrace them as true success never really comes without obstacles. “The challenges do not end, really. But what we need to do as a team is make sure that we stick to our objectives and stay true to who are, and work hard at keeping our promise to our customers,” says Dela Viña.

For now, Dela Viña and the entire IDP team are enjoying the fruits of their labor: a bigger, better office on the 16th floor of Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. IDP Philippines has had its headquarters in the same office space in Makati for 13 years, and moving to a brand new space with all the modern facilities is a big treat for everyone, especially to those who have been with the company a long time.

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The big move, a response to the company’s success, also brings IDP closer to most of its clients, allowing them to serve students better. This, Dela Viña explains, is a sign that IDP is primed for huge, exciting things ahead. “With international education eyeing the Philippines as the market-to-watch, IDP has to be front and center. It has to be poised for growth,” she says. “And while we remain true to our core competencies, IDP has to evolve in its approaches, in our ability to provide services, our manner of connecting people, our customer experience, our presence within the country,” she adds. Making the move is the first indication that IDP is open to change and ready for the ever-changing demands of the market.

With a bigger, better space to serve more students, IDP sets up a bigger and better Study Abroad Expo for the second half of the year. “It is always an exciting highlight in the IDP calendar of events, and the Expo this September will definitely encourage and help more aspiring students get into the university of their dreams, in the city of their dreams,” says Dela Viña. “We can’t wait to take them there!”

Similar to previous years, IDP will be partnering with Australia and New Zealand institutions.

Aspiring international students will have the chance to talk to as many school representatives as they want, with all IDP Education Counselors always available to help them navigate their way through the various booths of the institutions. There will be seminars to give students and their families an overview of studying in Australia and New Zealand, and talks about Australia and New Zealand education and visa processing procedures. This Expo will be even more valuable to attendees as IDP-IELTS will be offering free Master Class in all three cities. IELTS Expert Don Oliver will be conducting all sessions which intend to help test candidates prepare better and have greater confidence at attaining their desired IELTS scores.

The Expo will be held on September 10 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Ortigas, from 11AM to 5PM; on September 11 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu, 11AM to 5PM; and on September 13 at the Activity Center of the Abreeza Mall in Davao, from 2PM to 8PM.

“Just as we have made the big move, we would like this event to be the students’ first step in making their own BIG MOVE, to international education.” says Dela Viña. “And they can be 100% sure, that IDP will help them make it happen.”

Log on to https://www.idp.com/philippines or call the IDP offices at 02-816-0755 local 116 for Manila and 032 236-2758 for Cebu to know more about the IDP Study Abroad Expo in September.

Karina Ramos

Karina is not your ordinary supermom. She juggles her time bonding with her three amazing kids while being in the loop on the latest happenings in the tech and lifestyle scene. Follow me on Instagram (@digitalfilipina) regularly visit www.digitalfilipina.com for daily dose of updates not just for moms but for everyone!