Meet Claire Kibblewhite
At Verto Education, the Program Director is a key member of the on-site experience. Responsible for the day-to day management of all Verto Education programs at each site, the Program Director leads all student support functions, including, housing, health & safety, and Verto study center administration.
In this blog post, we interview Verto Education England Program Director, Claire Kibblewhite!
What’s your background, and what brought you to Verto Education?
I was born and raised in London, and graduated from the University of Southampton with a teaching degree in elementary education a long time ago! Making the decision not to teach, soon after graduating I fell into working for a travel company running educational youth tours into Europe. This morphed into working with US faculty-led semester programs and I had found my niche. A year or so later, wanderlust got the better of me and I went to live in the mountains in France and worked as a ski-guide. The change from city to mountain life brought a new perspective on how to live and appreciate other cultures.
On my return I moved progressively through the Study Abroad field, first managing a Customized Freshman Program, then as Resident Director, and eventually working in a Global Programs and Operations role, all the while being anchored in the London experience. My personal experiences of being a parent, and professional experiences in the varied roles I have held, led me to Verto Education. The role of London Program Director has allowed me to bring the very best of all I have learned and apply it to our center, staff, students, faculty and program
What are some of the academic highlights of your location?
Named one of the world’s most multicultural cities and home to more than 100,000 international students, London brings together a diverse variety of cultures from around the world and has long been an attractive and hugely popular destination for international students.
It is a city that is at the epicenter of Art, Business, History & Culture and this is reflected in our course offerings that teach Theater, History of Art, Comparative Politics, Photography, Communication to name a few.
We also draw from highly Globalized Faculty & Staff who are able to make deep connections with the city using ‘London as your Classroom’ with experiential courses that deepen students understanding of the country & culture.
What does support for students look like on-site?
Our London Program is designed with our students’ safety in mind. From program housing to overnight trips, we follow recognised safety guidelines and our onsite team is trained in emergency response and student support. We have a 24/7 emergency phone as well as a range of professional medical resources. In addition, we have dedicated academic support staff to guide and mentor our students. London staff position ourselves as advocates for holistic student success; we get to know our students through small and large group meetings, 1:1 advising sessions or drop ins, and by spending time with them whilst on our programme activities.
What would you say to a student considering a semester in London with Verto? What is your favorite thing about your location?
A center of excellence for education- London as a classroom
Studying in London will put students at the heart of one of the places best equipped to handle their educational needs. There is a stunning amount of field study opportunities, libraries, local businesses and support networks which could all aid their studies.
London Lifestyle
There are over 7000 bars and pubs, over 5000 restaurants and incredibly for one city, over 350 music venues! Living on a student budget can be hard, especially in a big city, however there’s plenty to do when you’re watching a bank balance; think coffee shops, exercise clubs or taking time out of a busy schedule to enjoy one of the many leafy parks.
London sees YOU!
London has, in recent decades, become one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. London is young and international, and there are endless fun opportunities. Nothing is weird in London – it’s a truly international and diverse city, which accepts that everybody is different and tells you that it’s perfectly ok to be different.
Want to see if a Verto start to college can work for you? Apply today to get started.
*** Note: Specific programming and activities are subject to change semester by semester.
