Three IGS alums share journeys shaped by curiosity, courage and a global outlook first nurtured at school. Their paths are varied but united by the same foundations: languages, friendships and a belief that there is no single way to build a meaningful life.
In these reflections, Carmel O’Connor (2004), Julian Horniblow (2017) and Jessica (Nhi) Tran (2009) look back on the moments, risks and relationships that guided them after graduation – and the enduring influence of an IGS education that encouraged them to think broadly, act boldly and stay connected to the world around them.
CARMEL O’CONNOR 2004
After school, I studied a double degree at UTS in Law and international studies in German, with a one year exchange in Berlin, putting my IGS German studies to good use and travelling with my (still) best friend from high school Evrithiki Diinis whenever we could!
I went into law wanting to be a human rights lawyer but I quickly realised I was too much of a dreamer. After graduation, I did a lot of soul searching (and more travelling!) to figure out what I wanted to do; briefly studying journalism and working in magazines before I quit that job, took a leap and did a creative writing short course at Oxford. It was there I realised I wanted to be a writer.
I came back to Australia and studied screenwriting, wrote scripts and did some filmmaking projects. There were lots of moving parts with film, and in my mid-twenties, I was impatient to get my work into the world, so I went solo and started writing a young adult magic/action book series.
But writing a book (or 7!) took longer than I’d planned, so then I wrote a book about why it’s taken me so long to write a book…which is coming out this year, 20 December. It’s called “Written” and it aims to help other creative writers find the magic in writer’s block and get their authentic stories into the world faster!
When I’m not writing, I’m loving life as a first time mum to a 10 month old in Sydney. My partner is Nigerian so it’s a joy to watch her grow up in a multi-lingual household.
I also work at the University of NSW. There, I’m proudest of my research translation work with the Innovation Hub X Digital Grid Futures Institute, reimagining irresistible climate action messaging and piloting a workshop series for young people.
Looking back, I’m grateful that IGS nurtured a global mindset and a genuine feeling that I could do or be anything I wanted. Coming from a (then) small-sized school where my teachers spoke multiple languages, wove storied adventures into a history or geography lesson, and put on whole campus theatre productions, I left school feeling it was normal to know people doing-and going on to do, extraordinary things.
Jessica (Nhi) Tran 2009
I came to IGS in Year 10 in 2007 from Haiphong in the north of Vietnam. After a three month intensive English course, I arrived at the Ultimo campus, nervous but excited. I soon fitted in, making good friends like Stephanie Rosier. Mr Galea taught me ESL and Australian History that was the beginning of a long association. I graduated in 2009 and went to University to become an accountant. After graduating, on a visit to IGS, I mentioned to Mr Galea that I was looking for a position in an Accounting firm. He said he knew someone from his time at school who was high up in the firm of Court & Co-Nexxia. He recommended that his friend interview me and I ended up working for that same person for thirteen years!
During that time, I was married in 2014 and had a son, Tom. He is 21 months old and is learning Vietnamese as well as English. I am fortunate enough to be able to return back to Vietnam for three months every year, working remotely. This has allowed me to visit my extended family and expose Tom to Vietnamese language and culture as well as to his cousins, grandparents and aunties.
My memories of IGS are good. Of course I also remember the kindness of Mrs Murphy and the friendships that I made. One thing I learnt at IGS was that you need to speak up to let people know when you need help. No-one can give you aid if they are unaware of your situation.
The only advice I would give would be to work hard, to persevere, to take no shortcuts and to be invested in what you do.
Julian Horniblow (2017)
After I left IGS I took a gap year and worked in casual jobs before making the pilgrimage to Europe with various IGS friends. I then began studying geology at the University of Sydney. This may not track for any teachers who remember my school days (science-less), but I was lucky to be able to bridge gaps with first year courses and found a real passion for geoscience. I completed an Honours degree at USYD, which included some amazing fieldwork in New Caledonia, and was awarded the University Medal in Geology at the end of my studies.
I moved to Canberra in mid-2024 (living with fellow IGS alum Bill Bolton (2014)!) and am currently working as an exploration project geologist on critical mineral projects in far north Queensland. My job commonly involves spending months at a time in remote FNQ, which has been invaluable field experience.
I still have the passion for languages that I cultivated at IGS, and I meet with a weekly Italian group here in Canberra to chit chat and read various texts.
I have great memories of IGS. I’m still regularly caught dead with my two best friends from school, Zac and Jotaro, and an assortment of other IGS folk.
What’s next for me is a Master’s degree at the University of Melbourne. I’ve enjoyed mineral exploration, but it’s not the career for me, and I’m looking forward to moving on to the next chapter in July.
