The Power of Connection
More than ten years ago, a group of counselors from international schools in Myanmar began gathering to connect, share, and support one another. From that beginning, the MISCA was born, a network that today includes counselors from 13 international schools across the country.
Created to support counselors, MISCA provides more than resources and professional development; it offers a sense of belonging. Members describe it as a place to exchange ideas, share challenges, and know they are not facing this work in isolation. That spirit of connection carried the network through moments of change and challenge, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. MISCA quickly adapted with virtual check-ins, becoming a vital lifeline of encouragement and collaboration. Messages, emails, and calls between members provided steady support during uncertain times. Today, the network continues to grow, strengthening both counselors and the students they support across Myanmar.
Empowering Students
MISCA’s impact has not only strengthened counseling offices but also directly benefited students across Myanmar. Since the pandemic, the network has coordinated annual university fairs, connecting students with universities from around the world. This year’s fair was the most successful yet: around 100 universities from 15 countries participated, and over 440 students from the 13 MISCA schools attended. In addition, an in-person event brought 12 universities to ISY’s campus, marking the first face-to-face fair since the pandemic.
The response was overwhelming:
“From the breakout rooms to the representatives, every part of the event was both inspiring and educational. Your warm welcome set the tone, and I left the fair not only with valuable knowledge but also with a deep sense of hope and motivation for the future.”
- A senior student attending MISCA“We see you, Mick! And we are so grateful for all that you do, and our students are the ones who benefit. I know how much you go above and beyond not just for your own students, but for our whole MISCA community of students. Thank you!”
- Counselor, International School Yangon
University representatives echoed these reflections, noting the thoughtfulness of Myanmar students, the quality of their engagement, and their genuine curiosity about future opportunities.
The Ripple Effect
MISCA has given counselors a place to collaborate and share resources, strengthened relationships between schools and universities, and most importantly, opened doors for students across Myanmar. By creating space for connection and professional growth, MISCA has helped ensure that even in small schools, students have access to the same breadth of opportunities as their peers around the world. This is the power of a network.
After more than a decade, MISCA continues to demonstrate how a simple idea, bringing people together, can ripple outward to benefit an entire community. Looking ahead, the network’s collective strength will keep creating new pathways for students, ensuring that the next generation enters the future not only with knowledge, but with the connections and confidence to shape it.
Mick Amundson-Geisel is the Grade 7-12 school counselor at The International School Yangon (ISY). Mick has been a counselor at ISY since 2013, championing the success of every student.
