Meet Julia Bastian

Where are you living now?
Amarillo, Texas (the Texas Panhandle)

What did you do after you left ISL?

Wow, I could answer this question in many ways, and I recognize my path is different than most. Since leaving Luxembourg, I’ve had many great opportunities to explore who I am and my passion for the equine industry. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Findlay, Ohio, where I honed my horse training skills and took business courses. During summers, I interned with American Quarter Horse Association trainers, traveling across the U.S. to horse shows.

After graduating in May 2020, I moved to South Carolina to work as an assistant trainer at Starnes Quarter Horses LLC. After 1.5 years, I shifted direction and accepted a graduate assistantship at West Texas A&M University, where I earned a Master’s in Agricultural Business and Economics. My role as a graduate assistant was multi-faceted. I managed the university’s horse herd health working closely with our veterinarian and farrier and maintaining health records for all university-owned horses on the property. I was also an assistant western coach to the collegiate equestrian team. I worked with undergraduate students, helping teach and finesse their riding skills to be competitive within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. In 2023, the western team tied for 8th overall at the National Championship event, and in 2024 we got to come back even stronger, with the team earning 4th overall. The students I coached had tremendous success with 1x National Champion, 1x Reserve Nat’l Champ., and several others placing top 5 and top 10 overall (for context, there are 7,000+ student members in the association, and the top 12 in each event qualify for Nationals). In addition to coaching and managing horses, I attended classes and was a student taking 2-3 classes every semester. I officially completed my Masters degree in August 2024.

What did you study at University?.

Bachelor of Science from the University of Findlay (2016-2020)

            Equine Studies - Western riding/training emphasis

            Equine business & management

            Minor: International business

Master of Science from West Texas A&M University (2022-2024)

            M.S. in Agricultural business and economics

What are you doing now?
I work as Youth Coordinator at the American Quarter Horse Association International Headquarters. My role serves to promote youth programs available to members and help grow the youth membership. I enjoy getting to continue to use the skills and network I developed within the industry, and being able to contribute differently.

Do you think your time at ISL helped you pursue both your academic and equestrian interests? If yes, how

Absolutely. The IGCSE and IB programs were very challenging and rigorous, and there were many times where I was greatly frustrated. Both taught me vital skills that helped me manage the transition to university. The extended essay may have felt brutal at the time, however it made all of my college papers and projects feel so do-able in comparison. Through ISL, I was also introduced to knowledge and concepts that some of my peers were not taught or exposed to until they attended university. Though my equine interests and activities were not directly linked to ISL, I credit ISL with helping me realize that I could continue to pursue those interests within higher education.

What advantages has studying at ISL given you?
A unique awareness of diversity and multiculturalism. Nowadays especially, I greatly value the open-mindedness and critical thinking skills I possess and how I can apply those to help broaden the minds of others.

What advice would you give to current students to help them make the most of their time at ISL, especially those balancing academics with other passions like sports?

Stay passionate, but flexible! Continue to pursue all of your passions in and out of the classroom, but recognize that one may need to take priority over others based on current circumstances. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to recognize when your plate is full and when you may need to reach out to your support system for some help in managing it all. There is nothing wrong with asking for help along the way.

Were you engaged in any ISL clubs/activities? What did you enjoy about them and what benefit do you think they have for students?

As an ISL “lifer”, I was involved in many different clubs and activities. These included sports (volleyball, soccer, track, swimming), band, choir, Mérite Jeunesse, Model United Nations (MUN), theatre, and business club. I still reap the benefits of the skills they each taught me - cooperation, time management, communication, and prioritization. Not only do students get to meet other students and develop relationships they might not have otherwise, they also get to build so many more skills beyond what the club/activity is mainly about and they will be able to carry that forward with them into their future career and life.

Please describe some of the things that ISL does above and beyond teaching and learning.

Multiculturalism! That might not be an actual “thing”, but that is what I most cherish about my time at ISL. Especially as I now live in a part of a country that is not quite as culturally diverse. I appreciate the global-thinking, open-mindedness and critical thinking that is taught and encouraged throughout the years and curriculum.

How did your time at ISL help shape you as a person?
I would not be who I am today without ISL. Given that I attended preschool through grade 12, my years there greatly influenced and shaped me.

What do you think is unique about ISL?
The forward-thinking nature of the curriculum and the enthusiasm of the teachers. They truly care about each of their students and value the success they achieve in and outside of the classroom. As an incredibly involved student, participating in many different activities and needing to be in multiple places at once at times, however I always felt supported and that I would be able to succeed at whatever I chose.

If you could thank a teacher or staff member, who would it be?
Thanking only one is hard, I was practically raised in the school (my mom is a long-time employee). So many of the teachers and staff helped shape me into who I am today.

Dr. Prendergast is a phenomenal teacher and wonderful human. She always was, and still is, so supportive of all my endeavours. It didn’t matter if it was classroom-related or not, she was also so happy to sit down and have a cup of tea. Everybody should get to have a Dr. Prendergast in their corner

Please describe ISL in 5 words:

An experience everyone should have.