Tom Rubbens

Director (BEL)

Tom first came to ISLI in 2008, accompanying his school from Diest, Belgium to our program as a facilitator. In his daily life he teaches History both in Dutch and in English. He likes to challenge his students by extra curricular programs such as ours. He carried such extra-ordinary values to the institute, that he felt responsible. He took the initiative to re-establish it after the cancellation during the pandemic.

Board Member (2014 - current)

Facilitator (2008 - 2013)

Julia Haase

Treasurer (GER)

Julia is an English and art teacher and strives to give her students to experience different cultures and learn valuable life skills. For Julia, ISLI offers exactly that. She loves how young adults can actually make a change, being active leaders. Julia sees our community as a second family. She feels incredibly proud to have made the “ISLI miracle” happen again in 2023 and hopes that this will last for many years to come.

Board Member (2021 - current)

Facilitator (2019)

Valentin Arts

Board Member (NLD)

As a teacher in history and philosophy, Valentin tries to open his students’ hearts and minds to other cultures and world views. ISLI felt like a revelation to him when he came to the program in 2015. It is not only magical for the participants, but also for the facilitating adults. Valentin thinks ISLI is very intense, fun, self-revealing, creative, informative, but above all, very fulfilling.

Board member (2021 - current)

Facilitator (2015 - 2019)

Jan Krempl

Board Member (CZE)

If it comes to ISLI, Jan did it all. After he participated in 2009, he was a regent on 2010’s Board. The program was life-changing for Jan. He dreamt of coming back, and in 2017 the opportunity presented itself when his former school needed a facilitator. Unlike most of the other Adults, Jan is not a teacher and takes a week of every year to give the participants the same lifechanging experience.

Board Member (2021 - current)

Facilitator (2017 - 2019)

Student Regent (2010)

Participant (2009)

Elian Pergola

Extended Board Member (BEL)

After being elected as a Senior Regent in 2019, ISLI was unforunately cancelled. Elian helped renewing ISLI in 2023 by bringing together a group of Regents who served at ISLI 2023. He is entrepreneuring , whilst still finishing a Master’s degree in modern History, researching the Italian emigration to Belgium. As the youngest Board Member, he maintains ISLI’s online presence and supports the Senior Regents.

Board member (2023 - current)

Student Regent (2019 & 2023)

Participant (2018)