Canada House @ SXSW Sydney is proud to host careers advisers for a breakfast event. Join us for a discussion about opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain international gap year and study experience in Canada. Share your insights on their motivations, barriers, and aspirations particularly in tech, innovation, film, TV, gaming, and others.

Guest speaker:

Simone Salier

University & Careers Adviser
Lycée Condorcet, The International French School of Sydney

Simone is an experienced careers and university guidance counselor with over 20 years of professional expertise. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws (BComm/LLB) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), complemented by a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP). Her career began in FMCG marketing and then transitioned to FMCG recruitment before she found her passion in careers advising.

Simone is a member of the International Association of College Admission Counselling, and her extensive experience spans diverse educational environments across Australia, Hong Kong, and Dubai, including co-educational, single-sex, boarding, and day schools. She has an understanding of multiple academic frameworks, with in-depth expertise in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, A-Levels, French Baccalaureate, and the local HSC curriculum.

A keen advocate of international education, Simone is particularly knowledgeable about Canadian universities. She has undertaken recent tours of the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, as well as 13 leading institutions in Ontario, including the University of Toronto’s 3 campuses, Queen’s, and McMaster. Her familiarity with the Canadian education system is further enriched by her previous visit to McGill University. This experience is invaluable, as Canada is a top destination for her students outside Australia and France, with over 12 applications annually. Many of her students have secured prestigious opportunities, such as the inaugural University of Toronto Pearson Scholarship and full scholarships to UBC.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Simone enjoys the outdoors & adventure. She is a regular competitor in open water swimming events, has completed 260km of the Camino de Santiago, and has recently dived with whale sharks in Indonesia. She has a passion for travel and languages, always seeking new experiences and perspectives.

Simone’s warm, approachable manner and broad international experience make her a trusted guide for students navigating their educational and career journeys. She brings a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and enthusiasm to her work, supporting students in finding the right pathways for their future success.

Event Queries: whpcanada.sydney@international.gc.ca

Contact the host of Gift of the Gab: Breakfast Round Table for Careers Advisers