I studied philosophy at university and fully intended to become an academic in later life. However, upon graduating with a PhD I found myself in a fast-changing world caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union. This prompted me to create my own business as at that time I could not imagine my life without being involved in education. Intellect became one of the first educational agencies in Central Asia in 1996. With the aim to promote international education in our region I set up the first educational fair in 2003. Since then Intellect has won the best agency award in Eastern Europe in 2016 and I have had the privilege to become a regular speaker at BBSW, NABSW and ICEF.