At first glance, Joelle Cohen’s high school transcript seems to tell two entirely different stories. On the one hand, you will see a student with rigorous advanced STEM and lab sciences; on the other, digital media, creative arts, and social sciences.

This unique academic blend helped to earn her admission to top-tier Canadian programs like Carleton, Queen’s, Western, UBC, McGill and the University of Toronto. Yet, this fall, Joelle is taking her diverse talents across the Atlantic, having ultimately chosen to study International Relations and film production at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland.

Looking back, the path Joelle was building initially appeared set: both of her parents are doctors, and she expected to follow in their footsteps. She deeply admired the immediate impact of medicine—the ability to help people, save lives, and lead with empathy. Growing up in that environment, Joelle even collaborated with her father on a children’s book project. Its overriding theme was a simple truth that would become her permanent guiding light: connection is everything.

But then, through Collingwood’s unique timetable, Joelle was able to take advantage of "H Block"—a specialized block in the schedule that allows students to focus deeply and immersively on a single course for an entire month. For Joelle, this month-long intensive was a creative revelation. She found a sanctuary in the digital studios, treating the space like a professional production house, and embarked on experiential film adventures like the class trip to New York.

"Our film class was one of the most meaningful parts of my journey," Joelle reflects. "Teachers like Mr. Francis nurtured our creativity while teaching us to think like filmmakers. Being trusted to use real production equipment and collaborate allowed me to bring my own vision to life."

As she unlocked her passion for performance, storytelling, and leadership—even serving as a camp counsellor for younger students at the Junior School—her understanding of impact shifted. She realized the values that drew her to medicine weren't exclusive to the hospital. "I realized you don’t have to be a doctor to make a meaningful difference," she says. "Acting and storytelling are centered on human connection. To portray someone honestly, you have to step into their perspective without judgment. Empathy is at the forefront."

However, life rarely follows a linear script. In September of her senior year, Joelle’s world was suddenly tested by an unexpected family passing. In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, Joelle's education became about something much deeper than academic points. It became a testament to her character. In the face of adversity, Joelle chose to draw upon her foundational belief that connection is everything and became a pillar of strength, perseverance, and resilience for her family.

"In spite of immense grief, Joelle found her unique pathway forward," says Jennifer Adriaanse, her UG counsellor. "She looked inward, evaluated her passions, and courageously pivoted from medicine toward international relations—a field where her deep empathy, narrative drive, and interest in what drives human behaviour can be applied to international diplomacy."

Throughout the intense application and decision-making process, the Collingwood community stood firmly behind her. "In every step, Ms. Adriaanse and the entire community were there cheering me on," Joelle says. "They helped me talk through what I wanted for my future and how I was going to get there, giving me the confidence to pursue opportunities that genuinely excited me."

For Joelle, choosing Cork over top-flight domestic offers wasn’t just an international adventure; it was the culmination of a deeply personal journey of self-reflection, resilience, and learning to follow her own internal compass.

"When I visited University College Cork, I immediately felt a strong sense of belonging," Joelle recalls of the spring trip she took to view campuses, having also been accepted to Trinity College Dublin. "I fell in love with it at first sight. It felt like the right fit for me academically, socially, and personally. I could truly see myself building my next chapter there."

Finding that perfect fit is at the heart of Collingwood School’s philosophy. The school’s University Guidance (UG) team works with all of its students beginning in Grade 8 to shepherd them toward their true passions. Rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all model, Collingwood provides a personalized approach to learning that gives students genuine agency in how they design their futures.

As Joelle prepares to walk across the graduation stage ,she looks toward a future entirely of her own making. It is a life that weaves together her family's European roots, her dreams of acting and directing, and her goal of building a grounded life close to nature.

Joelle Cohen leaves Collingwood with much more than a diploma. She leaves with the resilience to face the world’s challenges and an unbreakable understanding that, no matter where her international journey takes her, connection is everything.