Leanda Wood BA, GradDipEd, MEd,
Cert. of International School Counseling.
I'm Leanda Wood, an independent university and college counselor based in Zurich, Switzerland, with over 20 years of experience in international education.
With a Bachelor's Degree in English & Journalism, a Diploma of Education, a Master's Degree in Literacy, and a Certificate in Counseling from the Counseling Training Centre, I bring a rich academic and professional background to my work with students. I am also a member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and I've presented at international conferences on college counseling practice.
My path started in Australia, where I taught English before moving abroad with my family. Over the next seven years, I taught at two international schools in the Middle East, followed by four years in Beijing at one of China's top-tier international schools, where I served as Teacher and Grade Level Leader for Grades 11 & 12. Throughout these years, I taught AP, IB, GCSE, High School English, and Journalism. Alongside teaching, I spent six years as an IB Examiner in English, which gave me first-hand insight into exactly how universities and examination boards evaluate students' work.
My move into counseling brought me to Zurich International School, where I served as Head of Counseling, guiding students and families through university applications across the globe. During this time, I also served as Head of the Swiss Counselors' Group for eight years, working alongside counselors across the country to strengthen college counseling practices throughout Switzerland.
Today, I work directly with families as an independent college counselor, drawing on two decades of educational experience to help students find universities that are the right fit, academically, personally, and financially. I also mentor school counselors, helping them build and strengthen their own counseling programs.
As a dual national who has lived and worked across four countries, and as the mother of two sons, I've navigated this exact process myself. I know first-hand what it feels like to sit where you are now, juggling different curricula, cultural transitions, and applications to universities you may have never even visited. My goal is simple: to give every family clear, honest guidance so their child can apply with confidence.
Professional Memberships
IACAC membership facilitates global interaction among counselors and institutions in support of secondary students transitioning to higher education while promoting professional standards that fosters ethical and social responsibility.
Choosing an IECA member ensures that you will work with a professional with proven expertise who is fully vetted and demonstrates the highest standards in education, training, ethics.
NACAC professionals are dedicated to serving students as they make choices about postsecondary education. They follow high standards as outlined in NACAC's Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP).