New University Advising, Associate Director, Flora Meng

At Aiglon College, the University Advising Department has a combined 64 years of professional experience in college and university admission and academic counselling, and thanks to this knowledge and their deep networks, they have helped Aiglon students access top universities across the world.

Joining at the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year, Flora Meng is the latest addition to the team. She brings over a decade of experience in international education, spanning university advising, programme development, and classroom teaching. 

The team is led by Patience Fanella-Koch (Director, University Advising). It includes expert advisers trained in university admissions practices and procedures around the world. Each adviser is assigned a house to build a rapport with students.

“We are delighted to have Flora join the university advising team” stated Patience. “She joins a dedicated team who are focused on providing personalised advising services to all students and parents. University Advising introduces students to topics related to global university options, career paths, and course selections based on their goals. The team presents information about college and university research, admission, and application procedures for institutions throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Switzerland and others throughout Europe and the world.” 

Flora’s Journey

Her journey across China, the United States, and the United Kingdom has shaped a broad understanding of international education systems and the diverse pathways available to students worldwide.

She holds a Master's degree in Foreign Language Education from New York University and is a certified teacher in New York State. After several years of teaching in the United States, she returned to her hometown of Beijing and joined Dulwich College Beijing (part of Education in Motion, EiM) in 2017. She later earned her College Counseling certification through the University of California, San Diego Extension, and served as University and Careers Counsellor, as well as Head of Alumni Engagement.

During her time at Dulwich College Beijing, Flora has supported hundreds of students with applications to further their education at institutions and programmes worldwide. In addition to individual advising, she has strengthened the College's university advising programme through peer-sharing, parent education workshops, alumni engagement initiatives, and cross-department collaborations. Through these efforts, she has helped foster a more connected university advising ecosystem.

At the heart of Flora's work is a belief that every student's journey is unique. She views university advising not simply as the process of applying to university, but as an opportunity for students to better understand themselves and develop the confidence to make informed decisions about their future. Her student-centred approach is highly personalised, with guidance tailored to each individual's interests, values, motivation, and readiness.

An active member of the global university counselling community, she regularly attends and collaborates with colleagues through professional organisations including International ACAC (Association for College Admission Counseling), NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), CIS (Council of International Schools), China ICAC (Institute of College Admissions Counseling), and NESSIC (Network for Enriching Students and Schools in China). She also maintains close relationships with universities worldwide through campus visits and counselor events across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and continental Europe, enabling her to stay current with global admissions trends while building meaningful partnerships with institutions around the world.

University Advising at Aiglon 

Aiglon’s University Advising Department offers a range of support for Year 10-13 students and parents related to personal development, curriculum pathways, course selection, career discovery and university research and applications.

Being embedded in students’ lives means the University Advising Department is able to work hand-in-hand with other safeguarding, wellbeing and academic staff, including tutors and teachers, to get a comprehensive understanding of where each Aiglonian is and where they are hoping to be.

Advisers support a positive university search and application process, ensuring the best fit for each student. They provide students and families with professional insights into the strengths of individual colleges and universities and explain the admissions processes worldwide.

They prepare school reports, references, and recommendation letters, and submit supporting documents to universities. Advisers advocate for applicants throughout the process, help prepare for interviews, and offer strategy and guidance on personal statement writing and final university choices or other post-Aiglon plans.

For those of the Class of 2026 entered in the IB, the cohort achieved an average score of 36.5, with a 100% pass rate that is now six consecutive years running. Two students achieved a perfect 45 out of 45 points, with 19 students achieving 40 points or more.

Why Choose this Career Opportunity at Aiglon? 

Flora was drawn to Aiglon by the school's commitment to educating the whole person, a philosophy that deeply resonates with her own approach. “I look forward to working collaboratively with students, families, and colleagues to further integrate university advising into the fabric of Aiglon, building a programme that is deeply connected to the community” she stated. Together with the university advising team, her goal is to build a programme that empowers students to discover their own paths with confidence and purpose.

Beyond her professional life, she is a lover of art and culture. She enjoys travelling, cycling, and dancing. She looks forward to becoming part of the Aiglon community and, together with her husband, embracing a new chapter of life in the Swiss Alps.