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Adil Ladha, BISC’11

For Adil, the Castle experience brought a group of friends even closer together and those friendships are still tight-knit to this day

Originally from St Catharine’s Ontario, Adil attended the Castle’s Summer program as a post-grad in 2011.

“I had an interest in learning more about international trade relations at the time,” Adil recalls, “and doing so a short distance away from London with a great group of friends, made attending the Castle all-the-more appealing.”

Adil’s original plan was to study law, a notion encouraged by his time at the Castle.

“I no longer practice as a lawyer, but I wouldn't say that's a result of me having attended the Castle.” says Adil. “If anything, my time at the Castle furthered my interests in the areas of law we studied - an area I still have a great deal of interest in to this day and brush up on when I can.”

Adil started Law School having already earned a Degree in Pharmacy from University of Toronto. When his time at the Castle was up, he returned to Queen’s to complete his Juris Doctor (JD).

“My career path has not been a traditional one for someone having graduated with a JD from Queens.” says Adil. “I was not asked back as a first-year associate at the firm I articled at, so I spent the next year splitting my time between working as a legal consultant, dispensing in a pharmacy, and networking.”

Those networking skills got Adil in the door at the corporate office of Shoppers Drug Mart, working in their Pharmacy Department. A few years later he moved into an operations role at Loblaw Pharmacy, followed by a transition to Express Scripts Canada, where Adil now leads the Pharmacy National Procurement & Operations Team.

Adil believes his decision to attend the Castle and his experience here has had a great impact on his life and career.

“My friends and I travelled a lot during that summer, using the Castle as a jumping off point into Europe.” he says. “We saw and did a lot, and I have often found myself referencing those adventures as a means of connecting with people that have similar experiences to share.”

Adil’s time at the Castle, and the opportunities to travel throughout Europe brought the group of friends that joined him even closer together and they are still tight-knit to this day.

“Attending the Castle gives you the chance to learn, further develop friendships, and see an historical part of the world all at once.” says Adil. “I developed a great network during my time at the Castle, and many of us are still friends today and have supported each other on a number of initiatives throughout the years. We'd have been foolish to let that go!”

Elizabeth Harris, BISC’97

For Elizabeth, a hands-on experience at the Castle really changed her perspective and planted a seed that perhaps a career in the field of art was a possibility.

Originally from Nanaimo, BC, Elizabeth attended the BISC in the Spring/Summer Term of 1997.

“Although it was relatively new at the time, I had heard of "The Castle" through my faculty,” says Elizabeth, “and upon further investigation I discovered that I actually had a family connection to both the Castle and the village of Herstmonceux.”

Elizabeth immediately found herself daydreaming of ways to attend a term at this newly formed international study centre and started to recruit her friends to join her! And when she arrived, Elizabeth’s academic focus changed dramatically while she was at the Castle.

“At Queen’s, I was flipping around within different faculties and really trying to find my place and decide where my interests and passions lied.” she recalls, “At the Castle, I studied an Art History course where we learned in a variety of art institutions both in England and France and were immersed in the extraordinary art exhibits.”

It was this hands-on experience that changed Elizabeth’s perspective and planted a seed in her mind that perhaps a career in the field of art was a possibility.

“In my final year at Queen's, I focused more on Art History and started to feel passionate about a possible path forward after graduation.” says Elizabeth.

Elizabeth moved to Whistler, BC after graduation. After deciding to spend "Just one winter" in the ski town, she found herself completely and utterly hooked on the lifestyle and community.

“I'm still here, almost 25 years later!” says Elizabeth. “While living and working in Whistler, I also took my pilot's license in Vancouver, BC, driving back and forth and challenging my mind through flight. After that, the additional studies of life, work and family prevailed.”

Elizabeth admits her career path has perhaps not been a conventional journey, but feels like her desire to blend business and a budding passion for art, was in part fuelled by her experiences at the Castle. After a very serendipitous meeting of a gallery curator on a chairlift ride one snowy Whistler winter shortly after graduation, Elizabeth found herself embarking on a new career path. At that time, she started working at an art gallery specializing in Indigenous Art; particularly Northwest Coast Kwakiutl, Haida and Coast Salish carvings and printmaking. Working in a commercial art gallery in the international ski town of Whistler opened Elizabeth eyes to new possibilities and a possible niche market in Whistler's Art Scene.

“After completing an archiving project with the Whistler Museum & Archives and the Virtual Museum of Canada, all the while taking my pilot's license, I took a job with Adele Campbell Fine Art, and the rest is history.” says Elizabeth. “Specializing in contemporary Canadian paintings and sculpture, this gallery really fine-tuned my desire to share Canadian art with the world and showcase how extraordinary our artists in this country are.”

Elizabeth’s love and enthusiasm for art is obvious. “While studying at the Castle exposed me to the world's great Masters, I realized quickly that I had a passion for scenes from home; from the vast landscapes of our diverse country, the west coast moods of BC, and the bold brushstrokes that highlight Canada's natural and powerful beauty.” she says.

After working at the gallery for several years, the opportunity to purchase the business presented itself, and Elizabeth has now owned, operated and curated Adele Campbell Fine Art for almost ten years.

“In that time, my husband and I have welcomed three amazing boys into our family and I find myself wearing many different capes.” says Elizabeth.  “Being immersed in community life, volunteering, fundraising and blending business, family and community is a juggle and a joy in this mountain town.”

The bonds and friendships that were forged during that short term in 1997 have been life-long lasting friendships and cemented Elizabeth’s connection with both BISC and Queen's.

“It was an extraordinary experience, and it still makes my heart flutter thinking of my time spent there.” says Elizabeth “On a professional level, the Art History course at the BISC catapulted me forward and truly shaped my path.”