From Ego to Eco: The Transformative Work of IC’s Ivy Yan
"After this week, I feel like I've awakened to a world I didn't know existed before."
– Huang, a high school student
As an educator and also as a facilitator for Inspire Citizens, Ivy Yan gets to witness transformation at close range. It’s no surprise then, that one of her favorite memories is of leading an experiential learning trip to a mystical kingdom in southeast Asia. For Huang and his fellow students, the journey to Bhutan didn't just offer breathtaking landscapes; it catalyzed a deep inner shift of perspective on life, nature, and his own place in the world.
Even more importantly, Ivy facilitates lasting impact: Upon returning to his home culture, Huang initiated a student club focused on authentic conversations, delved into comparative studies of Gross National Happiness and GDP, and channeled his passion into social entrepreneurship projects that won national recognition. His journey exemplifies the impact Ivy aims to make through her holistic approach to education—shifting mindsets from "ego" to "eco."
A Journey from the Margins to Holistic Education
Ivy's path to becoming an educator was anything but conventional. Her transformative experiences at Schumacher College and in Bhutan opened her eyes to the possibilities of learning that transcends traditional boundaries.
"I started in the margins of education," Ivy reflects. "The reason I became an educator is because I had this amazing, very deep, transformative learning experience at Schumacher College and in Bhutan. It completely blew my mind how learning can be—the depth and level of inner inquiry, connecting with people in a deeper sense, and learning from teachers you wouldn't expect – especially nature."*
At Schumacher College, Ivy immersed herself in a community-based, holistic education that connected the head, heart, and hands. Learning was not confined to the classroom but was alive in everyday life—through cooking, gardening, and engaging with the ecosystem.
At Schumacher College, Ivy immersed herself in a community-based, holistic education that connected the head, heart, and hands. (images supplied)
"Coming out of that program, I felt like a new person," she says. "It expanded my heart and mind, made me a happier person—not in the sense of pleasure-seeking, but empowered to contribute regardless of where the world is heading."
Bridging Well-Being and Deep Ecology
Determined to share these transformative experiences, Ivy returned to her home nation of China and spent several years living in an eco-village. There, she experimented with sustainable living, intentional community building, and co-creating with nature.
She began designing and leading experiential learning trips for students, including the life-changing journey to Bhutan. These programs were not typical school activities; they were immersive experiences that broke down traditional educational structures, making learning student-led and deeply personal.
Recognizing the need to formalize her approach, Ivy co-founded Two Birds Education with the late Steve Sostak. "We identified that well-being and deep ecology are the two pillars of our work," Ivy explains. "Two Birds allows me to focus on these areas through experiential learning and allows me to use more holistic and spiritual language."
Joining Inspire Citizens: Integrating Visions
By 2021, Ivy had officially joined Inspire Citizens. “The organization offers me an ecosystem," Ivy notes. "We share the same frameworks like Empathy to Impact and the Global Citizen Profile. Sometimes I do more Inspire Citizens work, supporting schools with student leadership and teacher training, while other times I focus on Two Birds initiatives."
Her dual roles allow her to integrate her holistic vision into mainstream educational settings, providing a bridge between the margins and the center.
Transforming Education at Seoul Foreign School
One of Ivy's standout projects with Inspire Citizens was at Seoul Foreign School working with 11th graders during their Discovery Week—a week-long, off-schedule program.
"My offering was mindfulness and self-care through eco-media," she says. "I had the freedom to design the week based on my vision of education, helping students learn about self-care, mindfulness, and compassion for nature in a very creative way through photography."
Each day began with meditation, followed by activities like silent walks in the forest and writing love letters to nature. Ivy encouraged students to see and interact with their surroundings in new ways.
"It's very different from their everyday type of learning—especially for 11th graders a week before their final tests," Ivy acknowledges. "But young people are so intuitive. With a little guidance and space, they open up quickly and embrace it if it feels right."
By the end of the week, students reported a significant shift in perspective. "They told me they now see nature as something vast, so much more beyond their individual human experience," Ivy shares. "This is what I always aim for—helping shift the mindset from ego to eco."
Listen to the SFS student perspective on Inspire Citizens’ E2I podcast.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Horizons with NYU Shanghai and Beyond
Advocacy for positive perspectives on environmental change: A scene from Ivy’s interactive week at Robert College in Istanbul, which shares a strong connection with NESA’s Regenerative School Initiative.
Ivy continues to innovate and expand her reach. She is set to collaborate with New York University (NYU) Shanghai Campus, playing a central role in a seven-week program on future design and sustainability.
"I'm going to co-design and facilitate with my friend who is a futurist," she explains. "We are designing a program that belongs to their experiential studio category, focusing on future design and sustainability."
Ivy is also eager to work with local organizations in China and collaborate with colleagues from all over the world. Recently in a week of Hope Matters at Robert College in Istanbul, she worked with author Elin Kelsey, known for her book "Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think Is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis."
A Life Rooted in Nature and Mindfulness
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ivy's personal life is deeply intertwined with her work. Her strong connection to nature isn't just a teaching tool; it's a way of life.
"I take walks and observe nature, listen to nature—they are my friends wherever I go," she says. "Because I travel so much, the first thing I do to orient myself is see the direction of where I am, where the sun comes up, where the moon comes up. I tune into what's happening in this season from the trees, the color of the leaves."
A sample of student work sums up the shifting perspectives that come from Ivy’s work. (image supplied)
Activating this profound connection to the natural world nourishes her and informs her educational philosophy. "It helps me live in harmony and feel at home wherever I am."
Cultivating the Seeds of Transformation
Ivy Yan's journey from the margins of education to becoming a catalyst for transformation exemplifies the profound impact of holistic, experiential learning. By helping students like Huang shift from an ego-centric to an eco-centric mindset, she is not only changing individual lives but also contributing to a broader paradigm shift in education.
"As an educator, I don't need to show them what's the right path," Ivy concludes. "What I can help with is fine-tuning their self-compass—not limited to an egoistic point of view but within the big context of the web of life. They can listen and tune in, and then direct their lives to be in service of themselves while serving all."
Through her work with Inspire Citizens, Two Birds Education, and her collaborations with institutions like NYU Shanghai and Robert College, Ivy continues to sow the seeds of mindfulness, compassion, and interconnectedness—cultivating a future where education is a journey from ego to eco.