In a world that’s constantly shifting and evolving, there are few people who have the remarkable ability to ride the waves of change with grace and determination. Marine Le Canne, a French-American Laurel Springs School alumna, is one of them. Her journey from Miami to Europe and eventually to the hustle-bustle of New York City embodies a spirit of curiosity and adventure; and although her world is marked by the places she’s been and passions she’s pursued, it’s also characterized by the unique skills, connections, and insights she’s gained along the way.

Tracing Marine’s Global Footprints
Marine grew up in the colorful city of Miami, where her exposure to various cultures and backgrounds sparked her passion for exploration. Her early years were a blend of her European heritage and the diverse influences of her surroundings. “Growing up in Miami with French parents was definitely unique,” she shares, “but attending a French elementary school made me feel more connected to my parents’ home country.” Her environment, rich in Miami’s Latin American influence and marked by the various cultures and backgrounds of students at her elementary school, was pivotal in shaping her worldview. “It definitely made me more open and interested in the world and different ways of life!”

Marine’s narrative took an interesting turn when her family decided to embark on a nomadic journey through Latin America and Europe. “I started Laurel Springs in the 7th grade, during which we traveled around Panama and Costa Rica. By 9th grade, we were living on a sailboat – it had always been my mom’s partner’s dream – and then we ended up in Italy after sailing from France to Portugal to Spain.” Marine didn’t hesitate to immerse herself in the Italian way of life while her family was there for 3 years. She learned the language through daily interactions and friendships; and today, she also speaks French and has “basic notions of Spanish thanks to Laurel Springs and growing up in Miami.”

Flexibility and Success at Laurel Springs School
Marine enrolled at Laurel Springs at the start of her middle school years. “I originally joined Laurel Springs because my family was traveling, and I wanted to continue my studies in the US system,” she recalls. “I think starting in 7th grade helped a lot because I wasn’t already set in my ways. I could adapt easily to online learning versus traditional brick-and-mortar learning.” This shift to an online education proved to be a significant factor in her development as an independent learner, a trait that she believes was instrumental in her academic success and still benefits her today.

Marine speaks fondly of her six years at Laurel Springs, emphasizing how the school’s online model allowed her to balance her studies with her travels. “Laurel Springs taught me how to be independent and organized,” she says. “The ability to study within the US system while traveling through Latin America and Europe was also invaluable.”

A typical school day for Marine involved asynchronous classes, enabling her to have a flexible schedule for travel and outside hobbies. “I would typically study Monday to Friday and sometimes take time off if I was ahead. Being so organized allowed me to take summer classes, and I was able to graduate 6 months early!” She notes that her life experience would have been much less dynamic if it weren’t for Laurel Springs. “Because I graduated early, I was able to work as a freelance translator (French to English, and vice versa), and I still keep in touch with some of my clients today!”

Glasgow, New York, and a Promising Professional Career
Marine’s academic pursuits didn’t stop after her Laurel Springs graduation in 2016. She went on to attend the University of Glasgow in Scotland, excited to attend an in-person, English-speaking university but wanting to stay close to family in Europe. She graduated with a degree in History and Central & East European Studies, made life-long friends, and – to this day – cannot wait to go back and visit. “I haven’t been back since the pandemic,” she says softly. “I really cannot wait to do so.”

From here, Marine attended The New School in New York to obtain her masters in International Affairs, a degree that she definitely thinks was worth it in the end despite having to complete her first year of classes on Zoom due to Covid-19.

While a student at The New School, Marine began interning at Doctors Without Borders USA, a French-origin charity known for medical humanitarian work in conflict zones and disease-endemic countries. Post graduation, she worked full time for the organization in a critical logistics role. “I got to work on deploying US staff to Ukraine in 2022,” she states. “It was great to send surgeons and logisticians to the field to help during the crisis and see immediate results.”

Today, Marine has transitioned to the music publishing industry, a world she tapped into part-time in college, and works for APM Music, an American production music company. “I have been with APM Music for over a year now, working on various projects pertaining to royalty collection and samples,” she shares.

When not immersed in professional work, Marine likes to read, take long walks, and indulge in her love for arts and crafts. “This past year, I learned how to make my own candles at home, and now I’m considering taking some non-credit classes at The New School in fashion business!” Whether it’s exploring fashion business or getting her MBA, Marine’s near future sure is bright.

Lessons Beyond Academics and Laurel Springs
Marine reminisces about the meaningful friendships she made during her time at Laurel Springs, further enriched by recent connections through LSS Alumni Connect. “I met some of my best friends at LSS and know that some of them are going to be life-long friends. When I moved back to NY, I reconnected with a friend through Alumni Connect that I had made in middle school, and now I call her one of my best friends – we’ve taken a couple of trips together, she came to my wedding this summer in France, and I live 10 blocks from her!”

To those walking the virtual halls of Laurel Springs School, Marine offers these insights: “LSS teaches you a lot of skills that students who attend brick-and-mortar schools do not always learn until college. For example, being independent and self-motivated is something that I noticed my peers in Glasgow had not learned before. Laurel Springs helped me motivate myself for 6 years, and helped cement my work ethic that I applied in college and now at work.”

Marine Le Canne’s journey is an incredible example of how travel, flexible learning, and a multicultural background can profoundly shape one’s personal and professional development. As she continues to navigate the world with confidence and curiosity, her story remains an inspiration for students not only at Laurel Springs School, but everywhere.

To connect with Marine, join her on the LSS Alumni Connect platform – reach out and say hello! You can also connect with her on LinkedIn or Instagram.

To learn more about the transformative education that Laurel Springs offers, and how your family’s unique lifestyle could intertwine with LSS programming, please visit the Laurel Springs website. For a more in-depth introduction to our offerings, join us for a Virtual Open House!

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