New expat in town: A school leader finds strength in being the ‘new kid’

When Nick West learned that The Prague British International School (PBIS) was looking for a new principal, he assigned himself a bit of homework: a month before his interview, he started Czech lessons. “I wanted to show I was serious,” he told Expats.cz. 

The hard work paid off, and he landed the role. But even after he arrived at his new school this September, he quickly realized he had more in common with the students than he expected. Despite decades of experience leading schools around the world, West found himself in the same position as every new student—nervous, excited, and figuring things out step by step. 

“It’s exactly how students feel on their first day,” he explained.

West may be new to Prague, but he embraces the “new kid” role with open eyes and an open heart. From his early days as a forklift driver in England to leading schools on three continents, he shared his journey with us along with proof that learning never stops, no matter your age or title.

West admits that his early days in Prague were humbling.

“I’ve gotten lost so many times on campus,” he laughs. “I turn it into ‘having a wander.’” Even as principal, he experiences many of the same challenges as new students: finding classrooms, working out the timetable, and learning names. 

“It’s a reminder that we’re all learners,” he adds. West has since reconnected with his Czech teacher, who showed him around the city once he landed in Prague. He especially loves riding the trams, knowing that “if you get lost, you can always turn around and come back.”

Unlike most school administrators, West’s career didn’t begin in the classroom. Later in his university journey, he realized he had a real passion for teaching, but his studies in geography didn’t qualify him for teacher training programs. 

He found work driving a warehouse forklift, preparing himself on the side in between applications. “It wasn’t rejection, it was ‘not yet,’” he reflects. “That time gave me life experience and confidence, which later helped me get into teacher training.”

By the time he was accepted, he was one of the older students in the program. It made him feel like a new kid all over again, but his determination won out. Soon, he was qualified and quickly found his way into international education. 

West has left his mark worldwide, from the U.K. to Singapore, China, and beyond. He’s worked as a teacher and helped found the British Vietnamese International School in Vietnam. When Nord Anglia Education acquired the school in 2015, West continued with the group, taking on new leadership roles in Brazil. 

Diving headfirst into these experiences only enhanced his understanding of the world. He describes his time in Brazil as “transformative” and that the biggest culture shock wasn’t the language or the food—it was the hugs. 

“Hugging is normal there,” he describes. “If we met in Brazil, we’d hug, not shake hands. It’s how people connect.”

Those daily interactions made him rethink what school culture means. “There’s an acknowledgement of humanity in every meeting, every greeting. It was obvious in the community and in the school.”

In Prague, that warmth shows up differently. “Here it’s not the hugs, it’s the sparkle. You see it in everyone’s eyes, from the teachers to the staff. Everyone wants the best for students.” 

PBIS currently operates across three campuses. By 2027, a new purpose-built site will replace the existing Vlastina campus, offering state-of-the-art facilities. For West, the move is both a challenge and an opportunity.

“A new building means change, and that can be unsettling. But it also means a chance to plan everything carefully: how the campuses connect, how the facilities reflect our values. It’s an opportunity to do things even better.”

But what struck West most about PBIS wasn’t the facilities or the curriculum—it was the staff. “In most international schools, two- to four-year contracts are the norm. Teachers come and go,” he explains. “Here, people stay 10, 15, even 20 years. That tells you something about Prague, and about this school.”

The stability of the team, he believes, is a strength. “It allows us to focus less on firefighting and more on strategy. Everyone knows their role, and they’re passionate about what they do.” That passion, he adds, was visible from the first day.

For West, leadership is about consistency and care. “Everybody’s a person. That’s it. You don’t need more than that.” His calm, reflective style has been shaped by early mentors and hard-earned lessons.

He recalls one moment in Singapore, when he was unexpectedly asked to give a speech in front of 1,000 parents. A senior colleague encouraged him through it, later praising his delivery. “That small moment changed my confidence. It taught me that we, as teachers, are dream weavers. We might not even know when we’ve changed someone’s life.”

It’s a message he now shares with his staff: every interaction matters, every child needs the chance to flourish.

For PBIS families, his promise is simple: your child will be safe, challenged, and supported to create their future. Or, as he tells every new student and parent, two words are enough: Good choice.