Corporate History

Experience Life International, Inc. founders have over 27 years of experience in higher education, international corporations and the study abroad industry. They have helped hundreds of students come to the US to complete their degrees. One of their pioneering efforts in the study abroad industry was to help a private university select, admit and prepare 24 students from among over 1000 of the top national candidates in the country of Madagascar. As a group, these students were assisted by Ted and Ellen from the time they were admitted by the university and approved by the country’s Ministry of Education until the students were studying in their classrooms. ELI 360 will continue to refine and develop such national projects as a key to unlocking corporations’ and societies’ effectiveness through the improvement of people’s total well-being. Students who gain such an excellent education and enlarged worldview contribute directly to national gains in productivity. The founders have been a part of developing paradigms for globalization strategies for over 15 years within the US private university sector. They have worked with cross-culture negotiations between institutions as well as between corporations in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Ted Presley, Founder and Vice President of International Development for ELI 360, previously was the Executive Director of the Center for International and Intercultural Education of a large private university based in Texas with a student body that represented over sixty (60) countries. As a team, he and Ellen, his wife for over 40 years and who is from Germany, developed and executed the university’s globalization plan that enabled international students to succeed not only in their academic pursuits but in developing their leadership skills. A component of this initiative was the behind the scenes efforts to ensure student compliance with US government requirements and the students’ adaptation to the new surroundings each international student must deal with in coming to the US to study.

Both Ted and Ellen understand the issues one faces in living in a foreign country. Ellen’s first experience was that of becoming an international student herself when she studied in both Spain and the US for her undergraduate degree. As a couple they have lived on two different continents and traveled to all continents except the Antarctic. With their son, Erik Presley, they have focused their current efforts on the Asian market looking to develop the market and elaborate a new way to integrate the study abroad experience with reentry programs that will include job placement and mentoring programs.

Today the company has corporate offices in Texas and Guangdong Province of China and associate offices in many countries around the world. From the first day the founders started to assist universities and non-US families match for the best fit and values for the young students until today ELI 360 has focused on helping young people develop in character, leadership and intellect.