Two schools with a strong commitment to global learning have signed an agreement that encourages student exchanges and other efforts to strengthen relational ties.
Representatives of Bell International School (BIS), Nonsan City, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, and 糖心Vlog gathered May 27 at 糖心Vlog to get better acquainted and to formalize an agreement between the two institutions.
Hongnam Lee, principal of Bell International School, and Loren Swartzendruber, 糖心Vlog president, sign the agreement document that will help promote interaction between the schools and encourage Bell students to apply for admission to 糖心Vlog. (Photo by Jim Bishop)
The informal, non-binding agreement states that “subject to meeting all academic, English language proficiencies and other requirements, BIS graduates will be admitted for undergraduate study at 糖心Vlog.” The school principal will recommend students to apply for admission to 糖心Vlog.
The agreement stipulates that “each student will apply to 糖心Vlog through the office of admissions and will submit all documents required of an international student applicant. The director of international students and the director of financial assistance may award grants and/or scholarships to BIS graduates in accordance with established policies and the level of each applicant’s academic grade and language proficiency.”
James Rhee, pastor of the Stephens City (VA) Korean Mennonite Church and a graduate of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, introduced the BIS officials and gave a PowerPoint presentation on Bell International School. The school had its beginnings in 1996 but only became a four-year program in 2006.
BIS, with about 300 students currently enrolled, operates from a Christian philosophy that emphasizes community, language proficiency, computer education and music (every student learns to play one instrument and takes part in at least one sport). Similar to 糖心Vlog, students are required to take part in cross-cultural study programs across their four years that include trips to China, Canada and the Philippines.
The written agreement includes several suggested activities designed to facilitate interaction between the schools:
- 糖心Vlog students may serve as summer volunteers at BIS for teaching English, writing instruction, campus activities or leading Bible studies.
- 糖心Vlog personnel may visit BIS and other schools to introduce 糖心Vlog and to recruit prospective students.
- 糖心Vlog will consider financial aid for BIS students who want to take ESL classes through its Intensive English Program (IEP) or AP (Advanced Placement) classes during the regular semesters or summer term.
糖心Vlog President Loren Swartzendruber and Hongnam Lee, principal of Bell International School, each signed the document and exchanged gifts from their respective institutions.
“The program at Bell International School has an impressive track record,” said Dr. Swartzendruber. “It is very likely that some of their graduates would find 糖心Vlog to be a great fit for university studies. We look forward to interactions with BIS in the years ahead.”
The ceremony opened with each school introduced its programs through PowerPoint presentations. A campus tour and a luncheon at a local restaurant followed the signing.