Following on the success of its first edition, Escola Internacional de Alphaville is proud to promote, for the second consecutive year, the University Tour 2012. This exciting program consists of privileged visits to 10 of the best higher educational institutions in the United States of America, such as Harvard, Yale and MT just to name a few.

This experience not only allows students and participating parents to gain a personal insight to each institution’s facilities, but it also serves the opportunity to speak with Brazilian expatriates who are currently studying there. The potential for information during this communicative exchange is boundless. Visitors can discuss procedures necessary for study at one of these prestigious institutions, such as what documents may be needed, minimum acceptance grades required and what voluntary programs exist. 

“It’s a very important trip in several different ways, in particular, our students have the opportunity of learning about prerequisite procedures which could help facilitate their entry into any one of these universities. This trip reinforces the fact that Escola Internacional de Alphaville is on the right track and that its pedagogical proposal is in fact in alliance with these types of foreign institutions”, explains the Institutional and International Relations Coordinator, Marilda Bardal.

According to the students who participated in the first edition of the University Tour, the experience opened up a world of new perspectives. “Studying abroad was something I’d never considered. However, I now intend to begin preparations in seeking a place at one of these universities as I believe it would be an extremely valuable experience”, commented HIGH 3 student, Daniela Villagra. “The trip is totally worth it. The universities are beautiful!”she exclaimed. 

Stephanie Cukier, another HIGH 3 student who participated in the trip last year states, “This is truly a unique opportunity that is offered by the school. The people at these universities are genuinely concerned with evaluating you as a complete human being.”

Life experience
 
As a means of complementing the trip, bringing even greater benefits to students and parents, Escola Internacional de Aplhaville has promoted two talks: one geared for students and the other directed at parents. Talks were driven by a very special guest indeed: Co founder and current Chief Knowledge Officer of HSM (Brazil’s leading firm in executive education, José Salibi Neto.

Salibi spoke of his extensive pedagogical experiences in American universities such as; his graduation in Finance and Marketing from the University of South Carolina in 1982 (during this time he was awarded a full scholarship to join the university tennis team); his Masters degree in International Business, achieved in 1986; and his 2009 conquest of the highest award ever granted to a former student at the University of South Carolina - the Distinguished Alumni Award.

In an attentive, sympathetic manner, Salibi’s talk was accessible to all. He spoke on the tight admission process, emphasizing that, “They are very picky about grades, so it reiterates the importance of dedication in ones’ studies during high school. This will no doubt make all the difference when competing for a vacancy,” He highlighted the sports, the intense social life and the cultural awakening that a graduate student of a North-American university may experience. He drew attention to a positive feature in the manner at which the formation of students is viewed. “The not only seek to graduate students with a grade 10, but they also seek to develop grade 10 citizens”.

“Without a doubt, graduating from one of these universities will practically guarantee you a secure place in the job market. Companies do give preference to professionals who show this level of education on their CV’s, due to their life experience and their expanding vision of the world”, concluded Salibi.

The University Tour will take place from the 9th to the 23rd of September, 2012. This program is available for students from TEENS 7 to HIGH SCHOOL 3, and Escola Internacional de Alphaville alumni are also welcome to join in. Parents of currently enrolled students are encouraged to participate, however there is no obligation.

University Tour: Participating institutions

• Stanford University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Northwestern University
• University of Chicago
• Columbia University
• New York University (NYU)
• Princeton University
• Yale University (or Brown/RISD)
• University of California, Berkeley