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Studying in another country is one of life's most enriching experiences. Throughout history, travelers have recognized the benefits of learning about different ways of thinking and living. Studying in a country and culture different from your own will enable you to look at the world from a new perspective. Nearly half a million students come to the United States to study each year from countries around the world. Their presence in the United States gives them the opportunity to benefit from our system of education and allows them to contribute to U.S. understanding of the world community.
The USA has the world's largest international student population, with nearly 600,000 students choosing to broaden their education and life experience in the United States. Nearly 4% of all students enrolled in higher-level education are international students, and the numbers are growing. From the mid-1950's, when international student enrollment was only just reaching 35,000, international education in the USA has come a long way.
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OUR MISSION... |
OUR VISION... |
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The mission of the INTERNATIONAL/INNER-CITY STUDENT PROGRAM at SBCS is to reach not only our Jerusalem, but the world with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ as commanded by the Lord Himself in Matthew 28 and Acts 1. The program is designed to encourage and promote the personal, academic, physical and spiritual success of deserving innercity and international students by establishing collaborative partnerships between the students and their SBCS counterparts. Additionally, the IISP encourages social and cultural integration, personal growth, as well as athletic and academic skills development through a supportive network of experienced and informed staff and mentors. |
This program is designed to respond to the diverse and unique needs of inner-city and international students. This program will provide a support network for students and give them access to guidance and encouragement related to all facets of SBCS and American life. By creating a peer system, students will have an accessible resource and contact to which they are able to turn. Mentors and host families will be empowered with the training and resources needed to successfully guide or refer each student. The vision is to create a positive educational experience and provide each student with the tools and the support needed to succeed not only at Southside Baptist Christian School, but in all post-secondary academic endeavors. |
Program Overview
International Student Selection Committee
Due to the limited number of spaces available, the International/Inner-City Student Program Selection Committee has a rating system by which students are screened and evaluated. The committee focuses on five main areas:
· Parental Support
· Academic Performance
· SEVIS Eligibility
· Personal Essay
· Personal Interview (Student-Athletes)
Parental Support
As a matter of policy, neither students nor their parents are solicited by any member of the IISP Selection Committee nor by SBCS administration or staff. Initial interest and/or contact must be made by the parent, student or other authorized representative of the student's family such as a coach, school administrator, guidance counselor, etc.
Once such contact is made, the IISP Selection Committee's first responsibility is to speak with the parent/legal guardian of the student to establish their level of commitment to the process. Southside Baptist Christian School is aware of the enormous emotional and financial sacrifice each parent/guardian is being asked to make and that is why there must be a clear understanding by all parties involved that 100% support is a requirement for scholarship consideration.
Academic Performance
Prospective IISP candidates must present official school documentation that shows strong academic performance in all core subjects: math, language, social studies and science. In addition to their core subjects, there must be high performance shown in a variety of non-core subjects with a special consideration given for those students having completed at least one year of a foreign language. Heaviest consideration is granted to those students performing in the top 20% of their perspective student bodies.
SEVIS Eligibility
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) acts as the bridge for varied government organizations which have an interest in information on foreign students. SEVP uses web-based technology, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.
The international student or exchange visitor has some responsibilities to attend to before they can enter the United States to attend a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certified school or program. One of the first responsibilities for the international student is to apply for a visa. In order to be considered for a scholarship, students must complete or show the ability to complete all SEVIS requirements as outlined by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Personal Essay
It may be only 500 words, but the admissions personal essay for the International/Inner-City Student Program can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. How the personal essay is written shows the selection committee why you are different from everybody else. It provides information about you that test scores, grades, and extracurricular pursuits just cannot. The personal essay must be selected from the following three areas:
What Are You Like?
1. What is your strongest personality trait? Does any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from everyone else? How did you develop this attribute?
2. How would your friends characterize you? What would they write about if they were writing your admissions essay for you?
3. Consider your favorite books, movies, works of art, etc. Have these influenced your life in a meaningful way? Why are they your favorites?
4. Have you experienced a moment of epiphany, as if your eyes were opened to something to which you were previously blind?
What Have You Done?
1. What are your major accomplishments, and why do you consider them accomplishments?
2. What have you done outside of the classroom that demonstrates qualities sought after by universities? Of these, which means the most to you?
3. Have you ever struggled mightily for something and succeeded? What made you successful? Have you ever struggled mightily for something and failed? How did you respond?
4. What was the most difficult time in your life, and why? How did your perspective on life change as a result of the difficulty?
Where Do You Want to Go?
1. Of everything in the world, what would you most like to be doing right now? Where would you most like to be? Who, of everyone living and dead, would you most like to be with?
2. What are your dreams of the future? When you look back on your life in thirty years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful?
3. How does Southside Baptist Christian School fit into your plans for the future? Why do you want to spend two to four years of your life at this school?
Personal Interview
If the prospective candidate is a student-athlete, the IISP Selection Committee will need to evaluate, either in person or via taped game footage, the student's athletic performance. Additionally, the selection committee will want to talk to the student to gain a better understanding of their post-secondary goals as it relates to their athletic aspirations.
International Students
The international student has some responsibilities to attend to before they can enter the United States to attend a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certified school or program.
Click to visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website and get assistance with those responsibilities.
IISP Important Dates
March 1st - Application Submission Deadline
Parents interested in having their child considered for the IISP must complete and submit all applicable forms along with the non-refundable $195 application processing fee no later than March 1st each year. Packets postmarked after the March 1st deadline will only be taken under consideration if spaces become available.
May 1st - Selection Notification
Once all applications have been reviewed and the necessary contacts/interview have been completed, both acceptance and denial notifications will be made via e-mail on May 1st. If accepted, it is important that parents immediately begin the SEVIS process. See the link above under "International Students" to get detailed information on this process.
July 15th - Student Arrival
All IISP students must report to campus on July 15th. Housing assignments will be issued on that day and a welcome activity will be held for all program participants that evening. IISP students participating in athletics need to be aware that failure to meet the student arrival deadline could result in the revocation of their spot in the IISP.
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Omarie Williams on "Wacky-Tacky" Day
Spirit Week 2008
Kingston, Jamaica
Class of 2009  |
Darius Adams
ODACS Regional Music Competition
Nassau, Bahamas
Class of 2011
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Shaad O'Garro with his mother
Homecoming 2008
Cayman Islands
Class of 2008
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2010 Marketing Class "Preschool Playroom"
Christopher Villiers (L) Kingston, Jamaica
Class of 2011
Steffen Frese (R) Bremen, Germany
EF Foundation for Foreign Study Student
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Tressan Gordan
SBCS vs. Piedmont
Portland, Jamaica
Class of 2010
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Rocquel Lowe (L) Montegy Bay, Jamaica
Class of 2011
Kescia Hall (R) Kingston, Jamaica
Class of 2012
ODACS State Competition
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The International/Inner-City Student Program at Southside Baptist Christian School is providing academic and athletic opportunities to students from Richmond's innercity as well as Europe and the Caribbean. The administration and athletic staff screen each potential candidate for this program, looking for those that have demonstrated a commitment to academic success as well as those with a desire to attend college.
SBCS welcomed its first two IISP students in the summer of 2007. Both young men traveled from Lithuania and became a part of the Hornet Family. By December of 2007, the IISP welcomed four young men from the Caribbean - one of which graduated in May of 2008. The fall of 2008 was another great year for the IISP as the coaching staff spent the summer reviewing the applications of several potential candidates and facilitating a sports camp in Jamaica. Two IISP students have gone on to college on full athletic scholarships with others making decision to surrender to full-time Christian service. God has truly blessed this program in a special way.
The goal of the International/Inner-City Student Program is tied directly to the mission and philosophy of Southside Baptist Ministries to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ and by having compassion, making a difference in the lives of these special young people.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference."
Jude 22
For more information about the International/Inner-City Student Program @ SBCS contact...
804.745.8699
