The American International School of Bucharest, the most prestigious private international school in Bucharest, is offering 4 scholarships for students currently in grades 7 and 8 for the 2014 – 2015 school year (grades 8 and 9). Recipients of AISB scholarships are students who have proven financial need, strong academic ability, involvement in community activities and who display ethical behavior.

The scholarship program is one of the most important initiatives that the AISB has taken in its desire to invest in the future of Romania and the world at large, capitalizing on these outstanding young people’s high degree of motivation, intelligence, community spirit and caring for others. Since the program began in 1999 the American International School of Bucharest has been able to provide scholarships for 31 students, 30 of whom are Romanian citizens. These students have excelled as leaders of their graduating classes, as service leaders, artists and athletes and over the years have earned acceptance at universities around the world, often with full or partial scholarships. Here are some examples: Bates College (USA); University College London (UK); University of Cambridge (UK); University of Pennsylvania (USA); University of Kent (UK); University of Edinburgh (UK); Vassar College (USA); St. Thomas University (Canada).

“When my first school year at AISB started my happiness was justified. At this school I benefited from a learning experience which enlarged my frame of mind and helped me develop other skills than science and math such as art (drama especially), literature, history etc. However the most important thing that I learned here was the importance of the community we live in and that we have to give back to it just for the simple fact that it supports us, the individuals.

Cosmin Ghita was awarded a full AISB scholarship. He graduated from AISB and went on to Bates College on a full scholarship. In 2011 he launched an online magazine which CNN called the most promising student businesses. He currently works for Chevron, in Romania, as a PGPA Adviser. In 2012 Evenimentul Zilei published an extended article about him entitled “The Young Man who Left his US Safety Behind for his Romanian Dreams”

An AISB scholarship covers all school tuition and fees for a student’s entire four (4) or five (5) years of school. Continuation of a student scholarship is subject to an annual review of the student’s family financial status and the ability to demonstrate exemplary behavior and the high academic performance expected of all AISB students. All scholarship students are expected to participate in the International Baccalaureate Program which culminates with the internationally recognized IB Diploma upon successful completion of the degree program in the 12th grade. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a rigorous, pre-university course of study that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students and incorporates the best educational practices from around the world.

The scholarship that Victorita Paun was offered covered her four years of high school. It wasn't easy. In order to keep her scholarship Vicky had to maintain the highest average throughout her studies and to be involved in afterschool and community service activities.

“I studied more and had less fun. My clear target was to keep my scholarship. No day without studying. AISB taught me to be a dignified person, more compassionate and empathic than before I was a student here. This school taught me what professionalism, responsibility, team work mean, what the importance of communication and objectivity and moreover that it is essential to have your own perspective and way of thinking.”

In her four years of high school Victorita Paun worked hard to keep her scholarship as her family would never have afforded payment of a private school. After graduation from AISB Vicky Paun was awarded a full scholarship at Vorhees College in the USA.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE – FEBRUARY 28, 2014

In order to obtain more information about this competition and how chances of receiving a scholarship can be maximized, all interested are invited to attend the Scholarship Open House on February 28 at 18:00 at AISB. Participation must be announced via email at cgardescu@aisb.ro. For security reasons, access to the AISB campus will not be granted without prior registration via email.

Completed applications are due at AISB no later than March 15th, 2014. On that date, March 15th, 2014 all applicants are required to come to AISB at 08:30 to take a series of tests, including English, Math and Foreign Language. Tests will take 3 hours in total. In order to participate in the testing all applicants must to register: please email Catalina Gardescu at cgardescu@aisb.ro .

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