Columbia International College

At Columbia International College, the beginning of classes is signalled not by the usual morning bell, but by pop songs such as Man in the Mirror, Lean on Me, and I Believe. These catchy tunes extol some of the positive character traits – self-advocacy, caring, optimism – that the school wants to see developed in its students as they live and study abroad. The unique morning bell is one of the ways through which the school implements its Character Building Program.

Columbia understands that parents, whose children are living and studying abroad, cannot play an active role in raising their children as they used to. Therefore Columbia consciously nurtures its students’ character; by building on the values they have learnt at home; so they mature into responsible corporate global citizens. Columbia students and staff have selected 11 character traits to focus on yearly.
o Responsibility
o Respect
o Honesty
o Integrity
o Fairness
o Caring
o Peaceful & Positive Conflict Resolution
o Optimism
o Self-Confidence & Self-Advocacy
o Inclusiveness
o Perseverance

Character at School, in the Residence & Community
Students learn character instructionally and experientially.
Within the classroom and in the residences, teachers and house parents lead forums and discussions on the character trait for the month. They also utilize teachable moments to remind and teach students to demonstrate good character.
Outside of school, students are encouraged to put character into action within their community. For example, Junior Middle School students embark on yearly projects to help the less fortunate in a country of the world. They research the project, create awareness and raise funds to support their selected cause. High School students also actively volunteer and support various causes within the school and local community. All students also have opportunities to participate in leadership retreats at the school’s 700-acre Bark Lake Leadership Center.

Outstanding Global Citizens
By incorporating character into the curriculum, students begin to understand their privilege and obligation to be responsible global citizens. They become enthusiastic about helping others in their community and gain confidence to apply themselves socially and academically.
Consequently, students develop good character, gain valuable life skills and maximize their potential for excellence in school. Their high performance in school coupled with strong character traits through exemplary community service, enable them to:

1. Have higher prospects of admission to top universities,
2. Enter universities with higher rankings, and
3. Gain higher chances of earning university scholarships

So what do Man in the Mirror, Lean on Me, and I Believe have to do with character and student success? As Denice Garell-Teti, Head of Junior School and Leader of the Character Building initiative explains,
“Gandhi famously said, our beliefs become our thoughts, which become our words, actions, habits, values and destiny. Our aim is to set our students on the right course by giving them food for thought, which can be processed into good deeds that will benefit themselves, their community and their world. That is the essence of personal and global success that Columbia is bringing to the students.”