Emilio Valenzuela & StudyNow Alliance

The partnership between Study Now and Colegio Emilio Valenzuela began in 2007, establishing a school integration program that allows students from 6th to 10th grade to participate in an academic exchange in Canada. For four weeks, students have the opportunity to integrate into a Canadian school, enriching their educational and cultural experience.

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Later, in 2011, Colegio Emilio Valenzuela consolidated this collaboration by signing an agreement with Study Now for the international certification of the Canadian double degree. Thanks to this alliance, Colegio Emilio Valenzuela was certified as an educational institution equivalent to a Canadian school, aligning itself with the Canadian educational system, recognized as the fifth best in the world.

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As part of its collaboration with the Association of National Schools (ACN), Study Now had the opportunity to meet Manuel Samper, who was the president of the association at the time. During an educational trip abroad organized by Study Now, concerns arose both among the principals, including Manuel Samper, and Study Now, about the possibility of the Colombian educational system obtaining international recognition.

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Driven by this goal, Study Now, in collaboration with the schools, embarked on the task of finding a way to achieve such recognition. Despite facing constant rejections for three years from international institutions, the persistent effort paid off. Finally, in the fourth year, an opportunity opened up in Ottawa that allowed the validation of our Colombian educational system with the Canadian one at 80%. This innovative agreement made it possible, by working together with Canada on the remaining 20%, to provide students and, in the first instance, ACN schools, with the possibility of obtaining a double degree, marking a significant milestone in the recognition and integration of our educational system at an international level.

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Manuel Samper, in his role as president, played a key role thanks to his inspiring leadership. His ability to motivate and persuade principals and schools was influential in their considering and adopting certification as a crucial element for the growth and prestige of their institutions. His support not only consolidated the implementation of certification in Colombian educational institutions, but was also fundamental to the development and continued expansion of the program, which remains up-to-date and relevant after 13 years.

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These are some of the ex-former students who graduated from the program in the last years, William Felipe Pe?a Logreira (2011) Pablo Aray Acevedo (2016) Andres Fernando Gonzalez Aguilar (2019) María Paula Castro Cordoba (2019) Daniel Eduardo Gonzalez Aguilar (2021) Esteban Villamil (2021), and Samuel Casta?o Bola?os is willing to start his double degree program soon.

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The double degree offers an extremely satisfying experience for students at Colegio Emilio Valenzuela for several key reasons:

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¨????? International Recognition: Students earn diplomas that are valid in both Colombia and Canada, and around the world.

¨????? Educational Diversification: The double degree allows students to experience and adapt to two different educational systems, enriching their learning and broadening their cultural horizons.

¨????? Preparation for the Future: Students are better prepared for future challenges as they become familiar with international educational standards and can more easily integrate into global academic and professional environments.

¨????? Cultural Experience: By interacting with the Canadian educational system, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture, which enriches them personally and professionally.

¨????? Increased Confidence and Autonomy: The experience of studying in a foreign environment and adapting to a different educational system helps students develop greater self-confidence and autonomy, qualities that are critical to their future success.

¨????? International Networking: The double degree facilitates the creation of an international network, which can be beneficial for future academic and professional opportunities.

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In the near future, StudyNow and Emilio Valenzuela have several expectations and goals for the Canadian double degree:

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·???????? Program Expansion: StudyNow hopes to expand the scope of the double degree program to include a larger number of students, thereby promoting greater integration of the Colombian and Canadian educational systems.

·???????? Continuous Improvement: Constant improvement in the quality and effectiveness of the program is anticipated. StudyNow aims to update and adjust the curriculum to ensure that it continues to meet the highest international standards and respond to the changing needs of the global educational environment.

·???????? Increasing International Visibility: StudyNow plans to increase the visibility of the program, highlighting the achievements and successes of students and the positive impact of the program on their educational and professional development.

·???????? Professional Development for Educators: StudyNow also hopes to offer training and professional development for teachers involved in the program, ensuring that they can provide the best possible information and stay up to date with international standards.

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This is, in general terms, what we have built up together, working hand-in-hand for years in order to constitute a solid relationship in which international benefits are well-known by our students and parents.

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We hope this amazing opportunity is also taken by more families who dream to become citizens of the world.

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Kind regards,

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Yonh Escobar

Preschool and Elementary English Language Chief?