FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

Dear Prospective Students:

Thank you for your interest in applying to Valley International Academy. One of reasons I'm thankful to be working with such a dynamic team and organization stems from my own experiences living and working abroad. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend a year in both Beijing and Taipei, studying Mandarin, writing and producing for television, and teaching ESL.

Some of my most valuable experiences came from working day-to-day with local residents. Though I am a multiracial American (Chinese, Latino, Russian, French), learning to navigate the local Chinese culture in both Beijing and Taipei was no simple task. Some days were fun and filled with breakthroughs, others could be frustrating. However, I'll always remember and appreciate the real-world interactions, and how much they taught me about myself and other. I believe that learning to understand, respect, and work productively with people from various backgrounds is one of the most important experiences education can provide, and VIA offers this experience to every student.

Our experienced staff and faculty include people who have lived and taught abroad, camp counselors, a bicycle racer, a professional football player, journalists, entrepreneurs, multicultural Americans, Japanese and Philippine nationals, a Registered Nurse, backpackers and nature enthusiasts, world travelers, artists, musicians, and more.n the midst of their diverse backgrounds, they all share a few commonalities; they all love to teach, make connections, exchange knowledge, and see students grow and succeed in multiple areas. I hope that the staff and faculty at VIA will have the opportunity to both challenge and encourage you along your chosen path of success.

Feel free contact me directly if you have any further questions or comments. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Anthony Witte
Director of Admissions