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BELL NYC
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Bard Experiential Learning Lab

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WHERE LIBERAL ARTS MEETS THE FUTURE OF WORK

Bard Experiential Learning Lab (BELL)

The Bard Experiential Learning Lab (BELL) is a semester-long study away program for students eager to translate the skills and insights they have been developing in college into professional settings in the arts and international relations in New York City. BELL challenges these students to take a hands-on approach to their own academic success and professional development.

Schedule Info Call

Our Model

Four pillars of our program help students gain a clearer understanding of who they are, what they want for their future, and how to get there:
  • ACADEMICS
    Seminars are taught by renowned faculty with deep expertise in their fields and extensive professional networks across NYC, reinforcing connections between theory and practice. Students may take 4 courses (16 credit hours).
  • INTERNSHIPS
    Our mentors coach, advise, and guide student professional development at some of the most exciting private companies, public entities, nonprofits, and startups. Students work on average 20 hours a week for 15 weeks.
  • COLIVING 
    Students come from all corners of the globe to live and take classes in a new, state-of-the-art facility in the vibrant community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn—a space built like a design lab with a capacity for up to 200 students per semester.
  • ALUMNI 
    By spending a semester with BELL, students gain access to the insights and extended networks of more than 1,500 alumni who have come before them, successfully navigating their transition from liberal arts education into high-impact careers across a diverse range of professions.

Our Values

BELL seeks students who:

• Take a multidisciplinary approach to their liberal arts education.
• Think analytically about problems that are important to them: social, economic, environmental, and more.
• Value experiential learning and experimentation, testing assumptions as they map their transition from college to career.
• Reject rigid or mechanical approaches, preferring to apply new paradigms in order to see and understand the world like design thinkers.
• Seek to immerse themselves in New York City and explore their role as members of a dynamic community committed to equity and inclusion.
• Celebrate diverse viewpoints by acknowledging the efficacy of collaboration across different cultural, ethical, and personal perspectives in their education and work.
• Are future-oriented, applying new and creative solutions to the problems facing the world today.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • May I apply if I am a senior?

    May I apply if I am a senior?

    We will consider seniors in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us to discuss before applying.
  • May I apply if I have already graduated from college?

    May I apply if I have already graduated from college?

    We will consider recent college graduates, however please contact us to discuss before applying.
  • Is there a summer program?

    Is there a summer program?

    We have not yet determined if there will be a summer BELL program.
  • May I attend BELL for more than one semester?

    May I attend BELL for more than one semester?

    On a case-by-case basis, we will allow a currently enrolled BELL student to extend for a second semester. If we decide to offer a summer program, we may permit students to combine a semester and summer.
  • Are all majors welcome to apply?

    Are all majors welcome to apply?

    Yes, we are accepting applications from all majors.
  • How many credit hours will students earn in a semester?

    How many credit hours will students earn in a semester?

    Students are expected to take 16 credit hours per semester.
  • What courses are required?

    What courses are required?

    The four-credit Internship Seminar is the only required course.
  • Are internships required?

    Are internships required?

    Yes, all students are expected to intern with an organization 20–30 hours per week.
  • How do I secure an internship?

    How do I secure an internship?

    No specific internship organization is guaranteed. BELL staff will help you identify the types of organizations where you would like to work and prepare application materials (resume, cover letter, and writing sample). It is up to the internship organization to select students they would like to interview. 
  • Is there a meal plan/dining hall at the facility?

    Is there a meal plan/dining hall at the facility?

    Bard in New York does not have a dining hall. However, there is a state-of-the-art kitchen facility and dining room for students to prepare their own meals.
  • Are single rooms available in the Bard in New York facility?

    Are single rooms available in the Bard in New York facility?

    There are no single rooms available.
  • Are students allowed to opt out of Bard housing?

    Are students allowed to opt out of Bard housing?

    Students may petition us to opt out of Bard housing.
  • How competitive is the admission process?

    How competitive is the admission process?

    BELL is launching in spring 2023. We do not have any admissions data at this time.
  • Is there a minimum GPA required?

    Is there a minimum GPA required?

    No, there is not.
  • What are the key criteria for admissions?

    What are the key criteria for admissions?

    We select students on the basis of academic performance, leadership on campus and in the community, as well as previous work experience.
Bard Experiential Learning Lab
Bard Experiential Learning Lab
292 N 8th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
[email protected]