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There are a number of countries that offer so called international
schools, which use models of education that are familiar to people from
various countries, America or Britain for example.
Finding a School Abroad
When a family finds that it needs to move out of the country, the
education of their children is usually one of their main concerns. Often
they fear that the schools in their new country will not be up to the
educational standards of the school in the country in which they were
born. In order to make the best choice for your child it is very
important that you conduct sufficient research prior to your move.
There are a number of countries that offer so called international
schools, which use models of education that are familiar to people from
various countries, America or Britain for example. These schools are
most popular in countries that have a large number of expatriates.
Classes are usually held in the language of their model country, and the
curriculum is similar to what a child could experience in their home
county. The International Baccalaureate that is used for university
admission around the world is now being used by many international
schools. While the majority of international schools can be found in
large cities, there are some that are located in more rural areas. In
these cases they tend to be boarding schools, rather than having
children commute on a daily basis. Quality international schools will
provide a host of extra-curricular activities to broaden your child’s
interests and experiences.
Other options would be to enroll your child in one of the many schools
in your new country that offer bilingual education. Some advantages of
this type of school is that your child would be able to assimilate
quicker into the local community as it would not take them long to get a
grasp of the local language. The main disadvantage is that the
curriculum will probably be very different than what your child is
accustomed to, making it hard to adjust to the new school as well as
hard to adjust when you move home or when they continue on to
university. While international schools tend to be more expensive than
bilingual schools, they may end up being the best fit for your family.
Be sure to do some research once you locate an international school.
While some schools may call themselves international, a check on the
nationality of the students will reveal that all the kids are locals.
This could leave your child feeling left out, and unable to fit in with
the rest of their peers.
Careful Planning
It is always best to visit a school abroad before enrolling your child.
Be sure to take your child on these visits to help see if the school is
a good match for your family. It is a good idea to ask the school about
admissions procedures, as many have long waiting lists or are very
selective about who they enroll. It is important that the school you
choose be an easy commute from your home. Some people decide that it is
best to find a school first, and then find housing located a reasonable
distance away.
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Choosing
an International School