Suppose you are considering a position in another country, and you have school-age children. In that case, you might wonder what the international school will be like for them, especially when working in a non-western culture. What are the standards? Will the school ensure that your child can continue their education later, in secondary schools? What kind of experiences will they have with the staff and other students? These questions are commonly asked by parents when they consider international schools. Here is a look at some of the answers.
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What Qualifies an International School?
International schools are schools that do not follow a specific national curriculum. Instead, they are affiliated with an international program, of which there are several, and an international organization accredits them. You can research the school’s credentials on their website and make comparisons. For example, if you seek an International Primary School in Thailand with High standards and good You can learn from the websites which associations the schools are associated with.
What are the Standards?
The standards of an international school are often higher than those of national schools. These schools have a responsibility to prepare children for further education anywhere globally. So, they need to adhere to international standards. For this reason, students at international schools receive well-rounded education with an awareness of global ideals and inclusive attitudes. International schools usually stress proficiency in English, have an international curriculum, have international staff, and accept children from all nations. It is the perfect mosaic of experience that focuses on providing the best possible learning situation.
What is the Student Experience?
School years can be difficult for anyone, especially for kids who don’t quite fit into the culture. In an international school, there is a unique situation where all the children are from different places, they are third culture kids, out of place in their host nation, and often their parents’ nation too. But at school, they feel normal; they fit in. They all identify with the struggle of adapting and learning new things. Strong friendships develop and turn into networks they can use for the rest of their lives. There is no question that the world is becoming more and more global, and having connections in other cultures can be a valuable asset.
Is it Safe:
School safety is a legitimate concern these days, and sometimes parents will wonder about the dangers of mixing different cultures? The reality is that the problems inherent in monocultural schools are mostly absent in multicultural institutions. The children with status are not seen in the same light, everyone is equal, and the bullying that can arise is much less common in such a level playing field.
Any parent considering an international school for their child only needs to speak to some of the former students and see their achievements to put their fears aside. International schools should be seen as a fantastic opportunity to benefit their child in ways that a national school never could. You will prepare your child to become a confident, open-minded global citizen with a solid education and a network of international mates.
