Choosing the right educational experience for your child can be an extremely personal and complex decision, even under the most common of circumstances. But for parents moving internationally with their children, the process becomes significantly more complicated. In fact, some parents may even turn down career advancements or other opportunities that involve moving abroad because they’re worried about disrupting their child’s education.
However, it’s certainly possible to move overseas and ensure a first-rate educational experience for your kids. Here’s what you should consider when searching for a good school in a foreign country.
Know Your Options: Local School, International School, or Homeschooling?
The first choice you’ll need to make when searching for a good school overseas is whether you want your child to receive their education through a local public school, a specially-designed international school, or through homeschooling. Your choice may depend on what’s actually available in the country you’re moving to, as well as your child’s individual needs and your wishes as a parent.
Local Public School
For many parents, the thought of sending their child to a public school in a foreign country can be frightening, especially if there are major differences in language or culture. But local schooling can be the right option for many parents and their children. If your move abroad is a more permanent one, meaning that you plan to live in that country for many years or indefinitely, enrolling your child in a local school may be the best choice.
Immersing your child into the local culture right off the bat can help them adapt to their new environment more quickly and to overcome any language barriers sooner and at a younger age (this is a great thing, because children often have an easier time becoming bilingual than adults).
You may be surprised at how quickly your child catches on to the local language in a classroom setting, especially if you add outside language classes or tutoring. It can also help reduce feelings of alienation and loneliness, since your child will be able to connect with peers and their local community on a deep, meaningful level.
However, consider that the local school system may be drastically different than what you and your kids are used to and may contain factors that you consider to be “deal breakers.” For instance, consider details like the typical school day schedule, mandatory religious education, competitiveness among students, expected level of parent involvement, expectations regarding student extracurriculars, and other factors.
International Schools
International schools exist for the sole purpose of serving expat families. Children who attend international schools may have parents that chose to move abroad due to a career in the military, at a multinational corporation, or in a foreign state department.
The teachers and students at these schools often speak English in the classroom, but it may vary depending on the language of the targeted expat community (for instance, if the majority of the expats in the local community are German, the school may be German-speaking).
International schools can be a good choice when the cultural differences of the local school system exceed what you or your child are comfortable with, especially if the move abroad is not a permanent one. For instance, if you’ve moved to a foreign nation with an entirely different alphabet system, drastically different socioeconomic conditions, or a hyper-competitive atmosphere among students, you may consider an international school to help ease the transition of moving abroad.
The biggest downside to an international school is that student turnover can be very high as expat families come and go, which means your child may have to say goodbye to his or her friends on a regular basis. These schools can also be quite expensive and may even have a waiting list.
Homeschooling
For some expat families, homeschooling may be the best match. This can be especially true if your child has special needs or a unique learning style. Of course, this option requires a serious commitment from the parent who plans to do the teaching.
It’s also worth noting that homeschooling is actually illegal in some countries, such as in Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Turkey, and many other European nations. If you are interested in homeschooling your child, always check the local laws regarding education first.
Research, Research, and More Research
Use any and every resource at your disposal to learn about the schooling options available in your new community. If you’re moving because of a job, your employer may have recommendations or may be able to tell you about options that your colleagues have pursued. If possible, get in touch with these colleagues and ask about their experience with education – whether they chose local schooling, international schooling, or homeschooling.
Use the internet to find what information you can, but keep in mind that online reviews tend to be skewed highly positive or highly negative. Browse online forums, especially those for expat families or expats in your new country, and see if you can find any discussions that may be helpful to your situation.
If Possible, Visit Schools In-Person
Depending on how the date of your big move aligns with the local school calendar, you may not have much time to think things over. Still, you’ll feel much more confident about the decision you make if you’re able to visit the schools you’re considering in-person before your child arrives for his or her first day.
At the very least, a quick visit could show signs of any major red flags and give you time to make a quick change before your child actually begins school there.
Consider the Location of the School
While school ratings, word-of-mouth recommendations, and personal preference can and should all play a role in your decision, the importance of the school’s location can’t be overstated. Consider factors like:
- Can your child get to school on their own (via walking, a school bus, or public transportation) or will you need to take them?
- How long does it take to get to the school… and then, how long does it take to return home or to work?
- How is traffic during the time of the school commute?
It’s great if you’ve found a school that you and your child both love, but if it means spending an hour on the subway plus a 10 minute walk to bring your child there every morning (and pick them up every afternoon), is it still worth it?
Seek Help from Experts
Organizations like School Choice International can help match expat parents and their children with schools around the globe. They also provide answers to a number of frequently asked questions for parents who are moving abroad with their children.
Of course, these services can sometimes come with a hefty price tag – but if you’re a busy parent who is in the process of planning a major international move, it may be worth spending the extra bucks to receive personalized assistance.
Understand Cultural Differences (and Keep an Open Mind)
Even if you’re moving to a foreign country that you think may be fairly similar to your home country, there’s a good chance that you’ll experience some culture shock regarding the local schooling expectations in your new home.
For instance, if you’re an American parent, here are some statistics that may surprise you about foreign education:
- Children in the Netherlands start school at age 4 and their first two years of school involve play-based learning only. They do not begin learning to read or write until their 3rd year of school.
- In Australia, the summer holiday lasts from December to February, and therefore includes Christmas and New Years. There is no separate “Christmas break,” although there is a short winter break.
- In Switzerland, parents are expected to pick their kids up for lunch, which lasts from 12-2 PM. Lunch is typically eaten at home.
- In China, school days typically last for 8 hours and most students also attend additional Saturday classes and/or after school tutoring. Students must also take entrance exams to enter middle school, as well as high school and college.
Although no one knows your child better than you, it’s still important to keep an open mind regarding foreign education options. Additionally, if your child is in preschool or even elementary school, the actual curriculum isn’t that important as long as they have an overall positive experience at school. In other words, if they’re learning to socialize with other children and think creatively, that tends to be more important than whether they’re at the highest-rated school or learning the “right” material.
In the end, finding the right school for your children in a foreign nation is all about considering the options that are available to you and making those options work within the scope of your kids’ educational and personal needs. It can certainly be challenging, but with an open mind and a bit of research, you may find that the schooling options in your new country are even better than the ones you left behind.
Schedule a Consultation at Jiah Kim & Associates
Contact Jiah Kim & Associates to schedule a time to talk about protecting your children whether your family lives in the US or in a foreign country. We work closely with our clients, getting to know their families so that we can provide practical, insightful guidance tailored to their unique circumstances. To get started with a confidential initial consultation, call us at (646) 389-5065 or get in touch online today.
This blog post is written for educational and general information purposes only, and does not constitute specific legal advice. You understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the blog publisher. This blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
This is a huge issue for families traveling or moving abroad. Thanks for helping with the discussion. Great piece!
Thanks for reading, Ian. Let me know if you have further questions.