Enrolling Your Children in School Overseas
Once you have made the decision to move to a different country, you might need to research educational institutions for either yourself, or any children that will be moving with you. Whether you are looking for a college, or need to enroll your child into a new school in a foreign land, here are some tips that will help get you started.
First of all, if you are looking for a school for your child, you will want to give them the best opportunity you can, no matter if they are in high school or enrolling in kindergarten. This may seem like an impossible task, especially if you are planning to move to a place that is thousands of miles away from where you live. Here are two things that you should know right off the bat. Most countries offer two types of schools, international and local. Both have their merits, but are different in many ways.
Local schools are the type of school that you are probably familiar with. It is where the local children go, and has the curriculum that has been approved by the government of the area. It is a great place for your child to learn the culture, and possibly the language, of the country you are moving to. There is always a possibility that your child will feel like an outcast, in which case you will need to help them in their journey, often times your child will find friends and will assimilate quickly.
International schools are often inhabited by children that have also emigrated from a foreign land. While they are often more expensive than a local school, they will usually offer a curriculum that is very similar to what your child is used to back home. Furthermore, your child will be around other students that are not native born, so they will all be sharing a similar experience together, which usually makes things easier.
Further Research
No matter which type of school you choose, you will want to conduct research to find out as much as you can about the school you plan on enrolling your child. One thing to consider is calling the American consulate, or visiting their website, to see what they have to say. Also, most schools have websites of their own that you can visit where you can find information like, student population, curriculum choices, tuition, contact information, and a mission statement, which will give you a good idea of what the school is all about. You need to find out if the school is suitable for your child’s developmental level, and if they share your ideals on how your child should be educated. You can also find out if the school has a waiting list, if a diploma from there is internationally recognized, and whether the staff can handle an international student. Any information you find will be beneficial in helping your child continue their education, while not sacrificing their well-being.
Another thing to consider is contacting any other people who have moved to the area from a different country and see what they have to say about the schools their children attend. Often times finding people that have first-hand experience will be able to give you more accurate information than a website can provide. Your child’s education is vitally important, so make sure you do as much as you can to give them what they need to get it.
