| Choosing a School Abroad | | | | that your child will quickly develop new language |
| A major cause of concern for families moving | | | | skills and would better assimilate into the local |
| abroad is the provision of education for their | | | | community. A downside however would be that |
| children. Many worry that schools in the | | | | the bilingual school would most probably follow a |
| destination country may not be able to offer the | | | | different system than your child is used to and |
| same standard of education that has previously | | | | there may be problems reintegrating back into |
| been available in the country of citizenship. | | | | schools at home or universities. An international |
| Research is vital prior to any move abroad in | | | | school would be a safer choice, although these do |
| order to make the best decision for your family. | | | | tend to be more expensive than bilingual schools. |
| Many countries around the world, particularly | | | | Whilst a school may describe itself as an |
| those with a high proportion of expatriates, have | | | | International School, it is important to check out |
| a number of international schools which use | | | | the nationalities of the students on role as some |
| familiar models of education such as American, | | | | international schools can have a student population |
| British or other systems. These schools generally | | | | comprising almost entirely of local students. In |
| follow the curriculum of their chosen model and | | | | these situations overseas students can often feel |
| teach in their native language. A growing number | | | | isolated and unable to join in with the rest of the |
| of international schools follow the International | | | | school community. |
| Baccalaureate which is accepted as an entrance | | | | Careful Planning |
| for university around the world. International | | | | Before enrolling your child in any school abroad, |
| Schools tend to be located in the major cities of | | | | make a visit to the school and determine if the |
| the world, although a few are located in green | | | | school offers the best for your child. Take your |
| spaces and these tend to offer boarding as an | | | | child with you on each visit so they also get a feel |
| alternative to a long journey from home to | | | | for the school. Some international schools will be |
| school. Most good international schools offer a | | | | selective and others may have long waiting lists. |
| wide range of extra-curricular activities that | | | | Make sure that the school you select is within |
| broaden your child's education as well as providing | | | | traveling distance from home and there is |
| new interests and hobbies. | | | | adequate provision for transport to and from |
| As well as the international school option, it may | | | | school. It is often quite beneficial to decide on a |
| also be possible to enroll your child into a local | | | | school first and then look for housing after. |
| bilingual school. The advantages of this would be | | | | |