Want to Move Abroad? How to Choose the Perfect School for You and Your Family

Knowing what educational opportunities and schools are available for yourself as an adult learner, or school options for your children is an extremely important data point in helping you decide what location is best suited for you or your family.

Additionally, even if you are not looking at schools for yourself or children, understating the educational opportunities in your new area still has value.

The educational institutions that make up a community, be it primary and secondary schools or universities, can influence the overall culture and way of life in a location.

They can have an impact on culture, jobs, housing, and amenities. Therefore, doing a bit of research is helpful in understanding your new community.

So even if you are not planning on attending school yourself or looking for your children, be sure to explore the educational options in your area, including the types, locations, and number of schools in your desired location.

FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT…

Looking to study abroad can be a great way to experience an international lifestyle.

Getting a student visa is a great option for many, as it allows you to study in that country for the duration of your program.

These programs often set their students up with jobs and housing both during the school year and after graduation. There are housing, jobs, community forums, and boards exclusively for these people, which allows for a built-in community in many ways.

If you are intending to pursue a student visa with an international university be sure to consider things like location, size of the town, cost, areas of specialty, as well as job and career opportunities following completion of the program.

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR SCHOOLS FOR THEIR CHILDREN…

Finding schools abroad for your children often intimidates people when choosing where to move. But it does not have to!

Some countries and locations have a wide variety of options when it comes to schools for children, while others allow for fewer choices.

For example, in locations where there are high concentrations of expats and an international population, you are likely to find a range of institutions offering instruction in several languages.

And, in less international areas, you may only be able to find public school options in your local community.

TYPES OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OPTIONS

There are many types of schools available for children around the globe. Below are some of the more common:

Public Schools: Government-funded schools that are open to all students in a particular location and religion. They follow a standardized curriculum, set by the government.

Private Schools: Privately funded institutions that may offer a wide range of educational approaches, including religious, alternative, outdoor-based, arts and sciences, or other specialized curriculum.

International Schools: Cater to expatriate as well as local families. These schools offer a curriculum that follows international standards (e.g., International baccalaureate) and offer a multicultural environment.

Charter Schools: Publicly funded schools that operate independently, often with a specific educational philosophy. They often have more freedom and autonomy than traditional public schools.

Montessori and Waldorf Schools: Educational approaches based around their respective philosophies. These schools often emphasize self-directed learning, creativity and holistic education.

Special Needs Schools: Schools that are designed for children with special needs, either academically or physically. These schools offer specialized education and unique support services.

Religious Schools: Schools affiliated with a specific religious institution or denomination. These schools often integrate religious teachings into the curriculum alongside the academic subjects.

Boarding Schools: Institutions where students live and study on a campus providing an environment that allows education, extracurricular activities, and social development.

Home Schools: Education provided at home by either parents or outside coaches and tutors. This type of education allows for personalized instruction and flexibility in curriculum and learning styles and methods.

On-Line Schools: Virtual schools that provide education via the Internet allowing flexibility and access to a wide range of courses and resources. These schools can provide real-time lectures where students meet with a teacher or classmates, or some allow for the work to be completed on a student’s own timeline.

World Schooling: Schooling where there is no formal curriculum and families use day-to-day life, travel, and natural curiosities of their children to lead the way in education and exploration.

Alternative Schools: Schools that follow a non-traditional educational approach, such as democratic schools, arts and music, and entrepreneur academies.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING ON A SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN…

• School culture and how it suits your family and child
• Curriculum and how it suits your child
• Primary languages spoken
• Extracurricular activities
• Size of school
• Cost

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILDREN…

As a psychologist and mother to three children who have gone to different types of schools all over the world, as well as someone who has coached many families around the educational needs of their children, I would like to offer a few personal and professional opinions to keep in mind…

• Don’t get hung up on choosing the perfect school for your child. Every school and experience has pros and cons for your child.
• For example, if you enroll in a public school, your children may pick up the language faster and meet their neighbors. If you go to an international school, your children may likely be around other kids in their same position. Online schools allow for travel and flexibility, while alternative schools allow for a more focused pursuit of individual passions. There are benefits and disadvantages to each.
• If you find yourself in a school that is not a good fit for your child or family, you can always switch. Pivoting and adjusting is a life skill that can be invaluable for kids to learn if a school or job is not a good fit. Families and children evolve and your educational needs may as well.
• Traveling and moving abroad provides a valuable education in itself, providing an education for children that they can’t get in any classroom.
• Manage your own stress around picking a school and don’t impart your anxiety or sense of pressure onto your child. Parents often put far too much emphasis on school. And while schools are important, the family environment is much more influential and critical in the long-term development and well being of a child.
• Be open minded. Schools and education are different today than they were even a decade ago. There are so many options and exciting ways to educate children. By keeping an open mind and trying new things you might be pleasantly surprised by what ends up working best for you and your child.
• Don’t set yourself up for driving all day, every day, by choosing a school and house that are too far apart. This seems like a detail but it can really undermine the new life you hoped to create.

STEPS TO TAKE…

1. Research the primary and secondary schools and universities available in your desired location.
2. If interested in pursuing a degree, reach out to universities to see about student visa options.
3. If looking at schools for your children, reach out to primary and secondary schools and
   set up interviews to get a closer and more personal look at the school. See about setting up a tour if you are visiting the area or a virtual meeting if you are unable to go in person.
4. Consider your budget. Depending on where you are moving from, schools may be more or less expensive.
5. Consider your future way of life. Are you going to want to travel and be nomadic without having to adhere to a school calendar? Do you want to stay in one place and get more rooted in the community?
6. Explore forums to ask questions from other parents and people in the community.
7. Consider hiring a local educational specialist. Many larger cities have coaches who specialize in helping families and expat find the right school for their family. These coaches have valuable insights about schools, and take your unique family needs into consideration in order to help you choose the best school for your child.
8. Be aware that some schools have acceptance calendars that require applications really early in the year.
9. Fill out the worksheet below to compare and contrast information on education and schools.

Choosing Your Perfect Country to Move Abroad

Whether you want to move abroad for a career, to study, for love, retirement, or to raise your family, this engaging, easy to follow roadmap will help you find the perfect location to start your new life.

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