The benefits of international schooling
Over 50% of international assignees relocate with
children, and one of their biggest concerns is how an overseas move
might affect their children's education and longer-term career
prospects.
Educational Consultant Rebecca Grappo and a number of
global HR professionals talk about the benefits of international
schools for families on overseas assignments.
In the UK, expat families have the option of sending their
children to a UK state school, a private independent school, a
foreign system school (usually teaching in the student's native
language), or an international school. Each have their merits, and
it is important that a child's individual welfare and needs are
considered carefully when deciding which school provides the right
'fit'.
As a leading international school, ACS offers the
following benefits:
- Diverse enrolment of many nationalities, and celebration
of different cultures creates a welcoming
environment in which students can settle in and make
friends
- Admission is on a rolling basis
(recognising the unpredictable nature of international
assignments), so students can join throughout the year
- English is the language of instruction, however
English language support is provided for students
for whom it is not their first language
- Support is provided to students and their families
through the school community and programmes, to help them
settle in to their new country
- Our International Baccalaureate and American curricula
provide students with a high quality 'portable'
education that will stand them in good stead whether they
return home, move on to a new country, or stay in the UK.
What effect does attending an international school have
on students?
The key findings of a recent survey of ACS alumni show that
students who receive an international education leave school very
well-prepared for further study and work. In particular, the
survey reveals that international school students develop a better
range of `soft' skills such as time management, critical analysis
and independent thinking than their peers who have followed
national qualification programmes.
Almost all respondents felt that their international education
had prepared them well for their career, and the top quality
highlighted was an appreciation of different cultures - named
by 76 per cent of respondents. 57 per cent said their education
helped them develop an inquiring mind, 58 per cent named
communication skills and 60 per cent named self-management
skills.
"Studying in an international setting, with students from
around the world, provided me with the environment to develop
communication skills with people from a wide variety of
backgrounds. The company I work for has offices all around the
world and I'm frequently asked to work across borders. Given my
experiences in the past, I'm comfortable when dealing with multiple
cultures."
Sam Hariton, ACS Cobham, Class of
2001
"I would not trade my international education for anything. In
fact, I believe it has shaped who I am today. My future hope is
that my husband and I will have the opportunity to live
internationally, so that our children will also be able to make
lifelong friends with people of all nationalities."
Alexa Glaser, ACS Hillingdon, Class
of 1991
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