Effects of Expat Life on Education and Their Solutions
Did you ever experience moving countries in your childhood? If so, then you know that education is one of the many expatriate family issues that can make or break the family. If you didn’t have such an experience, you need to know some of the effects of expat life on education and their solutions so that you can prepare thoroughly before moving out.
- Lack of continuity
Going to school abroad gives your child a chance to have a better worldview. As the kids interact with others from different cultures, they will have a clearer understanding of the world. Thus moving to a foreign country with kids is an excellent idea.
However, without proper research and consultation, your young ones might lack continuity in their learning. Every curriculum is tailored in such a way that topics are interconnected. For instance, before learning reproduction in Biology, students must learn about parts of a body. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Now, imagine you don’t place your children in the right grades in the new country. In the end, you might have a child who knows the theory of reproduction but cannot tell where those organs are in the body.
To overcome this, mobility experts advise that you enroll your children in international schools. For example, the global baccalaureate system founded in Switzerland, but taught across the globe is the most appropriate system for an expat child.
- Alien curriculum
Think of a family in Japan that decides to move to Barcelona. Will they get a school offering the Japanese curriculum in Barcelona? Of course, they will find top-notch international schools in the country, but they may not find one that’s tailor-made for Japanese kids. So the children will have to deal with an alien curriculum.
Therefore, before you make the international move with children, consult widely about the education systems in the country. If the company you will be working for does not pay for education consultation, don’t be in a hurry to move the children.
- Difficulty adjusting to the new school
Experts argue that older children might have more challenges adjusting to the new school than the young ones. They worry more about being socially compatible with their peers than they care about exams.
Can you blame them? Becoming an expat family is not easy. You, too, are concerned about fitting in the new culture and making new friends! Hence, as a parent know that for the first months, the kids will be focused more on the social than the academic.,
So, what can you do to help them? One, you can visit the country for a few weeks before relocating to have a taste of the new culture. While there, visit the schools your kids will go to and let them sit in those classes for a week or more.
Secondly, it’s okay to get professionals to help your children with homework during the first months. You are all anxious about your new home, and homework can increase anxiety. Give your babies a chance to fit in socially before demanding that they show you their science projects. To get such professionals simply type, pay someone to do my homework online on your browser.
- Alien value system
As we discuss the effects of expat life on education and their solutions, we must mention the foreign value system you might find in that international school you have in mind. This value system has more to do with the culture than the school.
Global mobility coach Angie Weinberger notes that there will be traces of the culture of the locals in the education system. Plus, expatriate families cannot choose who their neighbors will be. So you might find a British International School in Switzerland that has different values from their branch in Hong Kong.
Therefore, as a parent, you have to enhance your communication skills. Care to know about what your children learn in school. Dare to know the values of the new culture, and finally be open to change.
Conclusion
Making an international move with children has advantages and disadvantages. However, the benefits outweigh the challenges. In the end, you will be thankful that you exposed the kids to different cultures. Now you know the effects of expat life on education and their solutions, so you will be thoroughly prepared before you leave.