World Wide Schools: What You Need to Know

From an educational standpoint, these are exciting times, not only in your home country, wherever that may be, but globally, in almost every corner of the earth.  One type of education that is lending to this excitement is being provided by World Wide schools, also known as international schools.  World Wide schools can now be found in most countries around the world, and have literally tripled in number over the past decade.  So what is so special about these international or World Wide schools?  Actually, there are far too many characteristics and benefits to list them all here, but to give you at least some inclination as to why these institutions are becoming so popular among students and parents alike, below we will provide a brief definition of World Wide schools and summarize some of the advantages of this type of education.

What Are World Wide Schools and What Are the Benefits? 

World Wide schools are institutions that provide a different curriculum than the one taught in the local and more traditional schools.  The curriculum is either international, such as the International Baccalaureate, or the same curriculum used in United States and UK schools.  Instruction is provided either solely in English or bilingually with English, and the student body and faculty are multi-national.

In the early years of World Wide schools their function was specific and very limited:  to provide education to U.S., UK or other English-speaking students living in a part of the world in which English was not the native language, thus making it difficult, even impossible for them to study and learn effectively in the local schools.  Whether the children are in the country because one or both of their parents are in the military or pursuing another type of employment-based purpose, World Wide schools give them full access to a relevant education, one that is universally accepted and provided in a language they can understand.

While serving the children of expatriates remains a primary purpose of World Wide schools, these institutions have now take on an additional role—a function that has led to an explosion in the industry in recent years, especially in underdeveloped and developing nations.  Today there are millions of locally-born children who now attend international schools rather than the traditional schools in their area.  Parents who envision greater opportunities for their children—opportunities in more developed countries abroad—are now opting to send them to World Wide schools as a way to provide them with an advantage and a head start.  Not only do students study via a curriculum that is generally accepted throughout the world by colleges and universities, they also have the unique opportunity to gain valuable early language skills.  Typically, instructors at these schools are far more trained, and because they hail from countries around the world, together they offer a global educational perspective.

Students who complete their education in World Wide schools are awarded a diploma that is internationally recognized, thus opening the door to worlds of opportunity and providing them with considerably more options than their traditionally-educated peers.  Expatriate students can return home (or anywhere else) armed with an education that has more than adequately prepared them for university studies, and local children can dramatically improve their educational and professional outlook by studying abroad, particularly those students in underdeveloped countries where higher education and professional positions are severely limited.

Directory of International Schools Explained

If you’ve been searching for a school, either for yourself or for your child, you may have run across the term “directory of international schools.”  It’s a term that is becoming more and popular these days, as an increasing number of these types of schools are being founded, but before we take a closer look at these directories and explain their purpose, it is first necessary that we provide a definition for international schools. 

What Are International Schools?

Simply speaking, an international school is a type of institution that offers a different curriculum than that of the host country—the country in which the international school is located.  Usually the instruction is provided wholly in English or bilingually with English and another language (Spanish, French, etc.). Many international schools use the curriculum of the larger English-speaking countries, such as the United States and Great Britain, while others use an international curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate.  To qualify as an international school both the student body and faculty must be multi-national and accredited by an international school accrediting body.

The original purpose of an international school was to provide a relevant education to English-speaking children who, because of their parent’s employment position in another country, were living outside of their country of citizenship, be it the United States or the UK.  This would help prepare them for higher education opportunities back home, whereas the local curriculum may not.  In recent years, however, more and more local students have started to enroll in international schools as a way to prepare for educational and employment opportunities abroad.  In these schools, students have the opportunity to learn the English language and study from a curriculum that is generally accepted everywhere.  This trend has been especially prevalent in many of the less-developed countries around the world, particularly in India, where an estimated 20 percent of all school-age children are enrolled in international schools, usually with the goal of transferring to universities in Europe and North America.

Directory of International Schools

A directory of international schools is a type of catalogue that is loaded with helpful school information, allowing students and parents to make informed decisions when selecting an institution for their education.  Most of these directories are now digitized and can be browsed online from the comfort of your home.  With a comprehensive directory of international schools you can search by school type (all-English schools, American schools, etc) or region and you can even filter the search results by the various options offered at each school.  Two of the most important pieces of information you can discover with the help of a directory of international schools are:

• The type of curriculum used.  As you browse through the directory of international schools you will no doubt notice there are three main types of curriculums to choose from:  international curriculum, a standardized university preparatory program of study that is generally accepted at universities worldwide; United States curriculum, the same program taught at the primary and secondary schools in the U.S., including preparation for the SAT college entrance examination; and the GCSE’s and “A” level curriculums that help prepare students for university enrollment in the United Kingdom.  If you already know the university you plan to attend, it’s a good idea to check with them about the type of curriculum(s) they accept before making a final decisions regarding international school enrollment.
• School particulars.  A directory of international schools provides a wealth of information on every school they list—a snapshot of the school and all it has to offer.  Some of this information includes:  the start and end dates of the school year, the duration of the school day (the time it begins and ends), typical class sizes, school lunches, number of classrooms, eligibility requirements, curriculum and school amenities, such as laboratories, and IT facilities.

Naturally, this is only a taste of the tremendous amount of information you’ll reap when using a directory of international schools, but as you can see, these directories can be very useful and will save you the time and effort of researching each school separately.

Foreign Student Exchange: The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Are you a high school student who has recently been approached by school staff and given the unique opportunity to study abroad as a participant of a foreign student exchange?  Would it be helpful if you had a bit more information regarding these types of programs and what’s potentially in store for you?  If so, the following article may prove quite useful.  Here we will spend some time discussing the basics of a foreign student exchange, including such topics as attending a foreign school, living with a host family and some of the benefits you’ll reap both personally and educationally as a participant.

Foreign Student Exchange:  The Opportunity of a Lifetime

If you’re like most high school students, the chance to study and live in a foreign country for a year or even a semester is not an opportunity that comes your way very often—if ever.  However, as a participant in a foreign student exchange that’s exactly what you’ll be able to do, and at a much reduced cost when compared to traveling independently.  While many people will have the chance to travel abroad later in life, after they’re settled, few individuals have the unique opportunity to do so when they are still very young, vibrant and adventurous.  Just imagine all the fun you’ll have on this exciting international excursion:  learning a different culture, acquiring valuable language skills and meeting hundreds of new faces, some of whom will become treasured friends with whom you will share a bond for a lifetime.  Only in your high school years will you possess the perfect combination of maturity and adaptability, the spirit and flexibility to truly immerse yourself in a fresh new way of life and absorb all it has to offer.

In a foreign student exchange you will study at a secondary school that may admittedly be very different than your own, but these differences will only augment your overall learning experience, giving you a fresh new perspective on the various ways people learn—a perspective that will enhance your problem-solving and analytical skills.  Of course, the instruction you’ll receive will be in your own language and the courses will count for credit at your home school, but you will also be fully immersed into a novel environment where people, in most cases, speak a different language than your own, which, experts say, is the fastest route to new language acquisition.

As you might expect, the classroom or school portion of a foreign student exchange is enough to make the trip well worth any cost, but there are also many other program components that are equally valuable.  For example, most foreign student exchange programs allow time for several cultural excursions during the course of your stay—field trips in which you’ll travel with other international and local students to visit some of the most significant sites in your host country, providing you the opportunity to taste the local food and mingle with the locals.  From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Coliseum in Rome to the Great Wall of China, wherever you decide to go as a member of a foreign student exchange you can bet there will be sufficient time to visit some of the country’s most treasured sites.

Finally, there is your host family.  It has been said there is no better classroom than a family home, a place where cultural learning and understanding takes center stage.  As a member of a foreign student exchange you will live with a family who generously donates their time and their home to make your experience a special and unforgettable one.  As most former participants of a foreign student exchange will tell you, these comfortable accommodations serve as a type of second family, a place at which you’ll learn the most about the country and forge the greatest number of friendships.  From weekend trips, in which you can explore your new surroundings, to nightly meals and informative discussions, your host family are the people you can lean on for support as they strive to make your international journey as fun, enlightening and fulfilling as possible.

International Exchange: How to Apply and Improve Your Eligibility

Are you considering taking part in an international exchange program—a program that allows you to live and study abroad in a foreign country?  Do you know how to apply for such programs and how to increase your chances of being accepted?  Participating in an international exchange program can be the opportunity of a lifetime, but as you well know, the chance to do so is not a right, but rather a privilege.  Most students in good standing at their high school or university will be eligible for these programs, but space is often limited, which means not everyone can participate.  There are, however, some things you can do to bolster your application.  To illustrate this, below we will briefly discuss how to apply for an international exchange program, along with some other tips to help improve your chances of being accepted.

About International Exchange Programs

Prior to World War II, when global tensions ran high, there were only a handful of international exchange programs in operation, and even those were quite limited in what they offered, especially in terms of the number of countries that participated in such programs.  Since the end of the war, however, the number of companies, organizations and educational institutions providing exciting international exchange adventures has been rising every year.  Together they have offered millions of high school and university students the opportunity to study and live abroad for a time in almost any major country in the world—the chance to learn and absorb a new culture, including its language, customs and traditions.  These are exciting times for international exchange programs, as there have never been more choices in terms of available destinations and the variety of academic and linguistic programs being offered. 

International Exchange:  How to Apply and Improve Your Eligibility

In most cases, the application process for international exchange programs is rather simple.  For high school students, applications are usually handled and distributed by guidance counselors, while at colleges and universities there is normally a separate department that deals with international exchange programs and provides assistance for students studying abroad.  Eligibility requirements vary depending on the institution and the organization operating the program, but generally speaking, you must be a reasonably good student, often with at least a 3.0 grade point average.  After submitting your application, a committee will review it, and if deemed eligible you will be scheduled for an interview, typically before a panel of educators and representatives from the company offering the program.  If selected to participate, you will be notified in writing and provided instructions on how to prepare for your trip, including the process for arranging your flight, accommodations and obtaining your travel documents.

Sounds easy, right?  Actually it is, but as we mentioned, not everyone can participate, and because of that, the process can often be very competitive.  Here are just few ways to improve your chances of being selected:

·         Hit the books.  The grades you earn in your classes are only one of the criteria for international exchange programs, but higher marks will often cathch the eye of the selection committee.

·         Get involved at school.  Much like on a college application, certain weight is given to how involved you are at your school. When grades are equal, students who participate in a number of clubs, sports and other extra-curricular activities will generally have an edge over their non-involved competition.

·         Participate in your community.  Participating in and helping your community says a lot about your character and trustworthiness.  In fact, there are many international exchange programs offered by community service groups, including Rotary International, one of the largest such groups in the world.

The final tip for improving your eligibility is to be flexible in terms of your destination.  International exchange programs are currently offered in almost every country in the world, and while you may not be able to go to, say, France, due to limited space, there may be over 150 other countries that would be happy to have you as a guest.

Study Abroad Programs: Adjusting to a New Culture When Studying Abroad

If you are planning to study abroad in the near future, either for a semester or full academic year, you are probably experiencing a variety of emotions, ranging from excitement and anticipation to trepidation and even a bit of fear.  These are all perfectly normal feelings, and as anyone who has ever studied abroad will tell you, adjusting to a new way of life in another country will certainly have its ups and downs. 

According to experts in the field of cultural identity and adjustment, transitioning into a new culture can be one of the most difficult parts of study abroad programs.  The reasons for this are many, but perhaps the largest obstacle people face is their own cultural perspective.  Think of it like this:  For your entire life you have been surrounded by elements of a single country’s culture, your own, including all the traditions, customs, language and cuisine.  But now, as an upcoming participant in one of the many study abroad programs, you are about to be “thrown in” to another way of life, with different people, places, attitudes and perspectives.  This is bound to cause some internal conflicts.  However, by learning to recognize the various stages associated with cultural adjustment, you will be better equipped to overcome these conflicts as they arise. 

There are essentially four stages of cultural adjustment that many students will pass through when participating in study abroad programs, albeit not necessarily in the same order presented below: bummer

·         “Flying High” or Fascination Stage.  Most participants in study abroad programs arrive in their host country with a feeling of excitement, anticipation and adventure.  They are spellbound by the newness of the experience and they can’t wait to see what’s around every corner.  Food tastes delicious, people seem friendly and the novelty of the experience makes them wonder why they didn’t try this sooner.

·         Let-Down or Discouragement Stage.  Once the novelty wears off, many students in study abroad programs are faced with the reality of trying to fit into a culture that’s very different from their own.  They may face obstacles in their studies; have awkward interactions with the locals; and/or struggle with the new language, complete with all of its colloquialisms.   They judge everything they see and every person they meet in terms of how very “different” they are, and naturally, a feeling of discouragement and homesickness usually creeps in.  This stage can be a difficult one to maneuver, but if you find yourself feeling let-down or “bummed out,” it’s important that you remain positive and keep an open mind, because the very best part of your study abroad program is yet to come.

·         The “Ah-Hah” or Transitional Stage.  As time goes on during the course of study abroad programs, most students acquire a stronger command of the language and a deeper appreciation of the culture.  Instead of comparing things to their homeland, they essentially wake up to the beauty of the experience and begin to examine the cultural differences for what they are, as well as the attitudes and behaviors of the people.  Instead of being discouraged they begin to relish the experience as one that is broadening their cultural horizons.

·         The Assimilation or “I Finally Fit In” Stage.  With a renewed appreciation for the opportunities and adventures afforded them by study abroad programs, most participants will gradually begin to feel as if they are assimilating or blending in with the people and culture, rather than feeling like a square peg in a round hole.  New language skills are mastered, helping them to communicate, and with a deeper understanding of the culture, making friends, which initially seemed improbable if not impossible, becomes a happy reality at every turn.

Although many participants in study abroad programs will face difficulties as they try to adjust to a new culture and a fresh way of life, in the end most former participants feel as if they are much better off for the experience.  Some even become so immersed in the culture of their host country that they encounter many of the same adjustment stages in their re-entry phase, as they transition back to the culture and the ways of their homeland.

Safety Tips for Those Planning to Study Abroad

Are you planning to study abroad in the upcoming future; to live in a foreign country and attend classes for a semester or full academic year?  Are you a bit concerned about how life will be and how to stay safe when studying in a foreign city, a city to which you are not accustomed?  Concerns regarding safety among those planning to study abroad are perfectly normal, but once you become a bit more familiar with your new surroundings, you will undoubtedly become more comfortable, allowing you to fully enjoy the experience, without the anxiety that often accompanies adjusting to a new culture, language and way of life.  Until then, there are a number of steps you can take to help ensure your safety when studying and living abroad—steps we will outline in some detail below.

Safety Tips for Those Planning to Study Abroad

In most cases, ensuring your safety when studying abroad is really no different than the steps you would take at home.  The only difference is you will not understand the basic rules and cultural customs of the city or country in which you are studying—a problem that is usually compounded by an unfamiliarity of the language.  The most basic rule is to use common sense and to always be aware of your surroundings.  As a study abroad participant you must always remember you are not immune to the dangers of your host city, but if you remain vigilant at all times you can generally reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.  Good judgment is the key to enjoying life as a study abroad participant, complete with all the fun and excitement your host city has to offer.  This means following a few very basic safety rules, including:

·         Use the Buddy System.  One of the best parts of any study abroad program is the experience of exploring your host city, its attractions and nightlife.  However, when doing so it is extremely important that you partner up with at least one, or ideally several friends, including, whenever possible, another student or adult who lives in or is familiar with the city.  By never venturing out alone you can significantly reduce the potential of being harassed, annoyed or becoming a target of criminal activity.

·         Ask Questions about the City.  One of the unfortunate realities that holds true for cities around the world is that there are always certain areas or neighborhoods within that city known for their crime.  Therefore, before exploring your new surroundings with your new-found friends, check with some of the local students and ask questions regarding the areas you should avoid and the areas that are more tourist-friendly.

·         Avoid Carrying Cash.  Avoiding carrying large amounts of cash may sound like a no-brainer, but there are far too many study abroad participants who have made this mistake and paid the consequences.  Instead of cash use a more protected source of payment for purchases, such as traveler’s checks or a credit card.

·         Avoid Alcohol.  As a study abroad participant, particularly in cities renowned for their nightlife, there may be occasions in which indulging in alcohol sounds tempting.  However, you must keep in mind that alcohol lowers your inhibitions, affects your good judgment and makes it significantly more difficult to remain aware of your surroundings.  One or two drinks are okay when celebrating, but for safety’s sake avoid becoming too intoxicated.

By following these simple steps as a member of a study abroad program you’ll be able to enjoy all that your host city has to offer and stay safe in the process.