Every parent wants their children to experience the best and possibly education, in all forms, has and continues to be one of the best “gifts” to provide. The study abroad experience offers opportunities that impact your child’s education and experience beyond academic growth. You don’t want to see the academic experience that you seek to provide for your child altered or impacted by the stress from picking the right school for your child, forms you need to complete, visas, and all the other logistical issues. If you want to send your children to study abroad (and would like to do so with some peace of mind), but do not know where to start, we will offer several suggestions to help you ‘educate’ yourself and ideas on getting help.
1. Research Schools
First, it is important to choose the most appropriate school that will cater to your child’s needs and interests as well as their potential future career pathway. Very importantly, the academic goals and emphasis will differ and vary quite severely between international schools, as well as the cultural emphasis for extracurriculars and overall pedagogical environment. Some schools put quite a heavy focus on the arts, sciences, or sports, whereas other schools provide a holistic education with heavy emphasis on language. You may consider private schools, language focused schools, or a school with a strong international baccalaureate program; whichever the case, research the school appropriately.
2. Understand The Application Process
Now that you have selected a few potential applicants, the next stage is to understand the school application process. Understand first that each school has different requirements; these may include an academic history, standardize testing, interviews, and/or a certain language proficiency requirement. Be prepared with application type documentation, and to stay organized and on task with the due dates of each application, remember – applying to any school with no due dates or timelines will cause you more stress in the end. Each school will also ask for letters of recommendation and/or essays, you need to take that into consideration.
3. Financial Planning
Taking into consideration cost of studying abroad, you must be prepared for the financial commitment, as tuition, accommodation costs, travel expenses, insurance, and other costs will start piling up. While some international schools may award scholarships, financial aid, or payment plans to offset the immediate financial impact, you must be prepared for your budget, and to find funding opportunities to make your study abroad experience easier. Some countries and schools even provide funds for international students, so take advantage of that if you can!
4. Accept Adaptation to New Cultures
Adaptation to new cultures is arguably one of the most exciting aspect of studying abroad, but it may pose a challenge for some students. Countries and cultures have different social customs, educational systems, and student expectations for adaptation and acceptance, and it takes time to implement that change. You should culturally prepare your child before he/she makes the final decision to study abroad so they can make any necessary accommodation for possible cultural differences after going abroad, potentially regarding language, routines, and customs. Mentally preparing your child for the adaptation they will and are meant to make will make them better able to be comfortable through the adaptation process.
5. Find Professional Help and Support
Finding the logistics of lecturing and studying abroad can become quite complicated. Dealing with things like visas and legal requirements, and ultimately connecting to the right representative. This is exactly where some professional help comes into play. Here at Smapse.com, we are experts in getting families connected to the right international school for their family. We have professionals who can work with you beginning from the consultation, to the point of application and description of finances and visa paperwork.
Why Smapse.com?
Smapse.com is a reliable consultative resource for families who are considering sending their children away for educational. We offer no-obligation personalized consultations to help families find the right fit for schools based on the children’s interests, academic ambitions and financial resources. We have choice for children considering the UK, Switzerland, USA and other countries covering private, international and language schools.
We will assist with the application processes and have a good understanding of scholarships and financial aid to support the financial decisions. Finally, we can suggest how to prepare for moving from local to global in their environment.
Sending your child away to study is a significant decision that will change their life and open a wealth of possibilities. We understand this is a daunting task but learning to navigate international environments is hugely rewarding. If you are unsure of how to approach this journey, we recommend you reach out to Smapse.com for professional assistance. We want to ensure you are making the best educational decisions for your child moving forward.
You and your child should be excited to start their educational journey abroad – contact Smapse.com to help plan the best outcomes!