defence mechanism? I have often wondered. She My younger son who is in Year 8 will return to England
moved to Scotland for her university life and “embraced” next year for his secondary education. He says he is
VELLED
Edinburgh as home for the next six years. The following bored with basketball and is very much looking forward
year, the family moved to the Middle East. Another guilt to playing rugby and cricket!
trip for mother - leaving a seventeen year-old to go off
to university.
All have had opportunities to travel extensively,
experience new cultures, learn other languages, develop
confidence and become adaptable but we have all
Home has always been wherever missed being away from our extended family. We try not
we are living at a particular time
to get too close to people as we know they will move
THE ROAD LESS TRA
on - our friends are constantly changing.”
She has always been a bit of a free spirit - planning
every long university holiday to exotic destinations -
The Road Less Travelled can be exciting and rewarding
Mexico, Caribbean, Kyrgyzstan. What benefits has she
but children living abroad for a long time can become
gained from travelling? She is a confident, outgoing
part of a “Third Culture” where they don’t belong at
young woman enjoying life to the full. The world is a
home and they don’t belong in the host country either.
small place as far as she is concerned and she is
But there are huge compensations.
independent enough to explore new horizons on her
own. This is, of course, what we want our children to
We try not to get too close to people
become. If we had stayed at home, would she be the
same person? I don’t know.
as we know they will move on -
our friends are constantly changing
Home has always been wherever we are living at a
particular time. The family is based in Kuwait but both
The Middle East is a very safe environment and children
my older children are living and working a long way from
educated here are less streetwise than their peers in
here - my daughter in Australia and my son in Norway.
England. One can even find thirteen year-old girls
playing skipping games in the playground! There is a
How to Make your Choice?
slower pace of life - despite the fast cars, glitzy
shopping malls and every fast food chain on the planet.
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Like elsewhere, good schools are oversubscribed so
Censorship is not pleasant either but empathetic young
check if there is a waiting list.
people develop more cultural and racial awareness. A
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Be aware of those run primarily as a business. step on the ladder to becoming a truly global citizen . . .
Those that are not for profit deserve more serious
The names have been changed at the request of the writer.
consideration. All IAPS schools are non-profit making.
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Is the school chosen by Embassies and British Military
Mission personnel? This can be another useful indicator.
Which School to Choose?
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International Schools are often the first option
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Talk to others who have to make these difficult
decisions but remember you will always find those who
considered. They are designed to ease transition from
like to moan!
one country to another and are a good choice for parents
staying for a relatively short time in the host country.
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Look closely at the school's academic record.
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The head teacher and most staff, apart from those
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Is English the language of the playground?
teaching local languages, will have qualifications
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Is there a high staff turnover? This will always be higher recognised by the DCSF in London.
in international schools as some teachers will be
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State schools often aren't suitable. In the Middle East,
“company wives” and the young staff move around the
they cater for locals who share culture, language
international school circuit.
LINKS
and religion.
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Is there a wide range of extra curricular activities and do
The English School Kuwait:a71
The main problem in the whole area is the lack of school
they all have to be paid for?
spaces. It is becoming increasingly difficult to place IAPS prep school www.tes.edu.kw
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Are classes small and facilities good and up to date? In children in good schools.
many schools in the Middle East, facilities are excellent.
Council of British International Schools:
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A child's secondary education may be better provided
www.cobis.org.uk
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Is the school a member of BSME (British Schools of the for in its own country. Some parents feel it is important
Middle East) or the IAPS (Independent Association of for older children to be aware of their national culture
British Schools in the Middle East: www.bsme.org.uk
Prep Schools)? and environment.
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