Boarding School May Just Be The Answer

It is sometimes difficult to imagine one of our children going off to middle or high school away from home. However, a boarding school in general, whether in the States or abroad, can bring the kind of opportunities that are not always provided at home. We live in a time when exposing our students to what is going on in other parts of the world is of the utmost importance. This push outside their bubble can bring context and clarity to what they hear or read in the news. How do we promote tolerance, awareness, and inclusiveness as we push our kids to become global citizens?

The experience of living and learning in an international, English-speaking boarding school presents an interesting opportunity. Besides learning side by side with kids from every country imaginable, students can take part in excursions exposing them to other cultures, whether on a wild adventure or a once-in-a-lifetime service trip. Being exposed to others’ languages and cultures provides a more open-minded education. In a truly hands-on manner, students learn appreciation and acceptance of others. This type of authentic experience impacts a student’s perspective in a very healthy way.

Reinvigorated, having learned to be autonomous and self-motivated, students can become a partner in planning and experiencing their education. Gaining life experience alongside friends from around the globe and learning how to thrive outside the bubble of their childhood home, students feel a unique pride and ownership over what they have accomplished, both in and out of the classroom. Students are cared about and cared for by the wonderful staff and teachers and often share even more with their families than they would if they were going to high school at home.