Factors to Consider When Choosing an International School
One of the most important decisions one can make in life is to choose a school that will shape his/her future. There are several factors that you should put in mind while you are in the process of choosing an international school. Here are some of the factors you should consider while choosing an international school.
The first thing you need to consider while choosing an international school is the curriculum. Is the school you are considering offer both international and national curriculum? There are international schools that cater to both international and national curriculum in the country they are situated in. Some well reputable curricula include international baccalaureate and Cambridge programs. It is therefore important for international students to check whether the school they are considering provide a variety of programs, activities, and services for easy culture transition. It is therefore prudent to only consider a school that caters to the needs of the international students.
The second factor you should put into consideration is when choosing an international school is accreditation. You should understand that external bodies are responsible for the accreditation of international schools to make sure that the programs offered by the school are of high standards. It is therefore important for you as a learner to make sure that the school you are choosing is accredited by several accrediting bodies. Some of the accrediting bodies for international schools include ASIC, MSA, the council of international schools, international baccalaureate organization and Cambridge international examination and so on.
The third thing you should take into consideration when choosing an international school is your social life. The school you choose is going to be your home for the next period of time you will be staying in that school. It is therefore prudent to check whether students live in the school or live outside the school. Another thing you need to understand is the reputation of the school you are considering and what students do mostly for fun. You should choose a school that offers activities that you are interested in.
The fourth factor you should put into account while choosing an international school is the size of the classes. People have different preferences when it comes to the size of the class. There are some students who would prefer small classes for them to learn better. While there are those who like learning from large lecture halls full of students. Students who like reading for themselves normally prefer choosing schools where students learn from lecture halls. It is therefore up to you to choose the size of the class that is conducive to you for learning.
The location is the fifth factor that you should also put into consideration while choosing an international school. You should choose the location you like in terms of rural, suburban or urban areas. It is important to consider the distance of the school from the place you will be living and how will the distance affect your education. The school you are considering should be located in an area that has a proper road network for easy transportation.
Lastly, when you are searching for an international school, it is wise to consider the cost. It is wise to gauge whether you will be able to afford the tuition fee if you are accepted in the school you are considering. Does the school offer scholarship to aid the education of the students? It is wise to choose a school you will be able to the tuition fee.