Secure Your Child’s Education Abroad with ExpatDen

Are you moving abroad with children and need to secure a good school for them?

Here at ExpatDen, we’ve created many guides that have helped thousands of expat families just like yours find the right school for their children. You’ll find many of them listed at the bottom of this page.

But before you jump into those country-specific guides, take time to familiarize yourself with what you need to know when matching your children with a school abroad that aligns with your educational wants and goals.

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Understanding Your Education Options

International SchoolsInternational schools follow non-local curricula designed for expat children. They typically cater to expat families. Many international schools benefit from generous funding and boast all the latest modern facilities. Competition to get into the top-rated schools can be fierce, and programs are taught in English with options to study other languages, including the local language. Verify school accreditation through official bodies like the Council of International Schools (CIS) or WASC.

Local and Local Private Schools Local schools follow the national curriculum of your host country and provide your children with the chance to dive deep into the culture. Public schools are usually free or low-cost but your children should know how to speak the local language. Private local schools offer better facilities than public schools and may provide bilingual programs. They serve as a bridge between local and international education while being more affordable than international schools.

Education Curricula

Understanding different curricula will help you choose the educational path that best fits your children’s needs and future plans. Keep in mind that there are many curricula around the world, but here are some of the more popular.

International Baccalaureate (IB): This curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and tries to develop children into global citizens. IB is recognized worldwide due to its rigorous academic standards. This program is available for your children at many top-tier international schools around the world. Learn more about IB programs at the official International Baccalaureate Organization.
American Curriculum: This grade-based curriculum covers a broad range of subjects and electives. It focuses on GPAs, while preparing children for SAT tests and AP courses. The goal of the American Curriculum is to prepare children for college and/or university and emphasizes well-rounded development. Learn more about the American Curriculum standards through the US Department of Education and EducationUSA.
British Curriculum: This curriculum progresses through defined stages and gets more challenging with age. GCSE and A-Level qualifications mean your children dive deeper into certain subjects than wade across many subjects. The British Curriculum remains one of the most common curricula followed by international schools worldwide. Find out more about this curriculum at the UK’s The National Curriculum.

Choosing the right curriculum depends on your family’s long-term plans, your child’s learning style, and what university your children aspire to attend.

School Selection Criteria

What Academic Factors Should You Consider?

When choosing a school abroad for your children, consider accreditation from recognized bodies, teacher qualifications with home country credentials, and class sizes for individual attention. Also, check academic results and university placement rates to get a better feel for the school’s performance standards. Finally, verify accreditation through recognized international bodies like the Council of International Schools or WASC.

What Practical Factors Matter Most?

You should pick a school that’s close to where you’re going to live. After all, getting to and from school can make or break your daily routine, especially in cities with heavy traffic. Make sure that the school’s calendar aligns with that of your home country’s. This way if you ever decide to move back home, your children won’t skip a beat. Lastly, consider what extracurricular activities and facilities the school offers. This way, if your children have specific interests, it’ll boost their overall school experience and social development.

How Important Are Cultural and Social Factors?

If the school you pick has a diverse student body and teaches about the local culture, it’ll help your children develop global perspectives and adapt to their new country. Some schools may even offer learning support and counseling services to make sure your children receive help when facing learning or emotional challenges. In fact, international schools typically provide better support systems for expat families navigating life in a new country.

Below is a list of guides that will help you choose the right school in each country.

Age-Specific Education

While living abroad, your children need specific educational requirements depending on their age.

Early childhood education (ages 2 to 5): This stage should focus on play-based learning and social development rather than academic pressure. Look for programs that support language learning and cultural adaptation. Many international schools offer excellent early-year programs following the curricula we outlined above.
Primary education (ages 6 to 11): These years should develop your children’s foundation in literacy and numeracy. They may even start extra language learning classes. If you’re moving abroad with children in this age range, ask the new school how it handles transitions for children joining from different education systems.
Secondary education (ages 12 to 18): At this stage, preparing your children for university becomes critical. Schools should begin focusing on standardized testing practice and career guidance. Look for schools that offer subjects that interest your children, along with extracurricular activities they enjoy.

The key is matching your children’s needs with the right school rather than simply choosing the most prestigious option.

Alternative Education

Homeschooling Abroad

Homeschooling provides your family with complete flexibility and a custom education, but you do have to understand local legal requirements and regulations. You’ll also need access to quality curriculum resources and materials, plus community support through homeschool co-ops and networks. Sometimes these are not ebay to find in your new country.

Still, many expat families homeschool while living abroad, taking advantage of the chance to immerse themselves into the culture and travel around.

If you want to be successful at homeschooling abroad, you’ll need a lot of time commitment (especially during the early years), reliable Internet access, and connections with other homeschooling families for social interaction.

Planning for the Cost of Education

Education CostsTuition fees vary dramatically from nearly free local public schools to top international schools costing US$50,000 a year. Additional costs include registration fees, transportation, uniforms, books, and extracurricular activities. Currency exchanges can impact your education budget, especially if you earn in one currency while paying school fees in another.

Education BudgetBudgeting for your children’s education takes long-term planning, as fees increase each year. Consider scholarship opportunities at international schools, which often offer merit-based and need-based help. Many schools provide payment plans or multi-child discounts. You can also get a significant discount for your children if you work at the school as a teacher or admin.

School Enrollment and Documents

What Documents Do You Need for School Applications?

When enrolling your children in school, you’ll need academic transcripts and certificates from previous schools, valid passports and visas, and medical records including vaccination history. You may also need language proficiency certificates and teacher recommendations from current or previous schools. Keep both physical and digital copies of all these documents.

How Do Application Processes Work?

Application timelines vary between schools and countries, with some requiring you to apply up to a year in advance. Many schools will require your children to take entrance exams, assessments, or interviews as part of their selection process. Popular international schools often have waiting lists, so having backup options or applying early are essential.

What About School Visits and Interviews?

Most reputable schools will welcome you to their campus for a visit. These tours let you assess facilities, meet teachers, and observe the school culture firsthand. During the visit, you can ask specific questions about support services, curriculums, and the school’s community. This will help you decide if the school is right for your family.

Education Visas

What Visa Requirements Apply to Students?

Student visa requirements vary by country and the age of your children. Your children will need specific student visas to enroll at many international schools around the world. Others might let them study without a student visa as long as they have a dependent visa. For instance, if they are following you to the new country after you were hired to work there.

If your children do need a visa, you typically have to submit school acceptance letters, proof of financial support, and health insurance coverage. To be better prepared, follow these steps below:

Research visa categories specific to your destination country and family situation.
Understand renewal requirements as most student visas require annual renewals.
Prepare financial documents showing ability to pay school fees and living expenses.
Get health insurance that meets local requirements for student visa holders.
Plan for application delays which can take several months in some countries.

Keeping up with visa requirements is crucial, as violations can result in deportation and future visa denials.

Cultural and Language Adaptation

Helping your children adapt to a new school requires understanding both language and cultural differences.

Language preparation: Start language learning before moving to a non-English speaking country. Even basic conversational skills will ease your children’s transition. Many international schools offer English as Additional Language (EAL) support programs for non-native speakers.
Cultural integration: Look for schools with strong cultural programs and mentoring systems. Schools experienced with expat families typically provide better support for cultural adjustment during the transition period.
Maintaining home-country connections: Consider how to maintain your home country’s cultural identity while embracing the new culture. All the successful expat families we know at ExpatDen celebrate traditions from both cultures.

Adapting to a new culture takes time, and patience is essential as your children navigate friendships, school, and social norms in their new country.

Below is a list of guides that will help you learn the local language of your new destination.

Common Educational Challenges and Solutions

What Education Problems Do Expat Families Commonly Face?

Your children might face difficulties from curriculum differences, grading system changes, and academic expectations in the new country. They might have trouble integrating into society, making friends across cultural boundaries, and dealing with feelings of being out of place.

Language barriers can impact your children’s academic performance and social relationships. These challenges typically resolve themselves with time and proper support.

Academic support services, including tutoring and skills development, help bridge curriculum gaps.
Counseling services address emotional adjustment challenges and homesickness.
Peer support programs connect new students with established expat families.
Parent networks provide practical advice and social connections for the whole family.
Professional guidance from education consultants can help navigate complex decisions.

Remember that adjustment periods are normal, and most expat children thrive in international educational environments with appropriate help.

Planning for Changes in Your Children’s Education

When it comes to education abroad, you and your family have to be flexible, because there may come a time when you need to change the type of education your children are receiving.

You may move abroad and find it easy to start your younger children with a homeschool program or an online program from your home country. But they may get to an age where they want to go to a brick and mortar school. You’ll have to find them a school that most closely aligns with your values.

Or perhaps your children decide that in the future they want to study at a specific university, but that university only accepts students who’ve graduated from IB programs. If your children are currently in an American or British program, you’ll have to find them a school with an IB program.

Staying flexible while in your new country will help your children pursue the education and, ultimately, career and life they are after.

Ten Tips for Education Success Abroad

1. Research schools thoroughly before moving. Understand curricula, accreditation, and admission requirements well in advance. Popular international schools often have waiting lists requiring early applications. Verify accreditation through official bodies like CIS or WASC.

2. Visit schools in person when possible. Campus visits provide insights into school culture, facilities, and teaching quality that websites cannot convey. Meet teachers and administrators to assess their support for expat families.

3. Prepare all documents early. Academic transcripts, medical records, and visa paperwork take time to get and authenticate. Start gathering documents at least six months before your move.

4. Consider your child’s learning style and needs. Match school selection to your child’s academic strengths, social personality, and extracurricular interests rather than simply choosing the most prestigious option.

5. Budget for the total cost of education. Include tuition, fees, transportation, uniforms, books, and activities in your calculations. Factor in annual fee and cost of living increases.

6. Start language preparation before departure. Even basic conversational skills in the local language significantly ease social integration and emergency situations for your children.

7. Understand visa and legal requirements. Student visa requirements and renewal processes vary by country. Check official government resources: USCIS.gov for the US, gov.uk for the UK, or canada.ca for Canada. Violations can have serious consequences for your family’s residency status.

8. Build support networks with other expat families. Connect with other international families through school communities, expat organizations, and online groups for practical advice and social connections.

9. Plan for cultural adjustment. Expect a transition period of six to 12 months for children to adapt to new educational and social environments. Provide emotional support and patience during this time.

10. Maintain flexibility in your education planning. International moves, job changes, or family circumstances may require school changes. Research backup options and keep academic records organized for potential transitions.