Tips to help you choose a high school in a country overseas

Please note: This article has been written to serve as a piece of information, and not as a comprehensive guidance. Also, we don’t offer any counselling services for students who are planning to go abroad for their high-school education, neither do we offer any sort of advice for their admissions abroad.

The definition of higher education holds different meaning to different groups of people. Some people believe that higher education is a formal learning that happens after completing secondary education, and it's restricted to pursuing college- or university-level education.

On the other hand, there are people who believe in planning for higher education early in their lives; therefore, choosing to pursue high-school education in a different country.

Do you want tips about studying abroad and updates from universities delivered directly to your inbox? Register with us! Make sure to check the boxes!

Why choose high-school education abroad?

An academic school is believed to educate students on various disciplines, and prepare them for crucial examinations at various stages of their school-level education. However, there are some schools that defy the paradigm and adopt different curricula and teaching practices.

An education abroad, including at a high-school level, opens several avenues for students and, of course, introduces them to new learning methods. Students exposed to a different form of learning, especially in a different country, can develop a different world view. 

Possible reasons to start your high-school education in a different country are as follows:

1. Students who choose to study abroad gather a lot of experience. And if they choose to study early on, it gives them a rich learning experience as well as enhances their world knowledge. 
2. Students who are schooled in a different country are often believed to have better perspectives, with a greater leeway for self-growth.
3. It helps students gain knowledge about different cultures and appreciate people from all walks of life better.
4. It helps students understand if they can manage on their own, far away from home, and become responsible individuals. With few people to supervise your tasks and chores, you’ll make your own agenda and live your own way.

What to study in a high school abroad?

Disciplines may vary from one school to another school, so you must research all options abroad before deciding on any discipline, since it will have a ripple effect on what you choose to do in your career later. For example, if your aim is to get a job after completing your schooling, then you could be interested in a high school that offers vocational programmes for international students. But if you want to be in academics or research, then completing a vocational course may not be useful.

Subject areas that are attractive among other students may not look enticing to you. So you must think over what exactly you want to do with the subject that you choose to study.

Countries where most students choose a high school

1. Australia
2. Ireland
3. Germany
4. Canada
5. The Netherlands
6. United Kingdom
7. United States

What type of high schools can you choose to study in?

In countries like the United States, students can choose to study either in public schools or private schools. Public schools are mostly funded by either the state or the government. And private schools are usually funded by organisations and industries.

In some countries, an alternative word for high-school education that’s often used is 'secondary education'. It's further classified into lower-secondary and upper-secondary qualifications.

In Canada, high schools, also known as secondary schools, consist of students from grade 10 through grade 12. However, this concept changes as you move towards the provinces, where you may find high-school education starting from grade 9 till grade 12.

Also, some high schools can be further grouped into ‘junior high school’ and ‘senior high school’ categories based on the age group of different students.

So you see there could be several variations in high-school education in different countries. You must get down to work and find out what type of secondary schools will suit your academic needs. There are secondary schools that offer vocational education, standing apart from ordinary high schools, whereas some secondary schools offer internship-integrated subject areas.

How much does it cost to study in a high school overseas?

The cost of studying overseas is never low; it grows, sometimes, in leaps and bounds. Financial planning is one of the key criteria that can never be ignored when you plan your education.

Normally, the cost of education overseas comprises tuition and living costs, besides some additional expenses. There is no simple answer to how much exactly you would need when studying overseas; however, a student needs to have minimum 5 Lakhs to maximum 40 Lakhs, if he or she decides to get a degree abroad. But, in general, the tuition and living costs vary from institutes to institutes and from country to country.

Scholarships to help you support your high-school education

There are several types of scholarships available for students looking to do their schooling overseas – athletics, artistic, demographic, need-based and scholastic.

Challenges to overcome while studying in a high school abroad

The transition from one school to another school is never easy. It’s more difficult when you move to a different country for your schooling. Some of the troubles that you may face when doing your schooling abroad are as follows:

Multicultural ambience

One of the reasons why some children move away from home at an early age, say 18, for education is to mingle with people from different backgrounds and closely understand the world. Although it may sound daunting, the multicultural ambience that students experience at any academic institutions abroad is at par.

But students who long to be part of the international community have to bear in mind that ‘change’ could be little exhausting sometimes. The very thought of sitting in a classroom filled with people from all parts of the world could drain you a bit, but it’s an opportunity that only a few get to experience.

Homesickness

Homesickness is not just about missing the good home-cooked food and a warm and loving surrounding, where everything you wanted was at an easy reach. Homesickness also denotes the longing for one’s country, the city you lived in, the streets and shops you explored and every small thing related to your native country.

You might feel homesick amidst people in a different country. To escape that feeling, you might think of returning home in the next flight. However, if you can go back to the time when you struggled and patiently waited to be an international student, you might start shutting down all the voices inside that make you feel weak.

Food and language

Students who migrate to a different country may find it difficult to cope with the language and food of the new country, initially. But, almost every country is rich in diversity, and a small number of Indian population can be found in almost every corner of the world. Hence, it shouldn’t be difficult for any international student get used to the food and language of a country that is foreign to them.

Whatever decision you take, let it be a well-researched one because you are making an investment for your future. Once you finish your studies, you’re not going to be the same person – you’ll not only have the ability to make crucial life-changing decisions, but also understand what kind of an individual you are. There are plenty of websites that can guide you with selecting your preferred subject and school for your higher studies in a foreign country.

Since you’re starting early with your higher studies abroad and are on the verge of leaving your comfort zone, you'll be having a lot of questions. Keep reading and following different overseas school websites. And educate yourself on visa norms and other information that you must know as an international student.