What makes a world-class international student experience?

As the popularity of international education increases, it’s important to question the motives of its innovative learning style. According to ISC Research, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. “The market for international schools continues to expand around the world, and overall growth shows little sign of abating.”

With the growing demand for international schools, there are many satisfied students and parents willing to opt for a global learning experience. Among the countless reasons as to why they’d choose this over a traditional style, diversity and inclusion are two advantages that always stand out. International schools attract students from an extensive range of backgrounds and cultures, so these instituions can promote a true sense of togetherness.

The thought of studying abroad and joining a new school may be daunting for our children. That’s why, no matter where they are in the world, the solid foundation of community support at international schools helps the students settle in and feel at ease with the transition.

Alongside an inclusive environment, international schools offer a multifunctional space with high-tech facilities for learners’ skills to flourish. As ISC Research adds, “Education technology is now a priority investment by almost all international schools to ensure they remain rigorous and cutting-edge within the increasingly competitive schools market.”

The International School of Indiana (ISI) understands the importance of providing students with advanced learning technologies and a community that welcomes diversity. By integrating bilingual learning into the curriculum, students have the chance to enhance their communication skills and learn languages such as Spanish, French and Mandarin.

With the use of language immersion, ISI breaks down the barriers of cross-cultural communication and enables students to communicate confidently and effectively with each other. By exposing children to the world of languages at a young age, they’ll adopt a key understanding of cultural differences and find it easier adjust to a globalized world.

As physiological studies have shown, speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. It boosts the student’s ability to overcome problem-solving challenges and greatly improves memory capabilities.

Academic Adventures

For any aspiring international student, taking an exchange trip with peers is an exciting opportunity. At ISI, they provide Grades 6, 9 and 10 students the chance to fly over to countries of their languages of study and experience other cultures.

In the past, students have journeyed to France, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica and Barcelona. Every trip is chaperoned by ISI teachers and students usually spend 10-14 days in group accommodation or with a host family.

The school is keen to shape learners into confident world citizens, connecting them to engaging educational excursions and culture-based projects. Here, students get the chance to practice their language skills and develop a global mindset.

International Baccalaureate Program

If you’ve been researching into the educational framework of international schools, you will most likely find that many established institutions adhere to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. As the only school in Indiana that guides students through the full IB curriculum (pre-school-to-diploma), ISI goes the extra mile to provide a content-rich education.

Through an internationally-recognized syllabus, every learner at the International School of Indiana can prepare for their career with the multifunctional style of IB education. With the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme, there’s a curriculum available for all ages.

What’s also great about the IB structure is that learners transform into balanced, reflective and open-minded individuals. They are given the tools to become critical and creative thinkers, so once they graduate, former students find they have the world at their feet.

After-school Enrichment

To keep ISI students active and intellectually-stimulated, the school has designed strategic after-school enrichment activities. Divided into seven-week sessions, there’s enough time for a multitude of events to take place on campus.

For music-lovers, there are one-to-one piano, guitar, percussion, ukulele and violin lessons on offer. For sports enthusiasts, there are gymnastics, karate, dance, yoga and soccer sessions. Or, for those who prefer a quieter teamwork activity, there’s fun scrabble, chess, sewing and art clubs at ISI.

The main reason why the International School of Indiana values after-school activities is because it brings students together and reinforces the campus community spirit. With the option to learn during school hours and beyond, students merge extra-curricular events around their schedule.

Commitment to Creativity, Activity and Service

By constructing the ISI curriculum around a commitment to Creativity, Activity and Service (CSA), international students rapidly evolve into well-rounded citizens.

To make their international school experience complete, learners have the chance to join an experiential CSA project. In terms of creativity, students can participate in a specialized art or creative thinking experience. For the activity component, participants must contribute to a healthy lifestyle by taking part in physical exertion. Lastly, with the service module, they must carry out an unpaid and voluntary task.

By encouraging personal exploration, global schools like the International School of Indiana realize what it takes to empower the next generation of innovators, leaders and changemakers. Driven by valuable learning tools and the IB curriculum, the school has successfully created a world-class international student experience for all.

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