International Students: Boarding School Benefits

With over 250 schools in the United States, American boarding schools appeal to international families for a variety of reasons. According to The Association Of Boarding Schools (TABS), international students make up about 15% of the population of their member schools. We look at some of the reasons why an American boarding school is a popular option with international students around the world.

A world-class education

Almost all American boarding schools offer rigorous academics combined with compulsory athletics and a wide variety of extracurricular activities. But even more important to a parent who is probably going to remain at home while her child goes off to school in the United States, boarding schools take the safety and well-being of your child very seriously. While your child is at school, 24/7 supervision is what you can expect to find at a boarding school in the United States. During vacations, the school will help you find a host for your child in lieu of flying him back home if that is not possible.

The academic programs at boarding schools exceed any federal, state, and local requirements. College preparatory schools usually offer Advanced Placement courses or the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Standards are high. The other advantage of an American boarding school is the small class size. Typically the teacher to student ratio is 1:15 or even less.

What is an international student?

An international student is a student who holds a foreign or non-U.S.passport. He or she is a citizen of a country other than the United States of America. Because of that status, students from foreign countries wishing to study in the United States need to be familiar with and follow a host of rules and regulations. These rules and regulations apply whether you plan to attend an American high school or college. The process of applying for a student visa takes time and has many steps to it. Allow 9-15 months to complete the process.

Why Do International Students Want To Attend American Boarding Schools?

Boarding school helps international students with several components of their secondary education including:

• Improving their English proficiency
• Helping them learn about and gain acceptance to universities in the U.S. and elsewhere
• Adjusting to a new culture by providing a smaller, structured environment designed to support non-native English speakers
• Instilling a global perspective

English Immersion & ESL (English as a Second Language) Courses

It can be difficult to learn English if it is not spoken regularly. In boarding school, international students attend class, play sports, and live with English-speaking students. This creates a helpful environment for learning English. This gives them the chance to make friends and communicate in English on a regular basis.

ESL (English as a Second Language) classes offered in boarding schools also help international students learn English more quickly. These classes are generally very small. ESL courses are designed to improve an international student's speaking, reading and writing ability. Boarding schools provide international students with an excellent opportunity to improve their English skills.

College Preparation

Boarding schools offer international students access to well-trained college counselors. These advisors can help you choose schools and prepare you for the application process. Many boarding schools also offer special classes to help you prepare for the TOEFL or TOEIC exams, which are often required for international students. Boarding school helps international students get into and succeed in American universities.

International Friendships

Boarding schools offer a unique opportunity for international students to meet and make friends with students from other cultures. You will be exposed to people of different religious, geographic, and linguistic backgrounds. You will make friends with people that you would usually not have a chance to meet. Being part of a boarding school community can help you overcome cultural barriers associated with living outside your country.

If you have more specific questions about attending boarding school as an international student (e.g., visa questions), please research and contact boarding schools which interest you. They will have the most up-to-date information you need and look forward to assisting you.

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