What made her choose to take her children abroad to study? What are the considerations for children's growth in the new environment? Jing kids invited Rachel to study in the United States to tell us the story of studying with her baby.
To go is to find.
After graduating from college, I joined the work for the first time and began to become a glorious people's teacher. Since then, my social experience and communication range have closely revolved around students, parents and schools. Indeed, this is a stable and noble job, teaching and educating people, learning to be a teacher, being a teacher by example, and teachers' professional ethics and code of conduct have always been in mind.
Ten years of teaching career, there are many touching moments and many helpless moments. It is touching to witness the efforts, struggles, growth, motherland construction and bright future of outstanding teenagers after another. As their teacher, I am deeply proud. Helpless, but also witnessed the growth troubles of some students: some were tortured by exams and study pressure, but there was nowhere to talk; Some have experienced the ignorance and impulsiveness of adolescence, but the Seeds of Love has been criticized and accused by all kinds. Others come from poor or single-parent families, and the lack of family education has brought a series of setbacks, troubles and psychological problems.
In the fifth year of my career, I think that in order to help students overcome difficulties and improve their studies, they should constantly hone their professional knowledge and teaching skills, and understand the internal relationship between teaching and learning from the perspective of students. Therefore, through the selection and examination of the Education Bureau, I got the opportunity to study for a master's degree in education in the UK.
However, in the tenth year of my career, I suddenly found that just teaching students how to learn and how to use knowledge can't solve the psychological dilemma in essence. After some thinking, I finally understand that all learning problems, in the final analysis, are social, family and psychological problems. That's what prompted me to study in new york.
The "gap year" in which thinking and action go hand in hand
From the time I left the faculty to the time I went to the United States to study for my second master's degree, I gave it a name-gap year. I used this time to think about the next direction and get in touch with social fields other than teaching. I joined the local non-profit organization and took part in the student aid activities. Go to poor counties in Wencheng, Taishun and Yongjia with volunteers to learn about the education of poor students, find suitable recipients, and organize college students to write letters of condolence to aided families in Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou. At the same time, I also launched the "beneficial recycling" environmental protection box activity to encourage citizens to donate idle old clothes and help children in poor mountainous areas spend the winter.
During this period, I have a clearer understanding of my career direction. The field of school psychological counseling attracts me deeply, and new york University is one of the most recognized fields. Of course, the scholarship amount of new york University is also considerable. The new study plan makes me look forward to solving the puzzles and problems in my work.
Learning is a marathon.
In my family education concept, the purpose of going to school at each stage is different: primary school sees the world and cultivates character; Middle school lays a foundation and develops habits; Universities seek knowledge and master skills; Work long experience, test true knowledge. If you encounter problems at work, then the postgraduate stage is the process of answering questions. I think learning is a marathon. Lifelong learning, lifelong benefit.
In primary school, schoolwork is relatively easy, and children have enough time to experience life and explore nature. So I thought, since I have this opportunity, why not take my children to study abroad? I hope to give him a relatively broad platform, broaden his horizons and understand his interests.
Of course, I can go abroad to continue my studies, which depends on the understanding and support of my family. Because of their encouragement and trust, I can concentrate on my studies and start over with my children.
However, taking children abroad to study is very different from a happy trip. I feel great challenges in raising children, taking care of my studies, managing my life and how to balance everything in the new environment. Especially when I first arrived in new york, my children had to adapt to the new language environment, and I also had to adapt to the fast pace of catching up with papers. As a result, staying up late has become a common practice.
Fortunately, my previous study abroad experience gave me some psychological construction and experience preparation, which saved me a lot of time for trial and error. At present, I am also exploring more effective learning methods. For example, when waiting in line and taking the subway, I will integrate my spare time to improve my learning efficiency. Moreover, on the subway in new york, you can always see all kinds of people, whether students or office workers, holding a thick book in their hands. The pace here is very fast, and everyone is racing against time.
Everything goes with the flow
After coming to the United States, some friends always ask me how it feels for my children to go to school in the United States. American primary education has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that the basic skills of mathematics are not as solid as those of domestic primary schools. Emphasize the cultivation of reading strategies and critical thinking ability. The school gave each child a library card of the New York Public Library, which allowed him to borrow 50 books at a time.
The schools here pay attention to experience education and character education, such as spreading goodwill activities, caring education (giving gifts to each other on Valentine's Day), professional experience (visiting museums and fire stations), and setting up basketball teams to cultivate team spirit. Teachers attach great importance to communication with parents. There are various forms of parent-teacher meetings here, including class discussion and one-on-one communication between parents and teachers.
Of course, for children, everything here is fresh, and there must be many differences compared with China. The original intention of taking my child abroad to study is to provide him with a relatively broad platform to broaden his horizons, explore nature and experience life. A friend once asked me before, does he understand that it is so small? I can't answer that. I only know that people's cognitive ability starts from the moment they open their eyes to see the world. I don't expect him to remember every scenery, say every place name, or write every allusion. I only hope he can vaguely realize that there are not only yellow skin and black hair in the world, but also white chocolate and dark chocolate; There are not only my values in the world, but also yours, others' and even others'; There is no absolute truth and authoritative theory in the world, only a scientific and healthy world outlook that has been explored and verified.
I don't think much about my son's future. Everything is natural.
Rachel is currently studying in new york, and her dream is to contribute to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents in the future. If you have the same pursuit, or want to discuss with Rachel about taking your baby to study abroad, and want to know the secrets and experiences of keeping a balance in raising children, studying and managing life, please leave your questions in the comments at the end of the article. Jingkids will collect and sort it out, and talk to Rachel at any time to discuss all aspects of taking the baby to study abroad!
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Rachel Huang, a graduate student majoring in social work in new york University, a master of education in Reading University, a high school English teacher who has worked for ten years, a public welfare enthusiast and an environmentalist. ——