The best days of our lives

By on August 5, 2008

Expensive, but eye-opening, rewarding and a springboard to excellent further education and fulfilling careers ahead – looking back, that’s how I would describe the international school experience in Tokyo, in a sentence. But don’t just take my word for it. Here are the testimonies of three other veterans who lived the experience and would have their own kids live it too: “Tom” (1), class of ’97, St. Mary’s International School; “Goody” (2), class of ’97, Seisen International School; and “Bill” (3), class of ’03, the American School in Japan.

Did your school experience shape your career choices?
1: I think the freedom I had to explore what I was interested during high school played a role in where I am now.
2: I’ve learned to balance pushing my limits and finding a comfort zone, which probably explains my current job (quantitative role at an investment bank). Team work is also rewarding. I may not stick to this job forever, but my career choice will always be based on cool people and intellectual satisfaction.
3: Yes! I am now in the process of obtaining a teaching license to become an elementary school teacher. I had to make a few stops on the way, but I finally realized what I wanted to do with my life and my positive experience at school was a determining factor leading to my decision.

Would you put your kids through the same?
1: I think if I had kids and I was living overseas, then I would certainly consider sending them to an international school.
2: If it works financially, then yes.
3: If I could financially afford it I would do so.

What do you see as the benefits of international school?
1: By far, the exposure to different cultures and viewpoints, but also the sense of community that we shared at the end of the day.
2: You learn to appreciate other people when you are exposed to different languages, cultures, trends, etc. everyday.
3: The most significantbenefit is learning with students from all over the world. The diversity makes lasses more interesting and leads to a lifetime of global connections. Another point is that the student-teacher ratio is low. There is greater attention to each student and students feel more comfortable participating in class. Finally, international schools are generally rather competitive and this sets the bar high, encouraging higher expectations of students.

Was there a particular teacher that made a difference, and what would you tell him/her now?
1: Yes. I’d thank him for all the help he gave me back then.
2: Most encouraged us to pursue our curiosities but never be bound by assumptions or allow biases to taint our perception of the world.
3: There were many teachers who made a difference. If I met them now I would thank them. As a preservice teacher now I finally understand the challenges of being a teacher. Therefore, I would also apologize for the occasional disrespect I showed.

If you were to go back today and address the entire school at assembly, what would you talk about?
1: The fact that they should take full advantage of everything they have available to them now – and that may mean going outside your comfort zone.
2: Find something you are willing to pursue no matter what, and don’t be afraid to change horses mid-stream.
3: I would tell them to be as active as they can. I would want the students to enjoy school in every possible way – through friends, classes, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and hobbies. I would ask them to try hard at everything they do, to take risks, and to set high expectations. The greater the effort, the greater the reward.

Extracurricular activity highlights?
1: Winning a few awards here and there.
2: Music. I did film production, and played in the orchestra, jazz band, musical pit band, as well as battle of the bands. I met lots of kids from other schools in the Kanto area, and still keep in touch with my high school music friends.
3: My favorite extracurricular activity was the One Act Play, the school drama class. Others that I joined were Brainbowl and Debate.

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