The Surprising Reality of Global Education: The Era of International School Kids Advancing to N High School and ZEN University
"I went to all the trouble of putting them in an international school, so why N High School or ZEN University?"—In fact, there is an increasing number of cases where children raised in international schools are moving on to online or correspondence-based education. Behind this lies an issue not of academic ability, but of "sense of belonging" and "way of life."
"Wait, from an international school to N High?"
"Is ZEN University like a correspondence school?"
"Even though you've been giving them an overseas-style education?"
Some people might think that.
But in reality, as a path for children from international schools or those raised abroad,
N High School
S High School
Online universities
Correspondence courses
Hybrid education
are becoming increasingly common choices.
And this isn't simply because "their academic ability is low."
There are positive reasons, and there are also quite difficult reasons.
That is hard to see from the outside.
That is why "Education Chat Space: Snack Michishirube" is intentionally taking up the topics of N High School and ZEN University.
We are now in an era where even in the United States, the "meaning of going to university" is being questioned.
Graduating from a top-tier university does not guarantee a stable career.
On the other hand, the term "blue-collar millionaire" is gaining attention,
and more young people are finding appeal in a lifestyle where they acquire a trade and use their skills to play an active role on the world stage.
Aiming for overseas to become a sushi chef—that is one such choice.
Until now, it was considered the "royal road" that if you attended an international school,
the next step would be to advance to an overseas university.
However, we are now in an era where advancing to an overseas university is not the goal in itself.
What is important is self-understanding:
"What kind of life do I want to lead?"
"What kind of way do I want to work?"
And thinking about your path by working backward from the path you chose yourself.
That is precisely why the generation of parents who have sent their children to international schools
may also be at a timing where they need to update their "exit strategies" from the past.
Success is not limited to going from an overseas university to a large corporation.
Working in the world with skills as your weapon.
Making what you love your job.
Living life in a way that is true to yourself.
As such new values spread,
more than "which school to attend,"
we are in an era where "how one wants to live" is being questioned.
Observing the trends of such an era,
instead of an "overseas university,"
Ko-san chose the paths of "sushi chef" and "Zen University."
At the Education Chat Snack Michishirube on May 15th, we will hear about the background of that decision, as well as learning and careers in the coming era.
For children today, rather than the "school" itself,
"Affiliation" and "Way of Life"
are the factors defining how they choose their paths.
Take international schools, for example.
From the outside,
English proficiency
freedom
global
overseas university
there is a glamorous image like that.
Of course, there are children who thrive in that environment.
But on the other hand,
it doesn't fit
it's exhausting
the competition is too intense
cannot feel a sense of belonging
weak connection to Japanese society
poor at self-management
Cannot see a future vision
There are actually quite a few children who say that.
A group that has been increasing recently in particular is
the "brilliant but burned-out child."
They are.
They can speak English.
They have overseas experience.
But,
they are in a state of "not knowing what they want to do."
This is actually happening quite a lot in the global education scene.
This is actually happening quite a lot in the global education scene.
In such cases,
mandatory daily attendance
being tied down from morning to evening
peer pressure
competition based on deviation scores
to be painful for some children.
That is why,
cases are emerging where they flow into
N High School or ZEN University, where they can "learn at their own pace."
Of course, there are also positive reasons.
For example,
Want to start a business
Want to engage in creative activities
Want to connect with the world
Want to learn in a way that fits the AI era
Want to design my own schedule
These are the kinds of kids.
For these children, online and autonomous education models are a very good fit.
In fact, from the N High School system,
entrepreneurship
IT
creative work
studying abroad
are paths that more and more students are taking.
However, what is important here is that
"freedom" is actually difficult
to handle.
This is a theme I have been discussing for a long time at Michishirube as well.
Freedom is not easy.
Rather, it requires
self-understanding
Self-management
Emotional control
Sense of belonging
Ability to ask questions
If these are weak, you will suddenly become isolated.
That is why I,
"N High School is good"
"Regular school is bad"
do not want to talk about things like that.
Rather,
"What is the design that suits that child?"
I want to think about that.
This is the reason why I feature N High School and ZEN University as a guidepost.
In the current education scene,
deviation scores
school brand
English proficiency
acceptance to overseas universities
only "results" like these are talked about.
But in reality,
is that child feeling secure?
Whether they feel they belong
Whether they can choose their own life path
—these things are often more important in the long run.
In fact, for kids moving from international schools to N High School-related programs,
it's not so much that they
"hate school"
but rather that they
don't fit in with the current school system.
I get the impression that many are like this.
And that is by no means a bad thing.
That is why at "Michishirube" (Signpost),
N High School
ZEN University
correspondence education
online universities
and similar themes are also covered.
Because in the coming era,
these will not be
"paths outside the norm"
but rather
have the potential to become "new options."
However, at the same time,
the freer the path,
the more the parents' ability to plan
is put to the test.
Not neglect,
and not micromanagement,
but the ability to observe,
engage in dialogue,
and make adjustments.
I believe that is what parental strength will be about from now on.