[Honest Q&A] Are you lost in educational migration or international schooling? Four guides discuss 'how to choose in an age without answers' [12/19 Free Session Preview]

Should I enroll them in an international school? Is overseas education right for us? When should I focus on English? To face the uncertainties that have no clear answers, we bring you 'decision-making criteria' from a Q&A with the four organizers of Michishirube.

Hello, this is Betty, the real-life Mencius's mother.

With topics like 'educational migration,' 'international schools,' and 'bilingual education,' the internet is filled with glamorous success stories, but I know the truth (bitter laugh).
I know how many families are struggling, lost, and sometimes standing still behind the scenes.
Because all of us raising children in this VUCA era are like frontier pioneers walking paths where none existed before.That is why.

That is exactly why I wanted to create
a place where we can talk more honestly!

With that thought in mind, I launched the monthly online educational chat space
called 'Snack Michishirube'.

In this article, to give those interested in Michishirube a sense of the atmosphere, I, Betty, conducted a

Q&A style interview with the three people I co-organize with: Yuriko, Chikako Dean, and Mai Urano.・What kind of experience and expertise does each person have?・What kind of real talk can you hear in this space?・What should parents know to avoid getting lost in education?

There are answers here that will gently support the back of anyone who feels, 'Is it okay for us to keep going like this?'

Michishirube is not a place that forces 'correct' answers on you.
It is a place where you can meet 'adults who speak honestly' and feel safe while being lost.
If you get tired of being lost, let's take a break at the snack bar with a beer!

December 19th Snack Michishirube - Free!

The 'Money Talk' session.
For this one time, please listen for free to our stories about spending over 100 million yen of our own money on education!

It is titled,

'How much do you need by age 18? A night to talk about ROI on education and scholarship grants with numbers.'

!

■ To Mai Urano (Education costs, scholarships, ROI)

Q. How should we decide the 'ceiling for education costs'?

Decide based on the 'household budget ratio,' not the amount.
Calculate backward from your current household budget, future income prospects, and the end goal of the education.
Not 'how much can we spend?'
but 'how far can we go back?' as the standard.

Q. How can we aim for overseas education without upsetting the balance of our household budget?

Think of going abroad as a means, not an end, and do it partially rather than fully.
Decide on the duration and the exit strategy, and design it so you can return.

Q. Please explain the concept of ROI in terms of recouping educational expenses.

Think not of educational expenses as 'how much will they earn in the future,'
but rather 'how much have you expanded their life choices.'

Success is not about how much your annual income is, but rather:
Can they choose their own career path?
Can they make decisions to change their environment?
Is their income source not dependent on just one thing?
Can they succeed even if they change countries or industries?
Can they get back on their feet without parental support?
When these five things are in place, a structure for recouping the investment is created.

Q. How do you actually look for grant-type scholarships?

Check national, foundation, local government, and school-specific ones
at the same time.
Not just one, but multiple, on a yearly basis.

Q. How much do you talk to your children about money?

I don't tell them everything, but I don't hide it either.
What's important is how you communicate it, and when and how much you say.
The content of the conversation changes depending on their age.

Saying things like 'we can't afford it because we don't have money,' 'it's too expensive,' or 'that's not what normal people choose' is a bad way to put it, as it leads directly to self-denial.

In our home, we don't give the answers.
For example, we ask, 'How much do you think this career path would cost?' and make them think for themselves and come up with the numbers.

Q. Is studying abroad really cost-effective?

Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't.
People have expectations like becoming fluent in English or becoming a global talent, but there are no guarantees.

Having a clear exit strategy, being connected to systems within Japan, having a design that allows for a return to Japan, and diversifying costs.
This is the pattern that leads to high cost-effectiveness.

Q. What kind of education has the highest investment return?

Language, critical thinking, and self-determination.
It is best when these are nurtured simultaneously.
Looking at it from a family perspective,
parents don't demand answers, they think about money and career paths together, turn failures into opportunities, and have multiple options.

Having only a high academic background or only being able to do what you are told tends to result in a lower return.

It's not about where you went, but what kind of strength you can bring back with you. This is the education with the highest return.

■ Yuriko (Success and failure of migration to Malaysia and Canada)

Q. What do you think is the reason you didn't struggle much with moving abroad?

I didn't have trouble with my child's English acquisition. I think the reason is that their Japanese proficiency was high.

I also didn't have trouble obtaining local information. Because I actively participated in and cooperated with school events, I was able to make local mom friends early on.

I think these two points are where people tend to stumble at first, so I believe it is important to be prepared for them.

Q. What were the difficulties you faced in Malaysia?

There are many bugs, the service providers are unreliable, and I had trouble getting my security deposit back, but you can manage (laughs).

Q. How did you compare local international schools?

I went to see them with my own eyes and chose a school with an atmosphere similar to my child's school in Japan.

Q. How did you handle your child's mental care?

I tried to grasp the situation first by being by their side and secretly going to check on how they were doing at school. I promised to listen to them, ask for their reasons, and negotiate with them (e.g., if they wanted to take a day off school).

Q. What kind of home support did you provide when their English was weak?

I hired a tutor and sent them to an English cram school. I tried various things that came to mind, but at home, I only had them read books and write a diary.

Q. What are the pitfalls of education you discovered compared to Japan?

Since the students' nationalities, native languages, cultures, and qualities are diverse, there is no fixed route. The fact that it is hard to find the pitfalls is a pitfall itself, so I made sure not to overlook anything by visiting the site and listening to people.

Q. Where do you get local career information?

School teachers and reliable local senior moms are the most reliable sources of information. At that time, I am careful to think about 'what kind of position the person speaking is in' and consider the meaning for myself, and I also try to look at things from many perspectives.

Q. I don't understand the criteria for choosing IB or AP.

Whether their strengths are broad or narrow, and whether they are strong academically.

Q. About Japanese education at home.

I had them continuously exposed to Japanese so that they wouldn't lose or would acquire Japanese proficiency. If anything, I paid more attention to creating a system and improving motivation. I prepared many small tricks by 'changing my approach'.

Q. I want to maintain my Japanese skills! I want to acquire Japanese skills even while abroad! If I can only do one thing, what should I do?

Reading.
Reading aloud is especially recommended.

Q. I want to acquire English skills quickly! If I can only do one thing outside of school, what should I do?

Listening to English audio sources.
Reading while listening to audiobooks is recommended. Also, watching your favorite movies repeatedly is good.
When you are a beginner, you can aim for 90% input.

(For adults, I recommend starting with pronunciation, but since children acquire pronunciation quickly, the best thing is to listen to a lot of content that they can understand at least half of.)

Q. International schools in Malaysia. How many years make it worth going?

It is worth going for any number of years, but no matter how long you go, it is important to plan so that you can return to the Japanese education system.
Also, it is rare to become fluent in just one year. It takes about three years to sound like you can speak English. And if you return to Japan, you will almost certainly forget it.

Q. Is English in Malaysia the same as English in Canada?

Not only the pronunciation but also the vocabulary is quite different. My children said, 'When I came to Canada, I realized this is what real English is.'

Q. Are expensive international schools better?

It is highly likely that a school with higher tuition is a better international school, so if you can afford it without strain, I think that is good.
However, there are 'good international schools' even if the tuition is low.
In terms of cost-performance, I feel that lower tuition offers better 'cost-performance.'
It depends on what you are looking for in a school, though.

Q. What separates success from failure in studying abroad? What is the secret to success in a word?

I think the secret is to view events as either 'success' or 'experience.'
Because failures and setbacks are 'valuable experiences' as long as you overcome them.

I think it is important to watch over your child's progress and maintain parent-child communication so that they can believe in that.
I was careful about how I chose my words.

■ Chikako Dean (Career x Overseas x English)

Q. When should I start English? Is it too late?

To conclude,
'The earlier, the better. But it is never too late.'

Certainly,
• The ability to distinguish English sounds (phonological awareness) is easiest to develop by around age 6.
• Therefore, the earlier you are exposed to English, the better.

This is also demonstrated by the research of
Dr. Patricia Kuhl, a leading expert in language studies.

▶︎ Reference Video
'Babies are language geniuses'

However, what is important is that

The idea that you cannot learn English after age 6
→ That is a misconception

As you get older, you can use:
• Comprehension
• Thinking skills
• Learning strategies

to develop English through a different route.

Q. How common is the choice not to go to an overseas university?

Realistically,
• Japanese students who go on to overseas universities are still in the minority

But in fact, even after entering a Japanese university, there are:
• Undergraduate study abroad
• Exchange programs
• Double degree programs
• Overseas graduate school

There are many opportunities.

At that time, what many Japanese people stumble over is
👉 Listening
• Cannot understand lectures
• Cannot join discussions
• Lose confidence

That is why,

Regardless of whether you go abroad or not,
listening skills are 'future insurance'

Being able to speak English changes
whether or not you can 'have' options.

Q. When should I start career planning?

In many cases,
• Students choose between humanities/sciences in their first year of high school

In other words,

It is recommended to start thinking about your career
by around the second year of junior high school at the latest

What is important here is not 'deciding on a profession,' but
• What you seem to be good at
• What kind of learning style suits you
• What kind of options you want to keep for the future

is to start thinking about these things little by little.

Q. Points to consider when thinking about international schools

If you are considering an international school,

things you should think about before deciding 'whether to enroll'

👉 Where is the exit (goal) of the education?
• Japanese university?
• Overseas university?
• Employment in Japan?
• Employment overseas?

It is ideal to think about this
• before enrollment
• or at the point you start thinking 'I want to enroll them'

from the very beginning.

If the exit is not clear,
both parent and child are likely to get lost along the way.

Q. What children say honestly

Having talked to over 500 children so far,
many of them say in unison,

'I don't want to struggle with money'

This is
• not so much about wanting to be extravagant,
• but rather not wanting to lower the standard of living their parents provided

a very realistic sense.

That is precisely why,

it is important for parents to know the 'trends of society'
regarding how much annual income their child will need in the future.

Rather than just relying on intuition,
• changes in the world
• the structure of work
• required skills

educational planning based on these factors is necessary.

Q. How to balance with Japanese entrance exams (middle school, high school, university)?

The key points are,
• not to go all-in on English only
• but also not to 'put English on the back burner'

English is
• a subject,
• a skill,
• and a future weapon.

The earlier you build the foundation, the easier the exam period will be.

Q. Cases where English proficiency doesn't lead to career success

Actually, there are quite a few.

Common scenarios include:
• Fluent in English but lacking expertise
• Fluent in English but lacking character or reliability

English is merely a 'tool'.

Without being someone who can actually do something,
the reality is that it is difficult to be consistently valued.

Q. What leadership is truly needed for studying abroad or working overseas?

Beyond language skills, the following are required:
• Having a growth mindset
• Being able to receive feedback
• Being able to provide feedback in a way that is easy for the other person to accept
• Being able to say, 'I can take responsibility in this field'
• Being able to think of things as one's own responsibility
• Communication skills that allow for collaboration with others

In this regard, I highly recommend the movie:

🎬 Coach Carter

It is a film I want parents and children to watch together
to think about English, education, and leadership.

In conclusion

English is not an 'end goal,' but a means to expand the future.
• The earlier you start, the more advantageous
• But with the right design, you can improve at any age
• What matters is the 'exit strategy' and 'foundation as a human being'

Whether parents can adopt this perspective
will significantly change their child's options.

■ To the real Meng Mu, Betty (Educational Migration x Exit Strategy)

Q. What were the criteria and timing for your decision to migrate?

I considered the upper limit (around age 10) for switching the language of instruction based on the child's development. However, in reality, we migrated to Japan (a public elementary school in Okinawa) due to external factors caused by changes in Hong Kong's political situation. Even if you have a plan, things don't always go as ideally as expected, so I think flexibility is important.

Q. What was the 'most painful failure' you learned from in your three migrations?

The most painful one was, 'The Dutch public IB international school was good, but I wish I had searched more carefully for a school that didn't require learning Dutch.'
Since both my eldest and second daughters entered from middle school (MYP), they had to start Spanish from scratch and Dutch from scratch, and those two ran in parallel for two years.
We had no intention of immigrating to the Netherlands, so I didn't want my children to learn Dutch, and I wish there had been a flexible curriculum where that time spent learning Dutch could have been used effectively for other things.
Well, such a school might not have existed even if I had looked for one...

Other minor mistakes

1. When entering the Netherlands, I booked a flight ticket (intending to throw it away) because I thought I would be asked to show a return ticket. Thinking about it, Europe is connected by land, so I should have booked a return trip by land, such as a FlixBus, and been able to show that. I wasted about 130,000 yen.
2. Both when moving to the Netherlands and when moving back to Okinawa, I had no choice but to sign a contract for a newly built property (due to a housing shortage), but both were delayed by three weeks, and I ended up living in a hotel during that time. I wasted a total of 600,000 yen between the two. If you can sign a lease, a building that is already completed is definitely safer.
3. I wish I had done more with my children's Japanese reading and writing.
4. I should have persisted in asking schools about credit transfer between international schools beforehand.

Q. How do you decide on your exit strategy for educational migration?

When there is a goal, and after calculating the cost-performance, it becomes unbalanced (meaning a better option could be taken with this money).

In our case, the initial goal was to obtain 'European residency' for two children within five years and have them enter a European university under the 'local student' quota by the time they reached university age.
However, my second daughter decided to pursue a profession in Japan that requires a national qualification, so she was not in a position to attend an international school abroad; rather, what she needed was Japanese and knowledge of compulsory education in Japanese!
Therefore, my second daughter returned to Japan to take the entrance exam for returnee students.
At this point, I was living alone with my eldest daughter, and I recalculated the cost-performance. But even with fewer people, it is difficult to find a house where living expenses (especially housing costs) drop by 30%, and it is hard to rent a small house...
And then, in February 2025, came the news of the enactment of the bill for free higher education in Japan!
Thanks to Chikako-san, I knew which international school in Okinawa was covered by this, and I knew the inside story of that school.
I immediately had my eldest daughter take the transfer exam for that school.
I fundamentally re-evaluated the cost-performance, thinking that with the saved housing costs and government support, I could help my eldest daughter become a child who can enter a European university 'as an international student,' even if I give up on European residency or university admission at local prices.

Q. When did you feel that the country or school was not a good fit?

The climate and the food. The Netherlands... well, Protestant countries are...

Q. How did you protect your child's heart when making the decision to return?

I provide them with an internet environment and pocket money to exchange gifts so that they can continue to maintain relationships with their close friends there.
Also, I listen to my child a lot (just listening is enough).

Q. How did you build a community after moving?

I often got to know Japanese people through introductions from friends or school connections.
Other than that, I don't expect too much from the local community and cherish my own friends even if they are far away.

Q. How did you support your child during the period when their language was wavering?

I made it possible for them to watch a lot of anime in that language.

Q. When is the best time: elementary school, junior high school, or high school?

If you are considering an exit strategy for educational migration, go in the lower grades of elementary school, and always keep the option of returning to the Japanese stream from junior high school if something happens. I think it can be designed more flexibly if parents are moving as immigrants. There is a lot of English education that can be done at home (even while in Japan).

Q. What was the reason for deciding not to aim for overseas universities?

In my second daughter's case, she decided herself that she wanted to pursue a profession in Japan that requires a national qualification, so she needed exams in Japanese and knowledge of Japanese compulsory education.
Conversely, my eldest daughter is aiming for an overseas university.

Education is not a journey to find the right answer, but an adventure where parents keep updating themselves, isn't it?
I thought about this again after doing the Q&A with the three of them.
Everyone is lost.
Even we waver every time.
That is exactly why we need a place where we can speak honestly.

Michishirube is a place where experienced people share the 'behind-the-scenes' of a world that doesn't run on platitudes.
I would be happy if this adds even one more axis of judgment for you, who are lost.

Come whenever you are tired.
Since it's a snack bar, the people who come after being lost are the most common (laughs).

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