Chapter 11: Leaving the Japanese Education System to Attend High School in New Zealand by Louise George Kittaka
Abstract
As parents, we generally expect that our children will live with us at least until the end of high school. However, for some intercultural families whose children have been hitherto educated in the Japanese system, the parting may come sooner. In this chapter, I discuss factors involved in sending a child abroad for high school while parents remained in Japan, including the reasons families seek alternatives outside of the Japanese system, and some of the practical issues involved. (While there are exceptions, in this context “abroad” is considered the home country of a non-Japanese parent.) This chapter focuses on our family’s experiences with sending our three children to high school in New Zealand. While each family’s journey—indeed, each child’s journey—is unique, it is hoped that this chapter will offer some insights for other families contemplating a similar path.
About the Contributor
Louise George Kittaka lectures at Shirayuri Women’s University in Tokyo. As a freelance writer, her work has appeared in a wide variety of media, including as a regular columnist and features writer for The Japan Times, and she has contributed to numerous English textbooks, study guides and national exams. She is also an independent cross-cultural training consultant working with international families. Louise holds an MA in Intercultural Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Citation
Kittaka, G. L. (2020). Leaving the Japanese education system to attend high school in New Zealand. In M. L. Cook & L. G. Kittaka (Eds.), Intercultural families and schooling in Japan: Experiences, issues, and challenges (pp. 267-290). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/12/11
As parents, we generally expect that our children will live with us at least until the end of high school. However, for some intercultural families whose children have been hitherto educated in the Japanese system, the parting may come sooner. In this chapter, I discuss factors involved in sending a child abroad for high school while parents remained in Japan, including the reasons families seek alternatives outside of the Japanese system, and some of the practical issues involved. (While there are exceptions, in this context “abroad” is considered the home country of a non-Japanese parent.) This chapter focuses on our family’s experiences with sending our three children to high school in New Zealand. While each family’s journey—indeed, each child’s journey—is unique, it is hoped that this chapter will offer some insights for other families contemplating a similar path.
About the Contributor
Louise George Kittaka lectures at Shirayuri Women’s University in Tokyo. As a freelance writer, her work has appeared in a wide variety of media, including as a regular columnist and features writer for The Japan Times, and she has contributed to numerous English textbooks, study guides and national exams. She is also an independent cross-cultural training consultant working with international families. Louise holds an MA in Intercultural Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Citation
Kittaka, G. L. (2020). Leaving the Japanese education system to attend high school in New Zealand. In M. L. Cook & L. G. Kittaka (Eds.), Intercultural families and schooling in Japan: Experiences, issues, and challenges (pp. 267-290). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/12/11
Information About the Book
Title: Intercultural Families and Schooling in Japan: Experiences, Issues, and Challenges
Editors: Melodie Lorie Cook and Louise George Kittaka
Publication date: 24 September 2020
Read more...
Title: Intercultural Families and Schooling in Japan: Experiences, Issues, and Challenges
Editors: Melodie Lorie Cook and Louise George Kittaka
Publication date: 24 September 2020
Read more...