Public school programs do a great job of teaching the general population of students. However, public education might not always be the best fit for some students. Teenagers who get bored in school run the risk of becoming apathetic or allowing their grades to drop. Whether your teen has expressed the need for a greater challenge, or you sense this need as a parent, consider sharing these talking points about going to high school at sea with your family.
Immerse Them In a Global Environment
Students who live in the same area for most of their life may not have many opportunities to learn about the rest of the world. Study abroad programs are all about helping students make international connections. Students come from all over the world to these programs, and your teen will make friends on the ship that they might never have met in person. They'll also learn from educators from other countries, and events are part of the educational activities on port days where they can truly immerse themselves in other cultures.
Help Them Develop a Growth Mindset
Has your teen ever been required to adapt to a completely foreign environment? The staff at high schools that offer programs at sea go out of their way to help students feel comfortable, but there is a definite growth process that occurs when someone goes from living at home to a more independent environment. On the boat, students are asked to contribute to the community, which builds character traits such as resilience and accountability.
Provide Unique Extracurricular Opportunities
Academics are only one part of the equation of raising a well-rounded child. While at sea, your teen will be given the opportunity to try new things. They might decide to take an art lesson from a local professional at a port that inspires them to explore their creative side. They'll also be able to engage in activities such as sports, band, and theater with a global emphasis.
Keep Them Engaged With Challenging Coursework
Simply moving to a program with new instructors gives your child the challenge of adapting to new expectations. The staff in a study abroad program provide rigorous courses that are designed to help students think about each subject in new ways. Many of the courses take the general content a step above what you find in public programs by incorporating global elements that expand your child's knowledge.
For more information about study abroad programs, contact a local educational program, like A+ World Academy.
When my kids got old enough to start school, I knew that there had to be something I could do to help them out. I wanted them to feel confident in their abilities to take care of things, and so I worked hard with them to reinforce daily school lessons. I talked with them each day about what they learned and worked with them carefully to take care of homework, and within a few days, things were going better. I wanted to start a blog to encourage other parents to implement more educational opportunities at home, since it can have a power effect for your child's education.