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]]>If you don’t address this soon, the fear is real that you might abandon your writing aspirations, leaving your stories untold and your potential unmet.
Fortunately, I bring good news. After decades in the writing industry and publishing numerous books, some of which have graced the prestigious lists of bestsellers, I’ve developed a foolproof method to eradicate Writer’s Block from my life. It’s a method tested through time and experience, and I’m here to share it with you.
So, what’s the secret? It’s simple yet revolutionary: I treat Writer’s Block not as an insurmountable barrier but as a manageable challenge.
Yes, you might protest, claiming, “But I’m stuck right now!” I understand completely. I’ve been there, on days when I’d rather do anything than write. However, I’ve discovered the keys to unlocking continuous creativity, ensuring I’m never hindered by a lack of words.
How is it possible to dismiss Writer’s Block as a myth while so many suffer from it daily? Let’s delve deeper and examine this together. By understanding the underlying issues and rethinking our approach, we can transform this dreaded block into a stepping stone for success.
Now that the introduction is set, how would you like to proceed with the next section on defining Writer’s Block?
What Exactly Is Writer’s Block? Insights Every Writer Should Know
Writer’s Block often feels like an unbreakable barrier to creativity, but what exactly is it? It’s commonly perceived as a relentless force that keeps writers from producing content, yet it’s often a mask for deeper, more intricate issues.
It’s about the factors that invisibly weigh down on a writer’s psyche. Whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or external pressures, these elements converge to create a blockade against creative expression.
Identifying and addressing these underlying issues is the first step towards reclaiming your creativity and productivity. By understanding what Writer’s Block really represents, you are better equipped to tackle it head-on and emerge victorious, ready to write again.
This segment sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the real causes behind Writer’s Block, preparing us to dive into the specific challenges that writers face. Shall we move on to the next section, where we discuss these causes in detail?
Tackling the Root Causes of Writer’s Block
Let’s explore the four predominant causes and the actionable strategies to overcome them.
Cause #1: Fear Fear is perhaps the most paralyzing emotion for writers. Fear of inadequacy, fear of failure, fear of judgment—these are just a few of the daunting feelings that can prevent a writer from even starting. But here’s the thing: it’s okay to be scared. I’ve felt it with every book I’ve started, no matter how many I’ve written before. The key is not to let fear dictate your actions.
Solution: Embrace your fears. Accept them as a sign that you care deeply about your work. Then, use that energy to fuel your writing. Let fear drive you to research more, practice more, and ultimately, improve. Turn fear into a motivator rather than a barrier.
Cause #2: Procrastination Procrastination is often seen as the writer’s worst enemy, yet it can also be a misunderstood ally. It’s not just about being lazy or distracted; sometimes, it’s your brain’s way of telling you it needs more time to process or create.
Solution: Integrate procrastination into your writing process. Schedule it as you would any other part of your work. Allow yourself time to step away, knowing that sometimes, the best ideas come when you’re not actively trying to force them. This managed approach can transform procrastination from a foe to a friend. When I feel procrastination creeping in, I start generating a bunch of papers on the PaperTyper website. This allows me to have a fun brainstorming session because you never know what AI might write on a given topic. Sometimes, I even start arguing with ChatGPT to kickstart critical thinking processes in my mind.
Cause #3: Perfectionism Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it drives you to produce high-quality work. On the other, it can stop you from writing altogether because the fear of not achieving perfection can be overwhelming.
Solution: Practice separating the writing and editing phases. Allow yourself to write freely, without judgment, in your initial drafts. Remind yourself that editing is where you refine and perfect, not during the creative flow of initial writing.
Cause #4: Distractions In our connected world, distractions are more prevalent than ever. From social media notifications to household chores, countless interruptions can break your writing flow.
Solution: Create a dedicated writing space and time where distractions are minimized. Inform family and friends of your writing schedule to reduce interruptions, and use tools like website blockers to keep online distractions at bay.
By understanding and addressing these four causes, you can create a personalized toolkit to combat Writer’s Block effectively. Ready to explore additional strategies that can further enhance your writing productivity?
Further Techniques to Defeat Writer’s Block
Here are several effective techniques to keep the words flowing:
- Set Manageable Goals: Begin with small, achievable writing targets. This could mean writing a certain number of words daily or setting aside a specific time each day dedicated solely to writing. This habit not only builds momentum but also reinforces a routine that can help bypass periods of blockage.
- Lower Your Expectations: Understand that not every writing session will yield your best work, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is consistency. Keep writing regularly, and refine your drafts later. This approach reduces the pressure that can lead to blockages.
- Familiarize Yourself with Your Characters and Setting: Spend time developing your story’s characters and exploring your setting in depth. This familiarity can spark new ideas and make the writing process smoother and more engaging.
- Read Widely and Often: Good writers are voracious readers. Immerse yourself in a diverse range of texts. This not only improves your understanding of different writing styles but can also inspire new ideas and approaches in your own work.
- Take Scheduled Breaks: Sometimes, stepping away from your work is exactly what you need. Breaks can prevent burnout and refresh your mind. Engage in activities that relax you and return to your writing with a new perspective.
- Begin at the End: Knowing the ending of your story can provide a clear direction for your writing, making it easier to plot the course and fill in the details as you go.
- Brainstorm Without Barriers: Set a timer and jot down any and all ideas without worrying about grammar, structure, or feasibility. This unfiltered creativity can often lead to viable paths through your narrative blocks.
- Change Your Environment: A new writing environment can stimulate creativity. Whether it’s a quiet park, a bustling coffee shop, or a different room in your house, a change of scenery might be just what you need to rekindle your enthusiasm for writing.
- End Your Writing Sessions Mid-Idea: Like Ernest Hemingway, stop when you know what comes next. This technique keeps your mind engaged and makes it easier to begin during your next writing session.
- Utilize Tools: Consider using apps and software designed to block distractions and keep you focused. Tools like Cold Turkey can help manage your digital environment to support sustained writing periods.
With the detailed exploration of techniques to combat writer’s block, you’re well-equipped to revive your writing journey and make substantial progress on your projects. Each strategy offers a unique approach to overcoming the common obstacles that all writers face at some point. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced author, these methods can be tailored to your individual needs and writing style.
Remember, the key to conquering writer’s block is a combination of self-awareness, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt. By understanding the root causes and applying practical solutions, you can enhance your writing productivity and maintain a steady flow of creativity.
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]]>The post Preparing Our Youth for the Global Marketplace appeared first on Global School Access.
]]>We are the world; all of us together occupying the same space with undeniable commonalities, divided by region yet more connected than ever through advances in technology and increased mobility. We have before us the unprecedented opportunity for unity and advancement with education as our platform. Imperative to our future in areas such as environmental sustainability, economic development, and diplomatic relations between nations is preparing students to be globally competent individuals who understand our interconnected world. The youth of today will need to be able to address real-world problems through research and innovation, weigh perspectives, and communicate ideas cross-culturally. Their success will depend on it.
Global School Access (GSA) was formed to address the growing educational needs of students worldwide. Founded in 2015, GSA is an educational organization that specializes in placing students in private schools across North America. Equipped with an experienced team of educators and international-business professionals, GSA prides itself on family-and-student-centered care including but not limited to: school selection for children in middle and high school, school and visa application processes as well as interview preparation and document handling, host-family or boarding-school selection and placement, academic support, individualized college planning, and cross-cultural training. What distinguishes GSA from its competitors is its commitment to and implementation of student support.
Because student support is essential to the success, growth, and welfare of students who are living abroad, GSA staffs Student Managers and Host Family Managers or Residential Directors (for boarding schools) in every region where students are placed in North America. Parents can rest assured that their children are being well looked after and have people to turn to and who understand the needs of students transitioning to life in a new country. Student Managers are in contact with students and parents on a regular basis and are required to visit students every month at the host family home or boarding school. Parents or guardians receive monthly reports detailing their child’s academic progress, involvement in school activities, host family or boarding school life, social engagement, etc.
Within the last few years there has been a significant shift in attitudes towards international agencies. Trust has been lost due to lack of follow through and broken promises, only to leave students in distressing situations or without an infrastructure of support thousands of miles away from home. Families have been taken advantage of financially or weren’t provided the proper tools and information to ensure the success and welfare of their children while away from home. GSA knows that every family and child needs nurture and support from the moment they make the decision to explore educational opportunities outside of their home country and from that point forward. Recognizing the disparities in student management and specialized services for international students and their parents, GSA leadership joined together committed to change the face of the industry by operating with the utmost integrity and providing quality care that families can rely on. We are parents, former teachers and school principals, and business professionals who understand that relationships are built on trust and fulfilling commitments. We are as invested as our families are in their children’s welfare and success as it impacts all of us now and in the future.
Studies indicate that the skills that students amass through their studies abroad and specifically in North America such as foreign-language acquisition, cultural awareness and sensitivity, critical and creative thinking, and the ability to communicate effectively in intercultural settings as well as to adapt to unfamiliar situations, meet the needs of multi-national companies and give students the ability to compete in the worldwide marketplace. In order to be successful, students need high-level thinking skills as well as extensive knowledge of international issues. Even more impactful are those who continue their studies abroad through the university level.
Middle and high school education serve as the entryway into the North American university system, and students who attend middle and/or high school in North America have a much higher rate of acceptance into the university system. Additionally, they are much more prepared than their classmates who remained in their home countries and applied to university from outside of North America. GSA is dedicated to helping its students build a strong educational foundation leading them to become future leaders and global citizens. At GSA we understand that nurturing the global competence of our youth will give them the capacity to thrive in diverse settings and prepare them to live, compete, and relate to others in a complex and interconnected and interdependent world.
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]]>The post Host Families – Helping Your Student Adjust appeared first on Global School Access.
]]>- “It takes a village”
International students may sometimes feel alone or that no one understands them or can help them. Often is the case that they are unsure how to ask for help or express exactly what it is that they need. They may feel unsettled or lonely, or embarrassed about issues they may not know how to address or process. All of us together (host family, school, GSA staff, and the students’ parents) serve as the “village” for our students. Students needs to know who to go to in their network and trust that they will be cared for and that their needs will be met.
Each student is assigned a Student Manager who speaks their native language. That representative serves as a support and liaison to the student, the student’s parents, GSA, host family, and school when necessary. The Student Manager visits the student at his/her host family home or boarding school each month and prepares a report for the student’s parents which encompasses the student’s academics and overall welfare.
- Clear Instructions
You may not think it’s necessary or that perhaps certain elements of life in the U.S. are obvious to others, but never assume that. For example, sometimes students don’t have cleaning or cooking responsibilities and are not accustomed to warming food in a microwave or preparing food for themselves. You might need to show your student how to prepare food, to use a microwave or dishwasher, set a table, take out the trash, clean a bathroom or bedroom, make a bed, use the washer and dryer, etc. It is possible that in their home country they do not use dryers at all. They may need to be reminded that your home is NOT a hotel and that they are a fully participating member of the household, and with that comes certain responsibilities.
Give them a tour of your home and discuss each area. Are there areas that are off limits? Are their times for certain activities, meals, family time, quiet time, homework? Where should they study? What time is light out? Keep in mind that our evening may be morning for their family outside of the U.S. and they will need time to connect with their family. It doesn’t mean they should be up until 1:00 in the morning, but it is something that should be discussed.
Do you have children? Your student may come from a single child household and have no idea how to interact with your children. They are accustomed to focusing on their studies and most likely have very little downtime or playtime for themselves or with classmates or children that are younger than them. If your student shows no interest in family activities, it is most likely because they feel uncomfortable or aren’t sure what to do. Create some structured family time with board games or other opportunities for everyone in the family to get to know each other without feeling pressured.
Do you have pets? Students may be uncomfortable or unaccustomed to having pets in a home and may not be aware of how to handle or care for an animal. Show them and let them know about your pet’s meals, privileges, care, etc. Discuss what your pet can and can’t eat, if they can go outside for play, and what to do in an emergency situation.
At school, the student will need to be shown his/her schedule and where his/her classes are, how to purchase school lunch, use a combination lock, how to address a teacher or ask for help, etc.
- Open and Honest Communication
Just like any other relationship, it takes time to cultivate the relationship and get to know each other. Now, add a new country, family structure and dynamic, expectations, possibly a new language, etc. It will take some time and challenges will arise. Communicate often and remember to speak slowly in case your student’s English isn’t at a high level of fluency. They may be self-conscious of their English and struggle to articulate how they are feeling. Allow them the time to say what they need the best way they can. Ask questions to check comprehension. Paraphrase what the student said. Use visual aids if necessary and if you use idioms or expressions, explain what they mean.
As you well know, each country has different customs and social norms. Be sensitive to different forms of communication, gestures, and body language. For example, it’s not appropriate to hug someone from China when you meet them unless they extend that affection first. It may take time before a student feels comfortable with affection at all. They may be more reserved than you are accustomed to as an American, but this does not mean they are uninterested in talking with you and your family.
- Day-to-day Life and Getting Settled
Hygiene is different around the world. It’s important to communicate what is expected in the U.S. in terms of showers, using the restroom, deodorant, perfumes, and clothing. Some students may not know that in America we don’t wear the same clothes each day. They will also need help purchasing personal care products. It can be overwhelming staring at an aisle of toothpaste at the store! You may also find a student trying to stand and squat on a toilet once in a while as they may be accustomed to squat toilets in their home country. They may also put the toilet paper in the waste bin instead of flushing it. Or flush things down the toilet that should not be.
Students will need assistance setting up a bank account and cell phone plan. Most other banks require a guardian and it is advised not to take on that liability as a host parent. A student that is 18 years of age or older can have a regular account with full access.
- You Are Not Alone!
If you are struggling with a situation, please remember that you have people around you to support you. If you have a Host Family Manager or school representative that is overseeing the host family program, reach out to that person. Speak with the student’s Student Manager about how to communicate with the student or address a cross-cultural issue. Talk to other host families who have experience hosting international students.
If the student is struggling academically, it’s critical that the school be informed and that teachers be contacted to ensure the student is getting the support that he or she needs. If a student is seemingly unmotivated or is demonstrating behavioral issues at school or in the home, chances are that is a cry for help, and help is available. It can be a sign of culture shock, being overwhelmed academically, feeling homesick or lonely. It can be hard for some international students to make friends with American students.
Enjoy the journey and take time to learn about your student’s family, culture, and language. Ask them to share a favorite dish, or teach you key expressions in their native language. Make an effort to invest in their culture as they are ours.
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]]>The post The Importance of Support While Studying Abroad appeared first on Global School Access.
]]>Beyond the thrill of becoming an international student is the need for care and support while away from one’s home country. At GSA we know that students who apply to high school abroad are capable, independent, and motivated to succeed. We also know that for most of our students, this is their first time away from home and without the support of family in their day-to-day lives. Overnight, their lives are radically different than anything they knew before; a new country, learning environment, host family or living accommodation (boarding school or house), food, cultural norms, rules and expectations, etc. It’s exciting and yet for most, quite daunting.
It’s imperative for any individual moving to a new country to have a network of support in place, a community, resources, and people to turn to when questions or challenges arise. We provide that and more for all of our students and their parents. When a family decides to work with us, we not only help them choose the best learning environment for their child, but also develop a close relationship with the entire family. We understand that it’s a big decision for everyone involved and that sending their child to a foreign country without them is a lot to prepare for both physically and emotionally.
When students arrive in their host country, they can expect to be greeted at the airport by their host family or boarding school staff member. They can also expect the support of their host family or boarding school staff as well as their school community (teachers, administrators, friends, counselors). In every city, we have Student Managers who visit students regularly at their host family home or boarding school, communicate with the students’ parents, provide monthly detailed reports (includes academic report with grades, school involvement, activities, host family or boarding school life, overall welfare), serve as a liaison to school administrators and/or teachers, and to GSA management. They are like big brothers and sisters and mentors to our students, and a safe person/place to go to when a student has concerns or needs someone to talk to. They understand the needs of our students as well as the cultural, social, and academic differences between where students are coming from and their host country. They also work closely with our Homestay Managers who have regular contact with our host families and ensure that the host families and students are both getting the nurture and support needed for a successful and positive homestay experience. This makes these changes as comfotable as possible because a student can save all their habits or daily routine (like, spending time with classmate or friends, whatching movies or playing video poker games for free) as it was before studying abroad.
What we tell our families is that GSA serves as an extended family to them and their children. We are here and available and no matter the question or concern, someone is always there. We are also here to celebrate the accomplishments of their children and help prepare them for the next steps such as applying to university and the preparation that comes with that (TOEFL and ACT courses, tutoring, individualized college planning, etc.).
Students are most successful when they have a solid educational foundation, strong and reliable network of support, and people surrounding them who have their best interests at heart. They say, “It takes a village,” and it does. GSA is the village for its families and students.
GSA MISSION STATEMENT
At Global School Access, our mission is to provide a dynamic growth experience—personally, academically, socially, and cross-culturally—for students, families, schools, and communities through exceptional care and strong partnerships, with the utmost integrity and respect, and with the goal of excellence. We aim to inspire young people to be happy, successful, and good global citizens, and to be viewed as the premier organization for international education by the families we work with, our partners, and our employees.
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]]>The post GSA Interview with Returned International Student Johanna Lam appeared first on Global School Access.
]]>Above: Johanna Lam (far right) with her host family at her U.S. high school graduation in 2019.
International student returnee Johanna Lam from Andhra Pradesh, India, took some time from her busy schedule to talk with Global School Access (GSA) and share about her unique and life-changing study abroad experience. Johanna spoke frankly about challenges she faced and how she coped with being far away from family. But her message to students and parents who may still be on the fence about study abroad was clear: “Just go, enjoy, experience everything!”
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GSA: Johanna, take me back to when you were first contemplating study abroad, when you were talking with your parents about your education and your future. What reasons did you and your parents have for you going to the U.S. for your high school education?
Johanna: Because my mom and my dad wanted me to have a good environment and a better quality of education. And we know a U.S. education provides this. Where I live, they do have a really good quality of education. But it’s very strenuous and students have to work very hard, and it’s very stressful with the amount of homework we get. Typically, in Asian countries, you just push the children with lots and lots of homework. Even though I did well in my classes, it was hard for me because there was a lot of stress to meet deadlines, do all the work, and so on. And I was fine doing that. But my parents wanted me to be in a place where I don’t have to stress as much. They wanted me to have a refreshing experience. So we did some research and groundwork on which place would suit me, and then they came to the conclusion that the U.S. is a good place to have exposure and to study.
GSA: What were some of the challenges you faced when you started school in the U.S.?
Johanna: Well, the way we learn in the U.S. is completely different from how we learn in India. Our study system in India is entirely different. The grading system, everything, was different than us. So, when I first went to the U.S., I didn’t know what to do. I was clueless. I was like, “What do I do?!” Because the way it works in India is you get loads of homework. And then you’re supposed to write it out, write everything out. It’s like 20 pages, or let’s say 30 pages a day. It was similar to the amount of work that you get in one U.S. AP course, but this was for every course we take, so we are used to completing a lot of work for every class. The way subjects are taught, shuffling from one class to another class, that is also different. And I don’t know how to put it into words but adjusting to the new atmosphere was very hard in the initial days. But by the end of the first semester, I got the gist of it.
GSA: And did you have support while you were going through that process, did you have support from students of staff? Did they help you navigate this new system?
Johanna: Yes, the school’s international program director, she was really lovely and helpful, and my school counselor. They were both super supportive, and also the teachers. They purposely matched me with an Indian teacher, who was my homeroom teacher. She helped me get used to the atmosphere and daily life. And all the teachers were very understanding about my joining classes a bit late in the fall. They all listened to me and helped me to stay calm when I felt out of sorts.
GSA: I’m really glad to hear that you found yourself in a very welcoming environment. Once you finally got settled, and you had time to reflect, what really surprised you about your high school experience?
Johanna: What really surprised me is how understanding people are. And, at first, I thought I was so different from them, coming from a different country. But then when I started to, like, be with them, and get to know them and spend time together with the teachers and the students, we found we had a lot in common. I realized they’re normal human beings that you would meet on any given day, so kind, and they’re so nice, so good. That really surprised me because I didn’t expect any sort of kind treatment or anything, because I thought I would experience racism. Because I had been hearing things like that a lot when I was at home and when I first arrived – people told me to expect this, and I was prepared to deal with that. But when I was actually there with the teachers, and everyone, I never had a single negative experience like that. And all my experience were very smooth, very positive.
GSA: Did you experience homesickness while you were here?
Johanna: In the beginning, yes. But then as time passed by, I was fine. Because I am someone who is very close with my family. Until I went abroad, we had never lived apart. So, it really took a major toll on me in the beginning, it was very hard. I used to FaceTime my mom every day and used to cry, and my mother used to cry we – we cried together. It was hard. But then as time passed by, I got involved in campus activities, such as campus ministry and Justice League. I love service and all the activities that were going on in the school, so I used to get involved and I used to spend my time there outside of school. Once I got more involved in school, the time passed by quickly and I made good friends.
GSA: How do you think your study abroad experience helped you to grow as a person overall?
Johanna: It gave me more exposure to different kinds of culture and different kinds of people and also experiences. I’d say I learned a lot, I don’t know how to put it, but, overall, it was a positive experience. It was a good thing that I went […] it gave me insight on life. I learned that, even if things don’t happen your way all the time, it’s okay.
GSA: How about living with a host family? How was that experience for you?
Johanna: My host mom was amazing. I love her. I love her so much. She is such a kind person. And we got connected on so many things. She used to help me with little things, she is a very sweet person.
GSA: Yes, I’ve met her, and I agree, she is delightful. And she continues to host and support international students today. What would you say you are most proud of about your study abroad experience?
Johanna: What I’m most proud of? Well, again, I’d like to say how much exposure I gained and like how much I’ve evolved as a person and how much it opened my eyes to see things in different ways. The learning in the U.S. required active learning, instead of passive learning; here we just sit in the classroom all day and stare at the board, and just read, read, read. But in the U.S., there are so many activities, so many clubs that students can join to explore new interests. And the way of teaching is also so different, and so much more fun and engaging. That is such a contrast to the stress I felt in India while learning.
GSA: Do you feel like you learned more because you were having fun? Because you were enjoying what you learned?
Johanna: Yes. Because when you’re having fun with what you’re learning, it stays in your brain, you’ll never forget it. And that is really helping me in college, too. I had this one sociology class with Mrs. Martin. She was an amazing teacher. And that subject, I’m now taking a similar course now at my college. But what I learned in the U.S. comes up in my college course, and it feels good knowing that I already know a lot about this subject and can answer questions very competently.
GSA: What advice would you give a student who’s considering coming to the U.S. for either middle or high school?
Johanna: For middle or high school, just go, enjoy, experience everything. There will be good and bad days, no matter what. So it’s best to embrace it, rather than shut down and struggle with figuring out why something happened a certain way. Don’t spend too much time grieving about what happened, but it’s okay to feel sad and cry when you have a bad day. Just know it will be okay, and when you look back, you will feel so proud of yourself for not giving up. Because it’s all worth it.
GSA: If, let’s say, a student’s parent came to you and said, “Oh, Johanna, tell me about your experience. What do you think? Should we do this? Is this something you would recommend?” What would you tell a parent?
Johanna: Totally, totally, you should definitely do it! Number one, distance makes relationships stronger. So, when you’re far from your parents, you will only grow fonder of them – and what you learn, how you’ll change, the experience will just strengthen your relationships with your parents. Number two, your child is going to get so much experience and they’re going to have so much fun as long as they have a good attitude about it and they love what they’re doing. I totally recommend it. Just go for it. Support your child.
GSA: You mentioned having fun with learning. Some parents may worry about their children working hard enough and being able to stay competitive.
Johanna: Okay. There are different types of fun. But the fun I had was different from the one that usually people think of. As long as you believe in your child, as long as you know your child and your child knows what he or she wants from the school, that plays a major role. They will be successful as long as they are focused and can envision their future.
GSA: Was it easy to make friends in the US? Did you make both American and international student friends?
Johanna: I had few international friends. Most of my friends were local [Americans], and my friends were amazing. It wasn’t hard to make friends because people were welcoming. In the beginning, I was quiet. It was me who was more closed off and more of an introvert. But then, as I got used to the new environment, I started to open up and become more outgoing. So that really helped me to make friends. Yeah, the first six months, I didn’t really have any good friends, besides my roommate. She was a really good friend. But then, as time passed by, I made friends in my classes, and then campus ministry, and then Justice League and the clubs that we attended. Yeah, it was good.
GSA: You talked a little bit about your transition from going from one system to the next. What do you think are the main advantages of a U.S. high school education over an Indian education?
Johanna: In India, they assign too much homework and it’s very stressful trying to keep up with everything, and it’s very competitive. The quality of education in India is very high, but the way they teach is very different. For example, in the U.S., when you learn something, it will just imprint in your mind, you will just remember it, because so many methods are used for teaching.
GSA: How about food? Was American food a challenge for you?
Johanna: No, because since my childhood, I’ve been a foodie – I love to eat all kinds of foods. I did miss my home food, but I was totally fine with the food in the U.S.
GSA: I’m glad to hear that. Food can be a challenge for some international students.
Johanna: Yes, some of my international friends really had like a tough time adjusting to the food and all that sort of stuff. But growing up we used to eat American foods, so that was not a major adjustment for me.
GSA: You attended a private Catholic high school in the U.S. Had you a religious school or a Catholic school in India?
Johanna: I was born in a Catholic hospital, and I attended a Catholic school since Pre-Kindergarten. So, that was not an issue.
GSA: After you graduated, you headed back to India. What have you been doing since you returned home?
Johanna: I’m attending college here in India. I’m completing a degree in business administration and taking courses in a lot of subjects.
GSA: How is that going?
Johanna: Well, it’s stressful, but it’s okay. I’m having fun, so it’s okay. Because even though it’s super stressful, it’s worth it because like what I’m doing. So, I’m going to graduate this year, this coming fall.
GSA: And then what comes next?
Johanna: I may work toward my MBA. Maybe I’ll do an internship for a year or so to gain experience.
GSA: And are you thinking of staying in India to complete your graduate studies? Or maybe going abroad again? What are what are your thoughts at this point?
Johanna: I’ll probably go back to the U.S. or to some other place that meets my educational needs.
GSA: Is there anything else you want to add about your experience or any other advice or suggestions you have for students and families?
Johanna: Again, it’s a really good chance for your children to learn a lot of new things about life at a very young age. So, when you send your child abroad even though you’re scared, just go ahead, take that step. Just go for it because your child will love it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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]]>While parents and caregivers the world over recognize the value of pursuing education outside one’s home country, with the added uncertainty of an ongoing pandemic, navigating educational options for our children is more daunting than ever; however, with planning and the right support put in place before they arrive, families can ensure that their children are set up for a safe and successful overseas experience.
There are a multitude of options and a sea of international agencies from which to choose, all of which promise what any parent would hope for, including high-touch service, warm and welcoming host families, and top schools. As parents, we are also very aware that there are agencies that don’t fulfill their promises, which may mean that our child doesn’t get the care and support we expect. There is one international-education agency that is known for its integrity, accountability, and transparency, and that is trusted by families, students, and schools alike. It’s called Global School Access (GSA).
What makes GSA unique? Yes, we do promise end-to-end service and a high-level of care, but we follow through on that promise by vetting and hiring a dedicated staff of locally based professionals who specialize in international student care, and who genuinely want students to be happy, grow personally, and succeed academically. We understand the sacrifices families make to secure the best possible opportunities for their child. We also understand that your child is coming alone across the world and will need a home away from home. It’s a lot to take in and adjust to, and we know that. New school, new home, new culture, new language, new food, etc. It’s both exciting and overwhelming. We consider our students part of our extended family and treat them accordingly. Trust, care, and communication are essential throughout your child’s overseas stay.
No stone is left unturned at GSA, meaning we’ve got everything covered from application assistance to top private high schools, to processing school applications, preparation of visa documentation, host family or boarding school arrangements, banking, legal services, college counseling, specialized tutors, ACT/SAT/TOEFL courses, English language support, well-being support, help applying for summer courses at top universities, and local support for college students. We are dedicated professionals who live up to our commitments and we are honored to be trusted by the families and students who come to us.
If you still have questions or concerns about sending your child overseas for their education, please allow a GSA staff member to help you navigate and weigh options. We are here to help, and it would be a privilege for the opportunity to assist you!
GSA MISSION STATEMENT
At Global School Access, our mission is to provide a dynamic growth experience—personally, academically, socially, and cross-culturally—for students, families, schools, and communities through exceptional care and strong partnerships, with the utmost integrity and respect, and with the goal of excellence. We aim to inspire young people to be happy, successful, and good global citizens, and to be viewed as the premier organization for international education by the families we work with, our partners, and our employees.
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