Education - Expat Magazine
For many families, choosing where to live means considering the quality of local schools. Some parents, however, take that logic much further and decide to move abroad altogether. Known as educational expatriation, this growing trend refers to families who relocate to another country primarily to secure a different educational path for their children. The motivations vary: a more flexible curriculum, alternative pedagogical approaches, reduced academic pressure, homeschooling opportunities, or simply an environment perceived as more conducive to learning and well-being. Although still a niche phenomenon, educational expatriation is attracting increasing attention as parents rethink what education should look like in an increasingly globalized world.
Starting at a new school used to be about standing in lines, printing folders of documents, and going on campus tours. Today, in many schools, the enrollment process looks very different. Lots of things can be done online – and sometimes the first time you and your child will step foot in the new school will be on the actual first day. For expats and their kids, this is a trend that works in their favor. Because now they can explore, apply, interview, tour, and even enroll in a school before they are even there. Here's how it works.
There is so much more that goes into the choice of a university today than even a decade ago. International students especially have the whole world to choose from. And while before students were more focused on the theoretical benefits of a certain degree, today, with so many less traditional options for learning (online, via social media, private tutoring, etc.), there is a lot more a traditional institution has to offer, especially given the price of formal education.
France
The French government has recently decided to reconsider its announcements regarding differentiated tuition fees for non-EU students. What should they expect?
One thing we keep repeating throughout our study abroad articles is this: being an international student can be a great, and often life-changing experience. But what is stopping a lot of students from experiencing international study is often not something abstract like the fear of the unknown, but something very practical and tangible: the cost. Luckily, there are quite a few scholarships aimed specifically at international students.
When planning to study abroad, most people focus on choosing a destination or comparing universities. Yet these are only part of the picture. Other factors deserve just as much attention: how resilient your future career is to market shifts, the long-term value of your degree, and the level of competition from locals, fellow expats, and new graduates. Here's what you need to consider.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have long dominated the global market for international students. Often referred to as the “Big Four”, these countries have traditionally been the first choice for young people seeking an education abroad. But the landscape of global student mobility is beginning to shift. A new destination is steadily gaining ground: Europe. For hundreds of thousands of international students, the continent is no longer simply a backup plan but an increasingly attractive option in its own right. So what is behind this growing appeal?
France
This measure has largely gone unnoticed, but it will affect many international students in France. From July 1, 2026, non-European international students in France, without a scholarship, will no longer be eligible for housing assistance (APL).
Expat families encounter many surprises. One of them is that the school calendar used back home may be entirely different from that in your new destination. It may seem more logical for the academic year to be universal. But this is not the case: school schedules are affected by a lot of things: climate, historical traditions, cultural norms, and more.
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Montgomery International School
Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Beyond academic results, many parents today are looking for an education that prepares their children to think independently, to adapt to change and to succeed in a complex and globalised world. This is where the International Baccalaureate (IB) education stands out. Widely recognised by universities and schools worldwide, the IB is known for developing critical thinking skills, curiosity, and intellectual independence from the very first grade.
Master's degrees, MBAs, PhDs… These qualifications are often seen as a fast track to an international career. But as career paths become less linear, the real value of a degree is increasingly questioned. Is an advanced academic route still the best option, or do employers abroad care more about hands-on experience and job-ready skills, especially intercultural ones? For anyone aiming to work internationally, these questions are now shaping what it takes to build a truly borderless career.
England
The UK is going to rejoin Erasmus+ in January 2027, the flagship education and training scheme it left following Brexit. Young people from all backgrounds will once again be able to spend a year studying abroad as part of their UK degree without paying extra fees. European students will also be able to study in the UK as part of their programs.
If you want to save time and money, choose shorter programs — or at least that's what the most vocal AI enthusiasts argue. To them, the digital revolution has pushed long university degrees to the brink of irrelevance. We spend plenty of time comparing study destinations and universities, yet we rarely question the length of the program itself. Has AI truly made extended degrees unnecessary? And how might this shift reshape international student mobility in the years ahead?
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is assuming an increasingly significant role, including in education, expat parents are facing a new challenge: how to support their children in an international schooling system that's rapidly evolving. From personalized learning tools to AI-generated content, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we learn. So, how can parents help their children make the most of this educational revolution?
6.9 million. That's the number of students currently studying abroad, according to the latest figures from the OECD, in cooperation with UNESCO and Eurostat. Student mobility is growing steadily again after the slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Universities and colleges have taken notice, and many now have a dedicated office to guide students in planning a study abroad experience. But with so many exchange programs available, how do you find the one that truly fits your goals? Here are some essential guidelines.
The cost of higher education is one of the biggest obstacles to student mobility. Between tighter immigration rules and economic uncertainty, the most popular countries with international students are also the least accessible. Still, it's very possible to study abroad by opting for more competitive destinations. Here's the breakdown.
There's no age limit on learning or chasing your dreams. But let's be real: packing your bags and heading abroad to study later in life comes with its own set of challenges. When you're over 25 or 30, you're bringing a different level of life experience and maturity to the classroom, but your age can also make it more difficult to secure scholarships and post-study work visas. Although student visas generally don't have an age cap, mature applicants also tend to face higher rejection rates. So, what should mature students keep in mind before making the leap?
For some parents, online education still raises concerns about social isolation. However, in recent years, homeschooling and distance learning have steadily gained popularity. A study from the U.S.-based National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) confirms this upward trend. Many expat families are choosing online schooling not only out of necessity, but also for the flexibility and consistency it provides while living abroad. But what other benefits does it offer?
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