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Sep 23, 2021

# 196



I have - as shared in my blogpost, Admissions: Supporting transition to a new school (April 2021) - highlighted the importance of transitioning well. I wholeheartedly continue to believe that the transition process starts before the physical transition and very much see the enormous importance in students building a R.A.F.T. (additional information thereof can be found at the International School of Düsseldorf’s page, Transitions and Third Culture Kids) as they prepare to transition be it to another school or to post-secondary education locally or overseas. For more information about the importance of transitioning well and how best to support the transition, I highly recommend following the work of Doug Ota, reading his book, Safe Passage how mobility affects people & what international schools should do about it, and following the Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) website which he has founded.

Over the last few months, I have - as noted in my Admissions: Thoughts from the other side blogpost (August 2021) - found myself on the other side of the table. No longer the professional answering the questions of prospective families and - along with the Head of Community Relations et al - guiding them through the enrollment/transition process, answering a series of questions about the new learning environment, sharing with them Linda Janssen’s article A RAFT for Transitioning through Uncertainty and Disruption etc., Rather, I am now the parent of a university student who flew the nest last weekend.

The last few months have been ones where a range of questions - including but not limited to course modules, fees, accommodation, extra curricular opportunities, safety, post graduation options etc.,. - have been asked and answered. Having experienced the admissions process from the other side of the table, I have been constantly reminded of the art of communication. I have been most appreciative of questions, queries and concerns being answered not just promptly, but responses being clear and - as necessary - additional information being provided accordingly.

As we go through changes - be it moving to a new country, changing schools, moving away from home to attend university - with (hopefully!) appropriate support structures in place, I offer (along with the notion of the R.A.F.T.) Robin Sharma’s quote. I find it to be real as well as both grounding and reassuring.


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