Continuing your journey as a Global Citizen- pathways from Green Shoots to further education

As Global Citizens at Green Shoots our students enjoy numerous opportunities to follow our values and strive for their personal best in all aspects of our school curriculum and community.

As they come to the end of their journeys at Green Shoots and think ahead to university and future careers, how can students  find their ‘best fit’ university and use the valuable experiences as happy, mindful and creative thinkers to support their entrance into these universities? 

Many students around the world are using time after graduation to engage in projects as Global Citizens with an increasingly popular option being a Global Citizen Gap Year programme. Graduating from Green Shoots, our students are already way ahead of the game in this area and this is something that undoubtedly sets them apart from students entering university education. 

“Many higher education institutions recognise the qualities that international school students develop, not simply in their qualifications, but importantly in their English language skills, independent and creative learning skills, and their capacity to contribute positively to their chosen programme of study” (ISC Research, 2021).

When Green Shoots students apply to universities, higher education institutions worldwide recognise that a CIS member and COBIS accredited school meets globally recognised standards and promotes values and skills that they are seeking in students. Over 600 of the top universities in the world are part of the CIS membership community. They value the mark of the CIS membership, targeting students who graduate from CIS schools for admission to their institutions. Simply put, the values shared by Green Shoots, COBIS and CIS are exactly those sought after by universities around the world. 

At Green Shoots we seek to educate parents and students about selecting ‘best fit’ options for further study or careers. Most importantly our students should be happy in their future studies as this is a clear pathway to success. What may be considered a ‘top’ university for some may in fact be a bad ‘fit’ for others. This idea is recognised in our latest Strategy 2021-26, with an increased focus on values and ‘non-traditional’ types of student success, attributes that universities and employers increasingly seek out. 

According to Martha O’Connell executive director of Colleges That Change Lives, there are a number of key things to consider when looking at further education options. At Green Shoots we encourage our students to consider these factors together with their own personal situations. These considerations include:

• Who you are as a student and why you are going to university; where will you be most successful personally and continue your growth as a Global Citizen?
• A ‘big name’ university will not guarantee you success; having experienced a small community education at Green Shoots do you want to be a member of a large university or continue to thrive in a smaller community?
• There are affordable study options for everyone; online courses or courses in places you may not have considered do exist. A full time Bachelors degree in the Netherlands for example can cost as little as €1,800 a year for European citizens and on average €10,000 a year for international students.
• You don’t have to go to university right away; many universities consider a gap year as an asset in applications and it is possible to apply in advance of taking a gap year. You could apply for an internship, study abroad, or participate in a community service project here in Hoi An to grow further as a Global Citizen before entering future pathways. 
  

The most important consideration in choosing a university or future study path is fit.   As O’Connell states, “choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of where it ranks on a list does not take into account who you are and who you will become. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Finding a good fit requires time and thoughtfulness.” (O’Connell, 2007). 

At Green Shoots we offer a comprehensive careers and college counseling program from Year 10 for all learners. Through focusing on the individual and their aspirations we support our learners to find their best fit for the future that is personal to them and continues their growth that has started with us here. 

Please feel free to contact me should you have any follow up questions or if you would like to meet to discuss your children’s future pathways. 

Matt Buxton

Head of Secondary and College Counsellor 

m.buxton@greenshoots.edu.vn

References

ISC Research. (2021). Why parents select an international school, and the impact of COVID-19

on school choice [White paper]. https://www.iscresearch.com/whitepaper-why-parents-select-international-school

O’Connell, M. (2007, February 21). How to choose a college that’s right for you. 

Npr.Org. https://www.npr.org/2010/12/08/7506102/how-to-choose-a-college-that-s-right-for-you