When we left India and returned to the States for three years there was one thing in particular that struck the kids about differences in the schools. We talked it over that first summer and brought up a certain "lameness" about attending school in Virginia. At the time, the oldest was heading into 8th grade so it affected her more than the rest, but now they are all very aware of this distinct difference between schooling in the U.S. and schooling overseas.
In Virginia, a normal school field trip was to the Marine Corps Museum 15 minutes away and a big field trip was to Jamestown, VA, 3 hours away.
In Amman, a normal field trip is to the Dead Sea (isn't that one of the seven natural wonders of the world?), 45 minutes away, and a big field trip is to Muscat, Oman.
I *love* Virginia. Politics aside, it's my favorite state because it's the one I have the most connection to but also for a plethora of other reasons. It has DC, my favorite U.S. city. Say what you will, but again politics aside, it is beautiful, historical, and walkable. Virginia has mountains, little mountains, but still mountains. It has beaches. There are better beaches elsewhere, but it has beaches we very much enjoy. It has seasons, lakes, rivers, so very many parks, trees, trees and more trees. It usually gets missed by blizzards and hurricanes and earthquakes and tornadoes. It's an awesome state.
But I'm glad we live abroad again.
Yesterday I waved goodbye to Rebecca at school as she left for the airport to participate in the Festival of Choirs in Oman.
Just like the week before we hosted 2 girls from Kuwait who were here for the ISAC Band and Chorus Festival. No photo as I don't have permission to post it, but here are mine and an extra from that event.
On the same bus to the airport for the Oman flight were 13 middle schoolers heading to Singapore for Middle School Model UN. You read that right: Singapore. Because the high schoolers already did their Model UN trip to The Hague a couple weeks ago. Yup, they were in The Netherlands. The sports teams travel to Kuwait City, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi. We're hoping next year the swim team gets added to that list of travelers.
In the meantime, Rebecca gets a pin on the travel map no one else in our family has. Muscat.
That's pretty cool.
In Virginia, a normal school field trip was to the Marine Corps Museum 15 minutes away and a big field trip was to Jamestown, VA, 3 hours away.
In Amman, a normal field trip is to the Dead Sea (isn't that one of the seven natural wonders of the world?), 45 minutes away, and a big field trip is to Muscat, Oman.
I *love* Virginia. Politics aside, it's my favorite state because it's the one I have the most connection to but also for a plethora of other reasons. It has DC, my favorite U.S. city. Say what you will, but again politics aside, it is beautiful, historical, and walkable. Virginia has mountains, little mountains, but still mountains. It has beaches. There are better beaches elsewhere, but it has beaches we very much enjoy. It has seasons, lakes, rivers, so very many parks, trees, trees and more trees. It usually gets missed by blizzards and hurricanes and earthquakes and tornadoes. It's an awesome state.
But I'm glad we live abroad again.
Yesterday I waved goodbye to Rebecca at school as she left for the airport to participate in the Festival of Choirs in Oman.
Just like the week before we hosted 2 girls from Kuwait who were here for the ISAC Band and Chorus Festival. No photo as I don't have permission to post it, but here are mine and an extra from that event.
On the same bus to the airport for the Oman flight were 13 middle schoolers heading to Singapore for Middle School Model UN. You read that right: Singapore. Because the high schoolers already did their Model UN trip to The Hague a couple weeks ago. Yup, they were in The Netherlands. The sports teams travel to Kuwait City, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi. We're hoping next year the swim team gets added to that list of travelers.
In the meantime, Rebecca gets a pin on the travel map no one else in our family has. Muscat.
That's pretty cool.
Very cool! I can't wait for my two boys to be able to experience this! Some of the kids from Jakarta International School just went to South Africa and others to Beijing... I love this lifestyle too and I am so grateful for the opportunities our kids will have!
ReplyDeleteI just learned that another kid is currently in Beijing for Honors Orchestra. It's so incredible!
DeleteFS kids rock. Yes, I may be a bit biased, but it's true.
ReplyDeleteNot biased. It's a fact of life we're blessed :)
DeleteI was pretty surprised when the Korean teachers at our school in Nairobi proposed a field trip to Korea. My 15 year old is thrilled. Definitely exciting! I wonder how many timezones away that is?
ReplyDeleteA lot? I would venture 6 or so?
DeleteHaving lived in Muscat, having my kids attend TAISM, having taught there a year and subbed, knowing the teacher who puts on the Festival of Choirs each year and the work and excitement that goes into it -- your daughter will love it!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right about the get out there and do things and see things attitude of overseas schools. It is fabulous!
She had an amazing time. It's these sorts of opportunities that are winning her back over to living overseas. She's my tough nut who wasn't at all happy about leaving VA!
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