Many students here at Pleasant Valley have been in the district for years, growing up with a sense of familiarity. They move from elementary to middle to high school without considering what is beyond the hallways they know so well.
Around the world, schools can look distinctly different. Schools abroad vary from schedules, lunches and even content taught.
For example, European schools like those in Italy, in general, are generally smaller and have less funding. “Some differences included no lunch and smaller classes and rooms, ” shared senior Hanna Jensen, who spent a year studying abroad in Italy during her junior year of high school.
These schools also differed in school and schedule content. “Another important difference is that every school has a different study and focus, examples being linguistic or classical schools; schedules were the same weekly, instead of daily schedules like here,” Jensen mentioned.
These changes are an adjustment, especially for students who have to fully transition to a school abroad. This was the case for senior Ellen Lin, who has attended The American School in Japan (ASIJ) since the fourth grade after attending Pleasant View Elementary.
She immediately noticed that in Japan, the rules were more strict: “Japanese high schoolers aren’t allowed to dye their hair, have piercings, wear makeup or nails, and must wear uniforms every day,” Lin shared. “The learning style is very lecture-based, and students don’t really experience seminars or hands-on learning; it’s very much a ‘sit in a chair, listen, take notes’ kind of style.”
Additionally, most Japanese schools hold classes on Saturdays, usually until noon, and the school year begins in April rather than August.
Lin’s busy school schedule also reflects the difference between time frames. Her typical day starts early, at six in the morning, and she must take the bus every day, since her school is located in the suburbs of Tokyo. The bus ride itself is an hour.
This type of schedule shows the significant difference in the structure of schools in Japan compared to the United States.
Overall, both Lin’s and Jensen’s experiences show how important it is to step beyond classrooms and explore the world. “I discovered new interests like culture and language that I didn’t know I liked before,” said Jensen. Perspectives can broaden with a change in scenery, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.
