Moving to China....worried about high school

[sawoshi]

Hi guys, I'm new here.

Recently my mum proposed her plan to move to China with me next year. At first she only asked me to move when I graduate from high school, but well....recently there have been some personal problems, so today she told me to move there next year. However I am really worried about school there, I'm certain I won't be able to catch up there because my Chinese and maths skills are horrific.

I'm 15, and I was born and currently live in Australia. My background is Chinese, so I am fluent in mandarin and English. Unfortunately my Chinese is not as great as my English. I can only read basic characters and slightly more advanced ones, and the same goes for writing. Speaking is not a problem for me.

Anyway, back to the problem. Most people would tell me to go to international school, or to go as an international student. The problem is, I am moving there permanently, and I have a Chinese background. So my mum is telling me to just go to a normal high school, and um... she will hire tutors and I will have to put in a huge effort to catch up. I have never put in an effort since I was a child, so I think I may be the bottom of my class if I move to China. Plus, there will be the 高考, which will pretty much determine my life. I'm probably going to have to work in China too.

Part of me wants to stay, but part of me wants to go with her, because her life has been really unfortunate ever since she emigrated to Australia. I just want her to be happy.

Do you guys have a solution for me? If not, maybe some advice...........................

Please just give me an answer thanks.

[gato]

In terms of schooling, it would probably be best for you to stay in Australia. But in terms of family life, it might be better if you go wherever your mom is going, though that also depends on the details of your family situation, which we know nothing about. But you do say that you are not the hard worker type, which suggests that you might need the support that living with your mom would provide.

What about convincing your mom to stay for an extra year so you'll be closer to college?

[sawoshi]

Yeah I did think about that, but I'm not sure yet.

My family situation in short is, I currently live with my mum, brother and his girlfriend. My mum has a strained relationship with him right now, because you know, for him it's relationship before family haha.

Therefore my mum wants to leave here faster, since she has 'lost a son'.

It is a bit ridiculous, but trust me it's a lot more complicated.

Also, my mum owns a business, which is similar to KFC, so you can imagine she is extremely tired everyday from work.

I was just wondering, if you guys have any advice (if I were to leave) on how I could catch up and fit into the education system in China?

If not then my mum may go to China herself, and i'll just stay in Australia for the next 3 years and then try to get into university over there.

Thanks though

[anonymoose]

Firstly, if you are an Australian citizen, I'm not sure if you would have the right to attend a local high-school. But anyway, most Chinese youngsters can only dream of going abroad for an education, so if you can get a university degree in Australia and then move to China, you would probably be in a far stronger position.

[Meng Lelan]

I think you would best stay in Australia to graduate from high school and apply to the university in Australia. You can always visit China as a student studying abroad or for travel. It does not seem your mother is going to have time to help you with schoolwork in China considering her work and relationship issues are taking a lot of her time already.

[roddy]

Even if you wanted to move to China, the general opinion here would be to wait at least until you've done with high school. Given that you don't want to - stay put if at all possible.

[gato]

It doesn't sound like your mom's problem with your brother is enough to give her no choice but to return to China. It sounds more like she's just tired and think that life would be simpler in China. But that might not actually be the case. Try to convince your mom to stay an extra year so that you can stay on in Austrlia for your last year of high school if she still wants to go back.

From your description, your Chinese is probably at elementary school level. It would not be easy for you to catch up.

[sawoshi]

Thanks guys, it seems I should be staying here ahaha...

I actually have 3 more years of high school.... sigh

True @gato, I wouldn't want to attend elementary in China.

Okay, so I'll tell my mum to wait a few more years.

Lastly, if I graduated high school here, how would I be able to apply for university in China? Is the application process complicated? I'm thinking of Xiamen university because my family is from Fujian, and I think Xiamen would be a nice place to live. My mum told me good universities would be hard to get into :\

[roddy]

it's way too early to be worried about university. Go talk to your mom.

[sawoshi]

ha. okay i like to look at my future pretty early for some reason. well, thanks and i think i'll be studying more chinese from now on

[roddy]

That, we can help with - start some new topics if you hit any problems.

[anonymoose]

You didn't say whether you are an Australian citizen or not. If so, getting into a Chinese university would be a lot easier than for a local student. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, a degree from a western university would be looked upon more favourably than from a Chinese university.

It's your decision to make obviously, but personally, I think the best option would be to complete all of your education in Australia. Failing that, your next best option would be to finish high school in China and then go to university in Australia. The least favourable option is to aim to go to university in China.

[sawoshi]

I am actually an Australian citizen, so this is a difficult decision..........................

I will have to think through.

[abcdefg]

#3 -- "If not then my mum may go to China herself, and i'll just stay in Australia for the next 3 years and then try to get into university over there."

That's what I would push for at this point. It would be disastrous to try and complete high school in China. You would probably never catch up.

As the end of your high school time approaches in 3 years, re-asses the family situation. By that I mean to try and determine whether your mother and your brother have resolved their differences. If all is *not* peaceful and settled and smooth by then, stay in Australia for university for sure. If all is OK at that time, then consider a move to China for university. The education you receive in China will not be as good; but it might still be a worthwhile tradeoff in the interest of family reunion and solidarity.

Hope you are getting some sober adult advice there in your home town, preferably from people who know you and your immediate family members, and not just relying on our anonymous voices to guide you in these major life decisions. Casual, long distance internet counseling by strangers usually doesn't work out well, despite the best of intentions.

[msittig]

If you were in Shanghai, you would have the option of so-called international divisions of local public/private schools. Usually the students are all of Chinese heritage: some are returnees like yourself and most are local students who want to go abroad after they graduate. Most classes are taught in English, and there is more support for kids who need catching up in English and/or Chinese. Some can be more rigorous than others, so be selective if you go this route. (I teach middle school science/math at school of this model.)

Also, a couple of students I taught ended up staying in China and enrolling at prestigious Shanghai universities in programs for foreign students, like journalism, design or even medicine. If you really want to stay for the long-term, this is also something you could consider.

Really though, I think you should be aiming to go back to Australia for higher ed. Remember, once you get here you won't have a "Chinese background", you will have an "Australian background" and be the envy of 90% of high schoolers here (or at least their parents) for it. Take advantage, even if you intend come back to China after college.

[sawoshi]

@msittig, I think that is a really good idea Shanghai may be a possibility for me. Which high school do you recommend? Or are there a lot of schools like that in Shanghai?

[gato]

Just keep in mind that if you go to high school in China, you'll lower your chance of getting into a highly ranked Australian university, everything else being equal.

[feihong]

It's also possible that your tuition at an Australian university would be lower if you have sustained residency in Australia. At least that is how it is here in America (someone correct me if this is wrong).

[Meng Lelan]

At least that is how it is here in America (someone correct me if this is wrong).

Yes. If you reside in Texas, tuition at a Texas public university is lower than for non-Texas residents.

[msittig]

I can recommend two, one being Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID) and the other being my school, World Foreign Languages Middle School (WFLMS).

http://www.shsid.org/

http://www.wflms.cn/

There are others, like the one at Fudan, at Nanmo, and a couple in Pudong, but I know some are not well-run and others I'm not familiar with.