Caroline Nath.[Photo by Zhang Xingjian/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Q: What are the typical challenges a non-Chinese student may face, say, “cultural shock”, when switching to a local Chinese school? Do you have any advice for them?

Wester: First, I will communicate with the families on their intentions for living in China. Lots of foreigners are here for different reasons. Some people are sent to China by their companies and won’t stay in China for a long time. In that case, their priorities should ensure a smooth transition in the education system for their children when they go back to their homeland. The other type are people like me who think it’s silly to live and grow up in China without learning Chinese.

Nath: I really don’t think there is a big cultural shock in China, because Beijing is becoming one of the most international cities in the world. You can find anything you need here, just like in London, Paris or the New York. If you want, you can just live a life here as if you weren’t abroad. My main advice would be trying to learn the language if you want to experience a Chinese life, otherwise it would be extremely difficult.

Q: What do you think that a good education program should endow students with, besides academic achievement?

Wester: Open-minded, critical thinking, creativity and extracurricular. These are exactly the weaknesses of the Chinese education system. Under the pressure of Gaokao, or the National College Entrance Examination, some Chinese schools are academic-oriented and everyone studies the same subject at the same time. In international schools, students can develop their own interests and have many paths to be successful.

Nath: A good education program should teach children how to be a whole, balanced, responsible and ethical individual. They should learn to care about other people. Besides, I am a true believer in the educator Dr. Khan, who invented the IB system. He believes in experiential education, which means one should learn though experience. The theory is necessary but experience is more important. Even if kids at the international schools are usually from rich families, they should involve themselves in some community service.

Jiang Wanjuan contributed to the story.