Interesting takes on high school in Doha - and the US - from those who haven't been there, or at least recently. While the American School in Doha offers much and the kids seem generally pretty happy, it's perhaps telling - when they are asked, most say they would prefer to be "home" - where ever that might be. For about 40% of them, that's the U.S., for 20%, Canada, and the other 40% from over 60 different countries. While they differ on dress, religion, music, and just about everything else - the most agreement you could get from them is that most would rather be home - even the veteran overseas kids.
As an adult, looking back on homecoming, Friday night football, after school clubs - these events seem irrelevant when put in perspective. To many American students, and perhaps even more so to those denied participation - these experiences seem a right of passage. Television programs, movies and books have given them windows into this life, and many want it. Arguably, this might not figure as a major factor in a decision such as the financial well being of a family. But if financial well being is established stateside, then perhaps things like this deserve consideration.
Going to a US school does not automatically mean a teen will be "Selfish, spoiled, loud-mouthed, overly opinionated, narrow-minded" as a post says - hey, that can happen here too, right? Think how horribly bigoted that statement would seem like if another country were put in the place of US. Keep in mind that thousands of US college graduates still volunteer for the Peace Corps, that many US high schools are incredibly diverse not only ethnically but economically, which is NOT the case of most international schools. Just things to think about - everyone has to take their own measurements and decide what works best in their equations. Best of luck!
Interesting takes on high school in Doha - and the US - from those who haven't been there, or at least recently. While the American School in Doha offers much and the kids seem generally pretty happy, it's perhaps telling - when they are asked, most say they would prefer to be "home" - where ever that might be. For about 40% of them, that's the U.S., for 20%, Canada, and the other 40% from over 60 different countries. While they differ on dress, religion, music, and just about everything else - the most agreement you could get from them is that most would rather be home - even the veteran overseas kids.
As an adult, looking back on homecoming, Friday night football, after school clubs - these events seem irrelevant when put in perspective. To many American students, and perhaps even more so to those denied participation - these experiences seem a right of passage. Television programs, movies and books have given them windows into this life, and many want it. Arguably, this might not figure as a major factor in a decision such as the financial well being of a family. But if financial well being is established stateside, then perhaps things like this deserve consideration.
Going to a US school does not automatically mean a teen will be "Selfish, spoiled, loud-mouthed, overly opinionated, narrow-minded" as a post says - hey, that can happen here too, right? Think how horribly bigoted that statement would seem like if another country were put in the place of US. Keep in mind that thousands of US college graduates still volunteer for the Peace Corps, that many US high schools are incredibly diverse not only ethnically but economically, which is NOT the case of most international schools. Just things to think about - everyone has to take their own measurements and decide what works best in their equations. Best of luck!