The Shift: When?

The Shift: When?

       People planning an R2I (Return to India) have decided to move at many different times in their children’s lives. So that begs the question: when is the best time to move to India, in terms of education? Honestly, there is no right answer. When I moved, I was 11 and joining the 6^th grade, while my brother was 5, joining UKG (Upper Kindergarten). For me, it seemed like a good time, because I anyway had to transition from elementary to middle school if I was in the US, and now it was the same, just in a different country. My brother had only been in America up till preschool, so the shift didn’t affect his education. I know many friends who shifted in vastly differing ages, but the most common are listed below:

-      4 – 5 years (Preschool to LKG/UKG)

-      8 years (2^nd to 3^rd grade)

-      10 years (4^th to 5^th grade)

-      11 years (5^th to 6^th grade)

-      14 years (8^th to 9^th grade)

There are examples for pretty much any age.

As I mentioned earlier, there really isn’t a correct answer for when is the best time to shift. Whenever you shift you will face the same challenge, namely, the school and curriculum change. The school, teachers, and method of studying will change no matter when you shift. But in my opinion, I felt there are certain periods where shifting is better, rather than other periods.

I think that the best time to shift is either during the Preschool to LKG/UKG period or the 4^th to 5^th/ 5^th to 6^th period.

A definite no for shifting, is from 11^th to 12^th grade, because in India, especially for engineering or medical, 11^th grade is essential. Entrance exams require you to have knowledge on topics learnt in 11^th grade in India. To put things into perspective, the JEE exam generally consists of 40% of 11^th grade topics, and if you come directly into 12^th grade, you’re missing 40% of what you need to know for the exam. Shifting during 9^th or 10^th grade, may or may not work out, owing to other factors. I’ve seen such shifts succeed, some go awry because the curriculum change doesn’t go well with the student and some students move back to the US.

The Preschool to LKG/UKG shift is good in one way, because you won’t miss out much in terms of education. In either country, you’ll be learning the alphabet, numbers, etc. However, if you do shift at this age, you won’t have any experience in the American education system, because the first years of proper schooling will be in India. Having experience in an American education system can be really beneficial, and I speak from experience. Briefly speaking, your method of thinking is different, and in many ways, better than that of those who have studied in India throughout their life. Of course, this is isn’t true for everyone, but in my opinion, having at least a few years of American education is advantageous.

In my opinion, shifting from elementary school in US to middle school in India is the best time, in terms of education. As I said earlier, a transition of country is wanted, and a transition from elementary to middle school is going to happen. So why not kill two birds with one stone? This seemed to work for me. Of course, school will be completely different, but if you plan to continue in India, you still have many years to adjust. For me, I had 6 years of schooling in US, followed by 7 years of schooling in India, and it seems like a good balance.

Considering all factors, it's your decision to make, but it would be helpful if you considered these points.

About me

About Me.

• ·       Born in California, lived there for 11 years. Studied there from kindergarten to 5^th grade.

• ·       Moved along with my family to Bangalore in 2011.

• ·       Decided to go to Greenwood High School, in Bangalore, and studied ICSE there from 6^th to 10^th grade.

• ·       Stayed in Greenwood for 11^th and 12^th grades, studying ISC curriculum.

• ·       Decided to pursue engineering in an Indian college.

• ·       Took coaching at Allen Career Institute for two years, to help with entrance exams.

• ·       Wrote 10^th and 12^th Boards, along with exams such as SAT as well as Subject SAT’s, VITEEE, JEE Mains & Advanced, PESSAT, COMEDK and BITSAT.

• Got 96.2% in 10th Boards (ICSE), 98.25% in 12th Boards (ISC).

• ·       Got admission at BITS Pilani for Computer Science.

If this type of education plan is similar to what you had in mind, then this blog will definitely be helpful, because I will explain exactly how I got there, and what other options I had that you may wish to follow, if it is better suited for you.

Why this blog?

Welcome to NRI Education in India.

There are mainly two reasons I’m writing this blog.

     

First of all, this blog will be useful for those students with an American citizenship living in India, who want to understand how the education is different in India. It’s safe to say that there is a vast contrast between the Indian education system and the American education system, and these students face certain drawbacks as well as privileges when studying in India. When I moved to India back in 2011 and joined the 6th Grade in Bangalore, these differences became evident. The students, teachers, classrooms, food, management, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and so much more were new to me and I had to adjust to them. For all the students planning to do the same, it will be helpful if you read this blog and become acquainted with the changes you will face.

       Second, I also want to inform NRI students in India about what to expect during 11^th and 12^th grades. These two years are crucial, as they will decide which college you go to. If you wish to go to a college in India, the rules are different. There are certain guidelines to be followed, different from those of regular Indian citizens, in order to get an Indian college, for Medical as well as Engineering aspirants. It will also be helpful to learn about all the different colleges in India, their rankings and which ones will best suit you. I was surprised to see that many students weren’t aware of the advantages and disadvantages they have, with regard to education, because they hold an American citizenship. These students’ lives could have changed if they were informed earlier, and so I wanted to convey this information.

    In this blog you will find all the relevant details pertaining to the Indian education system and what to expect, based off my own personal experiences. These include:

• The Shift: When?
• Changes in School Life.
• Change of education system and what it entails.
• Studying changes.
• Syllabus options: State Board vs ICSE vs CBSE vs IGCSE.
• Choice of school.
• The Primary years and the Middle School Years.
• The High School Years.
• Major changes in 11^th and 12^th Grades.
• The plethora of exams.
• SAT and Subject SAT's.
• Colleges in India and choice of college.

In the next post, I'll publish info about me. It will include my education path from kindergarten to 12th grade and which college I got following this path. If this type of education plan is similar to what you have in mind, then this blog will definitely be helpful.