Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To let my 13 year old study abroad?

21 replies

tinyboxtim · 27/05/2015 19:17

For nine months?

He is not quite 13 yet, but it is something we are seriously considering, as there is no real quality, professional training available for his sport where we live.

However, the mum in me thinks 13 is still very young, and he is still only my baby.

OP posts:

TheMoa · 27/05/2015 19:20

If you can afford it, and he's keen, then yes!

It would be an amazing experience, and plenty of children board abroad.

S0mmer · 27/05/2015 19:20

Is he enthusiastic or nervous about the idea? What country are you thinking of sending him to?

balletgirlmum · 27/05/2015 19:21

You are not being unreasonable for considering it especially if the funding is available but you do need to fully work out all the implications both educationally & career wise.

There is a poster on another forum I use called Balletco whose son went to the US aged 14 to train. It's worked out very well so far for him.

User543212345 · 27/05/2015 19:22

If he wants to do it, I'd suggest letting him. My sister boarded abroad at 9 and I boarded at 8 (in the same country). It's normal, or at least was normal, for forces children to board from 8/9 years old, and most at public school board from 13 - so it's really not young as far as boarding goes.

balletgirlmum · 27/05/2015 19:23

And at my dd's school there are children from abroad who have come to the UK for the specialist training. Places such as Spain, the canaries, Greece etc.

HerrenaHarridan · 27/05/2015 19:26

If they are really keen to please don't hold them back.
If they are hesitant then think carefully about gentle approaches like 1 parent moving with him.

Original poster

tinyboxtim · 27/05/2015 19:34

Germany. It would be a homestead type living arrangement for the first couple of years.

He is excited, and been taking German classes, but not sure if he realizes the reality of the situation.

OP posts:

User543212345 · 27/05/2015 19:37

There are huge expat communities in Germany - where would he be going? Maybe you could establish some links there before he goes so there are some people in loco parentis? There's a very established expat forum at the bizarrely named toy town where you might be able to forge some links.

FarFromAnyRoad · 27/05/2015 19:39

This would be so good for him - I really recommend you do it. Apart from anything else he'll learn a good basis of German which will serve him well when Germany rules the world - which is probably not far off!! - but seriously, yes - if he's up for it I'd definitely encourage it.

Original poster

tinyboxtim · 28/05/2015 02:28

thanks

OP posts:

however · 28/05/2015 04:18

The idea would horrify me, but if my son was keen, then I'd facilitate it. And I'd miss the guts of him!

GoodbyeToAllOfThat · 28/05/2015 07:43

He'll have an amazing adventure. I have an almost-13 year old, and I would absolutely be supportive.

Klayden · 28/05/2015 08:10

I did something similar at the age of 13 for 6 months. It totally transformed my entire personality and I loved it. It was a life changing experience and I still think back fondly on those months. Do it!

SuburbanRhonda · 28/05/2015 09:26

How long would he be away from home for altogether? What sort of educational establishment would he be studying at in Germany? And whereabouts? We lived in the former DDR for three years and there were very few English speakers because most people's second language - if they had one - was Russian.

Having said that, Germany is an amazing place to live and if he's really enthusiastic, why not? But I would want to check what qualifications he would come out with at the end of it to make sure he could fit back into the UK system if necessary.

TwinkieTwinkle · 28/05/2015 09:51

What an amazing opportunity for him!

harshbuttrue1980 · 29/05/2015 19:07

The most important question - does your son want to go?? If he wants to, then let him. However, if he doesn't feel ready, then don't push him, as 13 is still very young to be away from your parents for weeks at a time. However, different children have different levels of maturity.

dementedma · 29/05/2015 19:11

As someone said earlier, many forces kids board at a much younger age than that while their parents are very far away. As long as he is well prepared and knows what it involves, give it a try.

SuburbanRhonda · 29/05/2015 19:15

dementedma my DH boarded from the age of 8 because his parents travelled all over the world for work, but the difference was that he was in his home country (UK) speaking his home language.

Boarding in a non-Anglophone country is a great experience but very different.

Dancingqueen17 · 29/05/2015 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SuburbanRhonda · 29/05/2015 22:22

dancing, does the speed at which they pick up the language depend on their age when they start? DD was fluent in East German German (iykwim) within a couple of months because no-one at her kindergarten spoke English so it was sink or swim. I also believed it was because she was only four, so at a good age for acquiring another language.

Would a 13-year-old pick up the language as quickly do you think?

Dancingqueen17 · 30/05/2015 09:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread