In a few days, it will be the official start of the school term for many children in Denmark. How is it to start school in a new country?
We decided to find a place to live in Roskilde, so the children will be very close to the school. I will be the one commuting to my work in Copenhagen, but I have no problem with that.
We asked Doriana from Italy, a newcomer in Denmark and mother of two, how her children feel with starting school soon – in a completely new country and new school environment.
Doriana, how old are your children and where will they start school? I have a nine-year-old daughter and an 11year-old son. We registered them at Skt. Josef´s School, about 30 km from Copenhagen in the historic centre of Roskilde. They have an international department, which covers Year 1 to Year 11 and is based on the Cambridge International Examination programme. Could you tell us why you picked up Skt. Josef´s School? Well, there are different reasons, but first of all the environment was really important for us. I visited many schools and Skt. Josef was my favorite. It is a beautiful place surrounded by parks, away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The staff I met there was so kind and understanding. You know, as a parent, your biggest concern is how your children will do, especially when you move to another country. In that matter, it is so important that they thrive at school. But I have a good feeling with Skt. Josef. I think they will like it here.
How are your children doing so far with the prospect of starting in a new school in a foreign country? So far quite positive. My daughter is very open to new things and she looks forward to meeting new friends. My son doesn´t seem too anxious yet. He would have had to change school anyway in Italy because he is 11 years old. It is a bit of an adventure for them, and they are curious to learn more about their new environment.
How have you prepared them for the start of school? We showed them the school, of course, and we talked to them about how their everyday life will be like. Details like working with a laptop in school every day or having your lunchbox with you are new and attractive to them. Their biggest concern is the language, because they don ´t speak English yet, but we have explained them that they will get help at school. Furthermore, we contacted other Italian parents living in Roskilde or nearby through social media and we got in touch with them. Our children could meet other Italian kids with a similar experience. I think it helps them feeling more secure to know that there are other children speaking the same language they can talk to.
Another thing they were not so fond of is the fact that they will be back in school very early, already starting in August. In Italy,
they
would
have
started
mid-
September, so they are not so happy with it. We have shortened their holidays.
Thanks for sharing, Doriana! We wish your children good luck with their school start!