Questions from Parent's Meetings
?Is it possible to visit the children abroad
Definitely ! Of course it is allowed to visit the children abroad, travel with them and stay in the college. However, it is advisable to synchronize this with the children's school time, or with other events and programs in the college - so as not to disrupt the child's new routine.
?Who is responsible for the children? Will we have direct contact with any guide
Each college has different frameworks designed to accompany the children at different stages in the college -
There are / are "mother" or "father" house, who are responsible for various residential areas in the college and thus for the basic living environment of the students. In many colleges, the "mother" or "father" also accompanies the students in various bonding activities and constitutes an educational figure, and an attentive ear - as they are a neutral figure who is not connected to the children's academic study environment.
In addition, most schools also have professional academic guidance, and each student is accompanied by a counsellor who serves as an "educator." They accompany the students and assist them in various decisions and find them necessary academic assistance, if required.
In addition to all these, there are also the informal frameworks that the children create for themselves, such as the "Middle Eastern family", the "European family". Moreover, in most colleges at the beginning of the year, each new student is assigned a "buddy" from the senior class, who is responsible for introducing them to the place, the customs and the country, and helps them adapt to the new environment.
Regarding the connection between parents and counselors - this is possible when the parents want it, and counselors in some colleges are also instructed to contact the parents at the beginning of the year to get to know each other as well as to mark various events during the two years. However, it is advisable to give the child his or her independent place.
?How often can we be in touch with the children
As much as you want! All campuses have free Wi-Fi that allows regular communication with the children. The frequency of contact between parents and children depends entirely on the will of those involved.
?What is expected from the parents
Allow your child to spread their wings and blossom! Know how to grant independence and yet also provide support and be a listening ear when needed. It is important to remember that the college experience can sometimes be challenging as well, and the parent is expected to support their child along these challenges and help them deal with them.
?What is the degree of independence the students have
Students are quite independent throughout the year, and schools even encourage independence, curiosity and involvement in the local community!
In the physical sense - you can go out and walk outside the school under certain conditions and in accordance with the guidelines and school rules, sometimes even for several days (in most schools - with the parents' permission).
In the theoretical sense of leaving the school framework - schools encourage "thinking outside the box" and not being fixed to the formal framework offered by the school. Many students initiate additional frameworks for the student community, such as sports classes in collaboration with local school teams, going on tours in the area, informal conversation and learning circles in collaboration with various communities in the country and within the school itself. Schools encourage students to be the ones who create the college framework themselves, and to be the ones to shape and change the reality in which they live. Therefore, in schools the formal "framework" is very flexible and there is a lot of support and encouragement from students who want to "break" or change it.
?If we have family or friends near the school, can our child go out on weekends to visit them
Of course! The colleges encourage familiarity and involvement in the local community. Accommodation on weekends in other places requires special permission from the college and the parents - but this is of course possible in accordance with the school's guidelines and rules. Friends or relatives can also visit the children in the college itself.
In addition and in a similar context, in several countries there are Jewish / Israeli families who live in the college cities and are in continuous contact with the college - in order to host Israeli and Jewish students on holidays and Friday dinners.