Author: milchelc

The journey of studying overseas is an exciting adventure for children and teens alike.  With this excitement comes some worries and fears over not having their parents within arms’ reach.  In the traditional setting, a healthy, constant communication is important between parents and children.  This becomes even more essential when the children are studying overseas. 

Throughout the years, we in MILCHEL have seen the positive impacts of constant communication between parents and children.  Time and again, we have also witnessed the devastating impacts on children and teens of unhealthy communication habits with parents. 

In this article, we will share some of the significance of a constant, healthy interaction between parents and children.

Emotional Support

A regular interaction between parents and children gives the latter a sense of comfort knowing that their parents are only a call away.  Especially in the early days of the move overseas, parents must provide emotional support to their children through regular messaging and calls.  This does not mean, however, that parents should be on the phone with their children 24/7.  It just means that children must know that they can reach their parents in case they need them.  Knowing that their parents are just a click away helps children face the emotional challenges of studying in a foreign country. 

Building Trust

Trust is a crucial component of the parent-child relationship.  With healthy and quality interactions between parents and children, a supportive environment can be nurtured.  With a supportive environment, children will be more comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences with their parents.  Conversely, parents will be more confident that their children are living by the teachings and guidance they have imparted to them.  This mutual sense of comfort further strengthens trust and makes the parent-child relationship thrive despite the distance between them.

Celebrating Achievements

Finally, interactions between parents and children not only revolve around supporting and guiding.  Many times, when children share their successes with their parents, this celebration of achievements increases the parents’ pride of their children.  At the same time, when children feel their parents’ pride, they become even more motivated to strive in their overseas studies journey. 

In conclusion, there’s no doubt that healthy communication between parents and children during the latter’s overseas journey is crucial.  This is beneficial to the children who are striving for their academic dreams overseas.  At the same time, this has positive impacts on the parents who are left at home and supporting their children from the side lines.  The emotional support, building of trust, and celebrating victories, though done from a distance, make the whole journey more fulfilling. 

All of us parents have dreams for our children.  We dream that they have a bright future ahead of them, so we make sure they get the best quality of education they can possibly have.  Additionally, we also hope that they lead healthy lives so we ensure their physical need needs are taken care of.  However, sometimes we focus too much on academics and outside health.  Thus, we tend to forget another crucial aspect in our children’s lives – their values. 

This is a great challenge.  Honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, integrity, gratitude, perseverance, cooperation, courage, empathy.  The list can go on, and on.  In fact, we will never run out of good values to teach our children.  Yet, before delving into the values themselves, we first have to understand why doing so is important.

Character Development

First and foremost, we must remember that the values our children learn from us directly influence their character as they grow up.  Additionally, they pick up habits that affect their character from other adult parental figures. These habits and values serve as building blocks that make up our children’s character as they grow and mature.  Of course, we want to give them strong foundations like patience, generosity, and self-discipline, among others. 

Social Responsibility

Furthermore, it is important that children learn values like responsibility, compassion, and respect for themselves and for others.  If they do, they are more likely to grow up as good members of the society.  For one, compassionate children will grow up as adults who have a heart for their fellowmen.  Also, respectful children will grow up as adults who are considerate of others.  Lastly, responsible children grow up as adults who do their share in maintaining a just and fair society. 

Preparing for the Real World

Finally, the greatest importance of cultivating values in children is that it prepares them for the real world outside school.  A family environment shields children from adversities and difficulties.  Schools create a safe environment for children to thrive.  The real world outside home and school cannot be more different.  It is full of trials and difficulties.  Children who are taught resilience, perseverance, and hard work are equipped with life skills that will help them navigate the challenges in the real world. 

We can never overstate the importance of cultivating good values in our children.  Optimum physical health and top-tier education will all be put to waste without good values.  Ultimately, it’s our responsibility as parents to instill good values in our children. 

At Milchel Student Hostel, we prioritise the holistic development of our children.  We do this by addressing their physical, character, and academic needs.  The cornerstone of our approach lies in our especially designed Character Department. Here, we differentiate ourselves from other accommodations that solely focus on physical comfort or academic support alone.  We weave a character-building program for students across all levels through carefully planned activities that fit together like puzzle pieces. 

Like our commitment to physical growth and academic progress, we ardently believe in the importance of character development.  To achieve this, we’ve fashioned a range of activities, each serving as a building block in our holistic approach. Read on to find out what activities Milchelians participate in, and furthermore, why doing so is crucial in their character development.

Character Building

First of all, the age range of our students vary from as young as 9 to as old as 24.  Thus, we designed programs for Milchelians based on their age.  We have a program for our Primary level Milchelians where they learn good manners and right conduct.  In this program, we focus on habits and values that should be learned by kids their age.  Through guidance talks, games, and outings, they build good character that they will carry with them as they mature. 

Soft Skills

Secondly, teens need to develop a number of soft skills for them to thrive.  In INDULGE, Secondary level Milchelians plan and play activities under our experienced team’s guidance.  Here, Milchelians acquire skills that are best learned through application, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and planning, just to name a few.  From activities that are not only entertaining but also educational, teens also develop strong friendships and connections. 

Leadership

Furthermore, Milchelians in the Tertiary level get the opportunity to lead others through their CONVERGE activities.  They etch the importance of time management and decision-making into their routine as they balance academic commitments with these activities.  This nurtures a skill that transcends into adulthood, aiding them in managing responsibilities effectively.  

Charity and Compassion

More importantly, we extend Milchelians’ exposure beyond our hostel setting through charity involvement. Milchelians are exposed to real-world issues.  Consequently, they get a glimpse of their capacity to effect positive change.  We give them the opportunity to offer their time and effort to support the needy, be it the elderly, teens, and even our furry friends. 

As Milchelians of all ages immerse themselves in these activities, they unknowingly embrace and develop the 5 Key Traits that we endeavour them all to learn – Awareness, Discipline, Responsibility, Perseverance, and Confidence. With these traits, they also slowly develop our Core Values – Magnanimous, Intellectual, Loving-kindness, Compassion, Holisitc Living, Effort, and Leadership. These traits form the bedrock of a strong character, essential for navigating life’s challenges.

Over-all, the sum of these thoughtfully designed activities and a steadfast commitment to character development creates an environment conducive to fostering well-rounded Milchelians. We believe that by nurturing their character, we are guiding our children to contribute to the betterment of society.

Studying overseas is an exciting experience for many students.  Not everyone gets the opportunity to study in a foreign country so parents must ensure that they support their children along the way despite being physically away so they can enjoy and flourish in this precious opportunity. In this blog post, we will take a look at the different ways you can support your child while they are studying in Singapore. 

Planning

Sending your child to study overseas is a big decision that you and your child must carefully plan and discuss.  At the outset, you and your child must agree on your goals for studying overseas.  You and your child must be ready with the changes that they will experience studying overseas.  Meeting with agents or a visit to Singapore with your child will give them a glimpse of the life they’ll be living once they study here.  You must be clear with your targets.  Do you aim your child to enter a Government, a Private, or an International school?  Have a plan how long they will study in Singapore – until the end of Secondary school, or until Tertiary level? 

If they are already in Singapore and you are not yet clear on your objectives, it’s not too late to discuss these with your child. 

Emotional Support

Being away from home is emotionally challenging for your child.  It is important that they still feel your presence despite the distance.  Keep in touch through regular calls or video chats.  Just make sure not to overdo the calls and video chats to they don’t stay dependent on you. 

To ease feelings of loneliness, give your child something to look forward to. Make sure to schedule visits when you can catch up in person and spend time together.  During school holidays, you can go on a trip or get your child to return to your home country.  Better yet, you can visit them in Singapore.  Looking forward to your family reunion gives your child the energy and the drive to persist in their studies overseas. 

Encourage them to find good friends who can be their support system while they are overseas.  When you visit them, get to know their friends to make sure they are mixing with the right crowd.

Academic Support

Moving to a different country to study comes with a big change when it comes to academics.  Some are able to adapt quickly, while others need a longer adjustment period.  The change in syllabus is going to be challenging for your child.  For this, the best academic support you can do is to get them tuition support.  This may be a short-term arrangement until your child has adjusted to the change.  If necessary, you can make this a long-term arrangement so your child can have constant academic support. 

It is important that you stay informed about your child’s academic progress.  Make sure to keep in touch with your child’s teachers during Parent-Teacher Meetings which can now be done online.  You can also keep in touch with your child’s Form Teacher through regular emails. 

Accommodation

Probably the most crucial decision that you have to make regarding your child’s overseas studies is choosing the most suitable accommodation.  There are various options you can choose from like renting an apartment, staying in a homestay, and staying in a student hostel.  Staying in a student hostel over other forms of accommodation is the best choice you can make because they can help you give all the previously mentioned support to your child.  Placing your child in a good student hostel has plenty of advantages which you can read here. 

Summary

Studying overseas is a challenging but rewarding experience for your child.  To make it a success, your support as parents is crucial.  By carefully planning your child’s move before uprooting them and sending them overseas, you give them the feeling of security as they leave your home and move to their new one.  Giving your child emotional support despite the distance is made easier by technology.  Still, nothing beats regular “family reunions” which you can do during school holidays.  By staying in the loop of your child’s academics and engaging tutors to guide your child, you are giving them much needed academic support.  Finally, choosing the most suitable accommodation like a student hostel is the best support you can give your child.  With the guidance that a student hostel can provide, it’s like having another family member taking care of your child as they study overseas. 

Discover the numerous advantages of choosing a student hostel as your accommodation option in Singapore. Compared to alternatives like homestays, student hostels offer unique benefits that foster independence, social connections, academic support, and overall growth. This article delves into the advantages of living in a student hostel, highlighting its suitability for students seeking a convenient, secure, and culturally enriching living environment.

Advantages of Living in a Singapore Student Hostel

1. Independence: Cultivating Essential Life Skills

Living in a student hostel promotes independence and personal growth. Students are empowered to take responsibility for their well-being, fostering the development of essential life skills that will serve them in the future.

2. Peer Interaction and Networking: A Diverse Community

The student hostel environment brings together students from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. This diversity creates opportunities for friendships, connections, and valuable peer interactions. Such interactions not only enrich social experiences but also provide networking opportunities that can be beneficial in later years.

3. Academic Support: A Path to Excellence

Student hostels offer valuable academic support through tutorials and study groups. These resources create an environment that nurtures and encourages students to excel in their studies, enhancing their overall academic performance.

4. Facilities: Catering to Student Needs

Student hostels are designed with students’ needs in mind. They provide convenient facilities such as libraries, study areas, lounges, and recreational spaces. These amenities contribute to a comfortable living space that facilitates both academic and leisure activities.

5. Services: Enhancing Convenience

In addition to well-equipped facilities, student hostels offer services like laundry, housekeeping, and maintenance. These services further enhance the convenience and comfort of living in a student hostel, allowing students to focus on their studies and personal development.

6. Security: Prioritizing Safety and Privacy

Student hostels prioritize safety and security by implementing stringent measures. These measures create a private, safe, and secure living environment, giving students peace of mind and ensuring their well-being.

7. Cultural Exposure: Embracing Diversity

Living in a student hostel exposes students to various cultures, traditions, languages, and perspectives. This multicultural exposure contributes to their personal growth and broadens their understanding of the world around them.

8. Structure: Fostering Discipline and Responsibility

Student hostels provide a structured living environment with clear rules and regulations. This fosters discipline and responsibility among students, preparing them for the outside world they will encounter after completing their studies. The presence of ample support, guidance, and efficient operations ensures a smooth transition to independent living.

Conclusion:

In summary, living in a student hostel in Singapore offers a multitude of advantages. From cultivating independence and fostering social connections to providing academic support, convenient facilities, and a safe environment, student hostels contribute significantly to the holistic development and success of students during their educational journey.