he language barrier is one of the most significant problems any student moving to another country will face. Some of us NATO kids speak better English than others, but unless English is your first language, chances are it will take some getting used to. Don’t worry, though. Most students moving to other countries don’t take too long to adjust, especially if they have prior knowledge.
When we start school as citizens of a non-English speaking country, we must take an English test to determine if we need special accommodations. VB Schools offer an English as a Second Language class if we don’t perform well on that test. However, even if someone does not do well on the test, they can usually opt out of the class.
My suggestion is to take the class if you feel like your level of English will make it difficult for you to succeed in high school.
If you need additional help keeping up, talk to your counselor about getting other accommodations. I knew someone in my school who had just moved from Mexico and didn’t speak English. He received a tablet with a translating app with a talking feature and used it to communicate until he learned.
Everyday tips for Improving English
When moving to the US and especially to Virginia Beach, safety from extreme weather but also from guns is a major concern for both parents and students.
School Safety
When it comes to school safety though, VB schools are more than prepared for any unexpected event. Security guards, cameras, doors that automatically lock, and metal detectors in entrances before school games are only a few of the many measures taken by schools to ensure the safety of the students and faculty. This may sound like a lot, it seemed a lot to me at the beginning, but there is no need to worry. These measures are just precautions and rarely need to be used for serious reasons. Rest assured that in every school there are trained individuals tasked with handling these types of situations.
For more information on school safety:
Office of Security & Emergency Management – Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Out of School Safety
In VA Beach and Norfolk, it is also important to realize that some areas are safer than others. This must be a determining factor when your family decides where to live and when you decide where to go out with friends.
For more information:
The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Virginia Beach, VA: Crime Maps and Statistics
As someone who has experienced the transition to the US firsthand, there are some things I wish I had known at the beginning. This is the advice I would give to any international high school student moving to the US because their parents are in NATO.
One of the benefits of living in this country, especially as a part of NATO, is that you get to interact with people from various educational, religious, and cultural backgrounds. This is your opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn about different points of view, and discover things about the world you would never knew in your own country. Take advantage of that opportunity and keep an open mind.
If there is a community originating from your country, engaging with it can really help you overcome homesickness. When I first moved, I engaged with the Greek community in Norfolk and VA Beach through the Greek Orthodox Church. I joined the Greek Traditional dancing team and became part of a family that connected me to my country of origin.
In American high schools, group work is vital. You can often work on a project individually or in a group. I suggest going for the group option whenever you get the chance. This system is made to help people socialize, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of it. This is how I met most of my high school friends.
Another great way to socialize is to join clubs or sports, even recreationally. In this way, you will most likely meet people with the same interests as you and spend your time in a productive way.
