Recently, our founder Jessica spoke at a talk on the benefits of scholarships and bursaries at international schools in Hong Kong. It was an engaging and insightful discussion, with many parents asking thoughtful questions about the differences between local and international schools.

In particular, many parents from ethnically diverse backgrounds — who are often bilingual or even trilingual themselves — shared their concerns about choosing the right educational pathway for their children from kindergarten through to primary and secondary school.

One of the key questions raised was: if a child attends a local school, what impact will that have on their development? Local schools offer strong Cantonese and Mandarin exposure, but parents also wondered whether that came at the expense of other aspects of learning and wellbeing. On the other hand, international schools may offer a better study-life balance and a happier learning environment, but some parents questioned whether the Chinese taught at these schools is sufficient for a child to live and work in a cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong, or even overseas.

Ms. Nadia, founder of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), also shared her personal experience as both a mother and a teacher in the local school system. She spoke about encouraging her daughter to attend a Chinese-medium primary school before eventually completing her education at an international school in Hong Kong.

Jessica also highlighted that there are international schools in Hong Kong that offer strong Chinese language pathways. Schools such as Chinese International School (CIS), Independent Schools Foundation (ISF), Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA), and Yew Chung International School (YCIS) provide students with exposure to Mandarin alongside English. In some of these schools, students begin with a Mandarin 70% and English 30%in the early years, before moving toward a more balanced bilingual model in secondary school.

She also explained the scholarships and bursaries available to ethnically diverse students in Hong Kong international schools, including the types of requirements schools may ask for such as awards, recommendation letters, scholarship applications, and auditions. These opportunities are always subject to approval by the school board.

Jessica also shared the success story of Mr. Edric Nazareno, who was valedictorian of his class at American School Hong Kong in 2023 and is now studying Aviation Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His journey is a strong example of how the SEA Charitable Foundation helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds access international school education through scholarships and bursaries.

Most importantly, the discussion reinforced one key message: children should understand their heritage, but they should also be supported to thrive in the environment they are in. In Hong Kong, that means learning the language and culture of the city, particularly Cantonese in the early years, while also ensuring that a child is in a school environment where they feel happy, supported, and motivated to learn.

Jessica raised an important question: would you rather your child move from class to class, changing uniforms, and dreading school each day, or attend an international school where there is more balance between study and life? Mental health and emotional wellbeing matter just as much as academic achievement.

For some careers, reading and writing Chinese is not essential — being able to communicate effectively is often enough. At the end of the day, a child’s happiness and overall wellbeing are far more important than forcing them into an education system that does not suit them.

Contact SEA today for a free 15-minute consultation here