99% !

Teenage kids are artists and scientists,
entrepreneurs and philosophers,
pioneers and poets.

If they can have a go.
……………..If not, they’re bored.

New environments, new faces and fresh ideas work magic
for motivation – for inspiration – for a clearer focus.

To offer an adolescent a “change of playgrounds” isn’t anywhere near as expensive, as logistically difficult and as emotionally disturbing as you may think. In fact, it’s fun and parents tend to get much more out of it for themselves as they would have ever anticipated.

Fancy a challenge ? Want more colour and drive in your life ?

Student exchange is something everyone has heard of.
It’s a great way of combining education and change of scenery.
Lots of kids want to go and see the world.
Lots of kids have potential and look for a challenge.
But how many actually do it and venture out ?

99% don’t.  Here are some statistics:

GERMANY has a  population of 81,3 mio
11,6 mio are schoolkids and
over 470.000 graduated (high school = “Abitur”) last year
Approx. 14.000 teenagers go abroad for a term or a year
per annum, over 50% of them go to the United States
(2009/10 their number was exactly 7.953).

UNITED STATES : population  313,2 mio
3.000,000 kids come out of high school every year.
Last year precisely 1.979 (!) teenagers went abroad to experience
life as an exchange student whilst a sum total of 29.491 pupils
from other nations came to the US for this reason (source).

The statistics show: mobility in education does not meet the urgent need
for global education and international flexibility. In fact, it does not even
scratch the surface – these figures ought to be at least ten times higher.

Where this need is being met in a highly professional way is in the business
of “International Schools” – here is an article throwing more light on this
segment of education:
“International Education is a Growth Industry !”

This mirrors an understanding of tomorrow’s demands but it does nothing
for the ambitions of the 99,99% of today’s kids who do not have the means
for education in “the private sector”.

Shared Mindspace is changing this. Parental Pals are setting new standards
and invite families with global learning ambitions to join in and redefine the
parameters of access: international education will be available and accessible
for every kid and every adult who longs for it.

Family co-operation makes it possible.