Voices from Parents
Parents of Hiroshima Campus
1. How we chose this school
When we were facing our child and wondering, “What type of learning style would best suit our child?” we were looking for a school that was not only limited to public education, but also had a broad perspective. We came across AIC Kyoto Campus, which offers a curriculum based on the International Baccalaureate PYP.
When we thought about what we wanted our child to learn in childhood, we realized that we wanted our child to learn that “learning is fun” rather than learning about the knowledge and methods of solving problems in the world, we believe that the inquisitive learning at AIC, where children find their own “why (question)” and search for answers in a way that suits them, would form the foundation for them to enjoy learning and create a life that grow on their own.
2. Changes after your child’s enrolment
We feel that our child is enjoying each day to the fullest.
Since an environment that forces you to be the same as everyone else is not the same as an environment where you can feel secure if you are the same as everyone else, we think that our child’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence is increasing.
Furthermore, because it is an environment that encourages children to ask the innocent “why?” questions they naturally have, it is heartwarming for parents to see their children eagerly pursuing the things that interest them and the things they want to do.
Parents of Osaka Campus
1. How we chose this school
We came across the baccalaureate in our search for a place where children, who will live in a new era of rapid change, can truly and deeply engage in learning to think for themselves, construct things, and communicate with others.
The baccalaureate concept encompasses a wide range of perspectives that even we, as adults, would like to learn, and it fits very well with the learning we were looking for.
2. Changes after your child’s enrolment
We feel that learning at school is connected to life at home, and that learning is deepened through daily dialogue and experiences.
Furthermore, regarding the idea that “everyone is different, and that’s okay,” we feel that children learn through their own experiences from various angles and in various situations, rather than just receiving superficial input.
Even first-year students who are still unable to articulate their thoughts clearly on the topic of “What does it mean that everyone is different?” first gain a deeper understanding through experience, using their bodies and senses, and then gradually build up a vocabulary to express their thoughts and feelings.
We feel that the school has been working on them since the beginning of the enrolment period.
We are learning from our child that this is how concepts are created.
Parents of Kyoto Campus
1. How we chose this school
Having grown up in a traditional Japanese education system that focuses on cramming and scores, AIC’s educational method, which emphasizes inquisitiveness and initiative, was very refreshing for us.
On the other hand, it is also true that we were cautious about how our child would perceive “learning” at this point, when the child was about to begin learning in earnest.
It was impressive to see the children’s eyes shine and their enthusiastic participation during the trial lessons, and we were convinced that children can learn a great deal beyond the boundaries of textbooks with an active learning attitude of “wanting to know,” guided by their natural curiosity and interest!
2. Changes after your child’s enrolment
The other day, we were casually watching the news.
Suddenly, my son asked me, “What would you do in a situation like this?”
Although the sudden question flustered me, I gave my answer, and my son firmly stated his own opinion from a completely different perspective.
Through these casual interactions, I saw many signs of growth in him, such as his willingness to listen to the opinions of others, his ability to express his own opinions, and his interest in various societal issues, thinking of them as “your own business.”
While I stood there surprised, my son nonchalantly said that this is how he constantly exchanges opinions with his friends and teachers at school.
We are proud of our son, who has naturally come to face the myriad of unanswered questions that lurk in everyday life, and at the same time, we are filled with gratitude for his daily learning at AIC!
Parents of Hiroshima Campus
1. How we chose this school
When we imagined the future society and considered the educational environment for our son, we had nothing but doubts about Japan’s uniform educational methods.
We believe that in the world of the future, it is essential to have the ability to take the initiative and be proactive in everything, and to open up a new world for oneself.
The most crucial point for us was that the curriculum at AIC is condensed with the spirit of learning “in” English and the spirit of “thinking and acting” for oneself.
In addition, the integration of multiple subjects, rather than focusing on one subject and learning memorability and monotypic content, is an area that we greatly sympathize with in terms of reality and practicality after entering society.
2. Changes after your child’s enrolment
We thought he was already quite creative, but we think his creative thinking has been further enhanced.
We feel that in school life, where STEAM is studied in a complex manner, an inquiring mind for these subjects is naturally developed.
When it comes to painting and crafts, once he is given materials (such as drawing tools and paints), he makes full use of them and adds his creative touches to produce impressive results. When given an instrument that interests him, he asks many questions that demonstrate logical thinking, such as “How?” and “Why?” to understand why it makes certain sounds and how to play it.
Voices from Graduates
AICJ (IB Diploma course, graduated in 2013)
| ～Profile～ | |
| 2013 | Entered Michigan State University |
| IB grades counted as university credits, allowing her to graduate in three years. | |
| 2016 | Got a job at a machine manufacturer of hygiene products in Japan |
When I first entered AICJ, my English skills were limited to being able to write the alphabet.
However, while I was in school, I put my all into everything I did. I don’t think I could work as hard even if I had to do it all over again.
I wanted to go abroad for higher education because something was exciting about it, and I wanted to have a real opportunity to apply out what I had practiced at AICJ.
Before I went to college in the U.S., I thought that people with good grades were automatically given good opportunities.
However, it was a world where anyone who was proactive could get what they wanted, even if they had poor grades.
Those who are valued are those who can express what they are looking for, can act on their initiative, and can sell themselves.
It was the opposite for me, so once I realized that, I was able to take action even if I wasn’t exceptionally mentally prepared.
There’s a phrase, “Fake it till you make it,” and my experience in the U.S. taught me that it’s okay just to jump in even if you don’t think you can do it.
Now that I’m working, I have a vague goal of becoming the most “awesome” I can be.
Specifically, I aim to become a global master of mechanical design, possessing skills and communication abilities that can be applied anywhere in the world.
However, the company does not create a curriculum for me or provide me with the time or facilities to study, so improving my skills on my own requires both physical and mental strength.
I recently took a six-month leave of absence to take mechanical engineering classes at a university.
What I realized after attending to university at this age is that I had more energy to spend and a better environment to work hard in as a student than I do now, and that there are many paths that this can open up.
So, I encourage all of my juniors to become the “best awesome you” that you can be at the AICJ right now.
AICJ (IB Diploma course, graduated in 2018)
| ～Profile～ | |
| 2018 | Entered the National University of Singapore |
| While in college, I engaged in long-term internships at a total of eight VC, consulting, and business companies in Japan and Singapore. | |
| 2023 | Got a job at a foreign IT company in Japan |
At university, I found myself in an extremely fortunate environment where highly enthusiastic students gathered from all over the world. However, I also struggled desperately, sometimes feeling overwhelmed by my immaturity, and yet I managed to graduate without any problems.
Outside of my studies, I also did long-term internships at eight companies in Japan and overseas while I was a student, and I was able to spend a very fulfilling time enthusiastically taking on a variety of activities, such as starting up clubs and businesses.
Once you graduate from high school, there will be many more situations where you will need to set your own goals and make decisions.
The apparent goal of getting into university disappears, and the schedule, which was filled with classes from morning to night, is gone.
Until middle school and high school, I had lived on a timeline of six years until graduation, but I suddenly felt like I was being asked to plan decades of my life, and I wondered what to do.
However, since I was in high school, I had many opportunities to think about the kind of life I wanted to live, and my school provided me with numerous opportunities to take action.
At the time, I was interested in solving social problems, and they introduced me to many events related to nuclear abolition and poverty issues. They provided me with advice and encouragement on various challenges, such as organizing a charity event at school and launching a new debate event in Kyushu.
The school’s generous support helped me develop independence and a habit of thinking about my own life before high school, which enabled me to spend a meaningful time in Singapore without being carried away, even though I was greatly stimulated by the people around me.
It is up to each individual to decide what kind of learning they will be able to master, but I would like them to challenge everything without fear, and the AICJ will encourage them to do so.
Do your best in your studies, play, and other activities!
I’m rooting for you.