🎙Interview: Choosing ISN — A Balance of Global Education and Nature-Rich Childraising
Parent of ISN student × ISN Staff
ISN Staff:
Thank you for joining us today. First, could you tell us what brought your family to Japan?
Parent:
Sure. We were originally living in Hong Kong, and our children were attending an IB school there. When we started thinking about relocating to Japan, we searched the IB website and discovered ISN. We saw that there were campuses in Matsumoto and Nagano City, and that’s when we reached out to the school.
ISN Staff:
What motivated your decision to move to Japan as a family?
Parent:
My wife is Japanese, and we wanted to be closer to her parents. But what really made the move possible was knowing that ISN was here — that our kids could continue with an IB-style education even after moving.
ISN Staff:
How has life been in Nagano?
Parent:
It’s been wonderful. One of the things we love is how many events and outdoor activities there are for children. Coming from a dense city like Hong Kong, having four distinct seasons is refreshing. Plus, winter sports like skiing are just 30 minutes away. And the cost of living here is relatively low, which makes Nagano a very comfortable and affordable place to raise children.
🌍 Balancing Japanese Culture with an International Environment
ISN Staff:
How has your family’s experience been at ISN so far?
Parent:
It’s exceeded our expectations. Our children are able to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, but at the same time, we’ve been able to connect with other international families through the school. It’s the perfect balance — experiencing Japanese life while maintaining English-speaking and international ties.
ISN Staff:
What kind of future do you envision for your children?
Parent:
Ultimately, we want them to be free to choose their own path. Whether they decide to attend university in Japan or abroad, we want them to have the language and cultural foundation to do either. Maintaining their English skills and international outlook is very important to us.
🎓 Unexpected Growth and Skills
ISN Staff:
Has anything about your child’s growth surprised you?
Parent:
Yes — their presentation skills, for one. Our daughter has become so confident using PowerPoint. Honestly, she might be better at it than I am! She’s very comfortable speaking in front of others and putting together solid presentations. That’s something I didn’t expect at such a young age, and I believe it’s thanks to ISN’s approach and IB-style learning. Opportunities like that are hard to come by in more traditional school settings.
International School of Nagano – Nakano campus
