Dear SIS-PIK Families,

Recently, I read a thought-provoking article in the newsletter of the Council of International Schools. A school leader questioned whether international education should be offered to local students, suggesting that if most students are from the host country, then perhaps these schools are no longer truly “international”.

Her comment created a pause, but it raised an important question that many educators around the world are now considering: What is the purpose of international education today?

For many years, international schools primarily served expatriate families. That picture has changed. Increasingly, schools like SIS-PIK welcome students from the host country alongside peers from many other nationalities. At SIS-PIK, Indonesian students learn in classrooms that reflect the diversity of the world, with more than 20 nationalities represented across our community.

To me, this does not dilute international education, it strengthens it.

International education has never been defined by the passport a student holds. It is defined by the mindset they develop. When young people learn multiple languages, encounter different perspectives, collaborate across cultures, and study curricula that prepare them for global pathways, they gain the skills needed to understand an increasingly complex world.

The article drew a helpful distinction between being internationally educated and being educated internationally. The difference lies in purpose. Simply delivering a foreign curriculum is not enough. What matters is how education shapes empathy, curiosity, communication, and the ability to navigate difference.

We see this in action in classrooms, on sports teams, in performances, and through service. We saw it through our celebration of Chinese culture last week. Students learn to support one another’s successes, understand different viewpoints, and work together toward shared goals. These experiences mirror what we see in global events such as the Olympic Games, where individuals from different nations compete fiercely yet show mutual respect and camaraderie. That spirit captures the essence of international education.

This is why SIS-PIK exists with a global outlook. Our aim is not to prepare students to leave Indonesia, but to ensure they can thrive anywhere, including here at home. International education provides access, opportunity, and perspective. It helps students understand who they are, while appreciating who others are. In that sense, the question is not whether local students should receive an international education. The question is how well schools help all students become globally minded individuals who can contribute positively to their communities.

That remains our purpose, and we are always grateful for the support you give us.

Warm regards,

Dr Dan