When it comes to parenting, we all have our own styles and techniques. But while every approach can be quite distinct across each family, there is probably one thing us parents all have in common: we all want to see our children succeed. We all want to see the next generation soar higher than we did.

I believe that to be an undeniable fact, and my belief is reinforced by the thousands of encounters and interviews I’ve had during my work in Bantay Bata 163. When parents and guardians were asked what motivated them the most to escape their unfortunate situation, the prevailing answer was the well-being, the safety, and the future of their children.

Education stands as the cornerstone of this collective vision for our children, the foundation that they can build their future on. In this pursuit, I’ve noticed that there has been an increasing number of parents who are looking towards international education, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping students into global citizens poised for success.

Thames President, Joel Santos (center) beside the British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, during the institute’s celebration of 20 years of sending students to the UK.

Building bridges for the learning journey

But the allure of international education is often accompanied by challenges, both logistical and financial, that can quickly deter aspiring students and their families. It is, however, encouraging to know that there are people and institutions that are working to extend the opportunity to study abroad to more Filipinos.

I’ve come to find out that one of the leading institutions in this sector, both as a beacon of accessibility and innovation, is Thames International. Since its beginnings in 1999, Thames has since made its name as one of the top choices for international schools in the country.

It’s also heartening to know that Thames is led by one of my good friends, its co-founder and president Joel Santos, whom I’ve known since my days in Ateneo. When it comes to leaders and experts in the education sector, only few can match Joel as a passionate and dedicated visionary.

I know this, and I’m sure many in public and private education would say the same, as Joel is one of the country’s most active advocates for high-quality learning. He has been, in fact, instrumental to our government in crafting initiatives and policies centered in raising the quality of education in the Philippines. Just this April, he was appointed Country Chair of the UNESCO Entrepreneurs Educators Network (EE-Net) Philippine Chapter. Thames is the country secretariat of UNESCO EE-Net.

Thames President Joel Santos (wearing a hat), joined by Department of Foreign Affairs Usec. Gary Domingo, alum Pinky Amador, and representatives from partner universities including Millersville Univ. of Pennsylvania, Western Carolina Univ., Univ. of North Carolina-Pembroke, Univ. of Northampton, Hertfordshire Univ., Southern Cross Univ., and Macquarie Univ. at the Thames Global Education Fair.

According to Joel, Thames’ mission and his personal advocacy is “to help more Filipinos afford to study abroad.  This way, they can reap its benefits and help our students become future leaders in the 21st century environment.”

Some notable names among Thames’ graduates are PJ Castro, co-founder of Fintech company JustPayTo, Blake Go, CEO of Prince Warehouse Club in Cebu, Shaina Darmawan, Bayer’s Country Division Head for Consumer Health, and Mikko Vergara, Head of Equities and Global Funds of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Company.

And beyond Thames’ stellar alumni, Joel also cited a study revealing that 36% of the top CEOs in Forbes Global 2000 were products of international education.

Global education within reach

Thames, according to Joel, is his “ambag” or his contribution to our collective dream of making international education within reach of any Filipino student. The vision, he shared with me once, was to be a gateway to boundless opportunities for children, and to provide parents with a sound choice in investing in the future of their children.

Thames achieves this through its 2+2 Global Degree Transfer Program – students begin their education journey at Thames, which prepares for two years before they transfer to any of its 12 partner universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Singapore, and Australia. Beyond simplifying the academic journey, this program affords families a manageable roadmap for financial planning, making the dream of international education possible to more families.

Joel shared that their mission to be more accessible continues its progress. In the spirit of this goal and in commemoration of its 25th year anniversary, the institution, alongside its esteemed partner universities, is introducing partial tuition fee scholarships. They are now offering this for as low as $5000 a year, matching some of the top private institutes in the country.

Joel with Thames Chancellor Dr. John Batten welcoming the second batch of students from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Thames International’s Global Degree Transfer Program has started attracting international students.

Better education leads to brighter hopes

I hope to clarify that despite what I have learned about Thames, I am not subscribed to the notion that international schooling is explicitly superior to studying in the Philippines – that is an inaccurate generalization of our schools and our educational system. I am simply speaking from my perspective as a children’s advocate, where I always find it commendable to see people and groups working to ensure that all paths of learning are open to more and more Filipinos.

Brilliant students, given the right opportunities and guided by the right teachers, will eventually be our answers to a future full of uncertainties. They are the same people who would go on to take us further through nation-building, finding solutions to pressing issues, and uplift our marginalized communities.

It can be both intimidating and compelling to know that it all starts with the choices we make as parents. But when we find partners in shaping our children in institutions like Thames, then the future begins to look brighter.

In our interconnected world, the importance of global education cannot be discounted. A 2021 research by the study choice platform Study.eu reveals a striking trend: 36 percent of CEOs in the Forbes Global 2000 list studied abroad, up from 32 percent in 2017.

These data highlight how international exposure is crucial for attaining top business leadership roles. Beyond academic achievements, global experiences of these CEOs become valuable sources of powerful insights into diverse business practices, cultural nuances and global markets. Studying abroad provides a strategic edge, offering unique skills, broader perspectives and a diverse network across different cultures and industries.

Despite having remarkable talents, Filipinos face fierce international competition, making global education essential but quite out of reach for most.

In the thriving Philippine economy, global competitiveness and cultural literacy are key skills needed by a 21st-century Filipino professional. Global education offers Filipino students first-hand exposure to international standards, emerging trends and business practices vital for success not only in the Philippines but elsewhere in the world.

Shaina “Magic” Darmawan, for instance, is one such student who got this kind of education. She is a Thames International alumna who is now the country head of Bayer Consumer Health Philippines. She opted for Thames International’s two-year study abroad program and graduated in 2002 with a business degree from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. We believe that the combination of her training from both institutions contributed to her success today.

The “2024 Key Trends in Southeast Asia” report by education research company ICEF reveals, however, a concerning trend: Vietnam sent 132,000 students abroad (37 percent of their market), while Malaysia and Indonesia each sent over 50,000. In contrast, the Philippines fell under “others,” indicating a lower number of students studying abroad. This gap underscores the Philippines’ lag in international education, signaling a need for urgent attention.

Thames International School is leading the charge to narrow this gap. An advocate for global education, Thames aims to send more Filipino students abroad. To support this initiative, Thames and its North Carolina partner universities, primarily University of North Carolina-Pembroke (UNCP) and Western Carolina University (WCU), offer state grants where a student only pays $5,000 for his or her annual tuition fees, making costs comparable with leading local Philippine universities.

Its Global Degree Transfer Program allows Filipino students to begin their first two years for their general subjects while in the Philippines before completing their degrees in fields like engineering, computer science, psychology, business and health-related disciplines at UNCP and WCU in the United States. With tuition fees set at $5,000 per year from the Philippines to the United States, this program has made a US degree more affordable and accessible to middle-class Filipinos. Moreover, certain programs will give students the option to work through the Optional Practical Training of the United States.

Recalling her experience, Darmawan said, “It was easy with Thames because they had liaisons with their partner universities, making the decision process for the right school and course convenient for students.” She added that studying abroad has taught her to collaborate with diverse people and cultures while fostering openness to new experiences.

Her message to students considering the Global Degree Transfer Program, “Give it a shot. There’s no better time than now because technology and connectivity are very accessible.”

Studying abroad isn’t just about personal growth and career advancement for Filipinos; it boosts the nation’s global competitiveness. With global education increasingly valued by top business leaders, Filipinos should seize the chance to study abroad and prepare for successful careers that can transcend borders.

Source: https://business.inquirer.net/457425/why-more-filipinos-should-study-abroad-for-business-career-success