Developing Story | Chinese Students Flock to Chiang Mai; Accompanying Mothers Seek to Escape Tiger Mom Lifestyle but Find It Not a One-Time Fix (AI Translation)
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摄影/撰稿｜财新周刊 张芮雪 发自泰国清迈
Photography/Article by Zhang Ruixue from Caixin Weekly, reporting from Chiang Mai, Thailand
泰国清迈杭东区的大街上，各类补习班的招牌林立，国际学校的巨幅广告牌上，金发碧眼与黑头发黄皮肤的学生一起身穿制服并肩微笑。“我送过很多很多中国妈妈和孩子去上学！”泰国司机热情介绍道。在杭东区，你可以找到全是中国人的别墅小区、地道的重庆小面馆，即使不熟悉英语和泰语，也能雇到操着流利普通话的华裔保姆、园丁、装修工、汽修工等。
In Hangdong District, Chiang Mai, Thailand, various tutoring center signs line the streets, while large advertisements for international schools feature blonde-haired, blue-eyed students smiling alongside their black-haired, yellow-skinned peers in uniforms. "I've driven many, many Chinese mothers and children to school!" a Thai driver enthusiastically introduces. In Hangdong District, one can find villa communities predominantly occupied by Chinese residents, authentic Chongqing noodle restaurants, and even without proficiency in English or Thai, it is possible to hire Chinese-speaking nannies, gardeners, decorators, and mechanics.
吸引中国人聚集于此的，是遍布各处的国际学校。近年来，热门国际学校的中国学生人数极速膨胀，多位家长向财新表示，其孩子所在班级的华人学生占比接近一半，有的已超85%。泰国国际学校协会网站显示，清迈当地有十余所国际学校已加入该协会，这些学校主要提供美国、英国和国际文凭（IB）课程，覆盖了托育至高中的各个学段，学费集中在3万—10万元（人民币，后同）一年，仅为国内同等水平学校的三分之一；此外，提供双语（英语和泰语）教学的本地学校或商业机构亦不在少数，且学费更低。据财新不完全统计，清迈的国际学校或双语学校数量超过30所。
What attracts Chinese nationals to gather here are the international schools scattered throughout. In recent years, the number of Chinese students in popular international schools has surged rapidly. Several parents told Caixin that Chinese students make up nearly half of the class in some instances, with some exceeding 85%. According to the website of the International Schools Association of Thailand, more than a dozen international schools in Chiang Mai have joined the association. These schools mainly offer American, British, and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula, covering all educational stages from daycare to high school, with tuition fees ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan per year, merely a third of those at comparable schools in China. Additionally, there are numerous local schools or commercial entities offering bilingual (English and Thai) education, often at even lower costs. According to incomplete statistics by Caixin, there are over 30 international or bilingual schools in Chiang Mai.
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- In Chiang Mai, Thailand, international schools offering affordable education attract many Chinese families aiming for a more relaxed educational environment. Chinese students can make up 85% of some classes.
- Mothers from China face cultural adaptation challenges but find solace in community support and lifestyle changes, engaging in activities like yoga, language classes, and social groups.
- Financial pressures persist, with many parents re-evaluating their children's future education plans due to rising tuition costs, lifestyle expenses, and a desire for more balanced life goals.
As the "Ji Wa" culture expands and economic conditions vary, many Chinese families, especially full-time mothers, seek educational solutions in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This small city offers an appealing balance of affordable education and living costs, drawing a notable influx of Chinese students to its international schools. These schools provide a Western-styled curriculum at a fraction of the cost in China, making education more accessible for families looking for international exposure for their children. [para. 1]
In Hangdong District, Chiang Mai, the presence of Chinese nationals is prominent with neighborhoods catered to their lifestyle, from educational institutions to culinary needs. This has been a compelling reason for these families to choose Chiang Mai as a temporary education diaspora, with international schools offering American, British, and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula. Students often find the academic environment less stressful, enhancing confidence and social engagement without the pressure of rigorous examination systems prevalent in China. [para. 1][para. 2]
For parents like Wang Qing, whose son Steven Wu struggled academically in China, transferring to a school in Chiang Mai presented a drastic change. Steven encountered a less stressful curriculum, which allowed him to excel in classes and gain confidence, eventually enjoying participation in sports like basketball. International education here emphasizes holistic development over rote learning, focusing on nurturing essential skills such as physical education and information retrieval. [para. 3]
Nevertheless, the international experiences in Chiang Mai's schools are not without challenges. Some parents worry about the quality of education and the large number of Chinese students lessening the 'international' experience, while others struggle with the mixed capabilities of students causing classroom delays. Variations in teacher quality, cultural shocks, and financial pressures add to the complexity of migrating for educational purposes. [para. 4][para. 5]
Parents also face choices between maintaining traditional educational practices and adapting to more liberal Western styles, often resulting in conflicts with their children over issues like discipline and freedoms. Eastern and Western value clashes become a source of tension, further complicated by the slower-paced education system in Chiang Mai and concerns over sustainable educational quality. [para. 6][para. 7][para. 8]
Despite these challenges, the slower lifestyle in Chiang Mai is a significant pull factor for Chinese families. Parents adjust to the cultural shift while building new social networks, learning from other mothers, and exploring interests beyond parenting. This has led to enhanced personal growth for many mothers who find more freedom and fewer societal pressures than they faced in China. They engage in various community activities and classes, making the most out of their time while their children are at school. [para. 9][para. 10]
While economic constraints pose significant concerns for some families, others begin to reevaluate their expectations, focusing more on their children's happiness and development rather than academic achievements alone. The feasibility of sustaining living costs in Chiang Mai nests within broader questions about future educational priorities for their children. Parents adapt their outlook, often shifting focus from prestigious Western universities to local opportunities and self-sufficiency skills for their children. [para. 11][para. 12][para. 13]
The ongoing discussions and experiences of these families shed light on the evolving dynamics of global education, as well as cultural and financial transformations. With Chiang Mai's alluring balance of tradition and international appeal, it continues to attract families seeking a different educational route for their children amidst an array of challenges and opportunities. [para. 14]
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