Q&A with LEH Foshan Admissions:

Supporting International Boarding Students:

 

Part 1: The Application and Offer Stage (Building Trust from Afar)

Q1: What is the single biggest concern or fear you hear from overseas parents at the very first inquiry stage, and how does LEH Foshan address it immediately?

A: The biggest concern we hear is, "How can I trust a school I've never visited?" Parents worry about whether their child will be safe, happy, and well-supported thousands of miles from home. We address this immediately by being transparent: our website, Admissions Team, and virtual tours give families a real sense of our campus. More importantly, we listen. Every inquiry receives a personal response, and we invite overseas parents to schedule one-on-one video calls with our admissions team and, if appropriate, with academic staff, so they can ask questions directly and see the faces behind the school.

Q2: How do you fairly assess and interview a student who is currently studying in a different curriculum system and cannot visit campus in person?

A: We use a flexible, internationally recognized assessment model. For overseas students, we offer online assessments and virtual interviews. The assessments vary by age: younger students (Year 2) participate in play-based activities and observations; students in Years 3-9 complete CAT4 and NGRT reading assessments; and older students (Years 10-13) take CAT4 plus subject-specific exams. For non-native English speakers, we include the Oxford Placement Test (OPT). All interviews are conducted by our Headteacher and/or Head of Prep School via video call, ensuring a fair evaluation regardless of where the student is located.

Q3: Once a place is offered, what is the first piece of "non-academic" advice you give to international parents?

A: Start the visa process immediately. While LEH Foshan does not issue student visas directly, we provide all the necessary documentation, including the official admission letter and certificate of enrolment, to support families' visa applications. We also advise parents to arrange accommodation well in advance if they plan to relocate to Foshan, and to set up basic utilities like a local phone SIM and banking before arrival. Our admissions team provides a detailed "Arrival Checklist" to every enrolled family.

Q4: What key information about guardianship, visas, and medical requirements do you provide to reassure families?

A: We provide a comprehensive pre-arrival package that includes: 

  1. Visa support: Official letters and forms needed for student visa applications
  2. Guardianship guidance: For students under 18, we advise parents on guardianship arrangements
  3. 24/7 medical care on campus: Two resident nurses are available around the clock in our boarding house’s medical room on the 6th floor

We also share contact information for local clinics and hospitals that serve international patients.

 

Part 2: Pre-Arrival & Logistics (The "In-Between" Phase)

Q5: How do you help a family moving from overseas to find accommodation, understand the local area, and prepare for the first day?

A: Our admissions team serves as the family's first point of contact for all logistical questions. We provide:

  1. Area guides: Information about expat-friendly neighborhoods in Foshan's Chancheng District
  2. Campus location details: Our address is 26 Jingping Road, Chancheng District
  3. Transportation guidance: We share details about pick-up hubs, including the Foshan-Guangzhou metro line, Guangzhou South Station, and the West Kowloon High-Speed Rail connection for families coming from Hong Kong
  4. Virtual campus tours before arrival
  5. First-day itinerary so parents and students know exactly what to expect

For boarding families, our boarding team communicates directly to assign rooms and provide packing recommendations.

Q6: For families where English or Mandarin isn't the first language, what specific communication tools or bilingual support systems do you have?

A: Our admissions team is fully bilingual in English and Mandarin. All key documents, application forms, fee schedules, welcome packages, are available in both languages. We also have Mandarin-speaking staff who can assist parents during video calls and email correspondence. For families speaking other languages, we work with translation services as needed. Once enrolled, our school community includes families from around the world, and we encourage peer support among international parents.

 

Part 3: The Arrival and Airport Experience

Q7: Walk us through a real example: a family lands at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. What happens from the moment they clear customs?

A: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is approximately 1.5 hours from our campus. Here's what happens:

  1. The family clears customs and collects luggage
  2. They either take a pre-arranged taxi or private car
  3. The family stays in a temporary accommodation for a week or two, until the visa procedure is completed
  4. Upon arrival at campus (26 Jingping Road), they are greeted by a member of our admissions and members of the Administration Team who will guide them through the visa process.
  5. A campus tour is provided if this is their first in-person visit
  6. The family attends an Induction Session with the Academic and Boarding Team.
  7. Students receive their student card, which is also a room key access, as well as a welcome kit with essential information
  8. Boarding students are escorted to their assigned boarding house, where house parents are waiting

Q8: How do you handle the emotional "drop-off" moment? What do you say to a tearful parent versus a nervous student?

A: To parents, we say: "You've done the hardest part, getting them here. Now let us take care of the rest. Your child is joining a family, not just a school. We'll send you updates, and you can call anytime." To a nervous student, we say: "Everyone here remembers their first day. Your house parents and your 'buddy' will show you everything. Dinner is in two hours—you'll meet everyone then."

Q9: What is the non-negotiable checklist for an international student's first night in Foshan?

A: Every student must complete these four things on night one:

1. Unpack - Put clothes away and set up their personal space.

2. Connect to WiFi – Our IT Team will connect your devices to the the school WIFI. Call or video message parents to confirm safe arrival

3. Meet house parents and roommate(s) - Learn house rules and emergency procedures

4. Join the evening meal - Eat with fellow boarders in the dining hall

These steps ensure students feel settled, connected, and part of the community from the very first evening.

 

Part 4: Beyond the Airport – Long-Term Integration

Q10: What systems do you have to monitor an international student's social and emotional adjustment during the first 30 days?

A: We have several layered systems:

  1. "Buddy" system: Every new international student is paired with an existing student "buddy" who shows them around and introduces them to others
  2. Houseparent check-ins: Our boarding staff meet with each new student regularly during the first week
  3. 24/7 on-campus medical and wellbeing support: Two resident nurses are on duty on campus.
  4. Wellbeing Room (for younger students): A dedicated quiet space in the Prep School boarding house for students who need emotional support or a moment away from the busy school environment
  5. Regular house meetings where students can share their experiences, raise concerns, and make suggestions

We also communicate regularly with parents during the first month to share observations and address any concerns early.

Q11: How do you encourage healthy communication with family back home while ensuring the student fully immerses in school life?

A: We take a balanced approach. Students are encouraged to call or video chat with parents at designated times. However, during the school day and evening activities, we encourage full engagement with peers and teachers. We advise parents to expect slightly less frequent contact during the first week as their child settles in, this is normal and healthy. Our house parents help students manage this balance and can facilitate calls if a student is feeling particularly homesick.

Q12: Could you share a brief story of an international student who arrived feeling lost or overwhelmed, and how LEH Foshan helped them find their feet?

A: We had a student from Hong Kong who joined LEH Foshan in 2020 as one of our founding students. She was nervous about transitioning to a new school and a new city. Through our supportive boarding environment, dedicated teachers, and strong pastoral care, she not only settled in but thrived. Her father later shared how pleased he was with her growth—not just academically, but in her confidence, English fluency, and overall engagement with the world around her. She went on to achieve excellent IGCSE results. Stories like hers are why we do what we do.

 

Part 5: Closing – Advice for Parents

Q13: What is one thing international parents always overpack—and one thing they always forget?

A:

  • Overpacked

Too many shoes and formal outfits, students wear school uniform during the day and casual clothes in the evenings

  • Forgotten

A small comfort item from home (a familiar pillowcase, a photo, a stuffed animal) to ease first-night jitters

Q14: If you could whisper one sentence to a parent watching their child go through airport security, what would it be?

A: "You've given your child the bravest gift; the chance to discover who they are without you standing next to them. Trust the journey. And remember: we'll be here, waiting with open arms, on the other side."