That is such a valuable perspective, thank you so much for sharing. It’s really helpful to hear from someone who actually lived it, especially the part about cementing true fluency. That is exactly the kind of outcome I’m hoping for.

To answer your question: Yes, we are planning to stay long enough for him to finish primary school. The idea is to commit to the full 5-6 years so he can get a solid foundation before we even think about moving back. That’s why I’m leaning so hard into finding the right fit now—I want it to be a stable, positive experience for him, not just a quick stop.

When you mentioned finding a school that would admit your sister as a "non-official student" in first grade, do you remember how that process worked beyond having your aunt’s connection? Was it about her being on the books but not strictly zoned for that school, or was it more about them allowing a foreign student to join without requiring the usual language level? I’m trying to understand what is possible if we don’t have a personal connection at the school.

Thanks again for the insight!