International School Consulting — Dubai & Expat Families
“Navigating global education with an educator’s mind and a mother’s heart.” Turning the overwhelm of school relocation into a clear, confident path for expat families moving internationally.
Moving your family internationally is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make — and finding the right school sits at the centre of it. Edualist gives expat families a clear, strategic roadmap so the school search doesn't derail the rest of the move.
Founder Ozlem Cimen is both an education expert with 20+ years in international schools and an expat mother who has navigated four countries with her own children. She knows this process from both sides of the desk.
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Why Edualist?
Choosing the right international school goes far beyond simply comparing websites and reading brochures. Finding the right place for your child to succeed means considering many different factors.
To make the best decision, we look closely at:
- The Student: Your child’s unique academic profile, language readiness, learning style, and emotional adaptability.
- The Academics: The exact curriculum fit (IB, American, British, etc.) and long-term university directions.
- The Family: Your core expectations, budget requirements, and ideal lifestyle or location in your new city.
The Edualist Advantage
With over 20 years of education experience and the firsthand knowledge of an expat mom who has moved her family across five countries, we know how to help. We turn the stressful process of moving abroad into a clear, simple plan—so your family feels supported and your child starts their new school with confidence.
Pedagogical & Empathetic
We address international schooling processes with the background of an educator and the care of a mother who raised two children abroad.
Expectation Management
Balancing family expectations, school capacity, and student reality to target the absolute best educational fit.
Interview & Admission Test Prep
We support students through school interviews and admission tests (CAT4, BCAT, etc.) with a structured preparation process to secure school acceptance.
Independent Guidance
Edualist has no affiliations with any school. Every recommendation is shaped solely around your child's best interest — not to benefit any institution.
Edualist Education Consulting
From finding the right school to settling confidently into your new life — we are with you.
| 🌿 STARTER | ⭐ COMPREHENSIVE | |
|---|---|---|
| Package | 30-Day School Placement | 90-Day Comprehensive Support |
|
Price one-time flat fee |
AED 3,500 | AED 7,000 35% discount applied |
| Best For | You've chosen a school — now you need it done right. | You're moving countries. You need more than an application. |
| Personalised School Selection | 3 schools matched to the student's profile | 6 schools matched to the student's profile |
| Application & Registration | Full management of the chosen school's application and registration | Hands-on, end-to-end management with the care of a fellow parent, including post-registration support |
| Deadline Tracking | Key deadlines tracked and flagged | Full deadline calendar managed on your behalf |
| Direct Admissions Communication | All admissions emails and calls handled directly by Özlem | |
| Direct Access to Özlem | 2 check-in calls per week | 4 check-in calls per week |
| School Interview | Support for 1 online interview or meeting | Support for 3 online interviews or meetings |
| Parent Interview Prep | One preparation call | Full mock interview session with written feedback |
| Waiting-List Follow-Up | Active follow-up on waiting lists until a place is confirmed | |
| Residency & Document Handling | Delivering residency permit and other documents to the school on time | |
| School Adaptation | Active support adapting to the new education system and school culture | |
| Social Life & Clubs | Personalised guidance for after-school activities and clubs | |
| School Community Integration | Active support joining school WhatsApp groups and parent meetings | |
| English Adaptation | 10-hour 1-to-1 English lessons est. value AED 2,000 | |
| Post-Placement Follow-Up | One check-in call after your child's first week at school | |
| Curriculum Briefing | Dedicated session on the new curriculum, grading system & expectations | |
| School Visit Coordination | Coordination for up to 2 virtual school visits | |
| Start Here → | Get Started → |
Because choosing a school is only the first step.
Transitioning to a new country and education system means far more than submitting an application. Edualist supports the student's academic, social and language adaptation — and the parents' integration into the school community. From day one, less like a consultant, more like an experienced fellow parent right there beside you.
"We don't just find a school for your child. We make sure they start their new education life on the right foot."
- Every decision shaped around your child's needs
- Direct WhatsApp access to Özlem
- Weekly written progress updates
- All school emails & calls handled for you
- Personalised & independent advice — no school affiliations
- No hidden fees, no surprises
📌 Please Note: Application, registration and other school fees collected separately by the schools are not included in Edualist consulting fees.
Getting into the right school is only step one.
Thriving inside it is where the real journey begins.
Academic coaching for students navigating IB, A-Level, or curriculum transitions. Parent-focused 1-on-1 coaching, 2 sessions per week. 900 AED/month.
- 🌿Beyond Subject Tutoring: Navigating curriculum shifts (IB, British, American) and school cultural adaptation
- ⭐Parent & Student 1-on-1 Mentoring: Guiding children through academic expectations while helping parents navigate school communications
- 🎯Independent Pedagogical Oversight: 20+ years of educational expertise — zero school affiliations
Parent Experiences
Thanks to Özlem, getting accepted to Repton Al Barsha was far easier than we imagined. She managed the entire application process — we just signed the documents.
GEMS International Dubai turned out to be exactly the right choice for our son who was still developing his English. His first-term adaptation went much more smoothly than we expected.
We handled all the GEMS Wellington Dubai Hills paperwork from Turkey. By the time we arrived in Dubai, the school was already sorted — we hadn't expected it to be this easy.
International school options in Azerbaijan are limited and we had no idea where to start. Edualist prepared the school shortlist and guided us through every step of the application.
IB, A-Level, AP — we had no idea and the more we researched the more confused we got. Özlem looked at our daughter's profile and university goals and pointed us to IB. We couldn't be happier with GEMS Dubai American Academy.
We applied to GEMS and were rejected. Özlem identified every gap, restructured our application from scratch. We reapplied to the same school — and got in. She genuinely saved our children's education.
Free Monthly Online Sessions
This isn't a passive webinar — it's a live conversation. Ask your most pressing questions, get immediate, expert answers, and hear real stories from families who've navigated international school systems firsthand.
Ask Direct Questions
No pre-screened topics — ask exactly what's on your mind during the live session and get a direct, honest response.
Get Immediate Answers
No waiting days for a callback — get clarity on admission timelines, KHDA ratings, and school lists in real time.
Hear From Other Parents
Connect with families who've already made the move — share struggles, successes, and school experiences in a supportive community.
Expert Guidance, Zero Cost
Benefit from Ozlem Cimen's 10+ years of education consulting expertise with no fees, no strings attached.
Register for Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries does Edualist advise on for international school placement?
Edualist provides international school placement and adaptation support for families relocating worldwide, including Dubai & UAE, UK, Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Singapore.
How much do international school fees in Dubai cost?
Annual tuition fees at Dubai international schools range from AED 25,000 to over AED 120,000. When uniforms, books, transport, and activity fees are added, the true cost can be 20–30% above the advertised tuition price. Edualist prepares a school shortlist matched to the family's budget.
Is my child's English good enough for an international school?
Conversational English and academic English are very different skill sets. Many students described as 'good at English' struggle in an international school environment during the first term. Edualist assesses the child's EAL (English as an Additional Language) level before the move and plans targeted language coaching if needed.
At what age is transitioning to an international school easiest?
Primary school transitions (ages 6–10) typically produce the fastest language and social adaptation. Secondary and high school transitions (ages 11–17) require extra attention to curriculum differences and university planning, but with the right preparation a successful transition is achievable at any age.
Is the IB Diploma accepted by Turkish universities?
Yes. The IB Diploma is recognised by Turkey's YÖK (Council of Higher Education) and scores are used in the equivalency calculation for university admissions. It is also accepted by over 5,000 universities worldwide, making it the most portable curriculum for families who relocate frequently.
How do I get started with Edualist?
The process begins with a free initial consultation. Ozlem Cimen evaluates the child's academic background, language level, and family goals, then prepares a personalised school shortlist and roadmap. To request a session, use the contact form on this page.
Book a Consultation
If you are exploring international school options for your child, the first consultation helps us understand your family’s needs, your child’s current profile and possible education pathways.
Curriculum & Timing Focus
A personalized roadmap matching the child’s age, grade, language and credentials.
Clear Strategic Deliverables
Gain a clear sense of direction, key checklist priorities, and immediate steps.
Contact via WhatsApp
Have quick questions? Get in touch immediately via WhatsApp message.