Have You Thought About “How Long to Keep Going”?
Hi, I’m Saori. It’s been three and a half years since we moved to Penang, Malaysia. My eldest daughter Hikari is now in second grade, and my eldest son Zen is in kindergarten. Our youngest daughter Yukari is just one and a half, and we’re enjoying watching her grow at her own pace.
The other day, I was chatting with a Japanese mom friend who’s also here for education migration, and this topic came up:
“I wonder how long we’ll stay in Malaysia.”
Have you ever thought about the “ending” of your education migration? To be honest, I hadn’t considered it at all when we first moved. I just assumed things would work out while the kids were small. But once Hikari started elementary school and Zen began more serious learning, I suddenly found myself thinking, “What do we do from here?”
Migration Without Withdrawal Criteria Is a “Gamble”
Education migration isn’t something you commit to “once you decide, you see it through.” On the contrary, I believe setting withdrawal criteria in advance is key to long-term success.
From observing other migrant families around me, I notice many start their migration without any withdrawal criteria. When you begin with a casual “let’s just try it,” you can’t decide whether to go back or stay when problems arise, ultimately burdening both the children and the family.
Here are some specific withdrawal criteria our family has set.
Children’s Mental Health Comes First
First is our children’s mental health. When Hikari first started at an international school, she complained of stomachaches every morning for the first three months. She was struggling with the language barrier and cultural differences.
But by staying in close contact with her homeroom teacher and getting support, she gradually adjusted. If there had been no improvement after three months and Hikari had kept strongly saying she didn’t want to go to school, I would have chosen to withdraw without hesitation.
No matter how good the curriculum, an environment that wipes the smile off a child’s face is meaningless.
Set a Financial Ceiling
Second is a financial benchmark. International school tuition in Malaysia ranges from about 80万 to 150万円 per year (roughly $5,500 to $10,000 USD). It’s still cheaper than Japan, but the weak yen makes the burden heavier.
According to the latest exchange rates, 1 MYR = 40.28 JPY (as of April 25, 2026). Compared to three years ago when we moved, the yen has weakened significantly. If this trend continues, the real cost of tuition will keep rising.
In our household, we’ve set a specific line: “If education costs exceed X% of our household income, we withdraw.” My husband and I review this regularly. With his background as a management consultant, having a numerical benchmark helps us make decisions without being swayed by emotions.
Withdrawal Isn’t Failure—It’s a Smart Decision
Many people see education migration as a binary choice between “success” or “failure,” but I don’t think that way. Withdrawing is never a “loss.” Rather, it’s a wise decision made by calmly analyzing the situation and choosing the best path.
“Going Back to Japan” Is a Valid Option
For example, even if Malaysia’s education system doesn’t suit your child, that doesn’t mean they won’t thrive in Japan. In fact, the English skills and international perspective gained at an international school can be major assets in a Japanese school.
I know a family who returned to Japan after a year and a half. Their child transferred to a local public elementary school and became top of the class in English, regaining confidence. I heard that child now talks positively about wanting to go abroad again someday.
I see withdrawal not as an “end,” but as “preparation” for the next stage.
Share Your Cutoff Line with the Family in Advance
Finally, I recommend sharing your withdrawal criteria with the whole family beforehand. If you and your partner haven’t discussed “when to pull out,” you’ll end up with conflicting opinions and delayed decisions when the time comes.
In our family, we review these criteria at a “family meeting” every six months. We also tell Hikari and Zen, “If you ever don’t like school, you can always tell Mom.” I believe it’s our role as parents to create an environment where kids feel comfortable saying they’re unhappy.
Penang’s Advantage: Ease of Withdrawal
Compared to KL (Kuala Lumpur), Penang has a lower cost of living, making it easier to decide to withdraw. With lower rent and daily expenses, you can make a quicker judgment rather than dragging things out by “waiting a bit longer to see.”
Also, while direct flights from Penang to Japan are still limited, it’s easy to return via KL. The physical hurdles of withdrawal are relatively low here.
Deciding “When to Quit” Makes the Present More Enjoyable
Paradoxically, setting withdrawal criteria makes your current life in Malaysia more enjoyable. It gives you the peace of mind that “I can leave anytime.” If you’re stuck with vague criteria and feel like you “have to keep going,” even small stresses can feel overwhelming.
Education migration is part of your family’s overall life plan. There’s no need to put pressure on yourself to “make it a success at all costs.” In fact, I believe the greatest benefit of education migration is the ability to make flexible decisions.
I encourage you to discuss with your family “how long to keep going” and “when to stop.” That answer will make your current choices feel more solid and secure.
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