Daily Life at an International School with Siblings 1.5 Years Apart
Hello, I’m Saori. It’s been three and a half years since we moved to Penang, Malaysia. My eldest daughter Hikari (born 2018) and eldest son Zen (born 2020) attend the same international school. My youngest daughter Yukari (born August 2024) is still 1.5 years old and full of energy at home.
Hikari and Zen are 1.5 years apart. They’re two grades apart, but being at the same school lets me see the unique differences in how siblings grow. Today, I’d like to share some of those daily observations.
How Their English Skills Developed—So Different
Hikari is the cautious type. When exposed to a new language, she takes her time observing before she starts speaking. In the early days after our move, she barely opened her mouth, and I was secretly worried. But around the six-month mark, words started coming out little by little. Now, she happily chats with her classmates in English.
Zen, on the other hand, was completely different. From day one, he was imitating the teacher and singing. Within a week, he was using simple phrases. Now, he uses English even more actively than Hikari, picking it up naturally through play.
I’m amazed at how differently they’ve developed, even in the same environment. It’s driven home for me that language acquisition varies greatly from child to child, and there’s no point in comparing them.
Their Roles at School—A Sibling Advantage
Being at the same school gives them a sense of security in each other’s presence. Hikari keeps an eye on Zen at school, and they sometimes play together during breaks.
One moment that really stood out was when Zen was nervous and about to cry during his first performance. Hikari called out from the wings, “It’s okay.” I heard about it later from the teacher, and it warmed my heart.
On the flip side, Zen quickly became friends with Hikari’s classmates, helping to expand her social circle. Having a sibling around seems to make school life adaptation smoother.
Real Costs of Living in Penang
When considering an education move, cost is always a concern. Based on the latest exchange rate of 1 MYR = 40.16 JPY (as of June 1, 2026), here are our real numbers.
International school tuition is about 50,000 to 80,000 MYR per child per year (approximately $11,000 to $17,600 USD). For both Hikari and Zen, that’s around 100,000 to 160,000 MYR annually (about $22,000 to $35,200 USD). Penang is more affordable than KL, making it a good area for an initial move.
Living costs: rent is about 3,000 to 5,000 MYR per month (approximately $660 to $1,100 USD), and including food and utilities, it’s around 5,000 to 8,000 MYR monthly (about $1,100 to $1,760 USD). Compared to Japan, overall costs are lower.
How to Nurture Each Sibling’s Individuality
As I witness Hikari and Zen’s differences every day, what I value most is “not comparing them.” Even with the same school and home environment, each child has their own pace.
For Hikari, I’ve set up a quiet reading space at home so she can take time to think deeply. Zen, on the other hand, loves to move his body, so after school I let him play to his heart’s content at the park.
The teachers at school also understand each child’s personality and learning style well, supporting them without pressure. I truly feel that the beauty of an international school is that it respects each child’s individuality, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all education.
Education Migration as a Real Option
Finally, to those considering an education move: Malaysia offers great cost performance and a multicultural environment. I especially find Penang easy to live in and ideal for an initial move.
However, every child adapts at a different speed and in their own way. It’s important not to rush and to trust your child’s pace. If you have siblings, their presence can be a huge support for each other.
An education move is never an easy path, but I believe it’s an investment in expanding your child’s potential. I’ll keep sharing our real experiences from here on.
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