Munich International School at 60: Ben Figgis on the expat "soft landing"
Relocating to a new country involves far more than packing a bag and navigating German bureaucracy. For international families arriving in Bavaria, finding the right school is often the single most critical factor in a successful move.
As Munich International School (MIS) celebrates its 60th anniversary, the institution is welcoming new Head of School Ben Figgis, a leader who understands the emotional weight of global transition firsthand. His approach perfectly mirrors the MIS' efforts to provide a "soft landing" for families navigating the turbulent waters of international relocation.
Leading with lived experience
Ben Figgis is no stranger to the expat journey. Having recently returned to Germany after decades in the UK, his role brings back vivid memories of his own childhood. "I am reminded of the intensity of the experience from my childhood moving every three years as a diplomatic family," Figgis reflects.
This background gives Figgis a unique vantage point as the school's new head: he understands that for a student, a school is more than a place of study. It is a family’s primary anchor during periods of intense life change. His leadership is based on the idea that the transition to a new country should be viewed holistically.
While parents shoulder the heavy lifting of visas, housing and logistics, the emotional adjustment impacts the entire household, even down to family pets adjusting to new local parks.
The MIS blueprint for a “soft landing”
At MIS, helping families integrate isn’t left to chance: it is treated as a core discipline. Figgis notes that the start of the academic year is meticulously engineered with new arrivals in mind, extending "not just in the very early days but into our second month of term."
This integration is woven into the very fabric of the school’s schedule. From intentionally designed curricula to grade-level camping trips, every activity is a purposeful strike against isolation.
These outings are not just recreational; they are designed to "intentionally facilitate settling in, making friends and belonging." The goal is to transform the daunting task of "cultivating connection" into a series of manageable, supported moments.
Rather than assuming social integration will happen organically, the school encourages students to articulate their feelings about their transition. This transparency ensures that the emotional well-being of the student is monitored with the same rigour as their academic progress, providing the psychological safety necessary for true learning to begin.
60 years of community in Bavaria
The strength of this approach was on display at the school’s annual Back-to-School BBQ on September 19, which coincided with MIS’s 60th birthday.
The event featured Figgis’s first address to the community alongside local government representatives, including District Administrator Stefan Frey, who participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.
The celebration concluded with live 1960s music, a themed fashion show and a community birthday cake, highlighting six decades of bringing international families together in Munich.
Discover Munich International School
With six decades of experience in Bavaria, Munich International School remains a dedicated partner to families, guiding them through the intensity of moving abroad with empathy, expertise and structured support.
Are you preparing for a move to Munich or looking for a school that understands the complexities of international life? Connect with the MIS community and discover how they can support your family’s journey.