World Schooling & Living Abroad

For families embracing a lifestyle of travel or living abroad, world schooling and alternative education models offer a flexible and enriching approach to learning. Whether through travel, online schooling, or a mix of both, children benefit from the diverse, hands-on experiences that help them grow into adaptable, globally aware individuals. Expats, in particular, find that these models provide much-needed flexibility and continuity, allowing their children to receive an education no matter where life takes them.

What is World Schooling?

World schooling is an education model where families take a global approach to learning, using travel and diverse cultural experiences as a primary teaching tool. Instead of relying on a traditional school structure, parents use real-world experiences to educate their children. This form of alternative education can be structured or unstructured and allows children to learn from their surroundings, whether through historical landmarks, cultural immersion, or the natural environment.

World schooling embraces the idea that travel itself can be educational, providing exposure to different cultures, languages, histories, and ways of life. Many families choose this path because it offers:

Cultural Diversity: First-hand exposure to a variety of cultures helps develop open-minded, empathetic individuals.
Experiential Learning: World schooling offers practical, real-life learning that connects directly to the child’s experiences.
Flexibility: Families can tailor the education to suit their child’s learning style, integrating traditional subjects like maths, science, and literature with the rich cultural experiences they encounter on the road.

World schooling families often use a combination of self-directed learning, online schooling programs, or project-based education to ensure academic skills are also being developed alongside the cultural experiences.

Living Abroad and Education for Expats

For expat families or parents who frequently travel for work, education can be one of the biggest challenges. Whether it's short-term travel or long-term relocation, finding a consistent and quality education solution while living abroad can be complex.

Challenges for Expat Families

Inconsistent Education Systems: Moving from one country to another often means dealing with different curriculums, teaching methods, and school systems, which can disrupt a child’s learning progression.
Language Barriers: Enrolling a child in a local school might be an option, but language differences can pose a challenge, particularly if the local language is not one the child is fluent in.
Access to International Schools: International schools often follow globally recognised curriculums (like the International Baccalaureate), but they can be expensive and not always available in all locations.

Education Solutions for Expats

Online and Alternative Schools: Many expat families opt for online schooling or alternative education models such as project-based learning or world schooling. These allow for continuity of education wherever the family may be based.
International Schools: For parents who prefer a structured, classroom-based education, international schools are a popular choice. They offer curriculums that cater to global families, including English-speaking instruction and often a focus on international mindedness.
Local Schools: Enrolling children in local schools can be a good way for them to integrate into their new culture and learn the local language. However, this requires families to evaluate the quality of the local education system and whether it will suit their child’s learning needs.

Conclusion

In today’s world, where travel is more accessible, and technology allows for remote working and online education, world schooling offers a feasible, flexible option for many families. Whether they are expats moving across countries or travellers embracing a nomadic lifestyle, parents are increasingly exploring global education models that allow their children to learn in a unique, meaningful way.