In 2025, worldschooling has evolved from an alternative educational approach to a thriving global movement. More families than ever are trading traditional classrooms for world exploration, creating rich educational experiences while navigating different cultures, landscapes, and learning environments.
Let’s meet some of these inspiring families and discover how they’re redefining education through travel in 2025.
What Exactly Is Worldschooling?
Worldschooling combines travel with education, using real-world experiences as the primary classroom. Unlike traditional homeschooling, worldschooling incorporates destinations into the curriculum, whether that’s studying marine biology while snorkeling in Thailand or learning history while walking through ancient Roman ruins.
In 2025, technological advancements have made this lifestyle more accessible than ever. Remote work opportunities, improved connectivity, and specialized digital learning platforms have removed many previous barriers.
Why Families Are Choosing This Path
The reasons families embrace worldschooling are as diverse as the families themselves:
Personalized Education: Parents cite the ability to tailor learning to each child’s interests and learning style as a primary motivator.
Cultural Fluency: Many families want their children to develop genuine understanding and respect for different cultures, languages, and perspectives.
Family Bonding: Worldschooling creates unparalleled opportunities for shared experiences and deep family connections.
Dissatisfaction with Traditional Education: Some families turn to worldschooling after frustration with standardized testing, rigid schedules, or classroom environments that didn’t serve their children well.
Environmental Consciousness: A growing segment of worldschooling families mention wanting their children to develop direct connections with nature and understand environmental challenges firsthand.
“We didn’t want our kids learning about climate change just from textbooks,” explains Maya Sato, who travels with her husband and twins. “When they see melting glaciers in Patagonia or help with reforestation in Costa Rica, they develop a personal stake in these issues.”
Meet the Rodriguez Family: Digital Nomads with Deep Roots
The Rodriguez family—Maria, Carlos, and their three children aged 6, 10, and 14—have been worldschooling for four years. Originally from Texas, they now move between destinations every 2-3 months.
“We wanted our kids to understand the world beyond textbooks,” says Maria, who works remotely as a software developer. “The pandemic showed us we could work from anywhere, so why not learn from anywhere too?”
The family uses a combination of online curricula and experience-based learning. Their oldest son learned algebra through calculating currency exchange rates across Southeast Asia, while their daughter developed an impressive understanding of marine ecosystems after spending time with conservation projects in Costa Rica.
“The kids actually retain more information this way,” Carlos explains. “When they learn about coral reefs while actually swimming among them, those lessons stick.”
The Johnson-Williams Family: Semi-Nomadic Worldschoolers
Not all worldschooling families are constantly on the move. The Johnson-Williams family has adopted what they call a “home base” approach, spending six months at their Seattle home and six months traveling each year.
“We wanted our kids to have both worlds—stable friendships at home and global experiences,” says Leila Johnson, mother of two. “Having a home base gives us time to process what we’ve learned and plan our next adventures.”
Their approach involves intensive learning periods aligned with their destinations. Before visiting Japan last year, the family spent three months studying Japanese language basics, history, and culture.
Where the Worldschoolers Go
While worldschooling families can be found in virtually every corner of the globe, certain destinations have emerged as popular hubs for this educational approach:
Southeast Asia: Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia offer affordable living costs, rich cultural experiences, and strong worldschooling communities. Chiang Mai, Thailand has become an unofficial worldschooling capital, with regular meetups and specialized services.
Portugal: With its digital nomad visa, excellent healthcare, and mild climate, Portugal has become Europe’s worldschooling hotspot. The Algarve region and Lisbon host substantial communities.
Mexico: Destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, and San Miguel de Allende offer proximity to the US while providing immersive Spanish-language environments and diverse ecosystems for study.
Costa Rica: The country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and peaceful culture makes it ideal for families focused on nature-based learning.
New Zealand: Known for its progressive education policies, outdoor lifestyle, and English-speaking environment, New Zealand attracts families seeking adventure with educational infrastructure.
Most worldschooling families follow good weather and cultural events, creating learning opportunities around festivals, natural migrations, or historical commemorations.
How Technology Has Transformed Worldschooling in 2025
The latest digital tools have revolutionized the worldschooling experience:
- AI-powered educational platforms that tailor lessons to location
- VR supplements that fill educational gaps when physical visits aren’t possible
- Global online communities connecting worldschooling families for meetups
- Specialized worldschooling consultants who help plan educational itineraries
“The tech available now would have seemed like science fiction just five years ago,” says Marc Chen, founder of NomadEd, a platform connecting worldschooling families. “Families can now scan historical monuments with their phones to access interactive lessons, or use AI tutors that adapt to their specific learning contexts.”
The Financial Reality: Is Worldschooling Only for the Wealthy?
Perhaps the biggest misconception about worldschooling is that it requires enormous wealth. While that may have been true a decade ago, the landscape has changed dramatically.
“We spend less worldschooling than we did living in suburban America,” shares Sophia Miller, who travels with her partner and two children. “Housing costs in places like Bali or Portugal are a fraction of what we paid in California, and we’ve eliminated expenses like car payments and expensive extracurricular activities.”
Many worldschooling families embrace minimalism and slow travel, staying in destinations long enough to secure monthly rental discounts. Others house-sit or home-exchange to further reduce costs.
The Academic Question: How Do Worldschooled Kids Perform?
The most common concern about worldschooling remains academic performance. Critics worry about educational gaps or college preparedness. However, recent studies show worldschooled students often outperform their traditionally educated peers in critical thinking, adaptability, and language acquisition.
“Universities are increasingly recognizing the unique advantages worldschooled students bring,” explains Dr. Jennifer Hayes, education researcher. “These students typically demonstrate exceptional problem-solving abilities and cultural intelligence that traditional school environments struggle to develop.”
Many worldschooling families combine experiential learning with accredited online programs to ensure their children meet academic requirements while benefiting from real-world education.
The Challenges Few Talk About
Despite the Instagram-worthy moments, worldschooling isn’t without challenges. Families mention difficulties with consistent internet access, navigating healthcare systems across different countries, and maintaining meaningful long-term friendships.
“Social media shows the incredible moments, but not the days spent troubleshooting WiFi issues before an important online class,” admits Carlos Rodriguez. “The lifestyle requires flexibility and resilience.”
Useful Info for Aspiring Worldschoolers
If you’re considering worldschooling, here are some practical tips from experienced families:
Start with a “test trip”: Begin with a 1-3 month experience before fully committing. This helps identify potential challenges and confirms if the lifestyle suits your family.
Connect with communities: Join online worldschooling groups to find families in destinations you’re considering. Many organize regular meetups and activities.
Consider legal requirements: Research visa options, especially “digital nomad visas” which now exist in over 50 countries. Also understand your home country’s educational requirements if you plan to return.
Healthcare solutions: International health insurance plans designed for nomadic families have proliferated. Companies like SafetyWing and World Nomads offer specialized coverage.
Banking and finances: Set up international banking solutions that minimize foreign transaction fees. Many worldschoolers use services like Wise or Revolut alongside traditional accounts.
Education documentation: Keep detailed portfolios of your children’s learning experiences, projects, and achievements. This documentation is valuable if you return to traditional education.
Pack strategically: Most worldschooling families recommend traveling light but investing in quality technology, including reliable laptops, noise-cancelling headphones, and backup internet solutions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Worldschooling
As remote work becomes increasingly normalized and digital education tools continue to advance, experts predict worldschooling will become even more mainstream by 2030.
“We’re seeing education fundamentally transform,” says education futurist Dr. Amara Chen. “The idea that learning happens best within four walls is giving way to recognition that the world itself is the most powerful classroom we have.”
For families considering this educational approach, the worldschooling community offers unprecedented resources—from detailed destination guides optimized for learning to global meetups where children can connect with other worldschooling kids.
Would you trade traditional schooling for a life of global exploration and learning? For a growing number of families in 2025, the answer is a resounding yes.
