Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling While Travelling

In a world where we are more connected than ever, it has become possible to do a lot more without the need to rely on certain systems, such as school. Nowadays, the traditional classroom is no longer the only place where children can receive an education. And as homeschooling has grown in popularity, so has the desire to travel and experience the world. 

You might already be homeschooling but what if you want to travel while homeschooling? Let’s introduce you to the concept of worldschooling, which is the essence of travelling and homeschooling. It combines both a love for travel and a desire to learn and have new experiences. 

Whether you’re dreaming of traversing continents or exploring your own country, worldschooling opens up endless opportunities for learning. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of worldschooling, including how to get started, practical tips for homeschooling while travelling, budgeting advice, and more!

What is Worldschooling?

Worldschooling is exactly what it sounds like. It’s not only a lifestyle choice but an increasingly popular option for homeschooling families who want the freedom to travel while also providing their children with educational, immersive experiences on the road. 

Essentially, the world becomes the classroom. There are no limitations on learning and children aren’t confined to classrooms and textbooks. Homeschoolers who worldschool usually have a more holistic approach to education and a lot of their learning is hands-on and visual. 

You might think that worldschooling involves travelling all over the world, but that isn’t always the case. You don’t need to go far to find education in the real world and learn about different cultures, places and histories. In fact, visiting a museum or going on a road trip in your home country is still worldschooling, despite being on a smaller scale. This is more commonly known as roadschooling.

Difference Between Worldschooling and Roadschooling

Worldschooling and roadschooling are both alternative methods of education that step away from a traditional classroom environment and revolve around travelling. Whilst they are similar in the aspect of travel, they differ in scope and focus. Here are some of the differences between worldschooling and roadschooling. 

Differences Between Worldschooling and Traditional Education

Apart from the obvious reason that worldschooling takes place outside of a classroom setting and a traditional education takes place within one, there are still various other differences between them. 

Learning environment

Worldschooling:

With worldschooling, the world itself is the classroom and learning takes place in real-world settings and through new experiences. Children benefit from visiting foreign countries, historical sites, museums, parks, and communities. And because the environment is dynamic and changes frequently, there is a lot of exposure to different cultures, languages and landscapes. 

Traditional education:

Traditional education typically takes place in a fixed location, such as a school, with a structured curriculum. Students learn in a classroom setting with peers, following a standardised curriculum set by educational authorities. The environment is much more controlled and predictable.

Flexibility and freedom

Worldschooling: 

There is a lot more flexibility, especially in terms of schedule, location, and content. Learning can happen at any time and in any place, and is tailored to the child’s interests and the family’s travel plans. It requires a high level of adaptability from both parents and children.

Traditional education:

There is little flexibility within traditional education because learning is based off of a curriculum, often dictated by national or regional education standards. There is less flexibility in terms of content and learning pace, as students are expected to follow the same curriculum and meet the same deadlines as their peers.

Assessment

Worldschooling: 

Assessment is often informal, focusing on personal growth, skill development, and experiential learning rather than standardised tests. Parents may use portfolios, journals, or projects to document progress. The emphasis is on learning rather than grading.

Traditional Education: 

Assessment is formal and standardised, often involving tests, quizzes, assignments, and exams. Grades are used to measure a student’s progress and achievement according to specific academic standards.

Socialisation

Worldschooling: 

Socialisation occurs through interactions with a diverse range of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and age groups. Children often develop social skills in various settings, such as local communities, cultural events, and through connections with other worldschooling families. This type of socialisation is often less peer-focused as interactions can be with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Traditional Education: 

Socialisation typically happens with peers of the same age group in a school setting. Students build relationships with classmates, participate in group activities, and engage in school events. The social structure tends to revolve around the school community.

Cost

Worldschooling: 

Cost can vary widely depending on a family’s travel style, the destinations, and educational resources. While some families manage to worldschool on a budget, others may find it more expensive due to travel costs, accommodation, and educational materials.

Traditional Education: 

Costs can include school fees (for private schools), uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities. Public schooling is often free or low-cost, but private education can be expensive.

Parental involvement

Worldschooling: 

There is a lot of parental involvement as parents often take on the role of educators, planners, and guides. Parents will have a lot of engagement in their children’s learning process, and also organise and facilitate educational experiences.

Traditional Education: 

Parental involvement varies, but it generally includes supporting homework, attending parent-teacher meetings, and participating in school events. The primary responsibility for education lies with the teachers and the school.

Can Anyone Worldschool?

You might think that only those with a lot of money or flexible home-based jobs can worldschool. The truth is, whilst these things definitely help they’re not the be-all and end-all. 

Worldschooling can be short-term or long-term, part-time or full-time — the beauty of it is in its flexibility. After all, it can fit around your commitments, your budget, and work on your own timeline. Because your child isn’t in school, you can travel at any time of year and visit places that are both cheap and easy to get to. 

So yes, anyone can choose to worldschool if they truly want to, and it doesn’t necessarily have to involve a lot of travelling. After all, worldschooling is learning about the world from being in the world. 

What Does Homeschooling While Travelling Look Like?

Homeschooling while travelling will look different for every family because everyone has different preferences and factors, such as budget, which affect how much they worldschool and how they do it. 

There’s no right or wrong way to worldschool and how you choose to do it is entirely up to you as long as your children are benefiting and receiving the education that they deserve. 

Here are some examples of what homeschooling while travelling can look like:

• A family buys a motorhome and travels around their home country, learning about its history and visiting historical sites, museums, and different landscapes.
• A working family takes extended time off work to go abroad and learn about different cultures and languages.
• A family volunteers with a wildlife charity for six months, helping to look after and learn about endangered animals.
• A family goes travelling on the weekends because of full-time work commitments. They visit a new place every week and use online resources to homeschool when on the road. 

How to Homeschool While Travelling

Tips for Starting Worldschooling

Before you start worldschooling, there are a few things you’ll want to do first.

1. List your reasons for worldschooling

Listing your reasons for worldschooling is a great motivation and will help to keep you focused on your family goals and what you’d like your children to gain from worldschooling.

You could think about your education philosophy, the types of experiences you want to have, and what worldschooling will look like for your family. Are you aiming for a structured education that aligns with traditional academic standards, or are you more inclined towards an unschooling approach that allows your child’s interests to guide their learning? 

Your reasons for worldschooling and your education philosophy will help to guide you through your worldschooling decisions, such as your travel pace, learning styles, and daily routines. 

Questions you might want to consider:

• What are your long-term educational goals?
• What do you want your children to gain from worldschooling?
• Why is worldschooling right for your family?
• How do you want to balance academic learning with experiential learning?

2. Decide on a learning style

Whilst worldschooling is all about learning from real-world experiences, it’s likely that you’ll still follow a certain learning style which aids your child’s strengths. You might want to follow a more traditional curriculum throughout your travels or a more child-led approach, such as unschooling. The perks of worldschooling is that it’s flexible and easily adaptable. 

Here are some learning style options for worldschooling:

• Traditional curriculum: You can access a curriculum from anywhere in the world — all you need is a good internet connection! You might even have a curriculum already prepared to take with you on your travels. 
• Project-based learning: Worldschooling offers so many great opportunities for project-based learning. For example, a trip to Italy could inspire an entire project about the Romans, where you visit the colosseum and dive into Italian culture and language.
• Unschooling: This child-led approach focuses entirely on your child’s interests. Their learning develops as they make more unique discoveries and have new experiences when travelling.
• Hybrid learning: A lot of families may favour a hybrid approach when worldschooling as it offers a lot of flexibility, combining structured lessons with spontaneous learning opportunities.

3. Plan your travel

Before embarking on your worldschooling journey, it’s a good idea to plan your travels. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t be spontaneous along the way, but having a plan in place ensures that you always know what you are doing and what the next goal is. 

What to consider when making travel plans:

• Destinations: Think about which destinations will offer amazing learning experiences as well as ones that are on your bucket list. 
• Accommodation: Where you will stay is just as important as where you are going. Consider what will best suit your family. If you’re looking for more flexibility or short-term options, motorhomes or hotels and hostels are great; but there are also great alternatives such as house sitting or long-term rentals for families who would like more stability. 
• Budget: Your budget will influence where you can go and for how long, but the good thing is there are lots of travel options for every budget. First decide on how much you are willing to spend and how you will stick to your budget.
• Travel pace: Decide whether your family will prefer slow travel, where you spend extended periods in one place, or fast travel, where you move frequently. Slow travel allows for deeper cultural immersion and a more stable learning environment, while fast travel offers diverse experiences and constant stimulation.
• Resources: It’s a good idea to decide what resources you will take with you, such as a laptop and homeschooling supplies, and what you’ll find and make use of whilst on your travels, such as libraries and museums. 

4. Legal considerations and documentation

Before you start worldschooling, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements for homeschooling in your home country and the countries you plan to visit. Most countries will have different laws and requirements so thoroughly researching them will ensure that you don’t get into any difficulty once you are travelling and homeschooling. 

Legal considerations:

• Homeschooling Laws: Homeschooling laws vary significantly by country and even by state or region within a country. Some countries have strict regulations and require registration with local education authorities, while others are more lenient. It’s best to research the specific requirements for each location you plan to visit, especially for long-term stays.
• Travel Visas: Ensure that your travel visas allow for extended stays if you plan to stay in one place for a longer period. Some countries may require special visas for long-term stays or homeschooling.
• Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of your child’s education, including attendance logs, work samples, and progress reports. This documentation is essential if you return to a traditional school system or if you need to comply with homeschooling regulations.

Budgeting for Worldschooling 

Worldschooling can be as affordable or as luxurious as you choose. Once you decide on a budget, it’s a good idea to work out your potential expenses. Here is our budgeting guide for homeschooling while travelling. 

1. Setting a realistic budget

A realistic budget that includes all your potential expenses will help you to avoid any unexpected surprises. It’s best to plan within your means and not underestimate how much you will spend or how much things will cost. 

When budgeting, sometimes it’s handy to overestimate certain things so that you’ll always have some money left over, if you really need it. 

Things you’ll need to budget for:

• Transportation: Airfare, train tickets, car rentals, fuel, and public transportation.
• Accommodation: Hotels, hostels, Airbnb rentals, long-term rentals, or caravan and motorhome parks.
• Food: Groceries, dining out, local markets, and cooking at home.
• Education: Online curriculum fees, educational materials, museum entry fees, local classes or workshops.
• Activities: Tours, cultural experiences, and recreational activities.
• Insurance: Travel insurance, health insurance, and vehicle insurance if applicable.

Tips for budgeting:

• Track your expenses: By tracking your expenses you ensure that you keep an eye on your spending and manage it with budgeting apps or spreadsheets. 
• Look for discounts: Finding discounts will definitely help you save money, whether it’s transportation, accommodation or educational resources. 
• Book in advance: A lot of things are often cheaper if you book in advance.
• Have an emergency fund: One of the best budgeting tips is to create an emergency fund so that you’re always prepared for any unexpected expenses. 

2. Choosing budget-friendly travel destinations

Choosing budget-friendly travel destinations will help you to stay within your budget and stretch it further. There are many affordable destinations with good costs of living and travelling, but your budget will look different from country to country as they all vary.

You could also take into consideration seasonal travel. If you travel during the off-season, the price of flights and accommodation will be much lower. 

Affordable Worldschooling Destinations:

• Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia offer low living costs, rich cultural experiences, and beautiful natural landscapes.
• Eastern Europe: Poland, Hungary, and Romania provide a mix of historical sites, vibrant cities, and affordable accommodation.
• Central and South America: Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia offer a wealth of cultural and natural experiences at a fraction of the cost of more developed countries.

3. Slow travel to save money

Travelling frequently and for short periods can often be more expensive than if you were to slow travel and stay in one place for a longer period of time. With slow travel you can negotiate long-term rentals, reduce transportation costs, and save money by cooking at home, rather than eating out. 

4. Earning money while travelling

Many homeschooling families find ways to earn money while travelling as it means they can sustain their travels. Some parents choose to work remotely and others may choose to find work in the countries they are travelling. 

Potential income for travelling families:

• Remote work: Freelancing, consulting, or remote jobs allow you to earn a stable income while travelling. Skills in writing, graphic design, programming, and marketing are always useful and in demand.
• Teaching English: Teaching English online is a popular option for travellers, especially in countries where English is not widely spoken.
• Blogging or vlogging: Documenting your travels through a blog or YouTube channel can generate income through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
• House sitting: House sitting allows you to live rent-free in exchange for taking care of someone’s home and pets. This is an ideal way of reducing your accommodation costs and having somewhere nice to stay. 

Ways of Travelling While Worldschooling

There are various ways to travel when worldschooling and each will have a different impact on your experience. It’s best to choose a travel option that is going to suit your family and all of your needs. At the end of the day, although worldschooling is an alternative form of education, it’s also meant to be enjoyed. 

Popular travel options when homeschooling:

1. Motorhome or Van Life

Travelling by motorhome or van is a popular choice for families who want the freedom to explore at their own pace. Your vehicle becomes both your home and school, making it easy to settle in new locations.

Advantages:

• Flexibility: You can change your plans on a whim, moving to new locations whenever you please.
• Cost-effective: Staying in campgrounds or free camping areas reduces the amount you spend on accommodation. 
• Community: There is a strong sense of community among motorhome travellers, with many opportunities to meet other families on the road.

Challenges:

• Limited space: Living in a small space can be difficult as you’re always on top of each other. It requires minimalism and regular decluttering. 
• Maintenance: A motorhome requires regular maintenance, with mechanical issues not only dipping into your budget but also disrupting your plans.

2. House Sitting

House sitting is great for homeschooling families who still want the comforts of home whilst also reducing their accommodation costs. Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Nomador connect travellers with homeowners who need someone to look after their home and pets.

Advantages:

• Free accommodation: House sitting provides free accommodation in exchange for looking after the property.
• Stability: Staying in one place for an extended period allows for a stable routine, which can be beneficial for homeschooling.
• Local experience: House sitting offers a unique opportunity to experience life as a local, rather than as a tourist.

Challenges:

• Responsibilities: House sitting comes with responsibilities, such as pet care and property maintenance, which may limit your ability to travel freely.
• Availability: Popular locations can be competitive, so it’s essential to apply early and maintain a good reputation on house sitting platforms.

3. Backpacking

Backpacking is ideal for families who prefer a more adventurous and minimalist approach to travel. It allows you to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and travel light. It’s definitely a much cheaper and exciting way to travel when homeschooling. 

Advantages:

• Mobility: Backpacking is very on-the-go, allowing you to move quickly and explore remote locations that might not be accessible by other means.
• Affordability: By staying in hostels, guesthouses, or even camping, backpacking can be one of the most budget-friendly ways to travel.
• Spontaneity: Backpacking gives you the freedom to change your plans on a whim and follow new opportunities as they arise.

Challenges:

• Physical demands: Backpacking requires a certain level of physical fitness and the ability to carry all your belongings on your back. This might not be ideal for homeschooling families with very young children.
• Limited comforts: You may need to forgo some of the comforts of home. Consistent Wi-Fi and private bathrooms will definitely be something you miss, but things that you get used to not having. 

4. Cruising

Cruising is one of the more unique ways for families to travel and homeschool. It has more stability than backpacking or caravaning and is much more slow paced. There’s also the benefit of not having to constantly pack and get transport.

Advantages:

• Convenience: Cruises are super convenient because they provide transportation, accommodation, and meals all in one package.
• Educational opportunities: Many cruise lines offer educational programmes and activities for children, making it easier to integrate learning with travel.
• Variety: Cruises allow you to visit a wide range of destinations in a short period, offering diverse learning opportunities.

Challenges:

• Cost: Cruises can be expensive, especially when travelling as a family. It’s recommended to look for deals or consider repositioning cruises, which are often cheaper.
• Limited time ashore: Cruises typically offer only brief stops at each destination, limiting the depth of cultural immersion.

Homeschooling Tips for Travelling Families

Trying to homeschool while travelling can feel overwhelming, especially when oftentimes you’ll have a lot going on. What can be struggling is getting the right balance between travelling, having fun experiences, and ensuring that your children are hitting their educational goals. So, here are some tips to help you balance education with travel.

1. Create a flexible routine

Whilst some form of structure is important at times, worldschooling enables you to be as flexible as you please. A flexible routine takes the pressure off when things don’t always go the way they’re planned. We find that spontaneous learning opportunities are much more enjoyable.

Example routine:

Morning: Begin with structured lessons or online work. This is often the best time for focused academic work, especially if you have access to Wi-Fi.

Afternoon: Use afternoons for exploration, such as visiting museums, hiking, or participating in local cultural activities.

Evening: Reflect on the day’s experiences, journal, or work on creative projects.

2. Incorporate travel into learning

One of the greatest advantages of worldschooling is the opportunity to learn from the world around you. And there’s so much you can incorporate when travelling, such as local culture and language. 

Ways to incorporate travel into learning:

• Let the world become the classroom. Use each travel destination as a living classroom and learn directly from the places you visit.
• Visit museums, historical sites, and cultural landmarks.
• Learn about the history, geography, and culture of each place you visit. 
• Immerse in the local language and practise with the locals by encouraging your children to order food or ask for directions. 

3. Stay connected with other worldschoolers

The best way to stay connected with other worldschoolers is through online forums or Facebook groups. You’ll be able to share resources and advice, as well as socialise with other families having similar experiences to you. 

4. Keep a travel journal

Travel journals can be used to both document experiences and daily reflections. Your children can write about what they’ve learned each day and their favourite experiences and locations. 

5. Embrace the unconventional 

It’s your chance to break free from traditional education norms and embrace unconventional learning experiences. Don’t be afraid to let your child explore their interests and passions, even if they don’t fit into a traditional curriculum.

Examples of unconventional learning could include passion projects, volunteering, and creative expression. 

6. Focus on quality, not quantity

It’s not about how much you do when worldschooling, it’s what you do. Rather than trying to cover too much at once, take deeper dives into specific topics or learning experiences. It’s also important to follow your child’s lead. If they show interest in something, allow them to explore it more deeply, even if it means deviating from what you originally planned. 

7. Pack only what you really need

An important tip for travelling families is to only pack what you really need. It’s easy to accumulate possessions, but when it comes to travelling, less is more. Try a more minimalist approach when packing to save you feeling overwhelmed with stuff.

8. Use local experts 

The wealth of knowledge from local experts will definitely be beneficial when worldschooling. Local guides and historians can provide a deeper understanding of a place or topic than you might be able to. There might also be options to enrol your child in local workshops and classes. 

9. Focus on life skills

Life skills are really important for managing in today’s world and what better place to learn them than while exploring the world? Use your travels to teach practical life skills like budgeting, navigating public transportation, or learning to cook local dishes. It’s also a great way to encourage independence and taking responsibility.

10. Seek out unique learning opportunities

Whilst travelling you could encourage your children to participate in local festivals, markets, and events, or do a cultural exchange, such as a homestay, visiting a local school, or community events. This gives your children the opportunity to interact and socialise with local children and families. 

Equipment and Resources for Worldschooling

Here’s a list of useful equipment and educational resources for worldschooling. 

• Scrapbook or journal – for recording family memories when travelling
• Laptop or tablet – for accessing online resources and staying connected
• E-reader (e.g. Kindle) – for accessing and reading books
• Educational apps, like Khan academy or Duolingo
• Basic stationary
• Workbooks 
• Notebooks
• Travel guides
• Maps and atlases
• Portable Wi-Fi hotspot
• Sim cards
• First-aid kit
• Legal guides – information on homeschooling laws and regulations in different countries.
• Worldschooling communities – online forums, Facebook groups, and local meetups for connecting with other worldschoolers.

Benefits of Homeschooling While Travelling

More cultural awareness

There’s no doubt that travelling brings you more cultural awareness and knowledge of the world, which is why children learn so much when homeschooling and travelling. Exposure to different languages and traditions can create a lot of empathy, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of wonderful diverse communities around the globe. 

Family bonding

Travelling as a family definitely strengthens family bonds because you are sharing unique experiences and challenges together, while also learning and growing from them. Collectively, you also have a say on how certain schedules look, how education is a part of your travels, and the lifestyle you lead.

Connection to nature

Worldschooling families undoubtedly have a deeper connection to nature because of their exposure to such diverse ecosystems through travelling. This leads to a greater understanding of environmental issues and often a love for and commitment to sustainability and conservation.

Gain life skills

Through travel, children gain valuable life skills, such as language skills, problem-solving and critical thinking, adaptability and so much more. The best thing about worldschooling is that anything and everything can become a lesson, and life skills make up a huge part of learning while travelling.

Hands-on learning

Worldschooling emphasises learning by doing. Children can engage in activities like cooking local dishes, participating in cultural festivals, or volunteering — all of which make learning more engaging and fun. 

Your child might also learn better through hands-on experiences rather than through textbook-based learning.

More personalised education

Travelling and homeschooling offers a more personalised education for children due to them being able to follow their own interests and gain new experiences when visiting different places. Everything can be tailored to individual learning styles, interests, and pace.

Holistic development

Worldschooling engages children through mind, body and spirit. Whether it’s through physical activities like hiking, intellectual pursuits like learning new languages, or spiritual experiences like visiting sacred sites, children gain a much more holistic mindset.

Challenges of Homeschooling While Travelling

Balancing travel and education

One of the more common challenges of homeschooling while travelling is trying to find the right balance between exploring and having fun and ensuring that your child’s education stays on track. An easy way to manage this is by being flexible and adapting as you go. 

Fatigue

Constant travel can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. So it’s important to recognise when your family needs a break and have a bit of downtime. 

Socialisation

Some families worry about their children missing out on socialisation with peers. Travelling can be very consuming and perhaps isolating, depending on where you go. However, many worldschooling families find that their children form deep, meaningful connections with other travellers and locals.

Access to resources

Depending on your location, you may have limited access to educational resources like libraries, high-speed internet, or extracurricular activities. Being resourceful and creative can help overcome these challenges.

Worldschooling FAQ

1. How does worldschooling differ from homeschooling or unschooling?

While homeschooling typically takes place at home with a set curriculum, and unschooling is child-led learning with no formal structure, worldschooling incorporates travel as a core component. It blends structured and unstructured learning, with the world itself serving as a classroom.

2. Is worldschooling legal?

Yes, but it depends on your home country’s education laws. Some countries may require families to register as homeschoolers and provide periodic updates or assessments. It’s important to understand the legal requirements in your country of residence.

3. How do families afford worldschooling?

Costs vary widely depending on travel style, destinations, and duration. Some families save up before embarking, others work remotely or freelance, and some might even start businesses on the road. Budgeting carefully, choosing affordable destinations, and house-sitting or work exchanges are common strategies.

4. How do worldschooling families handle socialisation?

Worldschoolers often connect with other travelling families, join local communities, or participate in global events and gatherings. Social media groups also help families find like-minded communities wherever they travel.

5. Can worldschooling work for high school-aged children?

Yes! High school-aged students can benefit greatly from worldschooling, especially in preparing for higher education or global careers. Many families use online high school programs, dual enrollment, or apprenticeships to ensure academic goals are met.

6. What about academic requirements and assessments?

This varies depending on the family’s home country. Some worldschooling families follow a set curriculum and use online resources, or tutors. Others may follow a more fluid, interest-led approach, documenting learning experiences as they go. It’s important to keep track of educational progress, especially if transitioning back to a traditional school later.

7. Can worldschoolers still take exams?

Yes, worldschooled children can take exams, whether through international exams like iGCSEs or regular exams. You just have to find an examination centre and can usually sit exams in the country you are travelling. 

8. How do worldschooling families handle socialisation?

Worldschoolers often connect with other travelling families, join local communities, or participate in global events and gatherings. Social media groups also help families find like-minded communities wherever they travel.

9. How do worldschoolers plan their travels?

Planning varies by family. Some have a fixed route with scheduled stops, while others travel spontaneously. Many worldschooling families use a mix of short-term stays and extended periods in certain locations to allow for deeper cultural immersion and stability.

10. Is worldschooling suitable for every family?

Worldschooling isn’t for everyone. It requires flexibility, adaptability, and a strong family bond. It’s ideal for families who value experiential learning and have the means and desire to travel. However, it might be challenging for those who prefer a structured, stable environment.