Originally written: 7th September 2024
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
These words, often attributed to Mark Twain, have echoed in my mind for years, a constant reminder that life is too short for regrets. Today, as we stand on the cusp of a grand adventure, they resonate more profoundly than ever.
As a family, we've made a decision that, to some, might seem radical, even reckless. Several people have called it “brave.” We've deregistered our son from traditional schooling, packed our bags, and set off to explore the world. We're trading textbooks for temples, classrooms for cultures, and standardized tests for the unpredictable lessons life throws our way.
The prospect is both exhilarating and terrifying. We've lived abroad before, but never as a family. This time, we're not just visitors; we're citizens of the world, embracing the nomadic lifestyle of worldschoolers.
Upon return to the UK from a summer US trip, the pressure of limited time to pack up our home and get on the road is intense. The packing process alone has been a revelation. It's forced us to confront our attachment to material possessions, to distill our lives down to the essentials. As we pare down our belongings, we're also shedding old habits and expectations, making space for new experiences and perspectives.
There's a certain vulnerability in stepping off the well-trodden path, in choosing the unknown over the familiar. But there's also an undeniable thrill, a sense of liberation that comes from defying societal norms and forging our own unique path.
We're not the first family to embark on this kind of journey, and we certainly won't be the last. The worldschooling movement is gaining momentum, as more and more parents realize the transformative power of experiential learning.
But it's not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, to embrace uncertainty, and to trust in the resilience of your family. It demands flexibility, adaptability, and a healthy dose of humor.
Most importantly, this quest requires a deep belief in the value of education beyond the classroom walls. We're convinced that the lessons our son will learn through travel, cultural immersion, and real-world experiences will far surpass anything he could glean from a textbook.
We're embarking on this adventure with open hearts and open minds, ready to embrace the challenges and celebrate the triumphs. We know there will be bumps along the way, but we also know that the rewards will be immeasurable.
Our hope is that our journey will inspire others to question the status quo, to reimagine what education can be, and to dare to dream big. Because in the end, it's not the things we do that we'll regret, but the chances we didn't take, the dreams we left unexplored.
So to anyone who's ever felt that tug of wanderlust, that yearning for something more, we say this: don't let fear hold you back. “Explore, dream, discover” - the world is waiting. You might just discover that the greatest adventure of all lies not in the destination, but in the journey itself.
Follow along at http://worldschooling.start.page and join us at http://worldschooling.quest
Upon return to the UK from a summer US trip, the pressure of limited time to pack up our home and get on the road is intense. The packing process alone has been a revelation. It's forced us to confront our attachment to material possessions, to distill our lives down to the essentials. As we pare down our belongings, we're also shedding old habits and expectations, making space for new experiences and perspectives.
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| Another quote attributed to Mark Twain: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" - when and where this photo was taken. |
We're not the first family to embark on this kind of journey, and we certainly won't be the last. The worldschooling movement is gaining momentum, as more and more parents realize the transformative power of experiential learning.
But it's not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, to embrace uncertainty, and to trust in the resilience of your family. It demands flexibility, adaptability, and a healthy dose of humor.
 |
| Virginia City, California, USA |
Most importantly, this quest requires a deep belief in the value of education beyond the classroom walls. We're convinced that the lessons our son will learn through travel, cultural immersion, and real-world experiences will far surpass anything he could glean from a textbook.
We're embarking on this adventure with open hearts and open minds, ready to embrace the challenges and celebrate the triumphs. We know there will be bumps along the way, but we also know that the rewards will be immeasurable.
Our hope is that our journey will inspire others to question the status quo, to reimagine what education can be, and to dare to dream big. Because in the end, it's not the things we do that we'll regret, but the chances we didn't take, the dreams we left unexplored.
So to anyone who's ever felt that tug of wanderlust, that yearning for something more, we say this: don't let fear hold you back. “Explore, dream, discover” - the world is waiting. You might just discover that the greatest adventure of all lies not in the destination, but in the journey itself.
Follow along at http://worldschooling.start.page and join us at http://worldschooling.quest
 |
| Leo, 6, and bug at our UK home. |
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