A Classroom Without Borders: 10 Lessons from Worldschooling in 30 Countries
What have we learned from a decade of worldschooling? Well, many things. Here I talk about our top 10 lessons, including the value of cultural immersion, language learning, personal histories, independence, advocacy, minimalism, flexibility, experiential learning and the importance of home.
A decade ago, my son and I embarked on an extraordinary journey of worldschooling. From the age of 7 to 17, we crisscrossed the globe, immersing ourselves in the cultures of 30 countries. From the fiery volcanic landscapes of Vanuatu to the sacred temples of Cambodia, the bustling streets of India to the serene waters of French Polynesia, each location was a chapter in our global textbook. Now, as my son prepares to venture into his next phase at an American university, we reflect on the top 10 transformative lessons gleaned from our worldwide classroom.
1. The World is a Beautiful Mosaic of Cultures
Our most profound lessons came not from guidebooks, but from the people we met. Whether it was living with locals in India, Vanuatu, Cuba, Cambodia or Laos or practicing Spanish on the ground in Cuba or Spain, each interaction was a lesson in diversity, resilience and humanity. Each human, each local community member, each father, mother, son or daughter had more than a single story inside of them. The rich and varied stories they told filled our souls as their cuisine and customs filled our bodies and enriched our minds.
2. True Connection Lies in Immersing with Local Communities
Worldschooling isn’t just about visiting a country; it’s about immersing in its culture, grasping its history and learning from its people. We saw this human connection come to life in Cuba, where we got to experience the vibrant life and unexpected stories of the Cuban people firsthand. This was also true of our experiences with our local guides — exceptional and inspiring people, one and all — in Vietnam, Cambodia and India, with whom we’ve become lifelong friends. We cannot imagine our lives now without them in it.
3. Languages: The Key that Unlocks Cultures
My son took it upon himself to learn basic phrases in the languages of each country we visited. This linguistic endeavour not only helped us navigate our way but also paved the path to deeper connections with locals and a richer understanding of their cultures. From learning gender-based greetings in Thailand to realising the power of a simple “Bonjour” in France, language was our passport to cultural immersion.
4. History Breathes in Personal Narratives
The world has been our history classroom, but our lessons have been personal and profound. From a survivor of Hiroshima in Japan to a Holocaust survivor who had escaped first to Shanghai and then to Australia, we’ve heard stories of survival and resilience that textbooks can’t convey. A tear in one’s eye, the press of a hand. From tales of sinking makeshift refugee boats to talking about how it felt to return to a place of genocide decades after escaping, crossing the border to another land. Their stories, told with raw emotion, bore a depth of understanding and resilience that no textbook could replicate.
5. Independence and Responsibility Blossom on the Road
Worldschooling instilled a sense of independence and responsibility in my son. From meticulously planning our itineraries to volunteering in foreign lands, these experiences have shaped him into a compassionate, responsible global citizen.
6. Lessons in Advocacy and Making a Difference
Our journey has also been one of advocacy and action. My son’s letters to global leaders in their native tongues advocating for “peace for a day” elicited a response from Chancellor Merkel. It’s a testament to the idea that every action, no matter how small, counts. Our time volunteering at an elephant refuge in Thailand, working to support an organisation that helps elephants return to their natural habitats after having succumbed to years of being chained and beaten, showed us the power of individual actions in making a difference.
7. Experience Trumps Possessions
Our travels have taught us the value of minimalism and experience over possessions. This lesson was particularly striking in countries like India, Laos and Cambodia, where a richness of life exists beyond physical wealth. In Vanuatu, the very poorest welcomed us with warm smiles and joy, only too happy to share the very little they had. I, for one, couldn’t help thinking that we, not our hosts, were the very poorest of them all.
8. Striking the Balance between Planning and Flexibility
While we began each year with a sprint and planning ritual, worldschooling has taught us the value of flexibility and adaptability. From navigating cancelled flights to seizing unexpected opportunities, we’ve learned to navigate changes with grace.
9. The Power of Experiential Learning
From teetering at the precipice of an exploding volcano in the dead of night to observing thousands of majestic brown bears up close and personal in the wilds of Alaska, our most memorable lessons have been experiential. Our son still smiles when after playing soccer with the kids in the dusty terrain outside Siem Reap for just a couple of minutes, they entreated him to put his shoes back on. Those white, fragile feet were unable to withstand the hot clay of the earth. These experiences have provided a depth of understanding and empathy that transcends traditional learning.
10. Sometimes, Leaving Home Helps You Find It
Despite the allure of our global adventures, we’ve learned to value our home — our sanctuary amidst the constant change. It’s the place we return to reflect, rest, and plan our next journey. It’s where we reconnect with our friends and family, take up our musical and athletic passions again and integrate everything we’ve learned — and are learning — about the world.
Worldschooling my son has been an adventure of a lifetime, a journey that has taught us as much about the world as it has about ourselves. As he embarks on his next chapter, I’m confident that these lessons will illuminate his path.
If you are interested in learning more about our worldschooling adventures, what we learned and how we did it, please leave a comment or reach out at julie.harrisguiader[at]gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.
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