When WorldSchoolers Go To University

We need more than travel

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Hello friends,

How is everyone? It has been a crazy couple of weeks on our end, wrapping up doctors’ appointments, flight classes, regular classes, a quick visit to Avalon, another quick visit to Miami (and another), and all things boat, because in less than three weeks, Will will head back to the boat. Largo and I will join him midsummer as we still have a handful of life stuff to deal with stateside. We left the boat 2 years ago this June to spend more time land traveling with Largo in Asia and Europe, to save money (boats are $$$) and to realize some dreams, particularly Largo's and becoming a private pilot. Along the way, we hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, which was not part of the plan, and I am now writing a book about the hike, which was not part of the plan either. But, it has all been fabulous and messy, as life is. We are all ready to get back to life on the water and slow down the pace a bit!

Will and I are as they say “ass deep,” in the higher education realm these days. Avalon is in her junior hear at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and considering a 5th year/double major, Largo is in a high school dual enrollment online program in Aviation with Embry-Riddle University in Florida, I am taking several classes and will take more in the fall, Will is looking into a class as I type, and Sentry is interested in learning to speak human. Education is always on our minds as we are lifelong, curious learners. However, it seems to be a hot topic these days with the Harvard pushback, and in many travel circles I frequent, the debate of whether to attend university and where. The recurring question is, what happens to these kids who are full-time travelers regarding a future, passions, and life beyond their parents’ moving home?

Whenever I see this question posed by an unsuspecting WorldSchooling newbie in Facebook groups, I cringe at the responses and feel bad for the poster as they get a lot of BS and inexperienced commenters. It is the main reason I have decided that my second book will be about this WorldSchooling journey, from someone who has over a decade of experience in it…a book that currently only exist from those having traveled a handful of years, most only a one year sabbatical and who have no concept of what happens next (just speculation) because they have jumped back into their traditional life after a year on the road. There are a lot of blatant lies from responders, mostly trying to promote their books, blogs, meet-ups, hubs, vlogs, etc, and who do not fully understand the scope of this education style and university from their short or infrequent exposure to it. The biggest misconception I see is confusing an expat with a full-time traveler. Two very different ways of living, with varying impacts on the kids and different trajectories for their higher education.