If you are like most parents, you probably try to schedule your vacations around your kids’ school calendars. You might take your main vacation during the winter holidays or in the middle of the summer, and maybe you go for weekends away when they have a Friday or Monday off from school. Sometimes, of course, you may pull them for a day or two, or even for a week, because a travel opportunity comes up during the school year, and you just can’t say no. What if the opportunity for long-term travel were to arise during the fall, winter or spring? Or what if you decided to take a year or so to travel the globe? If the thought of your child repeating a year would make you say no, consider these options for educating your child while traveling:
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Traditional Homeschooling. Legal in every state, most Americans know someone who home schools. Depending on your school district, you might be able to obtain the same curriculum that the public school uses, ensuring that your child will go right back into his class without missing too much. Other options include using your district’s virtual school from abroad, if available, or buying your own curriculum. Before you take on this responsibility, be sure that you understand both your own state’s home school laws, as you will be responsible to follow the law even if you are temporarily out of the country, in most cases. You will also want to keep good records so that your child can enter school again in the grade that he should be in upon your return.
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International Schooling. International schools are found in many countries, particularly those in Europe and parts of Asia, and they are usually taught in English. They are an excellent option for those wanting their kids to attend school during the week with other children who are not native to the host country. Try calling the Department of State or the American embassy in the country that you will be visiting to help you locate an appropriate international school for your children.
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Unschooling. Some families who choose to travel extensively turn to unschooling, either as a lifelong method of learning or for a short period of time. Unschooling is a type of homeschooling that is typically done without formal curriculum, although this varies depending on the ages of the children and their interests. When you travel to a new location, there are natural opportunities to learn the culture, history and language of a new place. Combined with reading and some real-life math opportunities, this could suffice as a year’s worth of education. You will most likely need to follow the homeschooling laws in your home state, particularly if you plan on sending the kids back to school upon your arrival home. Contact a local homeschooling or unschooling group to find out more about how you can make this work.
Scheduling travel during school breaks makes sense for most families, but if you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend an extended amount of time in a foreign country, it might be worth looking into ways to continue educating your child while on the road. If you have taken on this type of adventure, tell us about how you did it!
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