When we decided to embark on our round-the-world (RTWT) trip one of the biggest lingering questions was: what will we do about the girls’ schooling?
My first instinct was to unschool them, with a little bit of structured math and reading. Unschooling has many definitions, but in essence, it removes the rigidity of a set curriculum and allows kids to follow their interests. The idea was both exhilarating and daunting.
I thought back to my own childhood—immigrating from Guatemala to the U.S. not once, but twice. Those transitions meant I missed entire semesters of fourth and eighth grade. Unlike my daughters, I wasn’t traveling the world—I was navigating a new country, struggling to learn English while living in a motel as my mom figured out our next step. That experience, though difficult, shaped me. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the determination to excel later in school. It paid off—I graduated at the top of my class from one of the best universities in the world. If I could overcome those gaps, why wouldn’t my daughters thrive in a worldschooling environment?
Happy Gal wasn’t as convinced. I understood her concerns. We all want what’s best for our kids, and stepping outside the traditional education system is nerve-wracking. So, we started researching options, talking to friends who had traveled long-term with kids. One family we spoke to, who are dear friends of ours, had taken a year-long trip with their 5th grader and created a loose curriculum that worked well for them.
Finding a Middle Ground
In California, where we’re from, homeschooling is a legal option, but it requires either enrolling in an independent study program or forming your own private school. We decided against setting up our own private school but found a charter school near our home that offered an independent study program. This gave us a structured framework while still allowing the flexibility to shape the girls’ education around our travels.
For core subjects like math and language arts, there was little wiggle room—we needed to follow California state standards, which the charter school provided. However, for subjects like science and social studies, we had much more freedom. We also reached out to the girls’ teachers from their home school, who generously provided reading lists, math chapter outlines, and key projects, like the 4th-grade California Mission project and the 6th-grade TEDx-style talk.
Our approach became a hybrid—meeting the minimum requirements for the charter school while allowing for spontaneous, experience-driven learning. We weren’t going to overburden ourselves with rigid lesson plans. Instead, we would let real-world experiences guide their education.
Learning Beyond the Classroom: What’s Happened So Far
We’ve only been on the road for a month, but already, I’m amazed by what’s unfolded:
- Buddhism in Chiang Mai – Happy L developed an interest in monks and Buddhism. She took it upon herself to research, interview monks, and create a Canva presentation, followed by a Kahoot quiz for the family.
- The Search for Life in Outer Space – Happy A dove into research on extraterrestrial life after visiting space museums in San Diego and Chiang Mai. She spoke with docents, read books, and created her own five-minute Canva presentation.
- Engineering Curiosity – After reading a magazine about the engineering design process, Happy A synthesized the information into a family-friendly Canva presentation and Kahoot game.
- Marine Biology in Phuket – Both girls attended multiple classes at a Marine Biology Center, where they learned about the life cycles of jellyfish, sea urchins, and coral reefs. They examined specimens under microscopes, explored marine ecosystems through snorkeling, and even took a nighttime shore walk, discovering glow-in-the-dark coral.
- Diving into Algebra – We purchased Algebra: Structure and Method, Book 1 by McDougal Littell, recommended by a friend who is an expert in K-12 math education. Happy L has been enjoying working through the book at her own pace.
- Bioluminescence in Koh Lipe – While walking back from a dance party on the beach, we stumbled upon bioluminescent waves. The girls were mesmerized. Their curiosity is piqued, and I have no doubt they’ll soon be researching the science behind this natural wonder.
- Cooking in Chiang Mai – We took a cooking class where the girls made Pad Thai, curries, and spring rolls. Not only did they learn Thai culinary techniques, but they also applied math concepts like ratios and measurements while preparing their dishes.
- Outdoor Adventures – We’ve been kayaking, hiking the Monk Trail in Chiang Mai, learning about, and feeding, elephants, and engaging in all sorts of physical education through exploration.
- Tennis with a Champion – The girls even had the chance to play tennis with the third-ranked player in Thailand. Between that and all the daily walking we do to explore cities (or just to get food), they’re getting plenty of exercise (although probably not as much as their competitive soccer and swimming back home)!
- … and other experiences I haven’t mentioned like art museums, random conversations with strangers, geography, currency, new foods, new languages, learning about native tribes in remote islands, etc, etc, etc.
- A Budding Author – Perhaps the most exciting development: Happy L has started writing a book, with Happy A helping as her creative sounding board. It’s a spy school adventure featuring special powers and a global mission, inspired by our travels. I hope she publishes it, or at least shares it with others—it’s that good!
The Inevitable Doubts
Not every day is wonderful as it seems. We have our difficult times. Some days, the girls don’t want to do math. Other days, they resist reading, or we resist teaching them. Occasionally, I wonder: are we doing the right thing? Will they fall behind? Will this disrupt their long-term academic trajectory?
Then, I step back and remind myself—none of these experiences would have happened had we stayed home.
Will Happy A miss some grammar lessons? Probably. Will Happy L miss a group project on teamwork? Maybe. But what they’re gaining—the ability to adapt, self-direct, and explore their passions—is something no traditional classroom could ever fully replicate.
We’ll return home eventually. They’ll re-enter the school system. Maybe they’ll have a short adjustment period, but I have no doubt they’ll quickly catch up. More importantly, I believe they’ll return with a broader perspective on the world and a deeper curiosity for learning.
I guess only time will tell. But for now, I’m embracing this unconventional education, knowing that what they’re learning—both inside and outside the books—is priceless.