Buffalo Couple Chooses World-Schooling Adventure to Educate their Children
Amanda and Solomon Dixon, a couple from Buffalo, New York, have made a bold decision to become “world-schoolers” in order to provide a unique education for their children while traveling the world. World-schoolers are families who combine traveling and education, seeking a different approach to learning and lifestyle. Though the exact number of world-schooling families is unknown, a Facebook group dedicated to the practice boasts an impressive membership of over 62,000.
Funding their travels through various means such as remote work, online teaching, real estate, and stock trading, these families have the flexibility to mix learning at home and abroad. They can enroll their children in online programs or choose to participate in short-term educational programs known as “world schooling hubs.” These hubs, which have emerged in countries like Egypt, Spain, Thailand, and Morocco, offer structured educational activities for several hours each day, allowing parents the opportunity to work remotely while also organizing family activities and excursions.
One of the advantages of world schooling is the ability for families to travel on tourist visas and extend their stay if they register upon arrival in a country. This allows children and their families to fully immerse themselves in different cultures, learn at their own pace, and gain valuable life experiences.
Recently, there has been a significant rise in homeschooling among US families, with a staggering 30% increase from 2019 to 2022. This upward trend is echoed within the world-schooling community, where families are actively seeking alternate methods of education.
Recognizing the growing demand, companies have arisen to provide structured versions of world schooling, offering month-long educational experiences for families. However, some families, like the Dixons, have chosen to take matters into their own hands by running their own schools abroad. By utilizing their savings, the couple plans to embark on a traveling school adventure throughout South Asia, alongside 12 other families. Their plan is to spend a month in each location and then settle down to open another hub, which will function as their home base for the next three years.
The ability to pivot and adapt to new opportunities is a key aspect of world schooling, allowing families to prioritize their unique way of educating their children. For the Dixon family, this means a thrilling journey and the chance to create lifelong memories while providing an enriching education for their kids. The world of education is evolving, and the Dixon family stands ready to embrace its countless possibilities.
