World Schooling

Homeschoolers have the freedom to learn anywhere they want!

Paperwork requirements in New York State require that you file from your official residence, similar to filing your taxes regardless of where you actually are at that moment. This freedom means that you can learn on the go, anywhere in the world! Many families take this opportunity to become World Schoolers and many homeschooled teens choose to spend a summer, semester or year living abroad. Below are links to help you connect and start traveling.

See Tips for Traveling with Kids including games, travel books for kids and tips for learning on the road.

See Curriculum Resources including nontraditional curricula, video and online classes that can be used anywhere.

Support Groups for World Schooling

Facebook World Schoolers - a free group with thousands of members — connect with traveling homeschooling families.

World Schooling Hub - connecting with families around the world.

Travel Programs for Homeschoolers and World Schoolers

• Unschool Adventures, travel programs for self-directed teens

• Worldschooling Hubs reviewed, small schools and communities around the world that serve world schooling families

Student Exchange and Travel Info

Studying a foreign language and culture is best done as an immersive experience. If you remain surrounded by your own language and culture you may never end up feeling comfortable in the new langauge and culture. To acquire fluency and true understanding, you must live there. Many people believe this kind of understanding can change the world.

Here are opportunities where teens can live for three months to a year with host families in another country and attend high school there. It also expands your knowledge and awareness when you host a foreign student in your own home.

General resources:

• American Field Service global exchange programs

• The Rotary Organization offers a Youth Exchange Program for ages 15-19. You might contact one or two local Rotary Clubs and speak to them about meeting others in your area who have done this. There are scholarship opportunities.

  CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) has scholarship available for programs to study high school abroad and high school summer abroad, and also offer a cultural family host program where you can make a lasting friendship by hosting an international student studying in the USA.

• Youth for Understanding offers intercultural learning and exchange programs to study abroad or become a host family.

• Transitions Abroad - high school study abroad and travel for teens including precollege programs and volunteering.

For college students and adults:

• Center for Study Abroad, low cost programs for college students and adults (although you can probably beat these costs by going directly to the foreign university and putting together your own program).

• Transitions Abroad, for those interested in studying, working, volunteering, or living abroad

Books:

• The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education. This family sold everything and relocated to a foreign country (more than one, actually) while their four daughters were in high school and college. They also used the Rotary student exchange services (see above).

• The Rough Guide First-Time Around The World, 3rd Edition is full of tips for college students thinking of traveling solo.