How parents are giving their children the edge with worldschooling
Travelling already gives children a head start in life, but there’s a unique approach to learning that can amplify those advantages tenfold, writes Catriona Olsen, Executive Head of King’s InterHigh
future in tomorrow’s world. And, while it may sound like a demanding option for
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hardworking parents, there’s actually a practical, low- effort route that eliminates the heavy lifting: high-quality, internationally accessible online education.
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LOTTERY Finding the right school should never feel like a gamble, but that’s often the case for globally mobile families. International schools can vary dramatically across countries, and even within the same city. From one school to another, education quality, opportunities and prospects, and tailored support are never the same. Even if parents can find a school that meets
their standards, waiting lists can stretch for months (particularly at schools offering in-demand curriculums), with fees sometimes rivalling top university tuition. The challenge only becomes harder for families who have been relocated to unexpected destinations for work. Being assigned to oversee operations in an emerging market or rural location, for example, often results in a struggle to find a great school. Then, there’s the issue of continuity: how can children
keep up with their academic progress or maintain their friendships when they’re moving from place to place?
orldschooling, the practice of leveraging your time abroad as part of your child’s education, has numerous benefits for young people, preparing them for a bright
Each new transition can create learning gaps, social disruptions, and overall upheaval. A student who travels often, for example, may go from studying the British curriculum in Hong Kong to a US programme in California to the International Baccalaureate in Geneva, all within less than a decade. Another may be lucky enough to find British curriculum schools in every location but find that subject choices and teaching quality still differ greatly. All the while, despite all the benefits of travelling in
their youth, these children are missing out on the learning opportunities, skills, and progress they need for success in today’s global market.
WORLDSCHOOLING: A STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE The good news is that international mobility doesn’t have to be an educational obstacle. In fact, many forward-thinking families are turning each relocation into their child’s greatest asset through worldschooling. Worldschooling is an alternative approach to
education where families combine travel with learning, creating a rich experience that goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. With worldschooling, children can study marine biology by diving in the Maldives, learn about history by exploring Roman ruins, or practise Mandarin skills at a local Chinese shop. These experiences, which could never be replicated
in a traditional school environment, develop everything from cultural fluency to communication – the exact skills that universities and employers around the world are looking for in their future leaders. Rather than just studying global citizenship, students get to live it in person. Worldschooled children also develop remarkable
resilience as they learn to navigate new environments with confidence. Creative problem-solving, meanwhile, becomes second nature when children must use their knowledge to plan a route on a new public transport system or negotiate prices at a busy market.
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GLOBAL EDUCATION WORLDSCHOOLING
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