Worldschooling wasn’t on my radar for most of my life. My partner first brought up the idea about six years ago, but it felt like a leap I wasn’t ready to take. How would this affect our kids? How would family and friends react? Growing up in a post-colonial context where education was mapped out in rigid steps, this idea of learning from experience felt unsettling.

Then everything shifted after our teenager returned from an exchange program in France. She came back transformed, filled with a new energy, perspective, and curiosity about the world. Watching them engage with different cultures and languages made me think about the possibility of giving all our children an education beyond the classroom walls.

So, we took the plunge this summer, diving headfirst into worldschooling. It started with an extended two-month stay in Pakistan, where we explored everything from bustling cities to quiet mountain villages. We traveled up north, reaching all the way to the China border, where the mountains are like guardians of another time and place. It was surreal—standing at that border, gazing at peaks so immense, feeling the altitude, and being immersed in a culture that felt both familiar and deeply different from our own.

For two months, our family was surrounded by a world rich with tradition and history. The kids learned Urdu, experienced local customs, and engaged in a lifestyle far removed from our usual routines. It was eye-opening to see how much they learned just by being there, watching, listening, and participating.

Not long after our time in Pakistan, I took two of our kids on a shorter adventure to the Dominican Republic. Although brief, it was a wonderful chance for them to experience Caribbean culture, language, and the warmth of a different people. Then, as a family, we went camping in Acadia National Park, spending days hiking and stargazing under the open sky. Each experience, whether in the mountains of northern Pakistan or the coastal forests of Maine, has opened new doors to understanding and growth.

Worldschooling still comes with its uncertainties. There are moments I wonder if we’re doing the right thing. But I’m realizing that the world has so much to teach them—and me. Our journey has become more than an educational experiment; it’s a way of life that encourages all of us to stay curious, adaptable, and open. With each new adventure, I see my kids growing into thoughtful, resilient young people, and I’m grateful we’re taking this path together.