Over the last 12 months, Amanda Ashworth has visited 19 countries. This coming year, she plans to visit 12 more, including destinations across Central America and the Caribbean. “Some of my favourite recent experiences have been interrailing across Europe, and travelling to China and Australia,” she tells MOJEH.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Amanda was a young twenty-something fresh out of university, or a trust-fund backpacker chasing sunsets and a good time. But no, she is a working professional with a husband and three children — a 17-year-old son and two daughters aged eight and five. So how does she afford such freedom to travel, and with her family in tow? The answer lies in worldschooling, a movement which offers a different model of learning — one that is rooted in cultural exposure and hands-on experiences rather than classroom-based phonics tests or drilling times tables at a desk. “It’s been 10 years now, and it has been incredible watching my children grow up connected to so many different cultures and ways of life,” she says.
At the heart of worldschooling is a growing desire among modern families to rethink not just how children learn, but where. For the lucky few, this may look like a year or more on the road, with children learning languages from locals, history from cultural landmarks and art from international galleries. “These parents recognise the value — and have the means — of raising children who are global thinkers: curious, compassionate and culturally fluent,” explains Lucy Spencer, founder of Education Boutique which helps families navigate the practicalities of worldschooling. While rules and regulations around education vary from country to country, most UAE residents complement their travels with homeschooling, and can choose from various international systems including US Diploma and Britain’s National Curriculum. Many travelling for longer periods also enlist the help of a private tutor.
As to be expected, this privilege allows for some of the most epic experiences, and Lucy has helped families plan world tours to visit the modern Seven Wonders of the World, replant coral reefs off the coast of the Maldives, study German history in Berlin, discover astronomy under desert skies in Oman and sail through the Galápagos Islands conducting explorer diaries.
Then you have families like the Ashworths, who look to worldschooling as a lifestyle. Having grown up in the UK, Amanda moved with her family to Dubai three years ago. Her two youngest children have never known a traditional classroom, with the family’s travels — funded by Amanda’s work as a holistic coach and her husband’s career in IT — taking them from coral reefs to mountain villages, with learning unfolding organically along the way.
In the Maldives, for example, her children joined a marine biology workshop, snorkelling over reefs while learning about coral restoration and biodiversity. In Bali, lessons came through permaculture and sustainable living, while in Morocco, they baked bread in clay ovens, picked up Arabic phrases and listened to elders share stories of Berber life. “It was an education in culture, communication and the power of human connection,” Amanda reflects. “Our children left understanding that wisdom doesn’t only come from teachers, it comes from people and their stories.”
Today Amanda’s passion has evolved into something bigger: Worldschooling Hub Goa, a community where children learn through nature, creativity and collaboration while parents enjoy coworking spaces and wellbeing activities. “The success of our Goa hub inspired our next project, The Worldschooling Community Abu Dhabi, opening in September 2026,” she adds. “It will offer an affordable-luxury base for families seeking connection, comfort and community while living and learning in the Middle East.”
Of course, not every family is able — or willing — to uproot entirely, with an increasing number of families choosing a more contained version, where travel enhances education rather than replaces it. These are the parents that are carving out time over long summer holidays rather than disappearing indefinitely, recognising that even a few weeks of intentional travel can leave a lasting imprint.
That said, it doesn’t make their experiences any less profound courtesy of exciting itineraries that balance education and adventure, such as slow journeys through Japan combining history in Kyoto with robotics workshops in Tokyo, or Mediterranean loops linking ancient ruins in Greece with marine conservation projects along the Dalmatian Coast. Trips to Costa Rica are also particularly popular for families keen to combine rainforest ecology with hands-on sustainability learning, while Iceland offers a natural classroom for geology, climate science and stargazing under the midnight sun.
“Parents want their children to gain global awareness, cultural fluency and a deeper understanding of the planet,” says Jimmy Carroll, founder of Pelorus, a luxury travel planning company for UHNW families, which is seeing a fast-growing appetite for parents eager for experiences that go beyond conventional luxury.
In fact, in 2025, 57 per cent of Pelorus’s family trips were educational. “These kinds of trips are often focused on a child’s particular interests, such as marine biology, cultural discovery or a conservation project, with destinations like New Zealand, Polar regions, Indonesia and the African continent becoming particularly popular,” explains Jimmy.
One of his most memorable projects was to Antarctica with wildlife-obsessed children on board an exploration yacht, where researchers onboard led the children through hands-on wildlife education, from studying penguin colonies to tagging whales. One 11-year-old even joined scientists in the field, taking part in real-time research. The options truly are endless.
Of course, there are practical considerations when embarking on a worldschooling journey, with age often the first. “The sweet spot is usually between six and 14,” advises Lucy. “Children are old enough to absorb and question the world, yet still flexible and curious enough to adapt with ease.” That said, worldschooling rarely fits neatly into age brackets, with toddlers often picking up their first words across multiple languages and teenagers studying for their GCSEs while navigating continents and cultures in parallel.
Equally fluid is the role of the parents themselves. While families with the means may choose to step away from work entirely for a period of time, many continue to work remotely, building education around existing routines rather than abandoning them. In this respect, the UAE has emerged as a natural launchpad. Its central location, world-class infrastructure and flexible residency options offer families the rare combination of stability and freedom — a place to return to between journeys, or to use as a base while the world becomes part of the curriculum. As Lucy puts it: “School tells you education has an end date. The world doesn’t.”
The Worldschooling Experiences To Try
Curious about taking learning beyond four walls? These curated 2026 experiences are where to begin
Ancient Greek Luxury Tour
Best for: A Greek history lesson
With Audley Travel, families can explore Delphi and Athens in a way that feels more like storytelling than sightseeing. Expert guides bring Greek myths and legends to life at the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and, because little travellers often love the journey as much as the destination, the team also builds in fun modes of transport, from e-bike rides around the Meteora monasteries to 4×4 adventures across Milos’ otherworldly landscapes. Learn more
Aqua Expeditions Peruvian Amazon Adventure
Best for: Wild-at-heart adventurers
With Aqua Expeditions, families can explore the Amazon on board luxury yacht Aqua Nera through the eyes of naturalist guide George Dávila, an Amazonian native who grew up along the Iquitos River. George brings the rainforest to life for children, from wildlife spotting and piranha fishing to clever nature-based games. He also introduces families to remote river communities, sharing traditions, farming practices and indigenous crafts, resulting in a rich, hands-on learning experience that blends adventure, culture and meaningful connection to the Amazon. Learn more
Junior Marine Biologists at Crossroads Maldives
Best for: Budding marine biologists
Designed to help young explorers dive into the underwater world of coral reefs alongside resident scientists, this fascinating programme sees eco- tourism classes bring reef restoration to life, with families and children able to get hands-on during coral propagation workshops. And, for a dose of culture, the Maldives Discovery Centre showcases local art, heritage and craft, making it a dream playground for curious minds of all ages. Learn more
Singita Mini Rangers Safaris
Best for: Conservation enthusiasts
Giving families a safari with real purpose, Singita Mini Rangers sees children learn bushcraft, wildlife tracking and conservation alongside expert guides across the Tanzanian Serengeti, South Africa’s Kruger and Sabi Sands, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. Not only do they identify tracks, listen for bird calls and learn survival skills, but older kids can join reforestation and community projects, making this a meaningful, hands-on way for young travellers to connect with Africa’s wild places. Learn more
The Bee Academy at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda
Best for: Nature lovers
Blending hands-on learning with meaningful cultural connection, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda has just launched the Bee Academy, where children can explore the science of pollination, understand bees’ vital role in world ecosystems and meet the female beekeepers whose craft supports conservation and community empowerment. From honey tastings to interactive sessions, it transforms nature into a living classroom, offering families a unique way to learn about biodiversity, sustainability and Rwanda’s unique environment. Learn more
Originally published in the March 2026 issue of MOJEH Magazine. Subscribe here
