We’re not homeschooling, we’re worldschooling. We’re not homeless nomads we’re an unlocated family. Buzzwords like these surround families like ours, and there are more of us than you’d think (https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/14/style/moving-to-canada-jk-traveling-until-2020.html).
Our kids practice math changing currencies. A science lesson might involve testing the coriolis effect south of the equator. Social studies? Just ask the driver about his religion, then sit back and learn. And gym class (at least on Lombok) means surf school.
The twins were giddy as we met our coaches at Nayaka Surf School in Senggigi. But of course they were standing up and riding to shore on their first day.
Stella was a bit more nervous, but the coaches at Nayaka Surf School are great teaching to a client’s needs. After a full day of towing her around the flats and singing silly songs, her trust was earned. By day two she was standing up and riding into the shore. Jen and I consistently struggled, with 95% of our attempts ending in a tumbling wash of board, body, and lost bathing suit bits.
At the end of our stay in Indonesia, the twins were paddeling out solo and catching waves on their own. So we are confident giving them a passing grade for P.E. this term.
Worldschooling is not idyllic. Weeks of living 5 to a room can get cramped. Power outages and spotty internet interfere with online school work. Parental self doubt is always lurking. Dodgy food, cold showers, stinging bugs, bad tummies; these things don’t make it onto Facebook or Instagram. Certainly they do not make it into a NY Times article.
Despite the struggles it’s still worth it. They’re learning how to multiply fractions, but they also know how to buy a metro ticket, haggle for a sarong, and keep a pineapple safe from monkeys.
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