Staging Journeys’ overarching goal in travel is to lead deep-learning, cultural experiences with parents and their children. Learn about upcoming trips here.  

Worldschooling is an educational term many families use who incorporate travel and learning from other cultures into their schooling and family experiences.

To us, worldschooling is more than studying another culture or taking a trip – it’s using a world lens through which to view learning – it’s consistently reaching for a better understanding of people and places beyond us.  

Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles) Mexico City, October 2018

Read more about how our trips work here.

We view worldschooling experiences in these four parts that stretch us personally, educationally and as global citizens. We infuse these four parts as we cultivate a travel community, plan the logistics of the trip, and teach our way through the adventure.

  1. Cultural Awareness and Worldview – We continually discuss this! Understanding our cultural values and how they shape the way we see the world, acknowledging that differences exist between cultures – but not assigning values to the differences, seeking opportunities for meaningful interactions with local people.
  2. Knowledge – This is all that juicy-schooly-stuff: social studies, science, writing, and reading. The knowledge is gained in lots of ways, through silent observations, museums, tours, projects, discussions, and our trip books.
  3. Life Lessons – This is all that juicy-experiential-stuff: waiting in lines, playing with kids who don’t speak English, trying new foods, sleeping in new places, figuring out the bus system, stretching out of our comfort zones, and so much more.
  4. Language Practice – We practice using the local language, and we practice using the universal languages of play, music, trust, and expressions.

How these ideas worked in action for our group trip to Mexico City in 2018 and 2019.

We chose Mexico City for a variety of reasons. It’s a really fun, vibrant city, rich in culture, sites, and history, and fairly easy to reach from our home city. It’s one of those cities we could go back to again and again, which is exactly what we plan to do.

Cultivating Community

Before leaving for Mexico City, we hosted pre-trip workshops.  We bonded and learned together. We touched on ancient history, archeology, indigenous groups, colonialism, artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, traditional music and dance, street food varieties, family culture, and more.

Each person researched an aspect of the trip and gave a short presentation (even the four-year-olds!) We sampled Mexican food in our area and practiced some everyday Spanish.

Planning Logistics

We did LOTS of prep work, research and bookings for the itinerary activities, lodging, transport, and food. We provided lists for packing and for educational resources to utilize at home.  

Our careful planning ahead of time helps things go smoothly

Guiding and Teaching

On the ground in Mexico, we kept the group organized by facilitating in both structured and unstructured ways.  Often, this meant that we were modeling the curious, go-with-the-flow energy that these trips require. This also meant planning with local guides, scouting places to eat, or guiding the kids through discussions.

There was also time for families to do their own things.  Part of the beauty of our style of group travel is the flexibility for you to decide when you want to see a little more, when you want to slow down, when you want more time with friends, or when you need some precious family time.

While learning happened during the more organized activities, there was also plenty that we learned just by exploring daily life in Mexico City. Whether playing at the park, navigating the neighborhoods, buying food at the markets, or spending time in a library, we sponged up so much along the way.

Trip Books and Projects

We created a custom trip-book with information, visuals, and activities related to the itinerary, culture, and history.  The trip book served as curriculum support and a point of reference, and it provided down-time through games and sketching. It remains a keepsake and record of learning, adventure, and bonding.

Working on Trip Book pages

We planned a long-term project for the five pre-teen participants. They each wrote a short scene based on a site on our itinerary, which they boldly directed, filmed and acted on-the-spot all over Mexico City! After our time together in Mexico, they edited this sweet and silly video.

This project pays homage not only to the places we visited, and the things we learned, but also to the worldschooling community we built in Mexico City and at home.

More than just a trip, this first Staging Journeys Mexico City tour was a great example of the richness of worldschooling!

More? Yes! We’re doing it all again – come with us.

Are you ready to worldschool with us? Learn about current opportunities here. We are ready to learn and explore with your family!