A Family’s world schooling Adventure for Their Kids: 40+ Countries, Countless Lessons
In a world where traditional education often feels like a one-size-fits-all box, one family is smashing that box wide open. Diana and Scott Blinks, along with their three daughters—Lucille, 12, Edith, 11, and Hazel, 9—have traded desks for backpacks and textbooks for plane tickets.
Since July 2022, this Tampa, Florida, family has been “world schooling” their way across the globe, visiting over 40 countries and turning every stop into a lesson.
But while their Instagram-worthy adventures have earned them a loyal following, they’ve also faced their fair share of haters. Critics call their lifestyle “unrealistic” and “privileged,” but the Blinks? They’re all in.
“We’re traveling the world while getting the different, first-hand education for our girls,” Diana, 41, told SWNS. “We wanted to see the world with our daughters.” And see it they have.
From flamenco lessons in Spain to marine conservation off Montenegro’s coast, the Blinks are redefining what a classroom can be. “It’s not just about reading about how others live,” Diana says. “It’s about living it.”
What is World Schooling?
World schooling is an educational approach where families use travel as their classroom, integrating real-world experiences into their children’s learning.
It’s a form of homeschooling that prioritizes cultural immersion over traditional curricula. Kids might learn history by visiting ancient ruins or science through local ecosystems.
According to We Are Worldschoolers, families can adopt various methods, from structured curricula like Montessori to “unschooling,” where learning is driven by a child’s interests and the places they visit.
The benefits are compelling. Maths Australia highlights stronger family bonds, hands-on learning, and global perspectives that foster empathy and emotional maturity. Kids gain practical skills like adaptability and problem-solving, which are invaluable in today’s fast-changing world.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Critics argue that world schooling can lack the structure of traditional education, potentially leading to academic gaps. Socialization is another concern, as transient lifestyles may limit long-term friendships, as noted by Travelynn Family.
The Blinks’ Global Classroom
Diana and Scott, 47, didn’t always plan to be world-schooling parents. “I never thought I’d be a homeschooling mom,” Diana confesses. “I didn’t have experience in education.”
But when they started their family, they felt the traditional school system didn’t align with their vision for their daughters. The 2020 lockdown forced them to try homeschooling, and they fell in love with it. “That’s when we thought about taking it internationally,” Diana says.
In July 2022, they said “Au revoir” to the U.S. and jetted off to Paris. After five weeks exploring France, they ventured to Central America, hitting Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Their first year alone saw them visit 22 countries. In 2023, they backpacked through Southeast Asia, spending time in Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali before settling in Portugal for three months. Now, they’re in Uruguay, mastering the art of chivito, a layered steak sandwich.
Their Instagram, with over 145,000 followers, is a vibrant scrapbook of their journey. Pictures show Lucille studying Greek mythology at the Acropolis, Edith learning flamenco in Spain, and Hazel exploring marine conservation in Montenegro.
But it’s not all rosy. “We get some backlash from people online,” Diana admits. “They say we have no class or that it’s unrealistic. But world schooling isn’t for everyone.”
A Day in the Life
A typical day for the Blinks is a blend of structure and spontaneity. Mornings might involve math or reading via online platforms like Khan Academy, often at a world schooling hub like Boundless Life.
These hubs, open weekdays from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offer classes and extracurriculars tailored to each country’s culture. “The homeschooling hubs have been amazing,” Diana says. “It means the girls have peers like they would in a conventional school.”
Afternoons are for cultural immersion—think cooking pad Thai in Thailand or touring historical sites in Greece. Evenings are for reflection, with the girls journaling or discussing their experiences. “We’re covering academics, but we’re also teaching life skills,” Diana explains. “Like adaptability, cultural awareness, and how to navigate a new place.”
| Activity | Location Example | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Flamenco Dance Classes | South of Spain | Cultural history, physical coordination |
| Greek Mythology Study | Acropolis, Athens | Historical knowledge, critical thinking |
| Marine Conservation | Montenegro Coast | Environmental science, teamwork |
| Cooking Classes | Thailand, Uruguay | Culinary skills, cultural appreciation |
Facing the Critics
The Blinks’ lifestyle isn’t without turbulence. Online trolls often call it “privileged” or “unrealistic,” arguing that not everyone can afford to travel indefinitely.
Diana acknowledges the financial aspect—Scott left his job as a software company director, and her content creation helps fund their travels—but she emphasizes their priorities. “We didn’t think the school system was right for our girls,” she says. “This is about giving them a different kind of education.”
Socialization is another hurdle. While hubs provide peer interaction, the transient nature of world schooling means friendships can be fleeting.
“The girls make friends everywhere,” Diana says, “but they’re excited to reconnect with old friends when we visit home.” Travelynn Family notes that while kids adapt well to making new friends, they may miss deeper connections.
A Growing Movement
The Blinks aren’t alone. Anna and Michael Roberts from Kansas City, Missouri, have turned a 1995 school bus into a mobile classroom for their five kids, traveling across the U.S. (World Travel Family).
Lauren and Roy Tyson from the UK homeschool their sons while exploring Europe and Asia. These families are part of a growing trend, with EducationNext noting that world schooling’s popularity is rising as families seek personalized, experiential education.
Looking Ahead
The Blinks show no signs of slowing down. This summer, they plan to visit Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Mexico, continuing to blend education with adventure.
“We’re giving our girls a childhood they’ll never forget,” Diana says. “And we’re learning right alongside them. That’s priceless.”
For the Blinks, world schooling is more than a lifestyle—it’s a philosophy. “We believe in hands-on education,” Diana says. “It’s about showing our girls the world, not just telling them about it.” And while the naysayers may keep nay-saying, the Blinks are too busy exploring to care.
