Educating kids in the real world

From the day my kids entered day care, like many parents, I have pined over every school decision.   Is this the right pre-school? Parent participation, bilingual or back to basics; it was so overwhelming.  It still is - but we've luckily found a school we love and my preschooler just got into the same school - whew.  But now that they are "settled", I am ready to throw out all that research to the wind. 

I've caught myself wondering how they will learn about the world, different cultures and different ways of adapting to the world around them.  I admit I really want to hit the open road and show the kids the world.  I think education has to be more than memorizing formulas and reading, but being able to experience it - so what is a full time working momma to do?  Short vacations just don't cut it.  Maybe we could join the Hannah Montana World Tour?  Uh - no!

So here is my newest, most brilliant idea ever - take the kids to live in another country for a year!  My husband is not completely sold on it yet, but we have 4 years to make it happen.  My son will be graduating 8th grade and my daughter in 4th grade.  Hey, I can teach her about California missions in China or Guatemala or any other country that is crazy enough to hire me to teach english, right?   

Anyone have experience with this?  Would love thoughts on how to make this a reality.  Better yet, anyone want to come with?  We can rent out our houses, get international job transfers, pack a bag and board a plane - this will be better than any text book, I assure you!

Originally  posted to SV Moms Blog.

Comments

[Mama Bird]

Hey Sheila,

Check out these websites about teaching English abroad. Back in the day I considered doing this...

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/index.shtml

http://www.globaltesol.com/index.php

There are lots of other sites out there, these seem to answer lots of questions and describe certification that some countries would require.

I hear you on learning through experience. One day, we plan on taking our family on a year long, educational road trip across the US in a tour bus...wanna come???:-)

[Mocha]

Ummm... would love to! I've dreamed silently of this for a long time. Someplace wildly different from where I've always lived.

I can't go with you, but I'll be watching with great interest to see this great thing happen for YOU. :-)

Best of luck!

[Gunfighter]

I have a friend who is currently teaching English in South Korea.... she loves it. However, I am not sure how the experience compares, as she is single without children.

I say go for it.

[jen fos - top banana]

We actually are doing this and it is currently a wonderful experience.

We had been living in Milpitas and after the third kid, I left work as an engineer permanently. My husband always wanted to try and start a business (or do a little soul searching, or maybe just bum around a little bit) and we were terrified of living in the US with no health insurance if he made the leap of faith. So we thought, researched, thought and decided to give Costa Rica a try.

While here the kids are in a great private Catholic school and we have had some time to pursue other avenues of revenue and fufillment (ala Maria Shriver). I am about to come out with a children's book and my husband is still thinking.

Probably won't get to stay in Costa Rica forever, jobs are too good (at least they used to be) in the US and we miss family in the Bay Area, but in the meantime it is a wonderful sabbatical and life experience. I have changed from this experience as well.

I blog about it (on my other blog) if you are interested: www.costaricacrazy.blogspot.com

And I must say - you really should try it.

Jen

[KATHARINELamb]

I will recommend not to hold back until you get enough amount of money to buy different goods! You should take the home loans or auto loan and feel yourself comfortable