top of page
Why Do I Blog?
Hi, I'm Rachel! These articles are my reflection on the communities we create and the life my family lives as a fulltime worldschooling family (nomadic since 2018). I share insights, personal stories, and lessons learned from our long-term travels, self-directed learning, and efforts to build community on the road. Some posts focus on our pop-up gatherings and the importance of connecting with worldschooling families. Others discuss the realities, challenges, and everyday moments of worldschooling life. Together, they’re meant to help families understand what this lifestyle looks like in practice.
Search
Selecting a Quality Worldschool Hub
Looking for the perfect worldschool hub? Learn how to choose the right program for your family—what to look for, red flags to avoid, and the best questions to ask before you join.
Rachel Carlson
Nov 21, 202515 min read
The Value of a Pop-Up and Other Worldschool Communities
Worldschool communities provide more than just activities -- the real value is the people you meet and the memories you share.
Rachel Carlson
Aug 20, 202414 min read
Worldschool Prom 2025: A Sunset Riverboat Party on the Danube
We’re so excited to announce Worldschool Pop-Up Hub's Prom in May 2025: a sunset riverboat party in Budapest.
Rachel Carlson
Jun 20, 20246 min read
Our First Fairytale Worldschool Prom!!
An epic worldschool prom in a French castle? Yes please! These teens had the night of their lives, living it up at a castle with friends.
Rachel Carlson
May 1, 202412 min read
Florence, Italy 2023 Photo Dump
We explored museums and parks, visited the Duomo and other churches, hiked the hills, enjoyed the vistas, walked Ponte Vecchio, tried...
Rachel Carlson
Sep 18, 20231 min read
Madison Aug 2023 Photo Dump
We spent a week with the worldschoolers in Madison, Wisconsin, August 6-12, 2023. We visited Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Chazen museum of art, Henry Vilas zoo, the local farmers market (biggest producers-only market in the country), UW Physics & Geology museums, the Capitol Building, and more! Here is our Madison 2023 kid count: Total Kids = 28 Ages: 1, 2, 4, 6, 6, 6, 7, 9, 9, 9, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17 The Popup crew inside o
Rachel Carlson
Sep 18, 20231 min read
Istanbul Feb 2023 Photo Dump
We had a great time exploring Istanbul (not Constantinople). Visiting mosques and palaces, taking a less-than US$3 ferry ride up the Bosphorus, walking through the Grand Bazaar, catching photo ops in an upside down house, and attempting to get ice cream! Here is our Istanbul kid count: Total Kids = 23 Ages: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16 The Popup crew in front of Topkapi Palace! Seeing the Sites Nature Food & Drink History, The
Rachel Carlson
Jun 14, 20231 min read
Athens New Years 2023 Photo Dump
Ringing in the New Year in Athens! So much to visit: The Acropolis, the Ellinikon Experience Park, watching the changing of the guard, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center and the Athens Living Museum murder-mystery experience! Here is our Athens kid count: Total Kids = 28 Ages: 2, 2, 3, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 15, 15 Parthenon (PC Jenny @Magpie Eye Photography) Photographer's Point - of - View We had a special
Rachel Carlson
Jun 14, 20231 min read
NYC Sept 2022 Photo Dump
Autumn in the Big Apple was amazing. Darn near perfect weather, plenty to see and do, and quite the crowd joining us to explore NYC and...
Rachel Carlson
Jun 14, 20231 min read
Pop-Up Prep
We’re so excited to create these opportunities for worldschooling families and want your kids (and you!) to have the best possible experience. Here are some suggestions to help your popup go smoothly! Pre-Pop-Up Planning Join the WhatsApp Communication Groups: Do this as soon as possible, WhatsApp links are typically emailed 2-3 weeks prior to the event. You can mute the conversations until the popup starts, but it’s really nice to have everyone participate in the groups ahea
Rachel Carlson
Apr 2, 202316 min read
Pop-Up Recap: London 2022
When we first scheduled our London event, we seriously wondered if anyone would come. Who exactly goes to London… in November? Apparently, LOTS of people! We had 26 families (including 5 returning families) join us with a total of 116 participants. Our guests hailed from Poland, England, Austria, Australia, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, the Cayman Islands, and all across the US. *We never got a full group photo, but here is a portion of us on the Thames River Cruise These are
Rachel Carlson
Dec 22, 20225 min read
The Gift of Community
Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing until we stumble into it. This happens all the time in our lives – think of the stories of people adopting rescue dogs, picking up a new hobby, finding a compatible partner, trying a unique cuisine, visiting a new culture, converting religions… we never really know when we’ll make a connection, no matter how big or small. For the Carlson Family, we traveled fulltime for nearly two years before we landed in our first worldschool gathe
Rachel Carlson
Nov 1, 202212 min read
Pop-Up Recap: Iceland 2022
The land of fire and ice... we found the ice and missed the fire. However, we did observe amazing evidence and stunning effects of the volcanic activity here! *Kolugljúfur Canyon and Gorge Walk Our Iceland story is a bit odd, many people have Iceland on their bucket list for years before making the trip. Personally, I didn't see the draw until we noticed flights from NYC to London were significantly cheaper if we landed in Iceland first. Our family is originally from Wisconsi
Rachel Carlson
Oct 20, 20229 min read
Spring 2023: Castle Pop-Up & Worldschool Prom
FAQs on our Normandy castle stay, pop-up, and teenage prom!
Rachel Carlson
Sep 19, 202212 min read
Pop-Up Recap: Madison, Wisconsin, August 2022
A Recap of our 2022 Pop-Up in Madison, Wisconsin.
Rachel Carlson
Aug 30, 20223 min read
Spotlight: Old Town Charm in Freiburg, Germany
Here's a sneak peek of all the cool things we'll do out our pop-up in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
Rachel Carlson
Jul 6, 20222 min read
Where Do I Find Worldschool Community?
Worldschool hubs come in many shapes and sizes! Here are links to some of the established hubs plus ideas on how to find worldschoolers and get yourself connected in the community.
Rachel Carlson
Jul 2, 202210 min read
Spotlight: Art & the Outdoors | Bentonville Arkansas
When we tell people we're hosting a worldschool popup in Bentonville, we're often greeted by blank stares, raised eyebrows, or polite smiles. What on earth could possibly be the draw of this little town tucked away in the northwest corner of Arkansas? I think part of the appeal is that not too many people know about Bentonville yet (and shhhhhh, don’t tell them). For those who’ve heard of Bentonville, it is likely due to the connections with the Walmart Corporation. Sam Walto
Rachel Carlson
May 17, 20223 min read
Spotlight: Oaxaca City, Mexico | June 2022
Welcome to the "Land of Seven Moles" Oaxaca is also known as Oaxaca de Juárez or Oaxaca City. It is the capital (and largest city) of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Home to a vibrant community with Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, and Spanish roots, Oaxaca is rich in culture, cuisine, and tradition. Oaxaca is positioned between two imposing mountain ranges, and its isolation has preserved 16 distinct pre-Spanish cultures which still exist here. Dating back to 1500BCE, this secluded hav
Rachel Carlson
May 7, 20222 min read
Pop-Up Recap: Guanajuato Week 2, Mexico | March 2022
This was our first time offering a 2nd popup in the same location! Normally we run our popup, enjoy our time with all the worldschoolers, and then mosey on our way to the next great destination. However, with the Project World School Family Summit happening right before this popup, we knew we'd have more families to join in our exploration of Guanajuato and the surrounding area... and there was still lots to explore! It's amazing what neat nooks and crannies you find when a w
Rachel Carlson
Apr 30, 20224 min read
bottom of page