When we first heard about Project World School, we knew it was an intriguing concept and enriching travel opportunity that our frequent traveling families would want to explore. In this interview, co-founder Lainie Liberti and her son, Miro Siegel, share their story and how other families can participate in their “worldschooling” experiment on a Project World School retreat.
What do you mean by World Schooling?
We believe that the world is our infinite classroom. The planet is our home, travel is our passion, learning is our mission, discovery is our gift.
Miro and I have traveled the world for over five years. Considering ourselves to be “accidental unschoolers,” we both have learned tremendously from what we call our worldschooling experiences. There are several examples in my blog, Raising Miro on the Road of Life
What is Project World School?
Project World School co-creates temporary learning communities around the world so that worldschooling teens and families can gain a group educational experience. We are currently in Ecuador for a 10-day Marine Biology Family Retreat.
What is a Project World School retreat like?
Every retreat focuses on a specific theme related to each of our host countries. In 2015 we will be hosting our first retreat in Ecuador and will host two others in Peru. Our learning communities merge immersive learning experiences with personal and social development focusing on global citizenship, cultural sensitivity, and developing relationships through exploring ethics and conflict resolution.
This is not your typical study abroad program. Project World School utilizes the power of a learning community to produce a project driven by goals, knowledge acquisition, and changes in a global perspective.
How will young people and and families benefit from the experience?
Our ‘temporary’ learning community will only exist in a certain point in time, and will rely on all of its participants to come together and breathe life into it, somewhat like the Burning Man festival.
We are true believers in social learning. We have noticed on our travels, when we have shared experiences with a group of other people, everyone spontaneously contributes through conversation, observation and sharing previously acquired knowledge.
Our temporary learning communities also include immersive cultural experiences, teamwork and leadership activities, and opportunities for deep interpersonal development.
What type of Project World School Retreats are you planning for 2015?
The international retreat schedule focuses on the South American countries of Ecuador and Peru, plus in 2015 we will be producing one teen retreat in the United States.
- Ecuador – Surfing & Marine Biology-12 Day Teen Mini- Learning Community- May 11 – May 22, 2015
- Peru- Cusco & the Sacred Valley – Archaeology & Machu Picchu – Long Form Teen Learning Community– June 29 – July 23, 2015
- Peru- The Amazon Jungle – Long Form Teen Learning Community– August 3 -August 17, 2015
- Asheville, North Carolina – Permaculture, Homesteading & Ethnobotany – September 2015 – 1 week – dates TBA
For 2016, we are planning a Family Cultural Retreat in Mexico’s Yucatan, in the month of February, as well as other retreats in Ecuador, Peru, Thailand and Argentina.
For current rates and to learn more about Project World School’s fascinating “Temporary Learning Communities for Teens & Young Adults,” visit Project World School.com
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