Group size is carefully limited to ensure a high-quality, connected, and flexible experience for everyone. When teaching alone, we typically cap enrollment at 10 students. If a co-teacher or assistant educator is present, we may increase the group to a maximum of 18 students.

We’ve found that 18 is the sweet spot — small enough to stay nimble while moving through museums, natural spaces, and local communities, but large enough to foster meaningful group dynamics and friendships. Larger groups can make it harder to explore freely or adapt plans in the moment, which is part of what makes these adventures so special.

We also thoughtfully adjust group size based on the ages and developmental needs of the students. Younger learners often thrive best in smaller groups, while older students may benefit from slightly larger peer cohorts for collaboration and discussion.

Yes — I personally lead the majority of programs and work directly with all student groups. For larger programs or those with multiple age groups, I sometimes bring in co-teachers or assistant educators to support the learning experience.

When I do bring on additional teaching staff, I choose people I trust deeply — not only for their educational background and expertise, but also for their ability to engage with children and families in warm, respectful, and developmentally attuned ways. All educators working with WorldWise have extensive experience with international families and are comfortable navigating the dynamic nature of travel-based learning environments. They are also CPR/First Aid certified and trained in our program values and practices.

While many of my co-educators hold formal teaching credentials or advanced degrees, I also recognize that not all brilliant educators come through traditional pathways. When I meet someone with exceptional communication skills, creativity, patience, presence, and a natural ability to support learning and connection — I may choose to bring them on under my direct mentorship. These choices are made with great care and always grounded in the same commitment to quality, safety, and child-centered practice.

Not likely! Our programs are academically rich and aligned with international standards. In fact, many students return to school with more curiosity, confidence, and knowledge than when they left. We can provide a summary of the trip and complete list of learning standards covered in all core academic subjects for each trip if your child’s school requires or requests such. 

No. While some participants are homeschoolers, we also welcome traditionally-schooled students on school breaks, gap terms, or for pull-out periods. Programs are designed to be enriching and valuable for all learners.

Yes! Our curriculum is grounded in rigorous, evidence-based practices, and draws from decades of research on project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, and outdoor education.

Math tutorials are typically held twice a week from 9:00–10:00 AM, with students grouped into very small pods of 4–5 learners to support focused, individualized instruction. Rather than teaching the group as a whole, we work with students one-on-one, rotating between them throughout the session. We’ll explain a concept or strategy, support them through a few guided practice problems, and then assign independent work while we move to the next student. This small-group, rotating format allows each child to work at their own pace and level — and we’ve found it to be far more effective than traditional whole-group instruction.

If your child already uses a math curriculum or workbook that you’d like them to continue, we’re happy to support their progress through it. If not, we’ll provide a level-appropriate workbook tailored to their age, comfort level, and learning goals for use during the trip.

Rarely — our focus is on hands-on, collaborative, experiential learning. We may assign light reflective work or invite kids to work on independent projects if they wish. The only exception to this is for math, where a small number of problems are assigned after each tutorial session to help the student build confidence on the skill independently.

With small group sizes and experienced educators, we’re able to provide a high level of individualized support and adjust activities to meet each student’s needs.

We’ll send a detailed packing list in advance, but generally kids need basic school and art supplies (notebook, pens, watercolors, water bottle, etc.).

Usually. While instruction is in English, our educators are experienced in working with multilingual learners and provide plenty of support and scaffolding. When we meet we will speak in depth to determine whether your child’s current proficiency in English is sufficient for participation.

We strive to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all children feel welcome. Many neurodivergent learners thrive in our hands-on, nature-connected programs. However, our educators are not trained special education specialists, and we may not be equipped to meet all specific learning or behavioral needs — particularly if those needs require one-on-one support or specialized interventions that are a challenge with our small staff. 

If your child has a diagnosed learning difference or specific support needs, please reach out to discuss them with us. We’ll be honest about whether we can provide a positive and fair experience for your child and the group as a whole. We truly want every child to succeed — and that sometimes means helping families find a better-fit environment if needed.

We work actively to foster a kind, inclusive, and connected group culture. Because our groups are small and close-knit, we pay close attention to social dynamics and support kids through gentle guidance, group-building activities, and compassionate conflict resolution.

That said, these immersive travel-based programs tend to be the best fit for children who are generally easy-going, adaptable, and socially confident — both with peers and with adults. Participants are exposed to a wide variety of new people, environments, and experiences, often outside their usual routines. Kids who enjoy novelty, flexibility, and active engagement with others tend to thrive most in this setting.

If you’re unsure whether this would be a good fit for your child’s temperament or social needs, we’re happy to talk it through with you during the application process.

We encourage full participation to build group trust and learning continuity. However, if a child needs a break or is having a hard day, we understand and can often offer gentle flexibility. One advantage of being a small, bespoke learning program is that your family can make choices that work best for you without fear of conflict with more traditional school constraints. 

We work hard to create a warm, respectful, and emotionally safe environment where all children can thrive — and we set clear group agreements at the start of each program to support that goal. Participants are expected to treat others kindly, follow safety guidelines, and engage in ways that allow everyone to learn and enjoy the experience.

If a child’s behavior becomes disruptive or unsafe, we will involve the family to address the issue — typically through one to three parent meetings within the same week. Our goal is always to respond with care, professionalism, and a desire to support the child.

However, it’s important to understand that these are short-term, immersive programs with only one or two educators. Unlike a full school environment with additional staff and support roles, we do not have the capacity to dedicate extended one-on-one attention to managing ongoing behavior challenges. For this reason, we are not able to engage in prolonged intervention processes.

If the behavior continues beyond that initial support window — usually no more than one week — and is still impacting the safety or experience of others, the child may be dismissed from the program without refund. In more urgent cases, where conduct significantly affects group well-being, educators reserve the right to dismiss a participant immediately.

These decisions are made with deep consideration for the needs of the individual child and the well-being of the entire group. Our priority is to protect each participant’s opportunity to learn, grow, and feel safe throughout the adventure.

Yes — absolutely! Families are welcome to organize additional after-school activities based on their child’s interests. While these are not part of the core program, it’s quite common for parents to coordinate with one another through our WhatsApp group to set up shared experiences.

In the past, families have arranged small-group tennis lessons in Mallorca, jiu-jitsu training in the Azores, and surfing lessons in Costa Rica — often by connecting with a local instructor and sharing the cost. If your child has a particular passion or you're curious about what might be available, the parent group is a great place to start the conversation.

We love seeing kids pursue their interests beyond the classroom — and the flexibility of these programs often makes that possible in creative, collaborative ways.

Yes, absolutely — we love when parents bring their unique talents, professions, or cultural knowledge to share! When a parent-led session aligns well with our learning theme or project goals, we’re happy to integrate it directly into the program. These contributions often enrich the experience for everyone and create beautiful moments of shared learning.

If the offering doesn’t quite fit into the core curriculum, we can often schedule it in the late afternoon, evening, or on a weekend so families can still enjoy and benefit from it. We always aim to be flexible and collaborative while keeping the overall learning arc cohesive and intentional.

If you have an idea you'd like to offer, just reach out — we'd love to explore it with you!