The World Is Your Classroom: Travel Schooling with The Slow Road | 40 Future Learners Podcast | Guest Episode Listen on: Apple | Spotify | Soundcloud | Amazon About This Episode What happens when you swap the classroom for the open road? In this episode of Future Learners, Ellen Brown (Founder and Head of Education for Euka Future Learning) meets Kirianna from The Slow Road family, who shares how they balance education with adventure while living in a vintage 1962 Volkswagen Combi. Currently travelling in Japan with her husband Lockie and their three children, Kirianna offers a glimpse into the world of travel schooling. Kirianna discusses their philosophy of "slow learning," practical strategies for offline education, and how they integrate real-world experiences into their Euka curriculum. Her insights provide inspiration for families considering travel schooling or simply wanting to bring more flexibility and real-world connection into their homeschooling journey. Key Takeaways Travel Schooling Definition Family of five travels in 1962 VW Combi "Izzy" Currently based in Japan; children aged 9, 6, and 3 Philosophy of Slow Learning Taking things at life's pace; learning through play and exploration Flexible scheduling that works with each child's natural rhythms Practical Strategies Print worksheets and box resources by term for offline learning Integrate real-world experiences (markets, monuments, trains) into curriculum Euka Support Downloadable and printable resources suit travel lifestyle Responsive support team; YouTube tutorials for getting organised Episode Highlights Introduction to Travel Schooling The world really can be your classroom. For Kirianna and her family of five, this isn't just a motto—it's their daily reality. Living in a vintage 1962 Volkswagen split-screen Combi named Izzy, they've discovered that learning doesn't need four walls. It just needs curiosity, flexibility, and the right support. The Slow Road Family and Their Journey Kirianna and Lockie's journey into travel schooling wasn't always the plan. Both coming from aviation backgrounds, they'd always had the travel bug. They started travelling just before COVID, initially wanting to see more of Australia. What began as an adventure evolved into something more permanent when they realised their son Riley needed an education approach that suited his active, outdoorsy nature. "We just tried to search for ways where we could educate him to be an outdoorsy boy, still get out and explore the world, but also have a stable homeschooling background." — Kirianna, The Slow Road Philosophy of Slow Learning The family's approach centres on what Kirianna calls "slow learning"—a philosophy that extends beyond education into their entire lifestyle. Living in a vintage Combi naturally takes you back a few years. The family tries to live like they're back in the 1960s: getting muddy, learning through play, and connecting with different cultures. "Learning is just a part of life. We are all natural learners and enthusiastic learners." — Kirianna, The Slow Road Integrating Learning with Travel One of the biggest questions families have about travel schooling is practical: how do you actually blend education with exploration? Kirianna shared how they make learning relevant by connecting it to real-world experiences. When Alba had a geography worksheet about Cairns, she could draw on her experience of actually snorkelling there. In Japan, the children learn about currencies and money by using train cards and shopping at markets. Offline Learning Strategies What happens when you're crossing the Nullarbor or somewhere without internet? Preparation is key. "Everything that we have for a term is boxed up and put into packaging, so that we're ready in case we don't need to use our devices or have internet." — Kirianna, The Slow Road The family prints all worksheets ahead of time and accumulates hands-on materials and creative supplies that allow learning to continue anywhere. Living in a Small Space Life in a vintage Combi with three children requires creativity and intentionality. Yet Kirianna sees the constraints of small-space living as opportunities rather than limitations. The family has established clear boundaries: the caravan is for sleeping, while eating, playing, and learning happen outside. Their playground is always out on the beach or at the front of the caravan. Support from Euka While travel schooling offers incredible flexibility, having solid educational support matters. Kirianna uses Euka to provide structure and ensure her children's learning aligns with curriculum expectations. The platform's flexibility—allowing resources to be downloaded and printed—makes it particularly suited to their lifestyle. "Every time that we have needed any assistance or support, it's been very quick." — Kirianna, The Slow Road Key Insights for Families Learning through play is essential, especially for younger children and active learners. Children don't need to sit still to absorb information—sometimes the opposite is true. Flexibility leads to better engagement. When children can learn at their own pace and in their own way, they often exceed expectations. Real-life experiences enhance learning. Connecting curriculum to tangible experiences helps children understand why what they're learning matters—and makes it stick. You need less space than you think. With intentionality and organisation, education can happen anywhere—including a vintage Combi. "We miss 60% of our children's lives by sending them to school." — Kirianna, The Slow Road Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Travel Schooling 03:06 The Slow Road Family and Their Journey 05:53 Philosophy of Slow Learning 09:00 Integrating Learning with Travel 11:52 Offline Learning Strategies 14:58 Living in a Small Space 18:12 Travel Highlights and Cultural Experiences 20:58 Support from Euka and Future Plans 23:54 Conclusion and Reflections Related Episodes Episode 033: Travel Schooling: Everything you need to know Episode 020: Homeschooling on a budget Episode 013: The ultimate Getting Started guide Episode 007: 10 Major Reasons Families Are Flocking to Homeschooling Connect with The Slow Road 📖 Book: The Slow Road Van Life — available at bookstores throughout New Zealand and Australia, and on Amazon 🌐 Website: theslowroad.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theslowroad Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theslowroad_/ Your Family, Your Journey You don't need a vintage Combi or plans to travel the world to embrace the lessons from Kirianna's story. The core message is simple: learning is just a part of life. When we integrate education with our family's unique circumstances—whatever those may be—children thrive. Whether you're travelling the world or doing your homeschooling at home, Euka is here to empower you and your family on your unique journey. Curious about how homeschooling could work for your family? Visit euka.edu.au to explore the possibilities. Future Learners is produced by Euka Future Learning, Australia's largest online homeschooling education provider. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube to never miss an episode.
