Couple Quits Jobs, Sells House, Takes Children Out Of School And Goes On A World Trip

Nov 19, 2019 by apost team

The best education is usually not in the classroom. It's out in the world, and a couple of children were able to experience an incredible 18-month education as their parents took them around the world to immerse them in varied cultures. They were homeschooled too, but what they'll most likely remember from this year and a half of travel had nothing to do with their schoolwork.

Andre and Becky Baldeo, a stocks trader and personal assistant, quit their jobs and sold their homes prior to heading to Malaysia in April 2018 to start this incredible experience. They were joined by their children, Tiana-Mae, 10, and Rico, 12. The couple ended up spending $85,000 on their adventures and don't regret doing so for a moment.

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Over that time, they traveled more than 50,000 miles and visited 48 cities in 13 countries in two continents, Asia and South America. They got to experience many different living environments, nearly all of which were significantly different from their suburban lives in Enfield, a borough of London. These included expected places such as hotels and hostels but also ones as varied as jungle lodges.

Adventures included hiking in the Andes, spending Christmas in Japan, parasailing, exploring Machu Picchu, volcanoes and rainforests and climbing Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu, which reaches 13,500 feet into the sky. They also spent time with animals at sanctuaries and farms while Andre served as a volunteer soccer coach in Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan as well.

Now that they're back in England, they appear to be experiencing reverse culture shock as they reacclimate themselves to British culture. Andre told the Daily Mirror that he'll remember all of these amazing experiences and memories when he's on his deathbed and is so grateful that he and his family decided to do this. He had been sick of the "9-to-5 working-life rut" and also wanted to ensure that his children got to "learn from the world around them," meaning not just within England.

Of course, it was not always easygoing. The four of them being together 24/7 proved to be a challenge, and constantly being on the move is stressful even though it is fulfilling too. The experience was an exhausting one but one that all four got so much value out of.

What's the longest time that you've been away from home? Could you imagine being out of your home country for 18 months? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to others.