48. Place-Based Learning and Building Portfolios: Navigating Alternative Education in Southeast Asia and South America with Harmony Alternative
Episode Description
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🌎 Natalie and David transitioned from international school directors to building a global classroom called Harmony Alternative for worldschooling teens. They share how the project provides the community, consistency, and academic depth that families crave through 8-week immersive cohorts.
👍 They discuss the clash of working in prestigious international schools while choosing to home-educate their own children, and why they eventually pivoted to inquiry-based and interest-led pedagogies.
✨ 5 Questions Answered:
- What is the Global Classroom model? Learn how they’ve structured cohorts for pre-teens and teens that focus on building professional portfolios and using the world as a textbook rather than following a rigid, top-down curriculum.
- Why is community impact central to their travel hubs? Natalie explains her process for vetting local partnerships, from flying in bamboo architects to working with organic farmers, to ensure their presence has a positive impact on the host community.
- How do you navigate the emotions of traveling teens? Discover why Natalie incorporates daily yoga, meditation, and Shavasana to help students regulate emotions and find stillness.
- What is the Roots cohort and where is it headed next? The duo teases their upcoming Spanish immersion hubs in Peru, Argentina, and Chile, and how they are expanding their programs to include younger learners aged four to nine.
- How do you handle the logistics and finances of a family of five? David and Natalie get transparent about the costs of international travel, the challenges of "stuff," and why they choose to leave accommodation and visas to the families to maintain independence.
CONNECT WITH HARMONY ALTERNATIVE:
Website: www.harmonyalternatives.com
Email: hello@harmonyalternative.com
Instagram: @harmonyalternative
Website: www.harmonyalternative.com
YouTube: The Global Classroom Project
Upcoming Global Classrooms and Roots:
Global Classroom: April and May 2026 in Hoi An, Vietnam
South America Oct 2026 - June 2027 (Peru, Argentina, Chile)
Southeast Asia Oct 2026 - June 2027 (Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka)
Preply connects you with language tutors from around the world at all times + prices! Start speaking TODAY! Book a trial lesson!
CONNECT WITH SUZY: We live in Spain, CO and soon Japan. 🌞 I help families financially plan for slow + long term travel! Need help making a budget? Saving for a gap year? How to rent your home out?
Book a FREE 30 MIN DISCOVERY CALL!
🚀 The info provided is for general info purposes and not intended as financial, investment, legal, or tax advice.