n a recent episode of the Education Next podcast, host Priyanka welcomed Rekha, co-founder and head of education at Boundless Life, to discuss a revolutionary approach to learning that integrates travel, community, and education.
Below is a blog adaptation of their conversation, highlighting how Boundless Life is shaping the future of education and empowering families to live and learn without borders.
Introducing Boundless Life: A New Way to Live and Learn
Rekha began by sharing the mission of Boundless Life, a company she co-founded three years ago to create a seamless experience for families who want to live abroad while prioritizing community and education.
Boundless Life offers a turnkey solution, providing fully furnished apartments, co-working spaces, cultural experiences, and, most notably, education centers in every destination. These centers cater to children ages 1 to 14, offering in-person educators and place-based learning that connects kids to the local culture and environment.
Currently operating in seven countries—Portugal, Greece, Italy, Bali, Montenegro, Spain, and Uruguay—Boundless Life plans to open at least two new locations annually, with Japan and a French ski town, Annecy, slated for 2026.
This ecosystem allows families to move between destinations while maintaining a consistent educational and community experience.
Boundless Life, she observed, simplifies this process, making it accessible and structured.
The Future of Learning: Human-Centric, Place-Connected, and Purpose-Driven
When asked about the future of learning, Rekha envisioned a model that is more human-centric, place-connected, and purpose-driven.
She emphasized the importance of focusing on the whole child, fostering a deep connection to the environment and culture, and ensuring learning has real-world relevance.
“Kids aren’t just learning division to pass a test,” Rekha explained. “They’re learning it because it’s relevant to the world they live in.”
Over the next 5 to 10 years, Rekha predicts learning will become more personalized and portable, unbound by classroom walls or rigid national curricula. Students will engage with real-world challenges, leverage digital tools, collaborate with local communities, and gain global experiences.
While AI will play a role in tailoring learning paths, Rekha believes the true magic lies in relationships and real-life applications that inspire lifelong learning.
How Boundless Life Stays Ahead of Educational Trends
Rekha highlighted the organization’s focus on real-world projects that amplify learning. For example, students in Greece participate in mock debates in a real courtroom, exploring the roots of democracy, while in Portugal, they design business plans for local ventures, like selling bracelets. In Bali, a student discovered a passion for marine biology by collecting data in the ocean, building confidence through hands-on engagement.
These experiences shift learning from content delivery to experiential, project-based education, igniting curiosity and fostering skills that stick. Rekha noted that while AI is a powerful tool, its true value lies in how students apply it to real-world settings, a core principle of Boundless Life’s approach.
Addressing Parental Fears: Accreditation and Curriculum
Transitioning from traditional schooling to alternative models can be intimidating for parents, who often worry about academic rigor, certificates, and future opportunities.
Rekha acknowledged this fear as a common barrier but explained how Boundless Life addresses it.
The organization has developed its own curriculum, initially inspired by Finland’s education system and enriched with elements from the International Baccalaureate (IB) and other global frameworks.
This “Boundless Curriculum” is consistent across all destinations, with place-based learning woven in to reflect local cultures and environments. For example, field trips and projects are tailored to each location, but the core curriculum remains unified.
To ease parental concerns, Boundless Life is pursuing accreditation through WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), with candidacy status already granted after site visits to four locations.
Full accreditation for ages 1 to 12 is expected by mid-2026. For middle schoolers, Boundless Life offers a hybrid model: half the day focuses on project-based learning to develop soft skills like financial literacy and public speaking, while the other half involves core academics through partnerships with accredited online schools, such as Crimson Global Academy.
Parents can also choose curricula aligned with their home country’s standards, ensuring flexibility and continuity.
Building a Community of Nomadic Families
Rekha confirmed that most parents are entrepreneurs, remote workers, or professionals in fields like telemedicine, with some taking sabbaticals or alternating stays to accommodate work schedules.
The rise of Boundless Life and similar organizations has fueled a growing community of nomadic families. Before such infrastructure existed, families traveled independently, often struggling to find socialization opportunities for their children.
Now, Boundless Life provides a structured ecosystem, attracting both seasoned nomads and families transitioning from traditional lifestyles. This diversity enriches the experience, as children learn not only from educators but also from parents and peers in the community.
A unique feature of Boundless Life is “Endeavor Time,” a weekly slot where parents share their passions or expertise with students. From entrepreneurs to artists, these community members inspire kids by modeling passion and innovation, exposing them to diverse career paths and perspectives.
Immersive Experiences: Stories from Bali
To illustrate the transformative power of Boundless Life, Rekha shared stories from Bali, where the unique culture deeply impacts students. In their first week, children crafted gratitude offerings from flowers and incense, a local ritual that taught them to appreciate and bless their learning spaces.
Visits to temples and rice farms allowed kids to harvest rice themselves, fostering empathy and understanding of the labor behind everyday resources.
One particularly striking experience was participating in Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, when the entire island shuts down—no lights, phones, or talking.
This immersive ritual prompted reflection and offered students a rare opportunity to contemplate their lives and values, highlighting the profound perspective gained from living in diverse cultures.
Preparing Kids for the Future: Soft Skills and Resilience
Priyanka asked whether Boundless Life’s approach equips young people with the soft skills needed to thrive in modern workplaces, especially as Gen Z struggles to adapt to traditional corporate environments.
Rekha affirmed that the nomadic lifestyle naturally cultivates adaptability, resilience, confidence, and communication skills.
For example, her son has played on soccer teams across multiple countries, navigating language barriers and unfamiliar teammates, building resilience that will serve him lifelong.
Boundless Life’s curriculum team is also working to intentionally develop and measure soft skills, recognizing their importance in an AI-driven future. “As AI becomes more powerful, soft skills are what kids will need to stand out,” Rekha said.
The organization’s emphasis on real-world experiences ensures students develop competencies that are hard to teach but invaluable in life and work.
A Mindset Shift for All Families
In her closing remarks, Rekha acknowledged that not every family can adopt a nomadic lifestyle due to financial or work constraints. However, she encouraged parents to embrace a mindset shift: view learning as a way of life, not confined to a school building.
This could mean traveling with intention, exploring online learning platforms, or creating passion projects at home, even within a traditional school system.
“The question is, what lights up my child, and how can I create space for that?” Rekha said. By approaching education with curiosity and intention, every family can build a learning-rich environment, regardless of their circumstances.
A Vision for Boundless Learning
Boundless Life is more than an educational model—it’s a movement that empowers families to live, learn, and grow without boundaries. By blending travel, community, and experiential learning, it offers a holistic approach that prepares children for a dynamic, interconnected world.
As Rekha’s insights reveal, the future of education lies in fostering curiosity, resilience, and purpose, ensuring young people are ready to shape their own paths.
To learn more about Boundless Life and explore their offerings, visit their website - https://www.boundless.life/boundless-education
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