Why more parents are switching nomad lifestlyle?

have told you about my mission before, I want to meet education disrupters who will lead the way in reshaping how we think about learning.

So I am always on the lookout for people who are either implementing education and learning solutions or trying to push the boundaries of traditional education.

I met the Founder of NomadGao, Mayur Sontakke. He is unschooling his kids while he travels the world and looking to form a community of people who want to do the same.

The idea of working as a digital nomad is trending these days where people can work remotely while traveling the world.

Mayur says that he always wanted this lifestyle and wanted to make sure his children had the opportunity to experience and learn from different cultures.

He says that he created this life because it gives him the flexibility to work and design his schedule. He says they are very ambitious, and creative and have the opportunity to try everything they want.

It was nice to see his twins making a robot work as we continued our conversation, his kids are free learners who are curious and eager to explore new things.

He believes that a person can learn a lot from traveling, about different cultures, places, and people. And that travel could be used as an effective tool in teaching kids. There are many activities that his kids are experiencing from pitching tents and seeing new places.

They are currently living in Vietnam while running his work remotely.

We discussed some current problems with good education:

• We either need to be present in the big city, to access quality education or pay huge sums of money, just so our kids can get into an expensive international school.
• When parents are working and kids are going to school they hardly get to spend quality time together.
• Conventional learning is very restrictive and does not support the idea of learning from experiences.
• Teachers are driven by the passion to teach, they are all just working or they are just following the school’s curriculum.
• The School system is inclined towards extroverts, which does not give enough attention to other forms of learning.

Challenges he faces in this educational journey 

• Changes that one has to make to accommodate this lifestyle. Finding the right balance between work and family life is an ongoing challenge he faces every day.
• His kids sometimes miss friends they make in a new place but he does his best to help them make friends with locals.
  

Some misconceptions about unschooling families 

Kids do not socialize is the most common one. - Mayur mentioned that his kids do not take much time to make friends, they are usually quick to make connections and interact with the locals.

Kids cannot succeed in a conventional setting - Mayur believes that if his kids will ever decide to go for higher education, it will be their choice and he is always there for them to provide guidance and support.

Kids are on screens most of the time- Mayur mentioned how his kids have very little screen time and are always absorbed in learning about different cultures, exploring new places, and getting involved in various activities with the locals.

How he integrates work-life and parenting 

Mayur and his wife have created a system for his family which allows them to stay connected with work, but also gives enough time for the kids to explore and learn about new places.

He believes in setting some hard rules for his kids like using minimum screen time and reading is a must in their house.

The kids have to go outdoors and play every day.

We discussed how traditional education does not equip us for life in the real world - Mayur believes that traveling helps his kids build resilience as they learn to adjust and adapt to different environments and situations. They also gain a better understanding of different cultures.

Some amazing tips he gives for people who want to adapt to a nomad-style life:

• Have a minimalist life - travel light and only carry the items you need.
• Focus on experiences rather than material possessions - focus on exploring new places and meeting people from different cultures.
• Enjoy the local food - this way you will spend less as well as explore the local cuisine.
• Stay flexible - don’t make a rigid plan, have a general idea but be open to changes and unexpected opportunities.
• You don't need too much money to travel - you need the right mindset and willingness to explore.
• You need family collaboration and support - it is much easier to stay on track when the family is involved and supporting one another.
  

Mayur build Nomadgao 3 years ago for remote workers and digital nomads. It is for professionals who want to travel and work at the same time. They have three properties in Goa and one in Dharamkot in Himachal Pradesh.

Nomadgao is all about creating authentic local experiences and encouraging more people to travel and explore the world with a purpose. They also offer various activities like yoga, meditation, cooking classes, and much more.

It was an amazing conversation with Mayur and I am sure we can all take away a few tips from his journey on how to balance travel and work without compromising on family life.

Overall, Mayur’s story is inspiring and gives us an insight into the nomad life - the ups and downs and challenges one may face in such a lifestyle, but also the immense freedom it offers. With a minimalist mindset, and a willingness to explore the world, Mayur’s words are an example of how it is possible to make this lifestyle work.

I am sure that many of us can take away some valuable lessons from our conversation with Mayur on how to integrate travel and work life in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.