A London-based family has returned home after a 13-month "adult gap year," during which their two daughters attended local schools in Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands. The parents, Lisa and her husband, rented out their home and departed in July 2024 with minimal luggage to pursue an extended adventure focused on family connection and cultural immersion.
The trip was designed to counter the "exhausting reality" of their previous packed schedule in London. The family planned three long-term stops, with five weeks of travel before and after each, selecting locations based on the husband's academic research, which facilitated legal residency and school enrolment.
Immersive Education Across Continents
In Tsukuba, Japan, the children, aged 6 and 8, attended a local Japanese public school. Their 8-year-old daughter requested the experience despite knowing only a few phrases. The girls adapted to local customs, walking to school alone, changing into indoor shoes, serving lunch, and cleaning classrooms.
Their second stop was Great Neck, New York, where they lived with family. The children experienced riding a yellow school bus for the first time, while their father commuted by train. The parents noted the contrast to London, citing "more complicated mornings" and the inclusion of active-shooter drills.
The final educational chapter was in Leiden, Netherlands, where the girls attended a small international school. Student life there involved biking along canals and participating in a Dutch gardening program, tending to personal garden plots.
A Life of Intentional Minimalism
The family embraced a minimalist lifestyle, living out of backpacks. Lisa reported wearing a single black maxi dress almost daily in Asia and stated that with "fewer possessions, our mental bandwidth expanded." The shift allowed them to focus on experiences over domestic logistics.
The journey was not without emotional challenges. When first told of the plan, their youngest daughter cried, not wanting to leave friends and school. The parents prioritised making the children feel "safe and secure," framing adaptability as a life skill while providing constant reassurance.
Lasting Impact and Future Dreams
The intense shared experience created a strong family bond and unique memories, from watching wild snow monkeys in Japan to a road trip from New York to Miami. The trip also allowed them to be present for significant family moments in the US, including a grandfather's passing.
Returning to London felt "surreal," with their now 7-year-old kissing the ground at Heathrow Airport. The family concluded that the adventure clarified what matters most: "slow time together, not renovations or packed calendars." While happy to be home, they are already dreaming of their next extended adventure.