Learn Online While Traveling South East Asia

Edumatic provided an opportunity for an experience at a time when I sorely needed one. Just having graduated from teacher’s college, I wasn’t ready to jump into my career, and was really looking for an opportunity to explore the world for a few months. I couldn’t really justify taking 3 months off just to travel, and Edumatic created an ideal environment to take a few extra teaching courses online while living abroad. Not only were locations vetted and hand-picked to best suit the life of a travelling student, but the organization succeeded in bringing together a community of people all committed to pursuing online education. Group leaders were great about helping to plan trips and excursions, while still allowing us enough free time for study or independent travel. I personally enjoyed the fact that I always had somebody available to recommend the best experiences/activities in the area we were staying, but was also given the freedom to explore at my own pace. I’ve made some wonderful friendships and cultivated a love for Southeast Asia thanks to Edumatic. I would highly recommend this experience to those looking for a fun new adventure with a group of like-minded travellers.

I found Edumadic at a point in my life where I stood at a figurative fork in the road with three paths to choose from, each holding a drastically different future for me. The first of these paths involved me continuing to work. The second path had me pursuing my passion to travel, and the third was a familiar one that lead back to school to chase another piece of paper to frame and hang on the wall.

Edumadic provided me a program that merged two of these paths allowing me to pursue them simultaneously. It allowed me to travel to Asia, a place I wouldn't of travelled to on my own due to a stigma that had been placed in my head by the media and my surroundings. I can now confidently say that I have never been more wrong in my life and I never would’ve thought I'd enjoy this part of the world as much as I did.

It also allowed me take the third path and advance my education in an unconventional way. Most people advance their education from a stationary campus but with Edumadic my campus was wherever I wanted it to be. By taking online courses I could study from anywhere I pleased be that a beach in India, a co-working space in Chiang Mai or a coffee shop in Bali.

Finally Edumadic put together a very well selected group of people with similar goals and compatible personalities that not only made the journey a productive one but an extremely fun one. Many think travelling and studying can't go hand in hand but when you are surrounded by a group of like minded people who all have their own studies to pursue it makes it possible. Through this journey with Edumadic I have made memories and relationships with people that will stay with me forever.

I’d had dreams of long term travel since college. Fast forward to late 2017: I’m working full time in my field and living in a big city. And I feel stuck.

I came across Edumadic on Instagram, and decided to go for it after much deliberation because it seemed to address my very specific desires. I wanted to leave the city I was living in, I wanted to travel, and I wanted to develop professionally.

Having travelled internationally before, I wasn’t afraid to hop on a plane alone to another country. But I was nervous about losing focus on my studies, making friends, and well, just being able to explore these new destinations. My fears were quickly assuaged; between dizzyingly narrow coastal climbs, regular sunset escapes to the beach, or a good old-fashioned study session at a cute cafe, my Edumadic experience was just like what I dreamed of in college — and then some. The Edumadic team and my fellow Edumads were instrumental in this unforgettable period of my life.

In a situation like the one I had been in, it can be hard to realize your life needs a disruption. Edumadic was the disruption I needed, and I am so thankful that I chose this path. It has allowed me to test the waters of living in another country and remote working, and in doing so I move forward with more confidence and intention.

When talking to my friends back home while away on my Edumadic trip, the only words I could come up with to describe my experience were, “I’m out here living my best life”. This is what I told them time and time again when they asked how things were going this statement was completely true. My time with Edumadic was extremely fulfilling not only educationally through the courses I completed, but socially as well, being surrounded by people that wanted to experience and explore the world in the same way I did.

Before Edumadic, I spent many days at the desk of my dead end administrative job dreaming of being a digital nomad and traveling all over, but the idea of starting it alone was daunting, and what if I hated it? Edumadic was a great way to test the waters of working in different locations and I now have the confidence to go it alone should I be lucky enough to land a remote position. I also have more confidence in following my own path and doing what feels right for me versus following the “normal” path society expects of us.

The new people, places, and experiences I came across in my three months with Edumadic have opened my eyes to things I never would have experienced had I stayed where I was, and I will be forever grateful for it.

Traveling with Edumadic was an amazing experience. It was comforting to know all accommodations were organized by Edumadic's team of experienced travelers. Edumadic also provided a small group of like-minded individuals to travel with. This little group becomes so tight it's like being part of a family by the end of the trip.

Most importantly what I gained from all of it was confidence in myself, and comfort in knowing I can pursue whatever it is that I want. It taught me that you don’t have to choose between a dream of traveling and an education.

I’ll never forget the friends I made, the wonderful foods I tried, the scooter rides across the most beautiful island, the crystal clear beaches we swam in, and relaxing in a hammock watching the stars feeling overwhelmingly grateful to be having this experience."

I took a huge leap of faith with Edumadic and quit my career to see if it was possible to explore new opportunities while traveling with the benefit of unlimited vacation time. I thought the best case scenario would be if I connected with some interesting people and had a few memorable adventures to look back on.

Now I can say that best case scenario x100 wouldn't do justice to the last three months. I formed lifelong friendships with everyone and I can't imagine not having those crazy, adventurous spirits in my life! The entire experience challenged what I already knew about travel, it constantly forced me out of my comfort zone, and I discovered that I'm a lot more fearless than I thought!

I became super motivated to find a remote job to continue lifelong learning and exploring, and I actually did it. I owe it all to Edumadic for helping me take a different path and life and filling it with adventure.

After an 8-month backpacking bender, I returned home to complete my degree and graduated from University. Soon after, I was in a bit of a rut, trying to figure out what to do next - pursue higher education or feed my travel urges. I knew that online courses existed but I also knew how difficult it would be to balance school work with traveling, especially living in hostels with other backpackers, having to fight against FOMO on a daily basis.

Edumadic came into my life at the perfect time! Once I found the program, I applied for a Masters program which could be completed entirely online. Fast forward a few months, I was studying a field that I’m extremely passionate about, all while traveling South East Asia with like-minded students/travellers. Edumadic gave me the perfect balance of online studies, socialization, independence, and traveling. It also takes the stress away from planning accommodations, weekend trips and day to day activities.

Not only has Edumadic given me the chance to focus on my studies while traveling the world, it also brought so many amazing people into my life, many of whom I consider to be my closest friends. Edumadic gave me the chance to face my fears, step out of my comfort zone, become more dedicated in my field of studies, see more of the world, and make life-long memories with amazing people!

I was finishing up my Associate’s degree and deciding what to do and where to go afterward when I came across Edumadic on Instagram. I applied for the Belatrusa '18 program on a whim. It was one of the most spontaneous decisions I have ever made. I didn’t know what to expect, but the promise of travel while taking a few different online courses to help me decide what to do next, sounded like exactly what I needed: a break from campus, and the opportunity to fulfill my ever growing desire to see the world.

A few of my favorite aspects of the trip were staying in the same spot each month, as well as almost weekly excursions in each location. By staying in the same area the whole month, we were able to establish routines and become regulars at local eateries where the workers knew us by name. I loved being able to share the experiences and adventures with the same group of people throughout the length of the trip. This program helped me develop the skills needed to further my education and world travel beyond Edumadic. Plus, I have another excuse to travel; to visit my fellow Edumads!

I put off writing this review because it feels like once I do, my Edumadic experience will be over. I explored and lived in the most beautiful places and met so many amazing people throughout the length of the program, producing memories and photographs I will cherish forever.