#175 20 Families as a "Traveling Village - Nikolaj Astrup on his experiment living in Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan with 20 families from around the world
Jun 26, 2024
auto_awesome
Nikolaj Astrup shares his experience living in Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan with 20 families from around the world. Topics include communal living dynamics, intentional communal projects, community living experiments, homeschooling approaches, sustainable funding for projects, and reflections on leadership and community building.
Creating a community for families on unconventional paths by drawing from co-housing principles.
Balancing structured education with unschooling methods and prioritizing familial well-being in communal living setups.
Deep dives
Creating a Community for Unconventional Families
Nikolai Astrup, co-founder of Traveling Village, discusses the inspiration behind creating a community for families on unconventional paths. Initially traveling with their children, they felt the need for a sense of community which led to the idea of Traveling Village. Drawing from co-housing principles, they aimed to create a village-like setting for families to engage with.
Lessons Learned from the Inaugural Trip
During their first trip to Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan, challenges like communal living setups and logistic issues arose. The experience highlighted the need for better living arrangements and more spacious communal spaces to enhance the overall experience. The importance of balancing structured educational activities with unschooling methods for children emerged.
The Evolution of the Traveling Village Concept
The Traveling Village project, initially an experiment, garnered interest from 79 families with a few dropouts along the way. Nikolai contemplates future iterations, including the potential for multiple hubs and a platform to empower others to create similar villages. The focus remains on prioritizing families' well-being and needs over commercial aspects.
Future Plans and Community Sustainability
Future iterations of Traveling Village may involve multiple hubs in different locations and a sustainable business model to ensure longevity. Nikolai emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between the project's momentum and personal well-being, ensuring that decisions align with the core values of prioritizing familial needs and experiences.