In a tranquil Himalayan village, a family breaks away from conventional schooling to cultivate learning through everyday life, travel, and community connection.
- Three children learn through cooking, carpentry, and global conversations.
- Parents created a coliving space blending work and learning for digital nomads.
- Moving beyond strict curriculums, education is driven by curiosity and life experiences.
What happened
Mayur and Joy Sontakke, an Indian-Vietnamese couple living in a small village in Himachal Pradesh, decided to move away from traditional school for their three children during the pandemic. Instead of classrooms, their family life revolves around the diverse and creative environment of NomadGao—a coliving and coworking community they established for digital nomads. The children’s education now unfolds through collaborative cooking, woodworking projects, games, and outdoor exploration, creating a flexible and engaging learning atmosphere.
Before settling in the Himalayas, both Mayur and Joy had unique personal journeys that led them to question formal education’s role. Mayur’s unconventional path included early failures in school and extensive travel, while Joy transitioned from banking to self-directed learning and entrepreneurship. Together, they've built a lifestyle where learning extends beyond academics, focused on curiosity and real-world experiences integrated with the community they foster.
Why it feels good
The alternative approach at NomadGao highlights how education can flourish when curiosity and everyday life are central, rather than rigid schedules and curricula. The children benefit from frequent interactions with travelers from around the world, gaining cultural insights and practical skills in a natural setting. This form of learning encourages independent thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence—all vital traits that traditional schooling might overlook.
The family’s story resonates because it challenges standard expectations and shows how flexibility in education can be a source of freedom and fulfillment. For parents and children alike, the blending of community, nature, and meaningful work offers a balanced, wholesome environment that nurtures growth on multiple levels, reflecting a larger movement toward personalized and holistic upbringing.
What to enjoy or watch next
Explore more stories from The Better India’s “Parenting: What Google Won't Tell You” series, which shares diverse and unconventional parenting journeys that inspire fresh perspectives on raising children in today’s world. Readers interested in educational innovation might also follow developments in unschooling and nature-based learning approaches gaining momentum worldwide.
For those curious about the digital nomad lifestyle combined with family life, keeping an eye on NomadGao’s evolving community can offer insights on work-life balance, cultural exchange, and creative collaboration. Recipes, carpentry projects, and outdoor activities that make up part of the children’s learning experiences provide tangible ways to bring nature and hands-on discovery into everyday parenting.