Becoming a teenager can be tricky to navigate—not just for teens, but for their parents too! After the gradual progression from baby to child, parents suddenly find themselves on a faster, bumpier, and more unpredictable road as their kids reach adolescence. In a world that often pressures young people to grow up too quickly, it’s refreshing to see our Boundless Life Trailblazers forging their own paths—growing up while holding onto a sense of wonder, curiosity, and imagination.
Breaking Away from Peer Pressure
For many teens, traditional schooling can feel like a race to leave childhood behind, with social pressures to “act older” and fit in. Compounded by social media, this rush toward adulthood can lead teens to lose sight of who they really are. But what happens when teens are taken out of these environments, away from peer pressure, and placed in a supportive, multi-age learning community?
In our Trailblazer program, 10-12 and 13-14-year-olds experience a full, roaming school year—or a flexible 3-month cohort—that includes travel to destinations like Bali, Greece, and Montenegro. During their first month in Bali, students are already thriving in ways we didn’t fully anticipate.
Building Connections Across Ages
One surprising benefit of the Trailblazer program has been the interactions between our teen Trailblazers and younger students in Bali’s Education Center. Rather than separating themselves, our Trailblazers have taken on mentorship roles with younger students (ages 1.5-12). This has created a unique, symbiotic relationship: while the teens guide and support younger children, they’re also rediscovering the joy of play and wonder, free from the usual pressures to “grow up” too fast.
Anne, Director of the Bali Education Center, observed this with delight:
“We weren’t sure how the mix of ages would work in the Education Center. Would the Trailblazers connect with their younger friends or keep their distance? And how would the little ones react—intimidated or excited by the ‘big kids’?
In our wildest dreams, we didn’t expect this: an immediate, positive change in behavior all around. The little ones looked up, liked what they saw, and adapted, while the big kids embraced the chance to play. Everyone wins!”
A Diverse, Supportive Cohort
Alexa Hart, our Trailblazer Program Lead, travels with the teens through all three locations and sees firsthand how the experience is shaping them:
“The Trailblazers are such an incredible blend of cultures and backgrounds. In fact, within our class of 17 students, we don't have two students with the same cultural context nor education background. It's beautiful to see the blending and learning.
The biggest benefit to the Trailblazers - aside from the rigorous, project-based learning - is being able to step into their leadership roles and create established cultural norms with the younger children at the Education Center (EC). They gain a real world perspective and confidence from the responsibility of being the oldest members, and leaders, of the EC.”
Positive Impact on Parent-Child Relationships
Parents are also finding value in the Trailblazer journey. One parent shared that the program has created new channels of communication and strengthened bonds during these important and typically challenging teenage years:
“Both Sophie and Jack have been highly engaged from day one, and as parents, we’re thrilled to see their love of learning grow. They come home and happily share—unprompted!—what they’ve been learning and experiences they’re having - both with the local culture we’re immersed in and core subjects. It’s having a positive impact for our entire family and resulting in some fantastic discussion and debate. It’s definitely giving us an improved connection during these early teen years.”
—Kylie, Trailblazer Parent
Growing at Their Own Pace
As our Trailblazers embark on this journey of self-discovery, they’re not just growing up—they’re growing into themselves. By stepping outside of traditional environments and exploring a diverse range of experiences, they’re learning to appreciate the joys of childhood and the power of curiosity, imagination, and connection.
In a world that often pressures teens to grow up quickly, our Trailblazers are showing us that it’s okay to take time, to be playful, and to hold onto wonder. They’re growing with their families by their side, ready to shape a brighter future with compassion, curiosity, and resilience.
Interested in joining the next Trailblazer journey in 2025-26? Our program offers young people a unique chance to explore the world, connect with like-minded peers, and develop lifelong skills. Together, we’re creating a generation of teens ready to embrace the world—one adventure at a time.
Learn more about the Trailblazer Program [LINK] and start planning your family’s journey today!
