The digital nomad lifestyle has been gaining in popularity in the last couple of years for a variety of reasons. Of course, the prospect of being completely location independent can seem romantic at first, but it has some serious caveats that need to be considered before anyone decides to make the jump. One of them is education.

But with the advent of online education, more and more students are envisaging getting their education entirely online while travelling. But is it really feasible and what are the steps that need to be taken for the whole process to go smoothly?

Choosing the Right Course and College

Digital nomads have special needs when it comes to choosing an online program. While most online programs can be taken almost completely online, some are much more difficult to attend. Take the case of nursing. Most nursing classes online will require that you spend a significant amount of time on facility. RN programs in PA, for example, require clinical rotations in local healthcare facilities.

But if you’re pursuing an online bachelor of science in marketing, or any course that can be easily dispensed online, then things might be easier. If you do decide to go for an online marketing degree, make sure that the school you go to has the proper accreditation, is ready to accommodate your travelling lifestyle and has successful alumni.

Consider Asynchronous Courses

Asynchronous online courses allow students to attend class anywhere, anytime, and don’t require students to use video conferencing or participate in group chat sessions; all things that could be problematic if you’re on a plane or at the beach. Also, you should go for courses that offer longer deadlines to turn in assignments. Some schools might require certain assignments to be turned in on a weekly basis, while some will allow tasks to be completed within a set number of months. These courses are usually better for people who are constantly on the go.

The Connection Issue

If you’re going to pursue your education online, it’s very important that you always have a steady internet connection available. Many hotspots for digital nomads such as Chiang Mai, Amsterdam and Davao offer top of the line internet service in addition to affordable housing. In other upscale urban areas, you can even get a personal broadband connection device that will give you access to 4g and 3g networks.

However, some other places in the world are still catching up and it would be wise to check the quality of the internet service in the city/country you’re considering before you book your trip. Please remember that some courses can be really data extensive and require that you download heavy documents or use streaming videos, all things that would be nearly impossible to do with a basic modem connection.

These are just some of the technicalities of studying while traveling. If your source of income is totally online, then juggling travel, work and education could be easier than you think. However, before you make the jump, make sure that you choose a flexible program from a reputable school that will allow you to take classes whenever and wherever you want, and make sure that the country you’ll be visiting will have the accommodations necessary for you to follow your courses easily.