Do you see yourself as a digital nomad or long-term traveler, but worry about how to complete a degree while traveling abroad? If you want to travel the world while getting an education, online colleges are your best bet.

Digital nomads are known for “untethering” from their desk jobs and embarking on extensive travel while earning a living online. They spend months exploring the beaches of Bali or the temples of Thailand with no particular intention to return to their old lives.

Digital nomadism became popular with Rolf Potts’ cult classic Vegabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel and Tim Ferris’ bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich.

While a lot of digital nomad blogs focus on earning a living, earning a degree is an increasingly common concern of young travelers. Earning a college degree while traveling can be challenging. But, by choosing your program and your destinations carefully, you can make it work.

How to Choose an Online College as a Digital Nomad

Long-term travelers have special requirements when it comes to choosing an online college. Make sure that you start with the basics of a quality program: proper accreditation, a solid reputation, and a record of student success. Then, make sure that the college you choose will work with your travel arrangements.

Most digital nomads need online colleges that offer flexibility. Asynchronous courses allow students to login at any time of day, rather than requiring live videoconferencing or chat sessions (a task that may be difficult if you’re in a plane or on the beach).

Additionally, online programs that have flexible deadlines (i.e. requiring all coursework to be completed within a certain number of months rather than requiring smaller assignments to be turned in on Mondays and Wednesdays) generally work best for travelers.

The Connection Question

Having a reliable internet connection is an essential part of earning an online degree while traveling. Digital nomad hotspots such as Chiang Mai, Berlin, and Playa del Carmen tend to offer reliable wi-fi in affordable housing. If you’re traveling in affluent urban areas, you may be able to purchase your own broadband connection device or connect through your 3G or 4G phone. Alternatively, many neighborhoods in developing countries have internet cafes with sufficient connections.

Before deciding on your next destination, you’ll want to check for internet availability. Keep in mind that some online courses may require multimedia interaction (streaming videos, downloading files, etc.) that may not work with an old-school modem connection.

Paying for Your Online Degree Abroad

One challenge of traveling is that many countries will not allow non-citizens to take local jobs. Unless your work is all online, it may be difficult to earn tuition money. Many digital nomad blogs offer suggestions for how to make money while overseas.

Teaching English as a tutor or school instructor is often permitted in many non-English-speaking countries. However, teachers are often expected to be college graduates.

If you’re an American enrolled in an American online university, you will still be able to qualify for the same federal loans and grants while you’re traveling. Talk to your financial aid counselor about filling out the FAFSA application forms.

Non-Traditional Internships and Volunteerism

Traveling students may miss out on social events, football games, and local internships while earning their online degrees. However, extensive travel offers unique opportunities to gain experience that will stand out on a resume. As you go about your adventures, look for opportunities to network in your field, volunteer with once-in-a-lifetime projects, and give new experiences a try. You’ll be better prepared to succeed in your career whether you choose to put down roots or keep exploring after college.