66. Living the Ileo Life in Curacao

Joanne Paul is a Haitian American founder, CEO, and working model who joins the podcast to share how her personal journey shaped the creation of ÎleO, a pioneering worldschool hub based in Curaçao.

Raised between the United States and Haiti, Joanne grew up immersed in multicultural environments, service, and rich cultural traditions.

Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast player at www.wanderworldschool.com.

The Origin Story

Witnessing her daughter struggle with self-image in the Chicago suburbs, followed by a transformative moment of self-love and belonging during an extended stay in Curaçao, solidified her mission to build an intentional, culturally rooted space where traveling and homeschooling children feel fully seen and celebrated.

Joanne Paul

ÎleO stands out as one of the few worldschool hubs led by a Caribbean woman, deeply anchored in the multilingual and African-rooted culture of the Dutch Caribbean. Following a successful trial cohort in March 2026, the hub officially launches in September 2026, offering immersive 30- to 90-day seasonal stays.

In partnership with the Children's Museum Curaçao, ÎleO delivers hands-on, place-based education centered on the five core pillars of STEM, Art & Creativity, Culture & Heritage, Nature & Sustainability, and Literature & Storytelling.

The Future of Ileo

For families exploring worldschooling or place-based learning, Joanne emphasizes running your own race, honoring local languages and histories, and prioritizing deep cultural immersion over rapid checklist travel.

With future plans to expand hubs across the ABC islands (Aruba and Bonaire), ÎleO invites families seeking intentional community to explore its upcoming cohorts, starting with its inaugural Fall 2026 season.

Learn more at https://ileo.life/.