Thoughts From My Education Vacation in Europe

I’m on a flight back from Europe and have something to get off my chest.

I went to Amsterdam, then Germany for a few days—right on the border with Switzerland. I spent a day in Zurich and am heading home.

It was my first time in the area. I was invited by one of our donors who operates out of Switzerland, and was able to visit with many other freedom fighters around the world attending the same event.

And before I left, I had a special opportunity to visit with our German team who translates and sells the books in that country. Zuzana and her son Raphael now operate what their husband/father previously did. Enno was my Germany partner for a few years, but he unexpectedly passed away just a few weeks ago. They are going to continue the work in his honor.

Here’s me with a few of their German versions:

We had an hour to visit together before I had to catch my bus to Zurich. We chatted about marketing, sales, and how to spread the word about these books.

When I shared how we periodically do big sales, they grew jealous. Apparently in Germany there is a law that once you’ve set the price of a book, you are prohibited by law from lowering its price.

That’s… insane.

As I’ve spent these few days in Europe, I’ve learned all kinds of other things from Uber drivers and local residents about restrictions they face.

And it’s not like the “land of the free” in my home state and country is magically better. There are tons of ridiculous regulations and laws that we fight as well.

But my “education vacation” in the area has opened my eyes a bit more to the breadth of the problem. Sometimes our biggest struggles are not massive tax increases or heavy-handed punitive policies… it’s the nickles and dimes that add up, or the “death by a thousand paper cuts” — each restriction a tiny burden on its own.

But they add up, and create a big problem for us.

Despite the downsides, it was great to be in Germany. When I wrote The Tuttle Twins and their Education Vacation, I consulted with Enno (our late translator) about the country’s homeschooling laws, since it is a featured part of the story. He gave me insights on the schooling laws, police, and language I needed for the story.

And while I’m sad he’s no longer with us, I’m elated that his family will be continuing this work — because the kids in Germany need to learn the ideas of liberty as much as those in your community or mine… and that goes for kids all over the world.

This is a big problem we’re tackling. But the void is huge and we need to fill it.

I appreciate all of your support in helping make this happen — in getting the books for your family, and recommending them to others. I am more energized than ever in the effort to reach and teach the rising generation.