ASU programs support educational goals of mother-daughter duo

Twelve-year-old Aanya Sosa and her mom Beth are able to travel around the world while also pursuing their educational goals through ASU Prep and Arizona State University’s digital offerings.

Aanya has a deep relationship with her mother, but beyond being an only child, their relationship is strengthened by their shared experience of learning, discovering and exploring the world while running parallel paths to achieve their educational goals, according to a media release.

Originally hailing from the United States, the Sosas now split their time between Gibraltar and Phoenix.

The Plaza de los Flores in Estepona, Spain, is one of their favorite spots; it’s just a short drive across the border from their home in Gibraltar.

It’s a delightful backdrop for the café patio where they frequently linger, opening their laptops and getting down to business — Aanya working her way through courses with Khan World School at ASU Prep and Beth answering the demands of a bachelor's degree through Arizona State University that she put on hold 20-plus years ago, the release explained.

After several years of nomadic living, Brandon Sosa, Aanya’s father, shifted careers and is now based in Gibraltar, but the family’s travel adventures are far from over.

Creating immersive experiences has been a priority for this adventurous family from the start, with Aanya recently visiting the British History Museum in London, where she was able to see artifacts that she’d learned about in class.

Looking ahead, Aanya is on track to graduate early and take advantage of a family gap year filled with more travel and exploration.

As she gears up for her second year at Khan World School, Aanya has a great deal of flexibility with the Socratic academic model that promotes mastery over memorization. A lifelong homeschool student, the program provides her with more collaborative experiences with her peers while her mom maintains a direct role in her education, according to the release.

“It’s a team effort, in a good way,” Beth Sosa said in the release. “It’s this great place where we can be engaged but also give her the independence to explore her learning. Khan World School gives such a great space for them to explore and encourages them to form higher level thoughts.”

Together, the Sosa girls are making things happen, the release added. Beth, who discovered her ASU Online program through Aanya’s school, was delighted to find a program that fits her needs and allows her to finally secure her degree.

“It’s a cool experience. We keep each other accountable,” Beth said.