Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Change in the Net Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,934,464	$ 2,115,897
Acquisitions	3,584	0
Dispositions	(488)	(148,264)
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	(32,740)	0
Impairments	0	(23,465)	$ 0
Currency translation adjustments	49,846	(9,704)
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	1,954,666	1,934,464	2,115,897
Brazil
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	501,055	417,938
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	0	0
Impairments	0	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	(7,682)	83,117
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	493,373	501,055	417,938
Mexico
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	480,985	578,350
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	0	0
Impairments	0	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	22,388	(97,365)
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	503,373	480,985	578,350
Andean & Iberian
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	297,519	292,219
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	0	0
Impairments	0	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	24,243	5,300
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	321,762	297,519	292,219
Central America & U.S. Campuses
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	58,005	53,138
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	0	4,867
Impairments	0	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	0	0
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	58,005	58,005	53,138
EMEAA
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	137,114	314,466
Acquisitions	3,584	0
Dispositions	(488)	(148,264)
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	(32,740)	(4,867)
Impairments	0	(23,465)	0
Currency translation adjustments	9,943	(756)
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	117,413	137,114	314,466
Online & Partnerships
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	459,786	459,786
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Re-allocation of goodwill for segment change and Reclassification to Long-term assets held for sale	0	0
Impairments	0	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	954	0
Adjustments to prior acquisitions	0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 460,740	$ 459,786	$ 459,786

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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