Business and Geographic Segment Information - Schedule of Segment Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 885,288	$ 855,933
Reconciling items:
Share-based compensation expense	3,756	(22,388)
Operating loss	(27,459)	(62,866)
Interest income	6,129	4,694
Interest expense	(69,465)	(102,633)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(7,481)	(1,515)
(Loss) gain on derivatives	(19,340)	12,147
Other income, net	2,406	436
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net	(8,754)	2,290
Gain on sales of subsidiaries, net	298,041	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	174,077	(147,447)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(3,725)	(6,180)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	83,422	81,265
Reconciling items:
Corporate	(35,934)	(32,666)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(67,762)	(64,514)
Loss on impairment of assets	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	3,756	(22,388)
EiP expenses	(10,941)	(24,563)
Operating loss	(27,459)	(62,866)
Interest income	6,129	4,694
Interest expense	(69,465)	(102,633)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(7,481)	(1,515)
(Loss) gain on derivatives	(19,340)	12,147
Other income, net	2,406	436
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net	(8,754)	2,290
Gain on sales of subsidiaries, net	298,041	0
Brazil \| Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	122,792	116,833
Brazil \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	(26,016)	(39,125)
Mexico \| Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	155,899	150,859
Mexico \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	30,443	37,874
Andean & Iberian \| Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	216,230	181,151
Andean & Iberian \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	(6,894)	(18,469)
Central America & U.S. Campuses \| Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	79,027	76,371
Central America & U.S. Campuses \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	17,637	17,094
EMEAA \| Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	147,034	159,833
EMEAA \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	23,278	29,796
Online & Partnerships \| Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	168,031	177,066
Online & Partnerships \| Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Adjusted EBITDA of reportable segments	$ 44,974	$ 54,095

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Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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Amount before tax of gain (loss) recognized on the sale or disposal of a disposal group. Excludes discontinued operations.

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