Blog — Remote Year
1. We get to work & play while they organize? Sounds good2. There are lots of cuties and smarties on the trip? NICE.
3. You’ll get lots of mosquito bites and gain 15 pounds off of too much bread and cheese in South America? Wait, this one doesn’t sound so – oops too late I can’t get my deposit back.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?
Starting a travel and comedy Youtube channel that is everything but normal. Let’s be honest. Traveling is weird and gosh those digital nomads?
They are SO weird.
But truth be told, the purpose of this channel is to tell all the working warriors out there this: don’t quit your daydreams. If a tech marketing professional can let go of her super cute hipster shoes to travel around the world with close to no possessions hoping to make it as an internet derp…what are you waiting for?
(Hopefully not my next Youtube video cause I haven’t edited that yet.)
HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?
I went on Youtube, uploaded my first travel video and from that day forward I had a job. A job that currently pays me no money. Just some internet thumbs up.
HOW DO YOU THINK TRAVELING WILL AFFECT YOUR CURRENT WORK?
Everywhere I go, I’m usually recording or taking photos. Otherwise I’m brainstorming about how to share where I’m at with others. Traveling is different for me now. It’s not exactly a vacation, it’s my full-time job. But I love it so much. The kind of love where you hate yourself for one day for making this decision but then fall back in love with how determined you are to make everything work.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Inspiring people. And I believe laughter is the sweetest form of inspiration!
Sam, the co-founder of Remote Year. So that he can refund my Remote Year fees.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TALENT?
I’ll tell you if you swipe right.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
Wake up to hot men with buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken. They call me Goddess and paints me the way Jack painted Rose. For lunch we eat Shin Ramen (side note: can someone deliver me some please) and watch romantic comedies. They try to cuddle but I’m like, “”NO GIVE ME SPACE”” and then I go swim in my pool of dollar bills. No water, just money.
My private jet comes pick me up and takes me to Taylor Swift’s house. She looks at me and says, “”you belong with me”” and I’m like “”UM, YAS QUEEN””. But then I remembered I left my pet persian cat at home so I jet back.
On the jet I take a nap and when I woke up I was in bed, in my pink cat PJ pants with drool all over my face. It was only a dream and it’s 5pm, I slept through most of my day.
Steal Like An ArtistEat, Pray, Love
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 30 YEARS?
Probably sitting on the porch beaming with pride at how ridiculous I was in my 20s. And then I take a sip of whiskey.
YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
Inspire by doing.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?
Shia Labeouf: JUST DO IT.
KEEP UP WITH TJ ON HER YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER!
When I first heart about Remote Year, I was in transition, trying to decide where I wanted to live after a few years of living in the Caribbean. I was thinking about settling down in a tech city like Seattle or Austin, but none of the cities I visited seemed right for me. Then a good friend told me about Remote Year. The combination of being able to explore while forming long term relationships at the same time was too good to pass up.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?
I’m working with a team of talented people based in Oakland, California on a variety of software projects for clients ranging from well known musicians, to a startup working on a cure for HIV, and another startup that makes it accessible for people to send science experiments into space. I’m excited to be traveling around the world while doing work that impacts people around the world in a variety of ways.
HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?
I started searching for remote jobs out of convenience when I was living in the Caribbean and didn’t know what was next. The number of jobs that can be done remotely is huge and growing at an incredible rate. There are tons of job boards for remote jobs in the software industry and in other industries as well.
HOW DO YOU THINK TRAVELING WILL AFFECT YOUR CURRENT WORK?
I think being in new and stimulating environments will enrich my work. Sitting in front of a computer for eight hours a day can be a little bit dull at times, but knowing that adventure awaits me every night and weekend keeps me interested and passionate.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Love and connecting people to each other, to the planet, to truth and to life.
I’ve lived in Ohio, and the Dominican Republic and I’ve also traveled all over the US, Panama and Colombia.
WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL COME FROM?
I actually don’t have a passion for travel as much as a passion for people. The thing that drives me to travel is the opportunity to connect with diverse people and enter into their lives for a brief period of time and see how the world looks from their perspective.
IF YOU HAD TO BE STUCK ON AN ISLAND WITH ANOTHER RMOTE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Most of the people I’ve met on Remote Year would be great people to get stuck on an island with; everyone is so positive, tenacious and self-sufficient. But hopefully it would be someone with some mutual attraction because affection is pretty necessary for survival.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TALENT?
It used to be my ability to blow bubble rings under water, but now I’ll have to find a new one. Thanks.
WHAT BOOK SHOULD EVERYONE READ?
It changes all the time, but my recent favorite is The Prophet by Khalil Gibran.
YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
“Que la curiosidad sea mas grande que el miedo”, which means “May curiosity be greater than fear”.
Spending so much time far away from people I love.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A DIGITAL NOMAD?
Getting to visit people I love all over the world.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?
Stay curious. Ask questions. Listen. Learn. Don’t be afraid to look stupid. Opportunities are all over the place, but they aren’t going to find you, you have to go out looking for them.
WHO DO YOU HOPE TO BE BY THE END OF REMOTE YEAR?
I see who I am as a constant evolution that won’t end after Remote Year, but this year I hope to grow in my ability to connect with and form genuine deep relationships with other people both on the trip and in the places we visit. I want to be someone who is deeply connected with others across culture and geography.
KEEP UP WITH JO ON HIS BLOG, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER!
I’ve lived abroad before and loved it, but I’ve never found the right opportunity to do long term travel. I don’t think I would enjoy travelling on my own, not to mention I had assumed if I did that I would have to take a break in my career. So Remote Year seemed like it had been made for exactly for me: a group of friends to go travelling with whilst still maintaining (and even enhancing) my career.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?
I’m a co-founder in a start-up, we are a sports-science technology company specializing in wearable technology for athletes and serious sports people. Think ‘fitbit’ for pro and semi-pro athletes with an added sport-science service to guide athletes.
HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?
Our team has had limited face-to-face time so far and we haven’t fully launched yet, so now is the easiest time to work remotely before things really kick off.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?
I guarantee there will always be reasons not to go travelling, once you accept there will not be a perfect time then just get on and do it as soon as you possibly can. Travelling is about facing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them.
WHO DO YOU HOPE TO BE BY THE END OF REMOTE YEAR?
I hope to have the feeling that I have completed something challenging and unique, that I became more worldly in the process and that I made the most of this great opportunity. I want to have learnt some skills (i.e. Spanish) and launched some of my own side projects.
HOW DO YOU THINK TRAVELING WILL AFFECT YOUR CURRENT WORK?
We are making some adjustments – some things are better whilst other things are harder. I’m trying my best to make the most of the benefits – such as any time differences – if there is anything that I can work on during the UK night-time that would mean work being completed in less than 1 UK work day, then I’ll try my best to make that happen.
Aside from the UK I’ve lived in Belgium and Italy for a couple of years each, in terms of travel I’ve visited lots of Europe (especially the Nordics) and Asia, most recently I went travelling around New Zealand with my family.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON THE GLOBE?
I learnt to kitesurf on a remote beach in the Maldives, it was so peaceful and picturesque.
WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL COME FROM?
My parents! As a young child my family moved to Belgium for 18 months and I think that triggered the travel bug, both my brother and I are always gallivanting around the world chasing adventures.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TALENT?
I used to do a bit of breakdancing and I can do some beat-boxing!
YOUR FAVORITE DIGITAL NOMAD HACK?
Trail shoes so you don’t need separate trainers and hiking boots. Compression packs to vacuum pack your clothes and also helps group your items.
Astroturf shoes to play football, my laptop (not just for work), my Kindle.
DESCRIBE YOUR REMOTE YEAR EXPERIENCE SO FAR IN 3 WORDS.
Whirlwind. Fun. Home.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BEING A DIGITAL NOMAD?
Learning to quickly feel at home wherever you are. Also some activities like laundry and grocery shopping are slightly harder than normal if you don’t speak the language, you need to brush up on some useful words before you leave.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A DIGITAL NOMAD?
Becoming minimalist in terms of possessions. This was the best part of my preparations for Remote Year, getting rid of excess clutter, closing various accounts, and preparing to live with less ‘stuff’. It makes you feel free and more easily able to travel, you have much less to worry about.
Remote Year came into my life at the perfect time. I had been living in New York City and working at the same hospital for almost four years and was looking for a change. Long-term travel has always been a dream of mine, and a traditional job makes that impossible. I became frustrated with vacation time constraints and wanted to travel where, when, and for how long I wanted while also remaining employed. It was on Facebook that I discovered Remote Year, a program that would allow me to do just that while also meeting people from all over the world. It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Once I was accepted, it was an easy decision to take the plunge!
HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?
Despite submitting several applications for remote consulting, writing, and research positions via LinkedIn and remote job websites, I ended up securing my position through personal networking (thanks, Dad!). I formally accepted the position less than a week before flying to Cordoba!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?
I’m a Physician Assistant (PA) by trade, with 6 years of experience in both Internal Medicine and Oncology (Bone Marrow Transplant). Due to licensing and logistical issues, it was not feasible for me to practice clinically while abroad. After an extensive search for a medically-relevant remote position, I was lucky enough to land a job as a medical writer for PENTAX Medical. I will be focusing primarily on medical blogs detailing the latest research in the field of gastroenterology and medical devices.
I’ll also have the unique opportunity to meet with a group of Bone Marrow Transplant physicians at their hospital in Buenos Aires. We will be comparing treatment protocols for our oncology patients. I’m hoping to incorporate this experience into my medical blogs in some way.
On a personal note, I’ll be working on a travel blog. I’ve always journaled about my travel experiences, but never in blog form, so I’m excited to explore my creative side that way.
HOW DO YOU THINK TRAVELING WILL AFFECT YOUR CURRENT WORK?
I think it will be immensely helpful. Remote Year gave me the framework to pursue a medical career path that I hadn’t considered before. As a science major and English minor in college, I’m thrilled to finally have the chance to merge these two interests and use my Masters of Medical Science degree in a novel way. I anticipate that this experience will make me more marketable in my Physician Assistant career going forward.
Besides spending a semester abroad in Brisbane, Australia during college, I have never lived abroad. Over the last 10 years, I have traveled to six continents and nearly 30 countries. My travel highlights include medical missions to China, Ghana, India, and Peru, and leisure trips throughout Iceland, Europe, Costa Rica, and Japan.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON THE GLOBE?
My childhood home in Franklin Square, New York, where my parents still live today. No matter where or how long I’ve traveled, there’s nothing like coming home and sharing those experiences with the people I love most in the world.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?
In my experience, travel has been one of the most fulfilling paths towards personal growth. I learn more in a few weeks of traveling than I do in an entire year at home. If you have even the slightest interest in pursuing a year abroad with Remote Year, JUST DO IT!! Any sacrifices you make to bring travel into your life will be worth it once you’re out there discovering different cultures, meeting incredible people, and having unforgettable experiences.
WHO DO YOU HOPE TO BE BY THE END OF REMOTE YEAR?
I hope to be a happier and more confident version of myself. I also hope to have made friends from all over the world, while gaining a greater knowledge of and appreciation for many new countries and cultures.
Books, my camera, and a cozy sweatshirt.
YOUR FAVORITE DIGITAL NOMAD HACK?
Hands-down, Bose noise-cancelling headphones and a great Spotify playlist
DESCRIBE YOUR REMOTE YEAR EXPERIENCE SO FAR IN 3 WORDS.
Surreal, Exhilarating, Right!
WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A DIGITAL NOMAD?
The freedom to make my own schedule, which improves my mood and efficiency while enabling me to see the world at the same time!
QUOTE TO LIVE BY?
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
KEEP UP WITH CAROLYN’S JOURNEY ON HER BLOG!
I decided to come on Remote Year because I was already traveling and working remotely which I LOVED… but when I saw that I could join a community of like-minded people, it was perfect. Traveling on your own is sometimes too much of a hassle and effort to be making new friends all of the time and to be planning accommodations and flights, with Remote Year it’s like we’re traveling with an amazing family and everything is pre-planned for you. All you have to do is enjoy it 😉
HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?
I’ve had remote roles since my freshman year in college (aka, since I ever started working). This current role was a lot of great timing and people. The latest company I joined (Ruffit) had gotten to a good enough spot to leave and our investor, Daniel Chavez, is amazing and wanted to help with my trip which is how I ended up with my role at VIVRI. For the Travel Habits company, we’re just now starting up because why not make your hobbies your job? 🙂
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?
I got a great sponsorship from VIVRI, a healthy lifestyle company. I’m currently taking pics for them around the places we go to with their delicious products and helping with social and sales since they’re expanding into new markets this year like the U.S. and Colombia.
I’m also very excited to be working on our latest venture (started with a fellow remote, Julie Friedenberg) which is going to be focused on staying healthy while working remotely. We’re going to have travel guides, health tips, and digital nomad tips along with complimentary gear for sale. Check us out at www.travel-habits.com for awesome stuff! 😉
WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED AND TRAVELED TO PREVIOUSLY?
I was born in Bogota, Colombia :)I’ve lived in Kansas, Dallas, Morocco, New York, Spain, and France.
I’ve traveled to Central America, Europe, Caribbean, and some of SE Asia.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON THE GLOBE?
Might be a little biased since I’m Colombian… but… Colombia! :DEveryone should go, it’s amazingnesss, hoping to take everyone from RY2 after the year ends.
Just google: Caño Cristales, Tayrona, San Andres, Cartagena, Medellin, El Peñón de Guatapé….. you’ll see what I mean…
Travel, education, Colombia, my dog (@micothepom), and family.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?
Just do it! Even if it starts with baby steps, once the travel bug hits you, there’s no turning back and then “where there’s a will, there’s a way!”
WHO DO YOU HOPE TO BE BY THE END OF REMOTE YEAR?
From being around so many talented people in so many different areas with so many different interests plus all of the cities we’ll be visiting… I’m hoping to grow my learning spectrum and develop a lot of new skills I hadn’t even thought about before. So I hope to be a wiser, more skilled, and more well-traveled me with a lot of great new people in my life.
WHAT BOOK SHOULD EVERYONE READ?
So many good ones! Ahhhh!My top books are:
The 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris
This book is amazing, it’s a little inspirational but the best part is that about 60-80% of it it’s tools and tricks to start/ improve your automated business and how to go about time management and productiveness. It’s amazing. Highly suggest it, no matter what business you’re in there’s something in there that can be applied to it specially if you want to travel the world 😉
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
This book is great to help you get more done and live a healthier more balanced life. It has tips on how to handle certain situations, how to plan out your week/ life, and how to get win/ win deals made.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
This book explains how most people’s reasoning and thinking goes and gives great examples of how companies have used this for their advantage. Really great and could spike a few ideas for your own business, if anything it’ll help you as an individual.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This book is great when approaching all types of situations from important business proposals to dealing with friends and family. Amazing tips.
3 THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ON THE ROAD?
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