On 27 November, Alieke from Working Remotely will give a presentation at the The Go-Abroad Fair about working remotely. Ahead of that, she’s sharing here what she wishes she’d known sooner.
Going abroad is more than just studying or doing an internship
At the fair, you’ll explore options for studying, doing an internship, or taking a gap year. Those are great ways to get started, but even after that, you can still work abroad. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to emigrate or look for a job at a foreign company. You can also keep your job in the Netherlands and relocate your workplace. Then you’ll be working remotely, just as I’ve been doing for years.
Two paths: salaried employment or entrepreneurship
I’ve done both. As an employee, you have a steady income and more security, but you’re dependent on an employer who has to allow you to work remotely. Those employers aren’t easy to find. As an entrepreneur, you decide for yourself where you work, for whom, and when. On the other hand, you have to handle everything yourself, and your income isn’t fixed, which means there’s more uncertainty.
"Neither is better. It depends on what’s important to you."
First, establish a foothold in the Netherlands
In practice, a remote job can be pretty challenging; especially as a newcomer to the job market. Keep in mind that many companies expect you to gain some experience in the office first before granting you the freedom to work from abroad right away. You’ll need to earn your stripes and literally build trust with your employer. Or you might be lucky enough to find a company that already operates entirely remotely, allowing you to move abroad right away. If so, don’t forget to carefully check the rules about working abroad, especially if you’re planning to stay for a long time.
It’s still work, not a vacation
Many people picture a laptop on the beach and see it as a kind of vacation. In reality, you’ll usually be sitting indoors at a table with a stable Wi-Fi connection, because even abroad, you’ll have deadlines, meetings, and time zone differences. Don’t make the mistake of comparing it to a vacation; you’re simply working. A large part of your day and time is devoted to your work hours. Your coworkers and friends aren’t just going to show up on their own. You’ll have to seek out people yourself, for example through a coworking space or other digital nomads. Loneliness is sometimes part of the experience, and it helps to know that going in.
Start small, but start
You don’t have to be away for a whole year right away. Try it out for a few weeks first. Then you’ll see if it’s a good fit for you, what you need to work effectively, and what you’d like to do differently next time. This way, you keep things manageable and can make adjustments before taking any big steps. It might be nerve-wracking, but don’t let that stop you. You’ll learn to work independently, deal with uncertainty, and communicate remotely. These are skills that employers and clients value, even if you end up working in the Netherlands again later.
Want to learn more about remote work?
On workingremotely.nl, I share more about working from abroad; from practical tips to the decisions involved. Are you coming to The Go-Abroad Fair? Feel free to stop by my presentation on Friday from 12:40-13:10 at hall 8. I’d be happy to answer your questions!