Remote Year: How to Live and Work Abroad

Remote Year is a unique opportunity to live and work abroad, immersing yourself in new cultures and experiences.

You can choose from various locations around the world, each with its own unique character and benefits. For example, you could spend a month in Chiang Mai, Thailand, or in Medellin, Colombia.

The Remote Year community is designed to support and connect you with like-minded individuals, providing a sense of belonging and camaraderie. You'll have access to a network of fellow remote workers, entrepreneurs, and travelers.

Each month, you'll have the chance to explore a new city, try new foods, and engage with the local culture. From street food markets to vibrant nightlife, you'll experience the best of each location.

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Remote Year is a global work and travel program that allows participants to live and work from different cities around the world for a year.

The program was founded in 2015 by Greg Caplan and Liz Elting, who were looking for a way to experience different cultures and environments while continuing to work remotely.

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Each month, participants in Remote Year spend about 3 weeks in a new city, immersing themselves in the local culture and way of life.

They work from co-working spaces in each city, which provides them with a sense of community and connection with like-minded individuals.

Participants have the freedom to work on their own projects and pursue their passions, while also having access to a network of peers and mentors who can offer guidance and support.

Remote Year offers a unique opportunity to experience the world in a new and exciting way, while also growing professionally and personally.

Remote Year offers flexible program lengths, from one-week retreats to one-month, four-month, or twelve-month journeys, allowing you to choose the duration that suits your needs.

The platform includes program consultants, housing, a workspace, local adventures/events called Tracks, and flights in between each country, with the exception of your initial flight out and your flight back home.

You'll also get a new number in each country with a monthly SIM card, which costs $30/month, and provides reliable data, although you can't make phone calls with it.

The idea for Remote Year was born out of a desire to break free from the monotony of desk work. College friends Greg Caplan and Sam Pessin, who worked in consulting, often found themselves wondering why they were stuck behind a desk.

They asked themselves, "why can't we travel around the world and do it at the same time?" This simple question sparked the idea of working remotely around the world.

Their initial website collected over 25,000 applications from people interested in traveling and living around the world for one year. This overwhelming response led to the launch of the first Remote Year program in 2015, which started in Prague with 75 participants.

Caplan and Pessin soon realized that their idea was more than just a one-time thing and could be an actual business. They went on to launch multiple programs, each receiving around 25,000 applications.

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Remote Year offers four different programs that cater to various travel styles and preferences.

The one-year program is a great option for those who want to experience the full range of destinations and experiences.

You can also choose a one-week retreat, a four-month journey, or a twelve-month journey, depending on your schedule and interests.

Each program allows you to live and work remotely, with the platform facilitating your ability to move around the world.

Remote Year is built on the belief that travel and remote work leads to innovation, exploration, and personal and professional growth.

The program includes program consultants, housing, a workspace, local adventures/events called Tracks, and flights in between each country.

You'll pay for your initial flight out and your flight back home, but flights between countries are covered.

You'll also get a new phone number every 30 days with a monthly SIM card, which costs $30/month.

Free Spanish classes are included in the Latin America itinerary, but the type of classes and their duration aren't specified.

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Choosing Your Itinerary is a crucial part of the Remote Year experience. You get to choose from four different itinerary options.

You can select from four months, six months, or a full year of travel. This flexibility allows you to tailor the program to your needs and goals.

The Latin America route is a popular choice, but you can also opt for Europe, Asia, or a combination of all three.

Remote Year's community is a key aspect of the program, and it's a major reason why people choose to participate. The community is made up of diverse individuals who share a similar mindset of freedom and flexibility, and who are eager to immerse themselves in different cultures and communities.

Le, a Remote Year representative, hopes that participants will leave the program with a deeper understanding and appreciation for people from different walks of life, and that they will become ambassadors of the cultures and countries they visit. This is achieved through the program's focus on building relationships with locals and other participants, rather than just moving from one tourist destination to another.

The community aspect of Remote Year is not just about socializing, but also about professional growth and networking. Many participants have reported that they have formed lasting connections with others in the program, and that these connections have helped them advance in their careers.

Some examples of the types of people you'll meet through Remote Year include professional food photographers, writers, entrepreneurs, and artists. These individuals are not only talented and accomplished, but also passionate about living and working abroad.

Here are a few examples of the unique professions and talents of some Remote Year participants:

The community and people you'll meet through Remote Year can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth, and can help you form lasting connections and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Remote Year destination cities are generally safe, likely as safe as your home city, if you use a standard level of precaution.

Women make up approximately half of all Remote Year participants and can find safety in numbers and in groups, when needed.

You can feel safe as a single woman on Remote Year if you travel responsibly and exercise a responsible level of caution.

In fact, in an entire month in Mexico City, I never experienced crime, at all.

You only need to be aware of your surroundings and take normal precautions to stay safe in Remote Year cities.

It's a good idea to keep your valuables secure and be mindful of your belongings in crowded areas.

With a little common sense and caution, you can have a worry-free experience on Remote Year.

The cost of Remote Year varies depending on which itinerary you choose, with prices ranging from a $3,500 down deposit for the 4-month program to a $5,000 down deposit for the 12-month program.

You'll also need to pay $2,000/month for the 12-month program or $2,250/month for the 4-month program, which might seem like a lot but is actually similar to paying for rent and flights.

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To join a Remote Year program, you can apply through their website. You'll first speak with a Program Placement Consultant who will help you decide where in the world you'd like to spend your program.

The length of your program can vary, with options for 1-month, 4-month, and 12-month programs for travel.

The cost of joining a Remote Year program can be a significant investment. The 12-month program requires a $5,000 down deposit and $2,000/month, while the 4-month program requires a $3,500 down deposit and $2,250/month.

Prices vary depending on the itinerary you choose. You can expect to pay around $5,000 upfront for the 12-month program, and around $3,500 for the 4-month program.

In some cases, your company may be willing to cover the cost. You'll need to present a strong reason for why you should be reimbursed, but it's worth asking.

You'll be paying for rent and flights, which can be a big expense. But for some people, like those living in New York, Remote Year can actually save you money in the long run.

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Remote Year's accommodations are a big part of the experience, and I was really impressed with what they offer. Everyone gets a private room and lives with Remote Year roommates, with each apartment including towels, linens, cooking supplies, and sometimes laundry.

You can make special requests to your Program Leader, such as women-only accommodations or a washer and dryer, and you'll always be located in a good area within 20 minutes walking distance of the workspace. Some countries also have doormen for added security.

The accommodations vary by location, but I was consistently happy with mine. And if any issues come up, the local team is always there to help. Tracks are weekend side trips planned by the local team, and you usually get to choose between two options. They're a great way to explore the area and have some adventures.

Here's a breakdown of the countries and locations where Remote Year operates:

If you're looking for a place to go with Remote Year, you're in luck. Remote Year has destinations in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States, covering 20 countries.

Their programs take remote workers through various cities and routes, including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, South Africa, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand.

In 2020-2021, Remote Year merged with Selina, allowing them to pool their resources and offer more destinations to travelers. Specifically, their programs take remote workers through:

This year, Remote Year is offering trips to the U.S. for the first time, launching in four states: Illinois, Louisianna, New York, and Utah. They're also reopening their trips to Asia for the first time since the pandemic started.

Everyone gets a private room through Remote Year, and you'll always live with roommates. You'll also have access to towels, linens, cooking supplies, and sometimes laundry in your apartment.

Each apartment is located in a good area within 20 minutes walking distance of the workspace. You can make special requests to your Program Leader, such as living with women only, requesting a washer and dryer, or no couples.

You'll get a complimentary cleaning once a month, and some countries also have doormen or security services. I experienced this firsthand in Latin America, where every apartment had security services.

If you have any operational issues, such as a broken oven or no hot water, the local team is there to help. Every city has a local team that can assist with any problems.

Remote Year is a life-changing experience for everyone, as it has been for many participants. It's a chance to redefine life on your own terms and live with freedom and flexibility.

The community created by Remote Year is a diverse group of people who share a similar mindset and are eager to explore new cultures and ways of living. This community is at the heart of the Remote Year experience.

You'll have the opportunity to meet new people who expose you to new ways of thinking and push your boundaries on who you are and what you want from life. This can be a truly transformative experience.

The Experience: How Long Will It Last?

You can choose from several different routes with Remote Year, each with its own time commitment.

The longest option is the Year route, which lasts 12 months. This allows you to travel the world for a full year on the four continents where Remote Year operates.

The 4-Month route lets you travel in a region for four months, whether that's Asia, Europe & Africa or the Latin American regions.

The shortest option is the 1-Month route, which gives you a curated experience in a single destination, allowing you to intimately know a place alongside your fellow group participants.

Here are the different options in a quick rundown:

Traveling as a large group can make it difficult to immerse yourself in a new culture and meet locals.

One of the downsides is that you can easily become isolated from the local community, as Zoe Björnson, a product manager living in Bali, noticed during her experience with Remote Year.

She described their group as a "little bubble" that can be cliquey and not branch out in their local communities as much as they should.

As a result, you might miss out on the opportunity to truly experience the local way of life and form meaningful connections with the people who live there.

This can be especially true if you're traveling with a group that's close-knit, like Remote Year, where participants often spend a lot of time together.

The inaugural Remote Year batch was a unique experience, with a team of 7 dedicated staff members providing high-level attention and customer service. This was partly due to the fact that they were the only "Remote Year" group at the time, consisting of 75 people.

The program's founders and many staff members had no prior experience in the travel industry, leading to some hiccups along the way. This lack of experience was particularly noticeable when the program expanded and the team was stretched thin.

The inaugural class traveled to an impressive 12 cities in 12 months, visiting destinations such as Prague, Ljubljana, and Kyoto. This was an incredible opportunity to experience different cultures and ways of life.

Despite the challenges, the inaugural batch experienced significant personal and professional growth, with some members reporting 3 years of growth in just one year.

Some participants have mixed feelings about repeating the experience. Kate, a past Remote Year participant, mentioned that she won't be signing up for a second time.

It's worth noting that Remote Year is a long-term commitment, requiring a year of your life. Kate compared it to a pre-arranged marriage, where you're committing to a company you don't really know.

While Kate wouldn't repeat the full experience, she acknowledges that it can be life-changing. It can be the most impactful year of your life, as Kate put it.

Joining Remote Year is a unique experience, but it's not for everyone. Kate's comments highlight the importance of considering whether the experience is right for you.

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Remote Year can be a challenging experience, and it's essential to consider the downsides before signing up. Financial burden is a significant concern, and language barriers can make everyday tasks difficult.

Healthcare can be a mess, especially when traveling to unfamiliar countries. You'll need to navigate your insurance and coordinate with HR back home, which can be overwhelming.

You'll be traveling a lot, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Unexpected finances can also arise, and you'll need to be prepared to handle them.

Some city teams may be slower to respond to your requests, and leaders may disappear for days at a time. However, this is not a common experience.