Remote and Freedom of Travel!
Anthony Hernandez
Volunteer at Scobee Education Center and Educational Volunteer (NASA-STEM), Planetary Society-Member
How remote work and travel go hand in hand! Are Americans well-traveled? In my experience of traveling globally since 1991, starting with Asian countries, I have found that Germans, Argentines, and Middle Easterners are the most traveled, followed by Americans.
The COVID-19 pandemic stopped international travel because countries banned people from entering their countries. After the band was lifted, people still had to follow social distancing, wear masks, and meet other requirements set by each country. Once the health bands were lifted, tourism and international travel slowly increased. The last I traveled was to Europe in the first quarter of 2023. I saw how Western Europe differs from Eastern Europe.
Americans are traveling more internationally. Of the US population of 333.280,000, currently, 160.7 million Americans hold a US passport. About 3% of Americans who are 18-24 years old have traveled to 31 or more countries. At hostels, I have met many travelers from many countries, such as backpackers. A hostel is a bunk bed style sleeping quarters where, depending on the country you stay, can range from $6.00 per night with sometimes a Colombian breakfast to as much as $50 per night in western Europe. Many have lockers, WiFi internet, shower, patio, and living rooms.
Only 1% of those aged 55 and above have traveled to 31 countries or more, such as myself. I know of Americans who have traveled to 80 to 120 countries; it will take some time for me to reach those numbers. 18% of Americans have never traveled internationally, and only 7% in the US. 13% of those aged 55 and over have never traveled internationally. Only 15 % of Americans ever make the move to live in another country, and only visit the US when needed.
With so many companies downsizing or going out of business, job security is nonexistent. Many Europeans are shocked that companies in America put profits over employee loyalty and just pink slip them and fire them after the employee was loyal for the last 10 to 25 years. It is often not always the companies that are the bad guys; they struggle in their business markets, they lose customers, and people have less money to spend since 2021 when the US experienced downsizing and job losses.
The new era that started during the COVID-19 global pandemic has emerged a new workforce of remote workers, and many parents were happy to have more time to be at home with family and their children. Now, companies are requiring employees to come back to the office. Many employees are refusing to come, and some are being penalized for pay, promotions, or keeping their jobs. So, now there is a shortage of workers refusing to return to Work and want to work on their terms.
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As I have traveled the world, I have noticed that the United States is one of the countries that do not have a work-life balance, and companies expect you to work more hours with no increase in pay and little or no time off. Many workplaces have an At will to Work; an employer can fire an employee for any reason as long it is not discriminatory, and an employee can leave at any time. I have seen more work-life balance in Europe and several Latin American countries.
More Americans are taking courses like Google Professional certificate and Udemy, learning book quick bookkeeping, getting their TELT/ TESLO English teaching international certificate, working online or abroad, and making a comfortable living at the same time.
Many of these remote workers need a 401K or medical insurance. Still, when they can make the above salary of that country or work remotely and obtain a Nomad Digital work visa, the money they would have made in the US is, in most cases, more than enough. They buy insurance from World Nomad, Travelex, or other travel medical companies. In many cases, the cost can be minor or none compared to medical insurance, where some can pay between $300 to $700 per month and still pay large deductibles. Most Americans do not own cars, in which mass transportations is much better than in the US, without the cost of a monthly car payment or insurance. A taxi or Uber, Bolt will be much les than paying for a car and insurance, and it has become too costly in the US.
So many Americans see having a digital business where you can work from any place in the world, with places like outside of major cities in Japan, as a lower cost of 205 to 40%. Poland has less than 60%, Spain has less than 33%. With the high and runaway, high cost of rent and food and services because of inflation, it makes sense to train and become a Digital Nomad and work for yourself, where you will have a work-life balance, travel the world, and have location freedom!
The key to being able to work as a digital Nomad is to earn US dollars or Euros, have a good functioning laptop and an excellent cellular telephone, and include at least a 7-inch tablet. If you decide to travel, using a tablet to make airline, bus, or train reservations is more convenient. Going to Asia, Latin America, eastern Europe, and parts of Africa can be less costly, and eating healthy foods that are not filled with preservatives and harmful ingredients that the European Union has liked in our processed foods leads to chronic health issues.