In the past few years, tremendous advancement has been made in field of technology, which has brought significant evolution in job opportunities across the globe. Advancements in the field of technology have made the world look like a small village where an individual can work from any country online and get paid (Taylor, 2021). Digital nomad lifestyle refers to the ability of an individual to work remotely from a laptop or their smartphones and use their freedom to travel to various parts across the globe (Hermann & Paris, 2020). Digital nomads are workers who work remotely, and they are employed in the field of technology such as web design, online marketing, or programming (Thompson, 2018). They take advantage of their remote employment to travel across the globe, which differs from telecommuter workers of the past few years who used the flexibility of working remotely to stay away from the challenges encountered in office places, cut down the transportation cost and provide care for their children. Despite the significant benefits presented by the digital nomadic lifestyle, it is also accompanied by various challenges (Hermann & Paris, 2020). The article discusses digital nomadism by examining the pros and cons of digital nomads' lifestyle, examining Germany and Thailand being the central hub for digital nomads and how COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant growth in the nomad community.
With the advent of the internet, the concept of digital nomadism was first put into play by Makimoto and Manners, and since its inception, the internet has created the capability of telecommuting for individuals interested in computer design and online marketing (Cook, 2020). There are many benefits accompanied by being a digital nomad. They are always productive in such a way that they are no time to waste when an individual travels to beautiful places almost on a daily basis. By exploring new surroundings, they are often motivated to get their work done as soon as possible and also, adventure can also act as the best type of motivation. Secondly, an individual can have more breakthrough ideas since working in various places almost daily can make an individual create connections (Thompson, 2018). Digital nomadism presents an individual with an opportunity to follow their path since they can create and change them whenever they like. They perceive traveling as an experience of significant importance and is deeply connected to personal growth and individualism.
By interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, they encounter life-challenging experiences, leading to increased productivity, creativity, and focus. By traveling to various places globally, an individual can participate in a community where nomads can meet inspiring and interesting people (Taylor, 2021). This presents nomads with an opportunity to grow at a personal level, thus offering more career opportunities. Through exploration, nomads are able to learn the skill to happy by themselves and spend quality time with their loved ones (Cook, 2020). With digital nomadism, nomads are presented with an opportunity to avoid stress-related conditions encountered in various places of work; they can reduce the cost of transportation since they can work remotely and build a strong relationship with the family members since they have time with them.
Although significant benefits accompany the digital nomadic lifestyle, there are challenges which it presents to the nomads (Cook, 2020). They experience a challenge to motivate themselves since there is no fixed timeframe when an individual can work and set a place for it. Since their life depends on traveling across various parts of the globe, they do not receive paid holidays, and their earnings depend heavily on their ability to work; thus, when they do not work, it is evident that there will be a dropdown in their earnings due to too much spending (Thompson, 2018). There is no fixed working space since digital nomads keep on traveling almost daily; thus, some places they travel may have low internet connectivity, which can be very frustrating, thus reducing their productivity. The social life of the digital nomads is often interfered with since by traveling to various places, they do not tag their friends and families along; thus, they might be missing out on important events due to the inability to come back every single time (LAMPECH, 2017). Living a nomadic lifestyle can also seem to be very challenging to the relationships of nomads. There is difficulty building a stronger relationship when an individual knows exactly that they are going to travel. Even when their partners are digital nomads too and constantly travel with them, the relationship might be hard since they have made new decisions every day and thus encounter extreme situations that might not benefit their partnership (Thompson, 2018). With digital nomadism, nomads often encounter daily challenges such as language barriers, which presents difficulty in communicating with the new people they meet and the inability to cope with certain types of food. Sometimes their properties, such as laptops, passports among other essentials, might be stolen, thus affecting productivity level.
There is no guaranteed income when working as a freelancer. They might have many clients or customers for the first couple of months and then hard in the next few months (Taylor, 2021). This kind of lifestyle depends heavily on the acquisition and networking skills of the nomads. The social aspects which they encounter when traveling from one place to another create the most stressors for digital nomads (Taylor, 2021). Having complete knowledge of this aspect, nomads often remove themselves from their support networks, such as family, friends, and teachers. Missing assistance might give nomads room to grow, but it can also cause considerable challenges in severe instances where everyone is reliant on a stable support structure. They are more likely to face cultural barriers on a regular basis, despite feeling social stress (LAMPECH, 2017). When something is done frequently, the need to adapt, which is typically seen as beneficial, becomes a major source of stress (Thompson, 2018). Digital nomads often make the mistake of relocating so frequently that the constant stress of saying goodbye exhausts them and inhibits them from forming long-term relationships. Traveling, which provides them with fulfilment and independence, prevents them from being content in one area because they are constantly moving. Financial instability and unpredictability are other key concerns (LAMPECH, 2017). There have been occasions where people became digital nomads to avoid burnout and subsequently experienced burnout as a result of their digital nomadism. Preparation and caution appear to be the key to resolving this problem. The findings have proven that when living this lifestyle, naivety does not pay dividends.
In Asia, Thailand is one of the major hubs for digital nomadism, which is significantly encountered in major cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai (LAMPECH, 2017). These locations have become a less expensive choice for starting a tech company; as a result, many freelancers and digital nomads have visited, stayed, and networked in the country. A digital nomad's workstation is independent of location and extends beyond the four walls of an office cubicle (Taylor, 2021). Digital nomads can network and collaborate in Thailand's cafes, restaurants, coworking spaces, beaches, and other natural settings. This, among other things, aids digital nomads in expanding their network in the country. With the advancements in the tech industry has come an influx of digital nomads living in Thailand for more extended periods of time (LAMPECH, 2017). The local environment appeals to this group for a variety of reasons. First, temporary housing can be found for less than $500 per month in regions with functioning transit infrastructure. Second, compared to other global technology hubs, the cost of living is comparatively low.
In addition, networking will be possible in large Thai cities, where pubs, restaurants, and other establishments might act as informal gathering spots for other nomads (Taylor, 2021). Before becoming a blossoming IT hub in Asia, Thailand was known as an important ecological and cultural destination. Even Thailand's urban regions are brimming with parks and plants, providing a wonderful location to unwind and be inspired (Taylor, 2021). Nomads seeking a unique way to expand their network among the local tech community can join clubs such as the Doi Suthep walkers, which provide activities for nomads taking a vacation from work. Weekend walks via the Doi Suthep jungle trail with other hikers make up this activity (LAMPECH, 2017). A variety of indoor hobbies, such as these interactive games, may aid in digital nomad networking. Before being imprisoned in a room, a group of two to seven people chooses a certain assignment or situation. To unlock and complete the task, they have one hour to uncover and answer a sequence of clues.
Individuals involved in various sorts of networking activities will have no trouble staying fit and concentrated indoors, thanks to the expansion of Muay Thai gyms and yoga centers in most major Thai cities. These types of indoor activities might appeal to digital nomads who prefer strategic and dynamic gameplay (Taylor, 2021). These get-togethers also provide an opportunity to meet other digital nomads with similar interests. Digital nomads rely on a stable and fast internet connection to fulfill their online tasks and expand their social media networks. This is one of the reasons why Bangkok and other Thai cities have become popular among digital nomads (LAMPECH, 2017). For example, Bangkok, which has attracted many digital nomads, has an average internet speed of 10mbps. The speed and stability of the internet are critical for keeping all social media networking activities up to date. Coworking spaces in major Thai cities also allow digital nomads to rent their own area daily or monthly for a low cost. These venues help access conference rooms and other officers, which allows digital nomads to startup their networking business. Thailand has become a popular choice for digital nomads looking for a place to work and have fun (Taylor, 2021). Expanding relationships among these like-minded individuals takes place within the businesses and tech spaces that have been formed as a hub for developing and partnering on new ideas and outside of them. Any site in Thailand where creativity spawns’ new ideas might be an excellent venue for networking and cooperation, just as the digital nomad has enlarged the concept of work.
Germany is a popular place for freelancers and digital nomads because it is one of Europe's powerhouses. Opportunities abound in this lovely country, whether an individual is seeking a business endeavour or simply wants to stroll around the history-filled streets of its charming cities (Taylor, 2021). Almost any type of traveller will find something to their liking in the country. If mountains are their thing, a trip to the Bavarian Alps will make individuals feel like they are on top of the world (Taylor, 2021). If you want to visit one of Germany's many beautiful ports, such as Hamburg, or if you like lively cities, Berlin is a terrific location to start. Compared to other countries in Europe, Germany is cheaper in terms of cost of living; thus, many digital nomads have been attracted to visit and explore the beautiful sceneries in the country.
Germany has a large number of foreigners and digital nomads. It has been due to the efficiency in the public transport system which is quick and reliable (Taylor, 2021). The environment in the country is also clean and safe, and the locals tend to be friendly with foreigners. Germany is often regarded as one of Europe's most powerful economic powers; but, living in such a lovely country does not have to be prohibitively expensive (Taylor, 2021). In comparison to other European countries, Germany is very inexpensive. Some parts of the county tend to be expensive than others, but overall, the cost of living is low compared to other nations in Europe (Taylor, 2021). Berlin is one of the major cities in the country. It has been the leading destination for the digital nomads due to its cultural diversity and ability to find an inexpensive co-working space. It is an international city; thus, the German language is not demanded; therefore, many digital nomads are free to speak English among other languages.
COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in tremendous growth in the nomad community since, due to the need for social distancing, many companies have made tremendous changes in their operations by resorting to online. While remote working is becoming more popular, there is still some resistance or fear of acceptance. Allowing employees to work from home is a difficult decision for a firm to make. When employees are not in the office, there are always concerns about their motivation and productivity. Additionally, change is never easy. Frequently, businesses are preoccupied with keeping day-to-day operations running effectively. The pandemic has brought significant changes in the nomadic community (Hermann & Paris, 2020). For companies to cope with restrictions put in place by the government, such as social distancing, companies have employed many freelancers and digital nomads to work for them remotely. Some businesses will undoubtedly realize the advantages of having a remote worker during this time. They are less afraid of the unknown now that they have tried it.
Furthermore, businesses now have the infrastructure in place to support it. The pandemic has been of great significant importance for people working remotely since the number of job opportunities has increased tremendously. Although the pandemic has restricted movements across many cities around the globe, digital nomads have been able to secure contracts with many companies and clients and thus can work from any place across the globe (Taylor, 2021). Due to many companies resorting to online work, the nature of the pandemic has forced the companies to increase working hours, thus increasing the earnings of the digital nomads (Hermann & Paris, 2020). The remote working as a result of the pandemic has resulted in the growth of the nomadic community since many people have been employed to work for companies remotely.
In conclusion, with the digital revolution, tremendous advancements have been made in technology, which has led to the creation of many job opportunities. The developments in the tech industry have led to growth in digital nomadism, which has made the world look like a small village. Digital nomadism is accompanied by significant benefits such as the ability to explore, freedom to the nomads, and challenges such as cultural diversity and language barriers. Thailand has become one of the central hubs in Asia due to internet connectivity as well as cultural diversity, which has attracted many digital nomads across the globe. On the other hand, Germany has also become one of the central hubs in Europe since, in terms of cost of living, it is the cheapest. Germany's environment and transportation system are efficient; thus, many nomads have opted to start their tech business in major cities such as Berlin. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the nomad community has experienced tremendous growth since most companies have employed more workers to work remotely to adhere to social distancing regulations.
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References
Cook, D. (2020). The freedom trap: digital nomads and the use of disciplining practices to manage work/leisure boundaries. Information Technology & Tourism, 22(3), 355-390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00172-4
Hermann, I., & Paris, C. (2020). Digital Nomadism: the nexus of remote working and travel mobility. Information Technology & Tourism, 22(3), 329-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00188-w
LAMPECH, W. (2017). How Digital Nomads in Thailand Expand their Network - WITI. Witi.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021, from https://witi.com/articles/909/How-Digital-Nomads-in-Thailand-Expand-their-Network/.
Taylor, N. (2021). Germany for Digital Nomads: An Ultimate Guide. Nomadific. Retrieved 29 June 2021, from https://nomadific.com/germany-guide-for-digital-nomads/.
Thompson, B. (2018). The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: (Remote) Work/Leisure Balance, Privilege, and Constructed Community. International Journal Of The Sociology Of Leisure, 2(1-2), 27-42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41978-018-00030-y
