Every year, Mladen, one of our engineers, heads home to Bosnia. He works from there for a few weeks, spending time with family, eating food that tastes like childhood, and settling into a rhythm that blends work and home in a way that just makes sense.
Alesia, one of our account executives, did something similar last summer. She spent several weeks in Belarus, reconnecting with family she hadn’t seen in years. Her days were full: video calls, head-down focus time, and dinner with loved ones. Her team kept moving, and so did she.
They both took advantage of our “Working Abroad While Working at DigitalEd” program: something we introduced not too long ago and has quietly become a meaningful part of how some people choose to work.
What Is DigitalEd’s Working Abroad Program?
It’s pretty simple: full-time employees at DigitalEd can work from another country for up to 90 calendar days a year.
Employees can fill out a short request form and we align on a working abroad agreement. Nothing heavy, just enough to make sure expectations are clear. After that, it’s up to the employee and their Wi-Fi signal.
The goal isn’t to encourage people to live the ‘laptop-on-the-beach’ dream. It’s to acknowledge that people have lives outside of work: families, histories, or even curiosity about a foreign destination. And, sometimes, being able to work from elsewhere makes life easier, fuller, or just a bit more interesting.
How It Works (in Real Life)
We’ve learned a few things since launching the program—and we’re happy to share the playbook:
- Time Zone Flexibility: We ask people to stay connected to their team’s core hours when possible and allow for the embrace of asynchronous working where it fits.
- Visa, Tech & Connectivity Checklists: The employee is responsible for taking care of any required work permit(s) abroad. We simply ask that internet connectivity and security measures are enabled and strong.
- Manager Alignment: The plan for their working abroad time is in collaboration with their manager: no surprises, just smooth sailing.
We’ve also built up a bit of informal wisdom from folks who’ve done this before (pro tips: check your SIM card options before you land, and don’t forget your charger adapter).
Why It Matters
This program isn’t flashy, and it’s not meant to be. It gives people something that matters: flexibility. Flexibility that respects the fact that life isn’t always lived in one place. People have parents they want to visit, countries they want to reconnect with, or just the need for a change of pace.
Being able to bring your job with you, without burning through your vacation allowance, makes a real difference to some. Yes, the beachy Zoom backgrounds are cool. But, this program is about more than scenery, it’s about connection. Connection to family, to culture, to the parts of your life you don’t want to leave behind just because you’re working. It’s also about taking care of your mental health, challenging your personal growth, and feeling trusted by the company you work for.
We serve a global learner community, so it only makes sense that our teams get to experience the world, too. And, while it won’t be for everyone, it’s there for those who want it. We’ve seen firsthand how meaningful it can be. And, if you ever find yourself writing code from your grandmother’s kitchen in a different time zone, we hope the Wi-Fi holds strong.
If you’re curious about life at DigitalEd or want a glimpse into how we work, this is one small part of the bigger picture. Just ask Mladen and Alesia: they’ve got the stories, the travel tips, and probably a few extra stamps in their passports to prove it.
