Celebrating the Women of Remote Year: Our Global Community Shares Their Stories

30. Mar. 2022

Did you know that over 65% of Remote Year travelers are women? At Remote Year, we are proud to bring together curious, courageous, and compassionate women from across the globe and all walks of life who are passionate about exploring the world together and driving positive change.

To celebrate Women’s History Month this March, we checked in with some of the women in our global community to learn more about their experiences exploring the world and working remotely as female travelers.

Kristina Liu

12-month Journey

A mental fitness coach, executive coach, international bestselling author, and Doctor of Psychology, Kristina helps entrepreneurs and corporate leaders maximize their potential at work and to feel more happiness and fulfillment in life. She is also the owner of Selva Vida Lodge & Retreat Center, where she conducts holistic life transformation programs and hosts travelers who want to explore the Peruvian Amazon. She recently published a book, “The Inside Out Journey”, which chronicles her Remote Year experience, the learning and transformation she experienced during that year, and how she discovered the Amazon Jungle in Peru.

Before Remote Year, were you nervous about traveling the world as a female? Why or why not?

I was not nervous about traveling the world as a female as I had traveled a fair amount before Remote Year. My nervousness was more about taking this big step of doing something so different from my previous corporate life. Doing Remote Year marked a new chapter of my life - starting my own business, having more freedom and flexibility, fulfilling a dream I had always had - all these were so exciting yet so nerve-wracking at the same time.

What was it like connecting with fellow female travelers on Remote Year?

My group was majority female. I made a few very close female friends very quickly and I'm really grateful for that. We connected during the first month in Cape Town, over dinners, wine tasting, working out, and salsa dancing. These connections were meaningful because they became my support system throughout the year and we would continue to take side trips and have amazing conversations.

How did Remote Year have an impact on your life?

Remote Year had a huge impact on my life. Without it I wouldn't be living the life I'm living today, which is something I had always wanted, one with freedom, flexibility, doing work I love, and making an impact on people directly. Remote Year opened that door to all these possibilities. Without Remote Year I also wouldn't have done my Doctor of Psychology dissertation on my own experience of transformative learning and turned it into a book, which has become an international bestseller on Amazon.

Thega-Alem Berhe

Community Leader Remote Year

Thega’s passion for travel was sparked during a trip to her home country of Eritrea when she was 11 years old. After 7 years of working in Digital Marketing, Thega knew she was ready to pivot her life to take more control in curating her own happiness. When working for the San Diego Tourism Authority, Thega got a glimpse of what working in the travel industry looks like and decided to take the next step to take it international. She rediscovered Remote Year during a visit to Cape Town and immediately applied to join our team as a Community Leader. Thega is currently in Peru, leading her first 4-month Journey through Latin America.

What is it like connecting with fellow female travelers both on the Remote Year team and as you work remotely and travel the world?

I have found that when connecting with women travelers, we are constantly supporting and uplifting each other. We share our perspectives on life and experiences traveling as women, and from that we continue to grow as women travelers with the insight we’ve shared. The different cultural backgrounds provide a refreshing perspective and it’s always nice to learn something new and possibly help myself better navigate through this world.

Tell us about your perspective working remotely and traveling as a woman on the Remote Year team.

It’s been great connecting with people from all over the world. I’m constantly reminded how human we are and how life is celebrated and lived beautifully simply because of the people that make each place as amazing as it is. Being able to experience that with Remote Year has been enlightening, because I am encouraged to use all my uniqueness as an individual to make this a great experience for Remotes Year travelers as well as myself. It’s allowing me to expand my growth mentality and truly step into my best self.

Anu Vijayamohan

12-month Journey

An American born Londoner, Anu has been on the road since before she could talk - so Remote Year seemed like a natural fit, allowing her to continue to focus on her career in Tech while meeting new people on the road. Her career began when she signed up for a Computer Science degree at Penn State University at the age of 17, not quite realizing that she’d signed up to be one of four women in a class of hundreds. She’s spent the past 15+ years quietly breaking barriers in the male dominated Tech industry, and after being underestimated by men for most of her life, she is actively supportive of women and their accomplishments. She spends her free time hanging out with dogs, finding the best restaurants in London, and plotting her next adventure.

Before Remote Year, were you nervous about traveling the world as a female? Why or why not?

No - I've always traveled, with or without company, and doing things I'm told not to do just because I'm a girl is part of who I am. Of course, there are some times where you need to be extra careful, but with some common sense and some guts, there's no reason you shouldn't try!

What was it like connecting with fellow female travelers on Remote Year?

I joined Remote Year for exactly that - the community. I had already seen much of the world, but was looking for people (women!) who wanted to see even more of it with me. I loved meeting women who were strong, brave and pushed me to be my better self - some of them are still my closest friends today, 5 years later.

What was going on in your life before you first went on a Remote Year program and what made you decide to join us?

I had been in London for almost a decade, and was looking for a change of scenery - and a community of people more like myself - Remote Year seemed to be the perfect way to travel the world, meet new people, and not stall my career while I was doing it!

Give us an update - what are you doing now and how did Remote Year have an impact on your life?

I'm back in London - after seeing 12 cities - I realized it really was my one true love after all! Remote Year made me a more open and adventurous person and shifted my priorities a lot, in a good way. It also gave me a great community of fellow remotes (in London and anywhere I land) who are always up for a pint or a side trip, and without those friendships, I'm not sure where I'd be now.

Tamy Tafet

Digital Marketing Manager Remote Year

Tamy was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and raised in both Israel and Argentina before moving to Barcelona, Spain, where she currently lives and works. In her free time, Tamy loves planning her next adventure, taking pottery lessons, playing soccer, cooking some new recipe, practicing gym and going to the beach (even in winter!). She feels lucky to be surrounded by friends that always want to travel together and explore new cultures together.

What is it like connecting with fellow female travelers both on the Remote Year team and as you work remotely and travel the world?

I enjoy working with women, to share not only our day by day work but also to chat and share our personal lives. Working with women from all over the world is something I had never experienced before, and I find it new and interesting.

Tell us about your perspective working remotely and traveling as a woman on the Remote Year team.

Working and traveling at the same time is something I never imagined could be possible. There are things I miss abou in-person work like office small talk, lunches, and even coffee breaks in the office kitchen. I am looking forward to meeting more of the female team and being able to share some quality time together soon.

Yosh Han

12-month Journey

Yosh is a perfumer, scent culture expert, and founder of her own eponymous brand and the producer of Scent Festival, a platform for intersectionality and olfaction. Currently based in Los Angeles, Yosh is also the Creative Director at Scent Trunk, a perfume publisher. When she's not making scent art, you’ll find her comfortably at sea. She is an avid open water swimmer, 100 Ton Master Captain and PADI scuba instructor.

Before Remote Year, were you nervous about traveling the world as a female? Why or why not?

I lived abroad before in Europe and in Japan but hadn't done much solo traveling in developing countries, so I was anxious about visiting places that I was unfamiliar with. But when I saw the itinerary, it seemed like a great opportunity to expand my horizons.

What was it like connecting with fellow female travelers on Remote Year?

I made some amazing local friends through the Remote Year events and terrific connections within my Remote Year group. Meeting people I would otherwise not have met has been very enriching.

What was going on in your life before you first went on a Remote Year program and what made you decide to join us?

I suffered burn out and a break-up and in hindsight, probably a mid-life crisis. I signed up on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! What a great gift Remote Year was! I downsized everything - sold what I could and put the rest in storage and was able to embrace digital nomad life. It was an adult gap year!

Give us an update - what are you doing now and how did Remote Year have an impact on your life?

After Remote Year, I stayed in Indonesia and did a digital marketing bootcamp on Gilli Air, Indonesia and also became a PADI Scuba Instructor. After 8 months of island life, I got an amazing art commission in Los Angeles. While in LA, I caught the sailing bug, started racing, cruising, doing deliveries and became a Captain! Luckily, I had already transitioned my perfume business to being remote, so I've been able to pursue my dreams while running my company.

Kat Popiel

Head of Content Remote Year

Though currently based in New York City, Kat grew up in Indonesia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, China, Pakistan, and the UK, where she is from. She has been traveling since birth, and creating storytelling about exploring the world is in her blood! Kat studied Anthropology, and has written for magazines and blogs in addition to working with agencies and brands to create ad campaigns for Tiffany, Red Bull, All Birds, Levis, among others. A lover of good food and travel, she also ran a film studio with her two best friends, producing award winning short films while working with chefs like David Chang (Momofuku) and Fergus Henderson. She loves throwing cook book dinner parties, going to the movies, and of course planning her next adventure!

What is it like connecting with fellow female travelers both on the Remote Year team and as you work remotely and travel the world?

We’re an all-ladies content team which is fantastic! Also, our wider Remote Year team is an almost even 50/50 split. I feel so lucky I get to work with such an international and inspiring group of women, all pushing our mission together. It’s a really magical way to start your day every day.

Tell us about your perspective working remotely and traveling as a woman on the Remote Year team.

Some days I’m floored by how cool it is that we have Zoom, Slack, and text to stay connected, but other days I really miss the human connection of going for lunch and sitting around a table with post it notes. It makes the urge to hit the road and travel all the more necessary. See you soon team!

Ready to join our global community? Take a look at our Retreats, Trips, and Journeys across the globe here.