Interview with Ioanna Karamitsa, Digital nomad
Interview of the month – Ioanna Karamitsa
Translator-Digital nomad
*Translated into English by Ioanna Karamitsa.
You are the first Greek “digital nomad” translator we have come across. How did you decide to do this and how long have you been travelling?*
You’re starting off with the toughest question because I really have no idea how I ended up making this decision! I have always been an insecure person and had never in the past traveled alone. Fourteen years ago, when I decided to take up translations, my goal was to be able to work from home when the time would come for me to have my own family. Through the years this dream changed. In 2011, I moved to the Netherlands where I came in contact with a reality much more different than the one I was used to in Greece. Being a translator working from home I really had no social life.
So, I started looking for ways to socialize and become part of a community. In 2013, I started doing CrossFit, which made me stronger not only physically but also mentally. I joined a global community of people whom I would not be doing any justice trying to describe in only a few words; but also ‘our own’ local community at UnScared CrossFit in Utrecht. I leaned on this community of crossfitters to start my travels. In every country that I would visit, I would contact the local community and would have a ‘family’ in every part of the world. This would be my safety net.
I started blogging at www.theboxtrotter.com initially writing about my fears and expectations, about organizing my journey and everything that would cross my mind on a daily basis. Scrolling through Facebook and talking about my plans with friends I came across a group called ‘A Home For CrossFitters’ (H4CF) created by a young couple in Germany with the aim to helping travelling crossfitters get in contact with the local community and possibly be hosted by fellow athletes. Within just hours from the first time I posted on that group about what I was planning to do I got invites to travel to Germany, Austria, Australia, Turkey and France to be hosted by other members of our community and train with them. At first, most people thought that this was my occupation.. that I am making money from blogging or that I am getting paid to travel. I wish! Until that time I had not realized how lucky I am to have chosen a job that allows me to lead this lifestyle and that the only thing I actually needed was a laptop and access to the internet in order to keep going.
So I planned my first trip in October 2015. Baby steps out of my comfort zone. My first destination was Germany only for 6 days. Just a short ride from home more of an experiment and to prove to myself that I can do this. I was given such a warm welcome! I honestly did not expect to create such bonds with people that not long ago were just ‘strangers’. Since then I travelled to Greece, Italy and I am now (for a few more weeks) in Brazil.
It is all so interrelated when you travel and work at the same time. I am given the opportunity to inspire and be inspired. My work is at home and my home is the world.
How do you pick your next destination? Is language an important factor for you?
I chose the first countries I visited on the basis of the invites I had (Germany, Greece, Italy). In Italy, on a Sunday going through the CrossFit affiliates map with all the gyms worldwide, my criterion was to find a location with sun, sea and, of course, CrossFit gyms. I’d already spent two months in Milano, tired of the winter and in need of a change… I ended up choosing Natal. I googled pictures of the place, contacted the local gyms and got help from one of them in finding an apartment for 1-2 months, but most importantly, I was given the feeling I will not be alone, that there will be someone waiting for me.
The truth is that my choices so far have been very spontaneous. I came to Brazil without knowing the basics about the country, without having made any research whatsoever. The language, regardless of how much I like listening to it, is quite difficult and has been an impediment in communicating. I realized that I am around people only cause they speak English (when I would probably not have any interest in them under other circumstances), but also that I am missing out on many interesting conversations with locals just because I don’t speak Portuguese. Perhaps after my experience in Brazil I will start taking into account the language when selecting my next destinations. Maybe in part this is why I picked Canada as my next destination.
How easy/hard is it for a translator to work and travel at the same time? What difficulties have you encountered (in terms of accounting, insurance and other practical issues)?
Nothing is easy and nothing is impossible. In my case, I believe it was important that before I started travelling I already had a client base securing an income that is on average enough for me to lead a simple life; of course, this client base was not built overnight. Despite the fact that I have been working as a translator for 14 years, I have no contract ensuring a steady workflow. I do know, however, that with some savings for the tough months and by reducing my expenses as much as possible, I can continue travelling for as long as I can and want to.
Moreover, I have chosen to not be a traditional ‘backpacker’ constantly on the move, rather for various reasons I stay a few months in each country I visit. First of all, I need time to adjust to my new environment and feel at home. I am not on constant holidays as many people might think. The first thing I make sure to arrange in every country I visit is to have uninterrupted access to the internet, albeit via mobile. No internet means no income. In addition, given that the majority of my clients are located in the UK, I must make sure I am available (or at least awake!) during UK working days and hours. This was never a problem within Europe. However, being in Brazil, I have to wake up much earlier in order to answer to my emails and must always take into account the time difference when delivering my projects.
Insecurity is a given when you work freelance I think, but it is also one of my core characteristics. Especially when you are away from home, family and the safety they offer, it may be even harder to deal with the ‘hard’ months when you sit in front of your laptop waiting to get at least a certificate to translate. Another factor I had not thought of initially is internet quality. Of course I do not require an ultra-fast connection to work, but when a few weeks ago there was a power cut (and therefore no internet) in the whole village (I am in Jericoacoara, Brazil at the moment) and I had no idea when it would be restored, I panicked. I had to deliver 3 projects later that evening, which I had finished as my laptop was fully charged, but.. how was I going to send them? I was without power for over 7 hours. Maybe my worst 7 hours of the past months in terms of work.
With regards to accounting and insurance issues, I think I am very lucky as my seat is in the Netherlands and it can all be settled remotely and online. I also get help from an accountant, if necessary, so I feel I am fully covered.
What would you advise other translators interested in pursuing something similar?
As mentioned above, I believe that before embarking on such a life journey it is important to have in place a client base and some workflow securing that all fixed monthly expenses are covered (pension, insurance, taxes, accommodation etc.) and/or the lifestyle each one wants to lead. I could never imagine having this lifestyle without having at least some savings, which keep my stress levels to a manageable level. The digital nomad’s life is incredible but it is also demanding. You must be able to adapt fast to whatever might come up in an unfamiliar place knowing you can only count on yourself – not to mention you still need to be available to take on work, respond to emails and meet your deadlines! You need to have the ‘bug’; to accept that there will be times you will have to be completely on your own, you will miss seeing a familiar face and get a hug from a person that’s ‘yours’. Personally, knowing that this would be a factor that would make it harder for me, I built a support network around me made of people I can trust and turn to at any time, even if they are far away. This is a constant exploration not only of the world, but of ourselves as well and unfortunately not everyone is ready to confront their own self. I know so.
But if I could only give ONE piece of advice, that would be ‘Go for it!’. Take your chances and even if you don’t succeed the first time, you will have acquired priceless knowledge and strength from this experience, which you will definitely use during your next steps.
What are the benefits of this lifestyle for your work and your general perception of the world?
Through my travels I gather experiences, open my mind and grow as a person and this has certainly affected the way in which I work too. I managed to get out of a vicious circle and exposed myself to new challenges that taught me how to think out of the box, to try to find opportunities where others see a problem, to manage my stress levels and my finances in a much better way. I realize that travelling to places that inspire me gives me more quality time to devote to my work and I do it with even more pleasure.
I exchange views with and get ideas from people whom I would have never met under different circumstances. I hear about the way in which other digital nomads work, which has given me many ‘smart’ solutions on day-to-day business issues, but also new ways of becoming more productive. The people I crossed paths with all contributed in a way. Be it something immediately applicable to my translation business or something that will bring up new thoughts and ideas in my mind. Thoughts and ideas that will at some point, sooner or later, find their way into becoming a business opportunity or will give me an advantage when I least expect it.
I have been awakened through my travels. It is like a river of experiences that never stops flowing. I am free to explore the world and visit places that I would probably never have the opportunity to see had I been counting on 25 days of leave per year. I’ve been exposed to cultures so different and have received so much positive energy and help. I too have seized the chance to offer my help to whoever I can, whenever I can, as openhandedly as I have been helped and this fact in itself fills me with joy and satisfaction. I feel I am becoming a better version of myself – in my own interpretation of the term, of course.
It is all so interrelated when you travel and work at the same time. I am given the opportunity to inspire and be inspired. My work is at home and my home is the world.