Hey! Iโm currently on the first group of Remote Year and happy to share some insights.
Just on the conversations above, I am not 100% sure about other programs but RY 1 had at least 25,000 people apply. I think it was similar or more for RY 2 applications. And thanks for the kind words about our group so far We love meeting other digital nomads! If you are not up for the commitment of 1 year then I wouldnโt suggest applying. Itโs sad when people leave so as a participant I would prefer people only sign up if they are truly dedicated to the year. (You can opt out of months as well if you will be away).
What has been your experience overall?
Amazing!
Do you prefer this type of group travel over traveling alone or with 1-2 other people?
I have traveled with others and groups but this is my first go at life as a digital nomad. I do prefer the group. Itโs nice to have the community and there is always someone that can join you in whatever you do. Iโd imagine itโs more lonely/a lot more work/effort doing it alone/
What are the pros and cons?
I break this out in my blog.
Pros:
The RY brand name and being associated with it. Itโs helped with my blog and to snag some really amazing opportunities because everyone is fascinated by the program.
Literally you donโt have to worry about anything. When we were in Koh Phangan, Thailand, the entire island had a power outage but we had our own dedicated internet line and a back up generator where we were stayingโฆ When you arrive you have a sim card set up, they have a google map of all the places near by (restaurants, gyms, pharmacies etc). They have a small sheet with the name and locations of a nearby doctor. You literally unpack and youโre done and settled. You donโt have to find spots with good wifi etc. They provide a co-working space open 24/7.
A room to yourself the entire trip.
A vetted group. The group is amazing and you can tell they are vetted. They are very passionate about travel and this lifestyle but also really hardworking and itโs great for networking.
IMO it looks really good on a resume as well.
Cons:
Costs. I am Canadian and the dollar sucks so it makes it a bit more pricey for me. Well worth though, hence why I am still on the program.
How professional and organized are the companies offering these services?
I would say Remote Year is very professional. They are passionate about what they are doing and want it to succeed so they are always looking to improve/ keep participants happy. At the same time they are personable and you can go out and grab a beer with one of them. Itโs a tricky balance because they live with us but also run the program but I say they do a really good job at keeping the balance. I would also say they are organized too, especially since theyโve more so โnailed down the processโ. Keep in mind my group was the first so they hard to figure it out a bit as they went at first but that was expected being the first group. We knew we needed to be flexible for a bit as they adjusted. But now, it seems they really have their process nailed down.
Do people drop out?
We have had people drop out, yes. All for various reasons.
- relationships (to be with a b/f, g/f / finding someone along the way)
- between USD being pricey compared to other currencies and recessions in other countries some people had to drop out because they couldnโt afford it anymore
- job promotion (had to go home to sort it)
- discovering they pref to travel alone (RY is great for people that hate planning trips, such as myself )
Would you do it again?
110% without a doubt. It has literally changed the course of my life and I have learned so much about myself and grown in so many ways. Itโs been the most amazing life experience.
What is what you expected?
I literally knew nothing of this lifestyle. I didnโt even know what co-working spaces were *gasp. I expected a ton of people in a hostel sharing rooms and working from their rooms or wherever. In all honestly my expectations were low - I had no idea what to expect I just wanted to travel the world in a sustainable way.
Did you save time/money?
Not quite sure what you mean here. I save time absolutely. Planning takes so much time. In terms of money, do you mean actually put money into a savings account while on the trip or that the trip itself is cheaper than doing it on your own? Either way, itโs not cheaper. Remote Year isnโt designed to โsave moneyโ. I would say Remote Year is for people who want the perks, benefits and ease of the program.
Was it a better overall experience than being a regular Digital Nomad?
I canโt say, Iโve never been a digital nomad on my own.
What are accommodations like?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFBHegEsjH1v37gOB99sMiA This shows our accommodations in Cavtat, Croatia and Prague, Czech Republic (country 1). It has varied from hotel, dorm, apartment etc. They are moving towards apartment styling living now that they know our preference.
Is it worth the premium price?
Yes.
What would you change/improve about the experience?
Wow, great question. I would say more โbeachy/natureโ locations. Weโve been in a lot of cities and I love nature so I would prefer that.
And I would say 6 weeks at a time instead of 1 month at a time because itโs very fast paced. However 1 month is good because if you arenโt โfeelingโ a place itโs not long before you leave and I think 6 weeks at a time would just make the program too long. 1 year is good. Trying to accommodate to 70 people with different thoughts and feelings about where they want to go makes 1 month ideal.
Any other feedback?
My blog has more information on the program etc but I donโt want to come off as spammy so if you would like me to post it let me know and I will.