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Why Quitting Her Corporate Job to Travel was Just what She Needed

Posted on by Josh

At Behere, we’re constantly inspired by the amazing women in our community. We’re thrilled to feature some of their stories, and share how they’ve made traveling while working possible. From unconventional roles, to starting businesses abroad, these women have made exploring new place a priority. They share their biggest learnings, favorite memories, and advice for someone thinking about living in a new city for a month.
Today’s Behere community feature, Chloe Handelman, decided quitting her corporate job to travel was just what she needed. Originally from Rochester, NY, Chloe used Behere to book her trip to Bali this fall. There she focused on starting her freelance business and connecting with other inspiring ladies in Bali. Read her story below.

You quit your corporate job so what are you working on now?

Right now, I am working on building up my own freelance Systems Engineering and Process Improvement consulting business. Using my corporate consulting experiences, engineering background, and interpersonal effectiveness, I bring a fresh perspective to businesses. Essentially, I help identify, solve, and implement solutions to critical business problems.

What does your daily routine look like while traveling?

This totally depends on the city I am in!
In October, I lived in Bali right near great surfing beaches. I liked to wake up, without an alarm clock, and then surf or workout. I then would head over to my workspace or a cafe with WiFi. There were always skill sharing or networking events at the workspace in the evening, so I would try to go to as many as possible. I was always open to the opportunity to grab food with friends so I did that most days too!
The point is: I create my daily routine. Every. Single. Day. I decide when I wake up, when I workout, and when it’s time to buckle down and crank some work out.
And the best part?
I don’t need to ask permission to take a walk on the beach to re-energize.

What was the most valuable thing you learned while in Bali?

That sometimes doing “nothing” is the biggest “something” you can do. One week I was in a rut. I was overwhelmed with feeling like I needed to figure everything out but had no idea where to start.
A million ideas swirled around in my mind but it seemed impossible to do anything. I reluctantly decided to do “nothing.” I still showed up every day to the workspace…. I went to networking events and socialized with peers.
And POOF!
I felt a million times better and I was able to find clarity regarding my next steps. By releasing the feeling of needing to figure everything out, things were naturally figured out for me through casual conversation and meditation.

How did Behere help in your journey?

The second I decided to use Behere, the paralyzing pressure to “figure out how to travel the world” was lifted from my shoulders.
It was my one-way ticket out of my old restrictive life. All I needed to do was show up to my new city and everything was taken care of. Behere has some of the best accommodations, incredible workspaces, and amazing fitness facilities. By knowing these were booked, I was able to focus all my attention on my business and creating a lifestyle I love.

quitting her corporate job to travel

We love hearing highlights from our communities adventures, what was one of yours?

My favorite memory is the meals I had with other women I met. We continuously had deep and inspiring conversations, intermingled with outrageous banter and hilarious storytelling. The friendships we developed will truly last a lifetime.

How did living in new places affect your work?

Being abroad allowed me to surround myself with like-minded peers. Back home, I felt like I was always trying to make my friends and family understand my passions and aspirations. Abroad, I am surrounded by people living out my passions and aspirations. They continuously encourage and inspire me to keep driving my life and pursuing my dreams.

Finally, what’s your #1 piece of advice for women who are thinking about living in a new city for a month?

Step outside that zone of comfort.
Dare yourself to explore and find comfort in the unknown.
Within one week of being abroad, I was able to learn more about myself than I had in an entire year back home.
Within one month of being surrounded by similar minded people who work remotely, I was able to develop a plan to launch my own business and make traveling and working abroad my new lifestyle.

Ready to quit your job and explore a new city? Be prepared to do a lot of research, OR head to Behere. On Behere you can book an apartment, plus workspace and fitness studio, on one easy-to-use platform. Get started below!

Connect with Chloe on Instagram @chloehandelman.
Images and words courtesy of Chloe Handelman.

What I Learned from Interviewing Women Around the World

Posted on by Josh
At Behere, we’re constantly inspired by the amazing women in our community. We’re thrilled to feature some of their stories and share how they’ve made traveling while working possible. From unconventional roles, to starting businesses abroad, these women have made exploring new places a priority. They share their biggest learnings, favorite memories, and advice for someone thinking about living in a new city for a month.
Today’s Behere community feature, Maeve Ronan, decided to travel to meet and interview, women around the world. Originally from Massachusetts, Maeve booked her trips to Chiang Mai and Bali on Behere. She used this time to focus on building her company and interviewing inspiring women in Asia. Read her story below.

You’ve been interviewing women around the world, what do you plan to do with all this new knowledge?

“I am building my company, Girl Innovate, which gives teen girls books, curriculum, workshops, inspiration, support, and mentors to reach their full potential, impact society, and thrive in a world of endless opportunities. I’m currently writing a book filled with advice from women around the world, which is what inspired me to live abroad in multiple countries. I am collecting pieces of wisdom from all different types of successful women to broaden the perspectives of teen girls. You can follow along and learn more at girlinnovate.com or on Instagram at @girlinnovate.“

What did a typical day look like for you while living in new places?

“While living abroad, each day was different, but always meaningful. My main goal was to not be too hard on myself to keep a rigid routine. As long as I got a few productive hours of work in, I was satisfied. The best part about living in an energetic, modern city was that once I was done with work, I could always find something fun to do and people to go with.”

How did Behere help in your journey?

“Behere helped alleviate the typical stress and logistics that come with living in a new place for a month. I didn’t have to worry about finding a credible apartment, fitness studio, or workspace, because it was all taken care of.

More importantly, the support from their team was incredible. When I got sick, they directed me to credible doctors and local remedies. I felt at peace knowing that even traveling by myself, I was never alone.

Booking through Behere allowed me to focus my energy on being productive in my business, rather than worry about trivial travel details.”

maeveronan1

We love hearing highlights from our communities adventures, what was one of yours?

“My favorite memory while traveling was taking a weekend trip to Ubud, Bali with my new friends. Some of us brought work on the road (one benefit of working remotely!) and others left it behind for the weekend. My accommodation contact helped us book drivers and we were off, exploring a new town only an hour away.

We saw the incredible Tegalalang Rice Terrace, went on a death defying swing, got relaxing massages, had photoshoots at iconic waterfalls, and most importantly bonded as we reflected on the day by the pool.

How did living in new cities affect your work?

While living abroad, I felt productive every day because I made my mission clear at the beginning of each month. It’s easy to stay motivated when you love what you’re working on.

Being involved in a workspace made the biggest impact on my work. I developed my ideas more deeply and was held accountable because of the meaningful relationships I made with people around me. I also felt that living in such vibrant locations allowed me to be more creative in my work.”

Finally, what’s your #1 piece of advice for women who are thinking about living in a new place for a month?

“I want women thinking about living in a new place for a month to realize that traveling is an experience that’s not always going to be rainbows and butterflies. Even with the extra support from Behere, traveling can be unpredictable, monotonous, and even overwhelming. But in that chaos, you find yourself, and that’s what makes living abroad such a beautiful adventure.”

________________________________________________________________
Connect with Maeve at girlinnovate.com or on Facebook or Instagram.
Want to meet incredible, inspiring people, in new places? Learn more about how booking with Behere can help make it your reality, and connect you with spaces and people to make it your best month yet. Check out our locations!
Images and words courtesy of Maeve Ronan.

This Company is Changing the Game for Young Women in Tech

Posted on by Josh

Over the last year, our team at Behere (85% women!) has worked relentlessly at our mission to provide support and a flexible foundation for women. We’ve had the opportunity to speak with thousands of amazing women, as well as numerous female-focused companies that share this goal.
One of the core values at Behere is supporting other female-focused initiatives that provide education and support for women following their passions. Our team knows all too well that for women, it can be intimidating getting involved in the tech world or putting yourself out there to learn about it. Our CEO, Meesen Brown, has shared some of these challenges that come with entering a male dominated industry.
So when we came across #BUILTBYGIRLS she immediately fell in love with the concept and wanted to become more involved, noting, “I wish something like this existed when I was a younger, it’s such a great resource for young women interested in learning more about tech.”
Recently, our team had an chance to chat with the #BUILTBYGIRLS team and learn more about their mission and how we can help inspire and encourage more young women in tech.
Read our chat below and learn how you can get involved in helping provide inspiration, education, mentorship and guidance for young women in tech.

Tell us, what is #BUILTBYGIRLS?

#BUILTBYGIRLS is a social impact brand developed in 2014 to build up the next generation of leaders in tech – who just happen to be girls. We were created to show young women the endless possibilities for a career in tech.

What is the mission at #BUILTBYGIRLS?

#BUILTBYGIRLS is every future tech leader’s secret weapon. At a moment in time where everyone is talking about girls in STEM, we recognize that code is just the beginning. We help young women step boldly into their first career through community, 1:1 professional guidance, and practical resources to help her land her dream job.

young women in techWho exactly is #BUILTBYGIRLS for?

All young women.

Why it #BUILTBYGIRLS so important, especially for young women in tech today?

REPRESENTATION + INCLUSIVITY.
There is a huge lack of diversity in tech, which is not only greatly affecting the current landscape but also the future of this industry. Young women don’t see themselves in this field and those who are bold enough to break into it often don’t last long.
#BUILTBYGIRLS exists to embolden young women to step confidently into their tech career. We exist to be that community for her, so she perseveres and understands the endless opportunities for a career powered by tech.

Want to get involved?

Join us in helping young women see the possibilities for a career in tech! Become a #BUILTBYGIRLS Advisor so you can share your career trajectory and embolden the new wave of tech leaders.

Sign up to be an Advisor
Follow #BUILTBYGIRLS on Instagram
Subscribe to the #BUILTBYGIRLS newsletter
Images and words courtesy of #BUILTBYGIRLS.

This Manager Convinced her Boss to let her Work Remotely from Europe

Posted on by Josh

At Behere, we’re constantly inspired by the amazing women in our community. We’re thrilled to feature some of their stories and share how they’ve made traveling while working possible. From unconventional roles, to starting businesses abroad, these women have made exploring new places a priority. They share their biggest learnings, favorite memories and advice for someone thinking about living in a new city for a month.
Today’s Behere community feature, Christi Rice, is a grants manager from Florida. She convinced her boss to let her work remotely from Europe this summer and used Behere to book three months in Lisbon, Split and Barcelona. There she focused on her work and meeting others abroad. Read her story below.

We love that you convinced your boss to let you work remotely, what is it exactly that you do?

“I’m the grants manager for the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. I work to secure private and public funding to support operations, capital projects and mission-driven programming at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and four affiliated cultural venues throughout South Florida. Current focus areas are sustaining and enhancing the largest free arts-in-education program in the country, and expanding access to the arts for individuals with disabilities.”

What would you say is the most important thing you learned while in Europe?

“Being so removed from my normal routine, social/professional obligations and network really helped me reflect on and evaluate things. Things like which relationships and activities are actually important and/or positive influences in my life, compared to those that are out of habit, or a feeling of obligation.”
work remotely

How was Behere helpful in your journey?

“Behere took all the stress out of planning my summer, which let me focus on planning the fun things and making the most of my experience. I met many fellow travelers and expats along the way, who shared struggles of finding clean/safe places to stay, dealing with shady landlords, etc.. I always felt very fortunate I didn’t have to worry about those issues.
What I like the most is that Behere is flexible, and their team always worked to accommodate my personal needs and preferences. The city hosts were also invaluable in providing local recommendations – not just where to go but when, how, what to wear, etc.. They also helped answer any questions, no matter how random, that came up during my stay.”

We love hearing highlights from our communities adventures, what was one of yours?

“It’s difficult to choose just one… being in Europe, Croatia in particular, for the World Cup was an unforgettable experience. It was really cool to see locals and travelers alike, from all different countries, coming together to watch the games. Also, my birthday fell during the last week of my 3-month stint abroad. I organized a very informal happy hour in Barcelona, where I was living at the time, to celebrate. It was both surprising and touching to see so many new friends come out (including my Behere city host, Sam) and made me realize how much I had accomplished in just one month there.”

How did living in new cities affect your work?

“I felt I was more productive than ever. Initially, I thought the time difference (+6 hours) would present a challenge. It actually turned out to be a positive – I was ahead of every deadline or request from my team back in the US. Plus, I was able to maintain better focus on writing projects because I wasn’t distracted with emails and phone calls in real-time. Working remotely forced me to go above and beyond to use effective communication skills with colleagues and clients.
When I had phone/ video calls with funders or prospective funders back in the US, they were fascinated I was working from Spain, Croatia and Portugal. They loved that my company had placed such trust in me to allow me to do so. I think this helped me stand out in their minds and will ultimately lead to stronger, more long-lasting partnerships.
Additionally, I definitely felt more motivated and inspired by the people I met at the workspaces. I believe being surrounded by individuals with creative, entrepreneurial mindsets – from a wide variety of industries – helped me think outside the box when it came to my own work.
work remotely
Being exposed to others from around the world also motivated me to finally get serious about another personal goal of mine – becoming fluent in Spanish. I had 30 hours with a private tutor while in Barcelona, and since returning to Florida, have already booked another tutor via Skype. I’m not sure what, if any, impact this will have on my work, but you never know!”

Finally, what’s your #1 piece of advice for someone who’s thinking about living in a new city for a month?

“It doesn’t have to be as difficult, expensive or scary as most people think. I met many people with different backgrounds, careers, ages, marital status, who identified living abroad as a personal goal for various reasons. They were all able to step out of their comfort zones and achieve it.”

If you want to convince your boss to let you work remotely too, we’ve created some great resources to help here.
Now, when you’re ready to explore a new city, get prepared to do a lot of research. Or head to Behere to book your apartment, plus a workspace and fitness studio, in one easy-to-use platform. Check out our locations!
Images and words courtesy of Christi Rice.

Women Making Moves | Skylar Schneider, Team USA Cyclist

Posted on by Josh

Our team connected with this driven, forward-thinking woman, Skylar Schneider. Since a young age, she has traveled and pushed herself out of her comfort zone. A Team USA Cyclist, Skylar shared her journey into cycling (that started when she was just 4 years old!), some of her greatest challenges and how it got her to where she is today – living in and biking for Holland.

Where are you from and where do you currently live?

I’m from West Allis, WI which is just outside of Milwaukee. Home is still West Allis, however my base in Europe is in Southern Holland.

Tell us about your journey to cycling. What inspired you to start?

My dad was already a cyclist when he met my mom in high school, although she didn’t think the sport was cool enough and swore that she would never touch a bike. Later in their relationship he built her a custom hot pink bike, which was enough to change her mind.
Both of them raced around the US and passed on the love of the sport to my siblings and I. I did my first race at four years old and am now one of the youngest women in the World to be racing at the highest level of the sport.
skylar schneider

What has been your greatest achievement?

In 2016 I qualified for the World Championships and represented Team USA in Doha, Qatar. I went on to finish 2nd place and earn a silver medal in the road race. Standing on the podium in the red, white, and blue of the United States uniform is a feeling I’ll never forget and hope to achieve again one day!

And your greatest challenge?

The greatest challenge is the time spent away from home. In a given year, I spend more days away than I am home. Therefore, I sacrifice a lot of time with my family and miss out on holidays. During the Spring while I was living in Holland, my dog passed away and this broke me. I knew that when I returned home it would never be the same. I grew from this experience by realizing that it was OK to cry and it was OK to talk about it with my family as we mourned together, despite being so far away from them. In other words, communication is key – especially with loved ones – and something I’m constantly working at to keep our relationships strong despite the distance.

How has traveling and living abroad inspired/pushed you and provided you with valuable life experiences?

I have realized that every time I travel, I am changing a bit as a person. My own understanding of the world has been shaped by the beautiful and imperfect places that I have had the opportunity to see, and the people I meet along the way.
With these valuable and raw life experiences, I’ve been pushed and inspired to have more compassion and an understanding for other cultures. You can learn a lot from people by observing- especially the locals who have a rhyme and a reason for the way they’re doing things. Like this, you’re opening your mind to doing something different than you might normally and developing a better understanding for the people around you.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since moving abroad? Any advice for someone thinking about living abroad?

At 19 years old I essentially moved abroad where a lot of unknowns and lessons awaited me. I was living in a place where my only transportation was by foot, bike, or train. I learned to strategically plan my grocery store trips, load a train card, and plan logistics for getting the places I needed to be (…and so much more).
For anyone living abroad, there’s a balance between letting go and living in the moment, while also understanding when it’s super important to plan for the future. Ultimately, you’re going abroad to enjoy it and not be stressed out the whole time, so really take advantage of learning from your mistakes and remembering that ‘que sera, sera’.

What is your fav place you’ve been? Where you’re off to next?

“My favorite place to travel to is Colombia! There’s something about the charming towns, happy people, and fresh food that makes me fall in love every time I’m there! The culture is dramatically different than what I’m used to in America or Europe, but what I’ve learned from Colombians is that you truly don’t need a lot to be happy- in other words- money doesn’t equal happiness.
Although 99% of my travels throughout the year have to do with cycling, my next trip is an actual vacation! My family and I are going to Montreal, Canada. My grandma grew up in Montreal but hasn’t returned in many years, so the family is going with her to learn more about her roots. It has been in the works for about 3 years and now it’s just 2 weeks away!
Overall, I hope women will feel encouraged to travel using Behere, and inspired to learn more about themselves by embracing the challenge and independence of going abroad.”

Connect with Skylar at myscarletsky.com or on IG @sky_schneider.
To learn more about Behere, click here.

Behere Team | Women Making Moves: Nyah Pham

Posted on by Josh

Have you been dreaming about Lisbon? Then meet Lisbon City Host, Nyah Pham, who’s making a wonderful impact in Lisbon. She has a love for community building and making others feel at ease and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! Read her story below, it’ll be sure to spark your wanderlust for Lisbon.

Tell us about yourself and your love for travel…

My name is Nyah (pronounced NA-JA, not NY-AH). I’m originally from Vietnam but grew up in Denmark and have lived in the US, France, China, Spain, Germany and Portugal. Growing up as an immigrant child in Denmark, I always had an urge to discover new cultures and countries from a very young age. My parents took me around the world to visit relatives, so I developed an early curiosity for travel. The first time I traveled on my own I was 15. I remember how excited I was to head to the US and visit my sister by myself. Terrified, but also full of hopes and dreams. Ever since, I’ve travelled to more than 50 countries and I am still discovering. Travel is the fuel to my being. I don’t think I will ever stop travelling. As the Danish writer HC. Andersen put it, “To travel is to live”. 

What do you do when you’re not helping the community in Lisbon?

I am a independent Business Consultant and Life Coach. Half my time, I’m dedicated to event concepts for different kind of clients. This means conferences, exhibitions, festivals, launches etc. My job is to put a great programme together to make the event unforgettable.
The other half of my time, I help clients overcome challenges and struggles in their everyday lives and transform into better versions of themselves. This can be within their careers, relationships or health. In most cases, these three are highly related.
I like the combination of my jobs, since they allow me to be creative as well as reflective. Creating concepts and hosting events feels natural to me. I’m at my best when I see an event come together, with people connecting with each other and enjoying the content. Helping others transform and change is the best gift that has been given to me. Not only does it feel impactful and purposeful, but making a change and difference in others lives is a true blessing. 
Nyah Pham

Why is community so important to you and what do you love about the community you’ve created in Lisbon?

I’m community builder at heart. I love to see people come together, whether it’s because they share the same interests or not. Something magical happens, when people come together, connect and eventually build something beautiful. I always say, “It’s not the place you fall in love with, it’s the community”. I live by that. You can go to the most magical places; tropical islands with beautiful beaches, but if the community is not there, you will not have that sense of belonging.
Lisbon was number one on my list and I’ve ended up staying here for about a year. I fell in love with the community from day one and started hosting weekly Digital Nomad Meetups. Before I knew it, we grew the community from 1000 to almost 3000 members in less than a year. That’s incredible. The Digital Nomad scene here is huge and I keep seeing new faces all the time. But what makes the community in Lisbon unique is, that nomads who come here tend to stay – we’ve simply become “slowmads” because we love this place and community so much. 

What makes Lisbon so special?

Lisbon is the city of seven hills. It’s what makes it so charming. I love walking through the city and admiring the beautiful tiles and cobblestones. It’s so beautiful yet, historical at the same time. I feel majestic walking around here. Plus, with 300 sunny days a year, and the ocean nearby, Lisbon ticks most of the boxes for a fantastic place to stay. 

To explore Lisbon like a local, get started with Behere below!
Photos and words courtesy of Nyah Pham.

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