Nomadic Living and the Innate Desire to See the World POST GRAD

Me Exploring!

After college ends, the world stretches before you like an endless road of possibilities. While the traditional path of settling into a career and location right away seems like the most responsible path, it isn’t the only option. Instead many young professionals are choosing to embrace nomadic lifestyles that allow them to see the world while building their careers and experiences. 

The timing couldn't be better. With fewer commitments, greater flexibility, and the energy of youth, your post-graduation years offer a unique window for exploration. Travel experiences now can shape your perspective, career path, and personal growth in profound ways that become harder to achieve once you're settled with more responsibilities. 

Options for the Wandering Graduate: Several paths can facilitate your nomadic dream.

• Remote Work: The digital workplace revolution has created unprecedented opportunities to work from anywhere. Tech, marketing, content creation, and consulting roles often allow for location independence.

•  Teaching English Abroad: Programs in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Spain provide structured opportunities to immerse yourself in new cultures while earning a steady income. 

• Working Holiday Visas: Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada offer special visas that allow young people to work legally while traveling. 

• Volunteering: Organizations like Peace Corps, WWOOF, and Workaway offer room and board in exchange for your skills and time. 

Contrary to popular belief, nomadic living doesn't require wealth. Many digital nomads report spending less than they would living in major US cities. The key is careful budgeting, embracing local economies, and prioritizing experiences over possessions. 

Building a Career While Wandering 

Your nomadic years can actually enhance your career prospects: 

• Gaining international perspective valued by employers 

• Developing adaptability and problem-solving skills 

• Building a unique portfolio of diverse work experiences 

• Growing a global professional network 

  
  

Practical Considerations 

Some logistical elements to address: 

• Health insurance with international coverage 

• Banking and taxes for location-independent living 

• Managing student loans while abroad 

• Staying connected with family and building community on the road 

  
  

Beyond the Instagram Aesthetic 

The reality of nomadic living includes challenges alongside the highlights. Loneliness, cultural adjustment, and logistical complications are part of the journey. The most successful nomads approach this lifestyle with flexibility, resilience, and realistic expectations. 

Starting Your Journey 

Begin with research and planning: 

1. Join online communities of digital nomads and travelers 

2. Test your remote work capabilities with short trips 

3. Develop skills that translate globally 

4. Start building location-independent income streams 

The nomadic lifestyle is more than just collecting passport stamps; it's about broadening your perspective, challenging your assumptions, and discovering both the world and yourself in the process. As a recent graduate, you have a unique opportunity to create a life that blends career growth with global exploration while maximizing the joy of life. 

As Jon Krakauer once said, “The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.” 

Whether your nomadic phase lasts six months or six years, the experiences you gain will provide a solid foundation for whatever you decide to make happen next in your life. It will allow you to connect with the world in a way that is otherwise impossible and make memories that will last a lifetime.