Earning a Diploma as a Digital Nomad: Is it Possible?

Education

Earning a Diploma as a Digital Nomad is a realistic goal for many these days
Photo by CC user 83633410@N07 on Flickr

The digital nomad lifestyle has been gaining in popularity in the last couple of years for a variety of reasons. Of course, the prospect of being completely location independent can seem romantic at first, but it has some serious caveats that need to be considered before anyone decides to make the jump. One of them is education.

But with the advent of online education, more and more students are envisaging getting their education entirely online while travelling. But is it really feasible and what are the steps that need to be taken for the whole process to go smoothly?

Choosing the Right Course and College

Digital nomads have special needs when it comes to choosing an online program. While most online programs can be taken almost completely online, some are much more difficult to attend. Take the case of nursing. Most nursing classes online will require that you spend a significant amount of time on facility. RN programs in PA, for example, require clinical rotations in local healthcare facilities.

 

But if you’re pursuing an online bachelor of science in marketing, or any course that can be easily dispensed online, then things might be easier. If you do decide to go for an online marketing degree, make sure that the school you go to has the proper accreditation, is ready to accommodate your travelling lifestyle and has successful alumni.

Consider Asynchronous Courses

Asynchronous online courses allow students to attend class anywhere, anytime, and don’t require students to use video conferencing or participate in group chat sessions; all things that could be problematic if you’re on a plane or at the beach. Also, you should go for courses that offer longer deadlines to turn in assignments. Some schools might require certain assignments to be turned in on a weekly basis, while some will allow tasks to be completed within a set number of months. These courses are usually better for people who are constantly on the go.

The Connection Issue

If you’re going to pursue your education online, it’s very important that you always have a steady internet connection available. Many hotspots for digital nomads such as Chiang Mai, Amsterdam and Davao offer top of the line internet service in addition to affordable housing. In other upscale urban areas, you can even get a personal broadband connection device that will give you access to 4g and 3g networks.

However, some other places in the world are still catching up and it would be wise to check the quality of the internet service in the city/country you’re considering before you book your trip. Please remember that some courses can be really data extensive and require that you download heavy documents or use streaming videos, all things that would be nearly impossible to do with a basic modem connection.

These are just some of the technicalities of studying while traveling. If your source of income is totally online, then juggling travel, work and education could be easier than you think. However, before you make the jump, make sure that you choose a flexible program from a reputable school that will allow you to take classes whenever and wherever you want, and make sure that the country you’ll be visiting will have the accommodations necessary for you to follow your courses easily.

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How to Make Money While Sitting on Your Couch

Business Finance Freedom Channel Tech Travel

Work From Home

It’s everyone’s dream. Make money while sitting on your  couch. But it is not always easy to earn cash while sitting around in your bathrobe.  Here are some tips to help you find the dream job you can do from your sofa.
Work From Home
Utilize a Skill You Already Have
The best way to start earning money from home is to take advantage of skills you already have. Are you a natural writer or have experience doing so? Perhaps you could find a job as a copywriter. This is often a flexible position as far location and you could definitely find a gig that would allow you to work from your couch. Do you have experience in computer programming or design? Then you are in luck! Many tech industry positions often allow flexible work environments including working from home. Some other popular work from home industries are medical transcriptionists, call center operators, travel agents, and tech support staff. So look at your work history and maybe you are already qualified for one of these positions.

Make Use of the Global Economy
Maybe an at home  job may seem like a low pay rate but it is all relative. A small hourly rate in Manhattan could be a king’s ransom amount in a country like Vietnam. So if you can flexibility where you work, you are opening yourself up to a plethora of opportunities. A recent publicized trends of of “digital nomads” is highlight workers who are taking advantage of this and working abroad while making a U.S. salary. If you choose a low cost country to visit while working remotely, not only can you work from your couch but you can travel the world as well.

Do Your Homework
If a job is too good to be true, it likely is. Be skeptical of banner adds about retirees earning $100,000 a with nothing more than laptop. Check out legitimate job sites and referrals from people you know. There are plenty of work from home jobs but remember they are actual jobs that require actual work. You will still have to work just as hard as in the office, if not harder! Also, it is important to make sure working form home is for you. It’s not for everybody. Some people think working from home will be ideal but after a few weeks get bored or miss the routine. For some it is nice to get out of the house ever once in a while.

So whether you are looking for a little extra cash on the side or a full time career from the couch; if you do you research and are qualified you can find it. Make sure you have a strong internet connection and a fast laptop and update your resume. The next thing you know you could be logging 40 hours a week from the comfort of your couch.

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