Globetrotters Writers Spotlight — Caterina Fuligni
Hi Globetrotters. My name is Caterina, a former expat who, a year and a half ago, made the decision to transition to the digital nomad lifestyle full-time.
As someone with a background in Intercultural Psychology, I love to travel because it allows me to apply and deepen my understanding of the field in real-world contexts. Travel provides me with firsthand opportunities to engage with different cultures, traditions, and belief systems, facilitating a deeper understanding of cultural variations and the factors that shape them. I also love the feeling of engaging with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, progressively developing effective communication strategies, and witnessing how my communication style slightly changes as a result of cultural immersion.
My number one travel activity is trying local sweets and cakes. One of my favorites is visiting local cafes or bakeries for breakfast or an afternoon break.
I come from a small beach town on the Italian coast. My hometown in a few words: a quiet lifestyle, ample beach time, and, most importantly, a lot of Aperol spritz 🍹
I work as a… It’s a hybrid role between HR, project management, and case management at an HR-tech startup. I talk extensively about my experience as a location independent worker in my profile. I find that when working for a high-paced startup, the digital nomad lifestyle is far from being about sipping piña coladas at the beach all the time. On the contrary, traveling while having a full-time job is not for the faint of heart! It requires a lot of organizing and planning, including ensuring a reliable wifi connection, managing timetables, and setting up improvised workspaces, such as the one below:
The best place I’ve been is a cocoa farm in Bahia, Brasil. Such an idyllic landscape!
In my spare time, I like to write on Medium! In the last few months as a digital nomad, I have started feeling conflicted between my traveling lifestyle and my desire to pursue physical hobbies such as playing in a volleyball team, starting a sewing course, or working on an urban garden. However, I have longed for a place to share my thoughts. Writing online seemed like a good compromise for the time being — a portable hobby!
My top travel tip is to travel at a slower pace. If you find yourself traveling frequently, it’s important to avoid burnout by taking care of yourself. Take time to walk around and explore at a leisurely pace, rather than constantly filling your schedule with activities. Leave room for spontaneity and allow yourself the freedom to enjoy unexpected experiences.
If I could live somewhere else, I’d live in… For now, I don’t see myself settling down anywhere permanently. Despite acknowledging how tiring it can be, I don’t envision myself living full-time in a specific country. However, in the future, I see myself living on a farm in the countryside of my region in Italy.
Three lessons I’ve learned from traveling are…
- Preparation and Safety: including having adequate health insurance coverage, knowing emergency numbers, and taking necessary safety precautions.
- Cultural Respect and Humility: approaching new cultures with humility, respect, and an open mind. Listening more than talking.
- Attention to Comfort: Traveling can involve staying in different accommodations. One invaluable lesson for me is to check if the place I’m staying at has light-blocking curtains. Ensuring a comfortable sleep environment allows for proper rest, especially when dealing with time zone differences and modified work schedules.
Can’t wait to connect with you and reading your stories!
