Can students become digital nomads?

With the accessibility of technology and internet connection, working online and from locations other than the office has become increasingly popular. People like freelancers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals use online services and tools to reach clients, run businesses, sell products and get the job done remotely. Usually described as ‘digital nomads’ these self-employed people are a major part of the job market, but are introducing a completely new way of working and earning. As digital nomads, freelancers and professionals running their businesses online tend to lead a more free, independent and liberal lifestyle, which has become an aspiration for many students. The question is whether such a lifestyle is compatible with the responsibilities of students; can it be done, and if so, how can a student receive an education and also work online?

University Restrictions

Working as a digital nomad and studying at a university can seem pretty unattainable. For the majority of students who desire to work, let’s say as freelancers, the university simply poses too many restrictions. The first restriction regards the very location of the student and the university; usually, both have to be in the same place in order for the student to be able to attend classes and complete other requirements, like philosophy papers for EssayShark, or exams. Sure, a student can work as a freelancer from home or the dorm room, but that won’t really make them a digital nomad. In order to be one, a student should be traveling and working, as well as studying remotely. Nevertheless, there is a solution for university restrictions.

Recently, there has been a term used to describe students who are or want to be digital nomads; student nomads. This means that students do not attend their local universities, but rather choose to study abroad. Many countries actually support this idea of student mobility on a global scale; the European Union, for example, has been promoting the student mobility for years now, through the Erasmus+ program. This program allows students to study in countries of the EU, and European countries that are not a part of the EU, while simultaneously working online. The phenomenon of a student nomad in Europe has fostered a great community for young nomads and students who want to get the best experience of their college years. When it comes to students from other parts of the world, the program called Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees allows EU-funded master scholarships to students who live outside Europe.

The Student Nomad Lifestyle

In the past few years, the number of students studying and working abroad has reached almost 5 million. The numbers, of course, increase every year as the digital nomad lifestyle attracts more young people. The standard, traditional description of a workplace, or a job overall, has become partially foreign to the new generations, especially with the rise of incredible technological advances. Living, studying and working abroad is the new way millennials are experiencing life which proves that it is definitely possible for students to be digital nomads. Sure, there are always some difficulties on the road to a successful career as a digital nomad in a foreign country, but the new generations see this as a part of the experience, rather than some hinderance.

To understand the student nomad lifestyle, it is important to observe what the current job market offers to these young people. Students can choose to attend a local university, work part-time at some local coffee shop, and focus on studies and attending classes. Such a lifestyle does not appeal to the new generations anymore, as they seek experience and adventure to keep them creatively inspired for a career after graduation. Even though the older generations usually disapprove of students leaving for abroad universities and filling in for a foreign workforce, it is also important to keep in mind that such mobility in education and work can be incredibly innovative and useful. Student nomads lead location independent lifestyles, use the internet to gain work experience and want to share their voice and life challenges with others, via social media. That is simply the life of today for many millennials, and in the future, the numbers will definitely increase.

The Effects of Student Nomad Lifestyle

According to the EssayShark review, the work culture is changing, and there is nothing we can do about it. The tradition of mundane office jobs is coming to an end, and many are wondering what could this mean for organizations and the job market as a whole. As we have seen that students are more than capable of being digital nomads, it is time to redefine its effects on the work ecosystem we’ve become used to.

First of all, it is much easier for a student to choose the life of a freelancer than the life of an intern. Freelancers and other online service providers are building international teams and startups that enable them a consistent workflow, income and ability to expand. They also focus on the working environment, which has proven to be more fruitful than the environment of an office, for example. Not to mention that the new employment platforms are on the rise, which could completely replace the standard employment requirements and procedures. Young professionals, talents and business-oriented students/graduates can now build bridges with major companies and organizations, while simultaneously learning and gaining new experience on a daily basis. So, overall, the effects of student nomad lifestyle can be actually great when it comes to the global job market. All we need to do is simply accept the changes and finally redefine what ‘working’ really means.