6 Years of Coding, Growth, and Adventure: Alyona's Journey with UpTeam

Meet Alyona, one of UpTeam's experienced professionals who has spent the last six years coding & learning whithin UpTeam, and exploring the world. Her journey with us started when she was a university student, unsure about her path in IT, but curious and eager to learn. Fast forward to today, and Alyona has become a key player in our projects, leading teams, and continuously pushing the boundaries of her skills. Whether she's diving into new technologies or navigating the streets of a new country, Alyona's story is one of growth, excellence, and a passion for both work and life.

‍

🔵 Can you share some highlights from your 6-year journey with UpTeam?

My 6-year journey with UpTeam has been filled with growth, learning, and numerous memorable experiences. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with incredibly talented individuals, from whom I have tried to learn different coding styles, approaches to architecture, testing methodologies, and deployment strategies. And taking this opportunity, I would like to thank everyone I have ever worked with and am currently working with.
One of the most exciting periods in my career was the release and successful sale of our project to a major US advertiser. This was a major achievement for our team and a testament to our hard work and dedication.

‍

🔵 What motivated you to join UpTeam, and how has your role evolved over the years?

At the very beginning, I never imagined I would work in this big family. At that time, I felt that I wasn't good enough or that I lacked knowledge 🥲. My journey began when I was in my third year of university and didn't even know what the IT-sphere was.

UpTeam attracted me with its openness, the vast number of talented people, and the ease with which one could live and love their work. UpTeam accepted me, gave me the opportunity to learn from the best, and to develop in any field that I found close to my heart. Immersing myself in this atmosphere, I immediately realized that IT would be the only path I wanted to follow in my life.❤

My journey has indeed been long, but I hope this is only the beginning:

Currently, I lead one of UpTeam's main projects.

‍

🔵 As a digital nomad, how do you manage to maintain a work-life balance?

Honestly, it took me a long time to adjust to a work-life balance because I always wanted to be the best – I was literally working 24/7, and at some point, I burned out so much that I was ready to quit everything. I went through a lot of trial and error, but I kept striving to understand how to work properly, took advice from my colleagues, and finally found the perfect solution for me.

The most important advice I can give is to plan your day meticulously. As Benjamin Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Effective planning helps me set boundaries, prioritize tasks, and ensure that you have time for both work and personal life. Planning is both my way of life and my approach to thinking.

‍

🔵 Can you describe a typical day in your life while traveling and working remotely?

Well, that's an interesting question. I usually live in an Asian time zone, which is 4-5 hours ahead of my team's working hours, so I feel like my day is much longer than others.

🔹I wake up around 9-10 AM and start my day either with a workout or boxing (yes, don't be surprised, I'm quite the athlete—fun fact: I have a black belt in karate).

🔹11-12 AM: Then I have breakfast, take care of my morning routine, and plan my day (you can read about how I plan my life in my personal blog about Obsidian).

🔹12-14 PM: For the next 2-3 hours, I engage in active coding, code reviews, grooming tasks, and preparing new tasks for upcoming sprints.

🔹14-17 PM: Next, I take a 3-hour break during which we usually have lunch and explore the surroundings of our new/next city in our travels by motorbike.

🔹17-24 PM: This is when the main work process begins: calls with clients and colleagues, discussing work issues, and much more. Dinner breaks happen at different times, as you never know when a free window will appear.

🔹24-1 AM: Relaxation, usually I play Nintendo.

🔹1 AM: Bedtime! I also try to get plenty of sleep, as it helps me recharge and makes my brain work much faster.

‍

🔵 What countries have you lived in during your time as a digital nomad?

Don’t be surprised by my long list of countries. The main reason for my travels is to piece together the world in my mind like a "One Piece" adventure — just like my favorite comic. I don’t plan on stopping, as I feel that traveling has become the purpose of my life. And on top of that, traveling sparks many thought processes, inspires numerous creative projects, and helps me not just do my work, but truly create.

During my time as a digital nomad, I’ve lived in Montenegro, Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.

‍

🔵 Which place has been your favorite to live in, and why?

Over my 3 years of traveling, I have three favorite places among all the countries where I’ve lived: Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia:

Vietnam

It captured my heart with its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine (especially seafood - I'm a fan of it).

🟢 Pros:

- Relatively inexpensive compared to Europe, it allows for a comfortable lifestyle with affordable housing, cafes, restaurants, and motorbikes/cars.

- Stunning natural beauty, making it possible to travel and explore new places every day.

🔴 Cons:

- Housing in cheaper neighborhoods can feel unsafe.

- There are a lot of ants and rats everywhere.

- English is not widely spoken, which often requires communication through gestures or pictures...

The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates impressed me with its amazing architectural feats and luxurious lifestyle.

🟢 Pros:

- High standards in deliveries, restaurants, housing, and attractions; the overall quality of life is very high.

- The stability and sense of security make it a place where one might want to stay long-term due to the consistent and reliable environment.

🔴 Cons:

- The extremely high cost of living.

Indonesia

It won me over with the warm hospitality of its people and its breathtaking natural beauty. The diverse landscapes and serene environment, especially in places like Bali, provide a perfect retreat and inspire my creativity.

‍

🔵 Can you share some interesting cultural differences you’ve encountered during your travels?

One funny cultural difference I encountered was in Vietnam. Crossing the street there is like playing a real-life game of Frogger, with motorbikes zipping by from all directions. At first, it was terrifying, but then I learned the secret: just walk slowly and steadily, and the motorbikes will magically avoid you. It’s a skill I never thought I’d need, but now I’m practically a pro!

‍

🔵 How do you see your role evolving in the next few years, and what new skills are you excited to develop?

In the next few years, I see my role evolving to include more strategic and leadership responsibilities. As I continue to grow in this area, I am looking to move from a technical specialist to a more complex role that involves overseeing larger projects and leading teams.

I am looking forward to developing skills in new technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, as these areas have huge potential to revolutionize our industry.

‍

🔵 What advice would you give to new employees who are interested in pursuing a digital nomad lifestyle?

For anyone interested in pursuing a digital nomad lifestyle, I have a few pieces of advice:

🟩 Maintain a healthy work-life balance! ⚖️ It’s easy to blur the lines between work and personal life when you’re always on the move. Make sure to set boundaries, take breaks, and find time to relax and recharge.

🟩 Adapt to the culture of other countries! 🌍 At times, a foreign culture might seem very different, and you may find yourself frustrated over small things. However, please remember that you are a guest, and it’s important to respect and adapt to the local customs and ways of life, even if they are not what you are used to.

🟩 Be financially prepared! 💸 Traveling can be unpredictable, so it’s important to have a financial cushion for emergencies. Budget wisely and keep track of your expenses.

🟩 Join digital nomad communities! 💬 You can always find online communities in every city that will help you adapt to a new place, so don't be shy about seeking them out.

‍

🔵 Where you can get in touch with Alyona 👇🏼

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss.lely.00
- Telegram: https://t.me/lelyly_travel

‍

At UpTeam, we're all about encouraging growth, innovation, and a love for what we do. Alyona's journey is a perfect example of how we support our team members in achieving their dreams, whether it's mastering a new technology, leading a major project, or embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. We're proud to be a part of her story and look forward to seeing where her passion and skills will take her next.

If you're looking to be a part of a team that values your journey as much as the destination, UpTeam might just be the place for you.