What Living in 12 Countries Was Really Like for Sarah Aviram
What happens when you leave everything behind… and try living in 12 countries in one year?
It sounds like a dream life — working remotely from cafés in Europe, exploring Southeast Asia, and waking up in a new country every month.
But according to Sarah Aviram, the reality is a lot more complex — and a lot more meaningful — than what you see on Instagram.
I sat down with Sarah to break down what that lifestyle is actually like — the highs, the struggles, and the unexpected lessons that changed how she sees work, travel, and life.
From Corporate NYC to 12 Countries in 12 Months
Sarah wasn’t always living the digital nomad dream.
She was working a corporate job in New York, leading training and development at a tech company — and researching what the future of work might look like.
Her conclusion?
Remote work was coming.
So instead of waiting for it… she pitched something bold:
What if she traveled the world for a year while working remotely — and reported back?
Surprisingly… her CEO said yes.
In March 2019, she took off.
12 countries
12 months
A new city every month
And just like that, a personal experiment turned into a life-changing journey — and eventually, two books.
The Reality of the “Dream” Remote Life
Let’s address the obvious:
Yes, working remotely from around the world is incredible.
But it’s not what social media makes it look like.
Sarah put it simply:
You’re not always productive on a beach
Wi-Fi can fail at the worst times
You’re often far from friends and family
And sometimes… you still don’t love your job
That last one is the big realization.
Changing your location doesn’t automatically change how you feel about your work.
After the excitement wears off, you’re left with a deeper question:
Do I actually like what I’m doing?
For Sarah, remote work became a temporary fix — not a permanent solution — if the underlying work wasn’t fulfilling.
The Biggest Lesson: Freedom Without Community Doesn’t Work
One of the most surprising takeaways from her journey?
Community matters more than location.
Even while traveling the world, Sarah found that fulfillment came from:
People to talk to
A sense of belonging
A support system
She built that through co-working spaces and other travelers — but not everyone does.
And that’s where many people struggle with remote work.
Freedom is powerful… but it can also be isolating.
The “Instagram vs Reality” Gap
We’ve all seen it:
Laptop on a beach in Bali
Coffee shops in Paris
Sunset work sessions in Thailand
But here’s the reality:
Most of the time?
You’re just working.
And sometimes dealing with:
Bad internet
Time zone chaos
Lack of routine
Feeling disconnected
The highlight reel skips all of that.
But Sarah emphasizes — the experience is still worth it.
Because what travel really gives you isn’t just cool locations…
It’s perspective.
Ranking the World: Where Remote Life Worked Best
After living across four major regions, Sarah ranked her experience like this:
#1 – South America
Familiar language (Spanish)
Cultural immersion without total disconnect
Best balance of comfort + challenge
#2 – Southeast Asia & Japan
High energy, unique culture
Japan especially stood out for quality of life
#3 – Europe
Ideal work-life timing (work afternoons, explore mornings)
Strong infrastructure
#4 – South Africa
Beautiful, but infrastructure challenges (like power outages)
Each place offered something different — but also came with trade-offs.
If She Did It Again… She’d Change This
Living in a new country every month sounds exciting.
But there’s a downside:
Just when you get comfortable… it’s time to leave.
Her ideal setup now?
4 locations
3 months in each
Long enough to:
Build routines
Form connections
Actually feel like you lived there
The Philosophy Behind “The Scenic Route”
Sarah’s new book, The Scenic Route, isn’t just about travel.
It’s about how we live.
The idea came from a simple realization:
She left New York… traveled the world… and came back to the same place.
But she wasn’t the same person.
Sometimes you end up where you started — just completely changed.
And that’s the “scenic route”:
Not rushing to the destination
Not constantly chasing the next goal
Actually enjoying the process
Because most people:
Reach a goal
Immediately move the target
Never stop to enjoy it
Does Travel Actually Change You?
This is one of the biggest questions in travel.
And Sarah’s answer is honest:
It can… but only if you let it.
Travel alone isn’t enough.
The real growth comes from:
Reflection
Writing
Processing your experiences
That’s why she recommends something simple:
👉 Journal your travels
Even if you don’t know the lesson yet — writing helps you discover it.
You Don’t Have to Travel the World to Change Your Life
One of the most underrated takeaways from our conversation:
You don’t need a plane ticket to experience the benefits of travel.
You can start right where you are.
Try this:
Take a different route home
Try a new coffee shop
Explore your own city
Break your routine
That small shift creates the same thing travel does:
Perspective.
Final Thoughts: Is This Lifestyle Worth It?
Living in 12 countries in a year is not easy.
It’s exciting.
It’s uncomfortable.
It’s eye-opening.
But it forces you to confront something most people avoid:
What actually makes you fulfilled?
Not where you are.
Not what it looks like online.
But what your life feels like day-to-day.
Where to Find Sarah Aviram
Book: The Scenic Route
Website: sarahaviram.com
Speaking & coaching on navigating change and uncertainty
Watch the Full Interview
Want the full conversation, including stories from each country and deeper insights?