Anna Pakosz

Founder @ Stages of Limbo

Alumni

2019

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

Before the program I was trying myself in different things, continuously learning new skills [Anna worked as both a Brand Manager and a Curator). I wanted to focus all the knowledge I have collected into a personal creation, but I lacked deadlines. What I needed was a frame where I can create, and people around me who are also creating, trying to make the most out of themselves.

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

It definitely gave me the discipline to set goals and go after them. Also, it taught me to not be shy to ask for support from others. After we came back from Africa, I have realized the project (A week-long artist retreat called Stages of Limbo) that I have started to work on during the Nomad. It was more difficult to proceed alone for sure, but I had some good foundations.

What was the thing that surprised you most after joining Nomad Academy?

I guess what surprised me the most was the different colors I saw in people during these three months. I really understood that talent has 100 faces, and it is all very inspiring and beautiful.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

I would say that it's a great opportunity to test yourself. It's a very intense environment with a lot of social interactions. If you have an idea of what your dream project is you can really get valuable input from people around you. It's like an inspirational forum to discuss ideas and grow as a human.

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RAFFAEL SKALNIK

Digital Marketing Consultant

Alumni

2019

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

Before the program I was kind of lost in life. I didn't really know what to do, but I always knew I wanted to work on things that have meaning to me. As a little boy I remember thinking "this can't be it", just following the status quo. I didn't feel like I was on someone else's path. I didn't ask myself the right questions and didn't know how to listen to myself, which led me to feeling depressed. So I went on a personal journey and decided to quit my job when I found Nomad Academy. I realised that I could go left, stick to my path and do the things that everybody else was doing or go right, doing something different, jumping off the cliff and just trust the process. So I chose the right path.

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

I wouldn't have thought that I would make it this far in marketing. Before the program I didn't have a clue what digital marketing was and today I am surrounded by Germany's greatest marketers.

Eventually I want to become a coach, the current job I have fits into this bigger picture. I'm surrounded by people I never would have dreamed of being around. I'm allowed to work fully remote, working towards my bigger goal. It all started on the program, building a network and finding my first freelance work.

What was the thing that surprised you most after joining Nomad Academy?

As soon as I went on the program, things fell into place. My biggest learning was that I needed to take responsibility for my own life.

Before the program I was in a victim mindset, hoping that the program would solve something for me. But during the program I discovered that regardless of what the program might facilitate, I'm in charge of what might happen. I realised early on that I couldn't lean back, I had to take control. Going on the program was one of the best decisions of my life, it helped me take ownership of everything going on in my life.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

You probably have a lot of concerns about how it all will work out in the end. You probably have concerns, is this the right program? Is it worth the money? Will it deliver value?

But the fact that you are looking at this means this program probably has some meaning to you. So if that's what you feel, go for it and take full ownership. But... it was just the beginning of something that is bigger than I‘ve ever imagined before!

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PHIL EVANGELOU

Founder & Philanthropist

Alumni

2018

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

Before the program I was in a high pressure job in London, working as a lawyer for an investment firm. I was feeling depressed, not connected to the world around me. I felt isolated and alone, on the other side of the world away from my family in Australia. Something inside me said I needed a change and try something different. That's when I found Nomad Academy, on Instagram. It was my escape from London. I realised I wanted to learn something new and was considering a new career direction.

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

The program helped through mentorship, it helped me understand the fundamentals of what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how to launch a business. I got me face to face with other entrepreneurs and their journey, including the Nomad Academy founders. And just having a regimented framework and certain dates by when you need to complete certain things by, combined with travelling and socialising. It teaches you how to balance which is something you definitely need to understand when kickstarting your own business.

Since Nomad, I got involved in Coretorno and I went back to Cape Town to deliver the toys for the Non-Profit that I started called Kupendo Kids. They were over the moon when they saw us arrive with all those toys and books. On the side I work on a project for the Salvation Army, as a lawyer, they picked me because of my philanthropic efforts.

What was the thing that surprised you most after joining Nomad Academy?

The most surprising thing was the people, both the organisers and the people that attended. I knew what the program was about, travelling through Africa. But it was really about the tribe getting really cohesive and close, really quickly in the first weekend on the program. I was really nervous, to be honest, to go on a program where I didn't know anyone at all. But I was surprised about how well everyone got along from the beginning. Of Course it wasn't all smooth sailing all the time but it was actually very harmonious and fun.

My biggest learning was my ability to achieve goals in a short space of time if I really focus and put all my energy into one project. It showed me that I can achieve amazing results in 8-12 weeks, which is something I didn't know I could do. Learning the formula of success was the biggest learning. And also that not succeeding or achieving your goal is also not a problem but just part of the learning process. Getting over that fail of failure.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

Only do the program if you're willing to give 110%. Otherwise, just go backpacking. You need to be motivated to change your life. Be willing to learn a new skill and apply it in a practical way for it to become an addition to your resume.

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JUAN SALAZAR

Co-founder at EcoLabs

Alumni

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

I had recently graduated from my undergraduate in science and I immediately started working in a field that was completely different from mine. Entrepreneurship. Here I was working firsthand with the most innovative Startups in the country, helping them reach their goals to make an impact in the world. This close relationship with them made me feel like I also needed to chase my dreams and having a full-time job wasn’t going to give me that. So, I decided to make the most of my job, learn as much as possible from the ecosystem in which I was in by going to events, gathering and workshops, and then, at some point, I would throw myself into the exciting world of startups.

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

The program allowed me to see my full potential and to understand that there are still many things to be done, there is still much inequality in this world that I, as a somewhat privileged person, should be contributing to solve. It inspired me to come back home, to a not-so-developed country, and start doing things that will improve the lives of others.

I am working as a full-time entrepreneur and innovation consultant. Coming back from the program I started building my big startup ideas that, from the time I’m writing this, have been in the over for over a year. Now it’s finally coming to a point where I’m implementing them, testing them with real customers and I now have formed a group of 6 people who are on this journey with me. No partners yet, still trying to find the right one. I’ve been continuously evaluating my short, mid and long-term goals which has given me a lot of clarity in my day to day

What was the biggest lesson you learned after joining Nomad Academy?

I learned that having self-awareness is probably the most important skill I could develop. Before going into the program, I wouldn’t really question where I was, I had no clear goals or ways to get there. By evaluating my own life, I am now able to make conscious choices of where I want to go and the things that make me come alive as a person. I am know fully aware of the person I want to become and the steps I need to take in order to continue my self-improvement.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

The program gives you back as much as you give to it. You will make the most of it if you have the right mindset to break your own boundaries and, through experiences, become a better version of yourself. The breakthrough will happen, sooner or later, but the program gives you the right ecosystem so that this may happen a bit sooner in life.

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Chloe Spinks

Digital Nomad

Alumni

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

I worked for a mining company based in my hometown Newcastle in Australia. It was one of those scenarios where I fell into the job because it was what my father wanted me to do. We’re taught to go to university and get a good job, and it all comes down to social conditioning, what we’re led to believe we should be doing. So I was living a life that was considered very “normal”, working in a job that is “okay” and “earning good money” but it really wasn’t fulfilling.

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

I know exactly what I want to do in terms of my purpose, my passion and why I’m here. I’m now starting up my own business on the side, as well as working in digital marketing, so the course that I did on Nomad Academy really helped me transition into this.

Now that I’m a digital nomad, when I wake up every morning to decide whether or not I want to work, I have the freedom to choose to explore if I’m in a new place. When I do feel like working (which to be honest is most days anyway because I’m that excited and passionate about it), it doesn’t feel like work. I can work for 10 hours that day and it feels like I haven’t done anything, that’s how different it feels - as opposed to being in an office job, wondering when your next break is and being bored to death.

What was the biggest challenge you faced after graduating from Nomad Academy?

The biggest challenge I had to overcome was not giving in to that self doubt. Especially this past year, telling myself that I can and will do this, and that I won’t go back to my previous life. That I will live the life that I set out to achieve through Nomad Academy. That’s exactly what I’ve done and I’ve definitely overcome it.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

The program is life-changing. You will gain so much from it, there’s really nothing else like it.

At the end of the day, it’ll change everything for you. The more you put yourself into it, the more you’ll get out of it. Where else can you go where you can have so many like-minded people around you and supporting you, whilst travelling and changing your career and doing what you want to do, being who you want to be, with no other noise around you telling you otherwise? You can actually think and be yourself, and you will figure yourself out and come out a totally different person.

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ARTEM TOLMACHEV

Business Owner

Alumni

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

I’ve been part of my family business (www.teddykids.nl) for the last 15 years helping to scale the business from 1 Daycare centre location to now 6 and still growing! Around 100 employees and over 500 kids a day! I studied at business at university and expanding my skills in UX Design was my new goal that helped me better support our Dev team in expanding our App (another part of the business). I have a young daughter and work is pretty much 24/7 so this was a chance to create space to learn new skills and adjust my mindset to lead our business better.

It hasn’t always been like this. Let me tell you that right before Nomad, a deep point in my life has been reached. I had achieved a great deal of business success but was totally unhappy. Going to work was a burden, no longer seeing the light, having lost my motivation. Day in day out … I no longer saw the bright colors of life. Everyone was hinting at midlife crisis haha, but that wasn’t it… the inspiration was lost, the routine was the same and even though business continued to grow…. The question was always… why… there must be more!?

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

Since the Nomad Academy ended, I’ve spent time in India with the Dev team helping us develop the UX design to make it easier for our parents to use and have found a 25% increase in user engagement. Reporting stats I never even had before - thanks Nomad!! We have had 6 major App updates from there and since attending some tech conferences in China and even Armenia, we have exciting things in the pipeline for 2020. One of the most important things which have come from Nomad is that we have started doing better workflows for our employees and the division of key areas of business between us 3 Directors! Something which I guess (as a growing family business) needs to be addressed at some point and Nomad has actualised this and I highlighted the importance sooner.

What was the biggest lesson you learned after joining Nomad Academy?

Meditation has been an absolute game changer for me and without Nomad academy, it’s unlikely I would have ever have discovered the importance of this. Everyone in the office has noticed how much focused and chilled out I am compared to when I went so it’s really helped me gain a new perspective! I also found love there - the biggest surprise! Not just from my Gf (that I met at Nomad) but from the tribe members. I’ve seen most of them since the Nomad academy ended and even introduced my daughter to some members! Looking forward to our 2020 reunion. Deep friendships forged for life!!!

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

Apply and never look back!! My brother is joining the upcoming 2020 Asia tribe. Sure you have your initial goals of why you’re applying but release those expectations and be open to everything. The people, the learnings, the experiences - say yes to everything, make the most of your weekends to explore the wider area or nearby countries. What you’ll probably find is you go with one intention but when reflecting back the experience was just so much more! It’s possibly the indirect learnings, the moments in-between. The people really. Life changing. Truly life changing.

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JULIANA ALBANESI

Startup Marketing

Alumni

What were you doing before you joined the Nomad Academy program?

I come from a small family and had a very normal upbringing. Both my parents are doctors, and they really pushed me, so I always felt the need to do more and make them proud.

When I went to college, I was one of the best students in the class. After graduating, the normal path was to get a good job - check. After getting a good job, getting a boyfriend - check. After getting a boyfriend, getting an apartment - check. Getting engaged - check. I felt like I was crossing everything off a list, and I was doing a good job.

But I felt incomplete. I wanted to go travelling and live abroad but then life happened - my father got sick, there were a lot of family issues going on, I got engaged, and then we broke up. All of a sudden, I realised that I was over 30 and asked myself the question “Had I ever done anything for myself, to take some time and just enjoy life?” I knew I needed something to change my life.

How has your career changed since graduating from Nomad Academy?

I feel like I changed a lot, not only personally but professionally. Personally, I’ve become much more open. Before, I would always be there for everyone but if you came to me, I would be a closed book. Now I feel like I can count on people, and my tribe is just like my family, something that I will have for life.

In terms of my professional side, I know that if The Nomad MBA experience didn’t happen, I wouldn’t make that change. I was always so interested in working in big corporations, I wouldn’t even consider working for a startup or applying for a small company. But now it feels so right - I work at a company with purpose.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the program?

If you’re up for getting to know incredibly amazing people, getting out of your comfort zone and getting in touch with yourself, you should do it.

After my interview for the program, I thought I wasn’t going to get in. But then 2 days later, I got the call and he said yes! It took me just a few minutes to decide, it was very easy decision for me. Then I quit my job and told my mum that I’d quit and I was going to live in Asia for 3 months and study. I remember she asked straight away “Good, but will you still have your job when you come back?” And I told her “Mum, I’m sure that if and when I come back to Brazil, I’m not going to have the same mindset, I won’t be interested working for the same company and the same people. I’m sure this will change my life”.

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Hear is straight from our community

Anna Pakosz

RAFFAEL SKALNIK

LAURENT DROGBA

PHIL EVANGELOU

DEMI KOTSORIS

GARAI CARUTH

JULIE DENG

LIZANNA ENGEL

CRAIG BOTHWELL

HAMASA AMIR

JUAN SALAZAR

Chloe Spinks

ROB REID

Fanny Zsoldos

FRANCOIS DANGOTTE

SARAH BEKKERING

Attila Nagy

FRED ØHRGAARD

ARTEM TOLMACHEV

SALMA REYES