There’s something uniquely powerful about stepping out of the everyday routine and spending real, quality time with the people you work with. Team-building days are great, sure – but what happens when you stretch that experience out over weeks, not hours? When you live, eat, laugh, and even stumble through jet lag together for a month, the dynamic shifts.
You start picking up on the little things: the way someone takes their tea, their go-to joke, or how they always seem to know when someone needs a hand. It’s in those small, everyday moments that real connections begin to form.
After spending a month working from Hawaii, our team discovered that the real benefits of working abroad go far beyond the palm trees and postcard views. In this article, we’re diving into how the experience boosted our productivity and strengthened our connection.
“Remote” Versus “Abroad”
For remote teams like ours, experiences like this are especially meaningful. When most of your collaboration happens through screens and across different time zones, the opportunity to live and work side by side, even temporarily, can make a lasting impact.
These were the moments that made our experience stand out and made us feel like more than just a remote team:
- Living under one roof – We shared a big house, which naturally led to deeper conversations, spontaneous laughs, and a sense of togetherness that’s hard to replicate when you’re online.
- Cooking and eating together – From group breakfasts to our homemade luau nights (yes, pineapple sauce was involved), food became a ritual that brought us closer.
- Morning yoga sessions – Starting the day with movement and mindfulness helped us feel grounded and aligned – personally and as a team.
- Poolside hang-outs – We took quick pool dips or lounged in the sun together to unwind.
- Shared downtime – We didn’t just sign off at the end of the day, we’d explore the island, watch sunsets, or plan mini adventures. That’s where the bond really deepened.
Challenges We Faced and How We Handled Them
Of course, working from a paradise like Hawaii isn’t without its challenges. With hundreds of beaches to explore, hikes to conquer, and sunsets that practically beg you to stop and stare, it took a bit of discipline to stay focused. But that was part of the magic. Here’s how we made it work:
- Finding the right work-life rhythm
We adjusted our schedules to make the most of both worlds. Focusing on the work in the first half of the day, then heading out together to catch a golden hour or explore the island. - Coordinating logistics for a whole team
From planning our outings to renting a van, organizing the trip was no small task. But the process itself became a bonding experience – like planning a big family road trip. - Building real connection beyond the screen
Shared anticipation, joint planning, and spontaneous group moments created the kind of team energy that video calls just can’t replicate.
So… Is Working Abroad Really Worth It? (Yes.)
What makes a work-abroad experience like this truly special is how long it stays with you. Even after the suitcases are unpacked and the tan lines start to fade, the memories remain vivid. It’s the kind of experience that turns into nostalgia. The kind you’ll catch yourself smiling about months or even years later.
And because it wasn’t just a solo adventure, those memories are shared and they become part of your collective story, woven into your day-to-day conversations long after the trip is over.
In the end, this wasn’t just about a beautiful destination or a break from the usual work routine – it was about building trust and creating memories that will stay with us far beyond the beaches of Hawaii.
When we take the time to truly connect, whether it’s over a team dinner, a shared hike, or a sleepy group airport moment, it transforms how we work together, and more importantly, how we see each other.
