How Traveling the World Helped Me Discover New Perspectives
Last year I decided to become a digital nomad. I picked up a portal monitor, hopped on a plane and traveled for ten months, from Puerto Rico, Québec, and Portugal to China and Italy. Seeing the world opened my eyes and mind. It helped me connect the dots across human experiences — discovering new perspectives that I could bring back to our clients and the Cutline crew.
Working with global consumer tech brands, I get to tell stories for and about people all over the world. At Cutline, we’re encouraged to explore because it helps us do our jobs better. Here’s how traveling abroad reminded me there are infinite ways to tell a story.
I discovered creativity on a global scale
Exposure to new communities across the world served as continuous inspiration, and my experiences sparked new ideas I could bring back to my clients. Two memories stand out to me:
Montréal, Québec: While in the City of Saints, I was set on learning to speak French. Thankfully, I have French-speaking friends who helped me, suggesting TV programs to watch and teaching me local phrases I wouldn’t find in textbooks. A regular experience we shared, though, was laughing at bad billboard copy. My friends pointed out that some copywriting, directly translated from English, didn’t resonate in French, especially with Gen Z audiences. That’s a problem in storytelling that transcends language. In our work, it’s essential to develop storyline angles that connect with the demographics our clients want to reach. For instance, to promote the release of one client’s data report, we analyzed and distilled the data into different storylines, tailored to different audiences. Rather than going wide with the full findings, we were able to reach a variety of outlets — from consumer to trade, sports to fashion, design to entertainment.
Lisbon, Portugal: In each Portuguese city I visited — Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto — I tried something new. I discovered new ingredients from local cuisines, went surfing, rode horses, and painted my own Azulejo, a Portuguese ceramic tilework. Each experience gave me insight into the cherished values of local cultures. As a growing tech hub in Europe, Lisbon was also an incredible place to learn about new companies and emerging technologies. I discovered “Tap My Back,” an employee recognition software that boosts employee engagement and team motivation. I also met the founder of GuestU, a new smartphone app that provides free wifi, concierge services, and even city guides for visitors. Meeting entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journeys, I was reminded that our clients all began as innovators with dreams, which we get to help make happen. It motivates me every day.
I learned the art of the pivot
Navigating travel — from visas to flights to accommodations — taught me the art of the pivot (a necessary tool for every storyteller). Traveling solo requires in-depth planning, research, as well as constant decision-making on your feet. Moreover, no matter how well-planned my itinerary, nothing was 100% certain: my environment, the weather, the languages spoken around me. While the trials and errors on the road were ever-present, I learned the importance of pivoting from stress to problem-solving. When I lost cell service in an unfamiliar area in Porto (where many people didn’t speak English), I was able to discover neighborhoods and connect with locals without relying on my phone. In the face of change, it’s hard to let go — especially when we’re excited about a particular idea. But oftentimes, the release leads us to something even better.
In public relations, we know the power of pivoting. Our work isn’t always linear: announcements are affected by late-breaking news, stories are shaped by client feedback, and campaigns that flourish may require more attention and resources. Remembering the silver linings of my travel mishaps, I now ask myself three questions on a daily basis: How can I turn this challenge into an unexpected opportunity? What can I learn from this experience? How can I add value for the client at this moment? A positive attitude serves you, whether in the middle of issues response or stranded at an airport.
I experimented with emerging tech
Working in consumer tech, I love staying up to date on the latest and greatest gadgets in the U.S., and traveling inspired me to try new tools out in the wild. At each destination, I experimented with local varieties of consumer technologies, from ride-sharing apps to get around cities affordably, to networking and matchmaking sites to meet new friends. I even hung out with my friends on Roblox to combat the occasional homesickness. From across the world, we spent time in shared virtual spaces and created precious new memories together.
By learning which technologies resonate with audiences in different countries, I now better understand where our clients fit into the global landscape. Cutline works with diverse consumer tech brands transforming their industries: Opendoor simplifies the home buying and selling process, empowering people’s lives one move at a time. Roblox brings immersive experiences to help people connect in unimaginable ways, and Joby is building a more sustainable future with zero-emissions flight. It’s important to understand the industries they’re disrupting and the people they’re helping. That way, I can strategize from a consumer perspective — relating to the audiences we’re trying to reach and knowing what delights and frustrates them. The more context, the better.
In retrospect, selling all my belongings and leaving my social circle in New York City was quite the leap. Yet it only deepened my appreciation for my friends and our team. I was charting new territory with a support system; I was grounded while soaring to new heights. Going beyond our comfort zones is the best way to spark new ideas, reset our priorities and connect with different people. And isn’t that what storytellers need to keep things fresh?