Between long-haul travel and the drag of jet lag, a standard vacation rarely feels long enough. Too much of it is spent recovering and settling in. And just when you finally feel present, it is already time to leave. But that lost time does not have to stay lost.
At gridX, we celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our team – with colleagues from 34 different countries – for many, “going home” involves more than just a short train ride, it often means crossing continents, shifting time zones and planning carefully around limited days off.
To bridge the gap between work and the pull of home, we offer the opportunity to work from selected non-EU countries. By combining remote work with well-deserved breaks, our team members can cut down on exhausting travel and turn those extra days into real, unhurried time with their loved ones.
Proving work and home can co-exist: Jesselyn’s Philippines trip
Jesselyn’s recent trip to the Philippines was perfectly timed to coincide with several major life events: her best friend’s wedding and a family anniversary honoring her grandmother. By combining a week of remote work with two weeks of vacation, she was able to be present for these milestones without exhausting her entire annual vacation leave. It was also a special occasion as she introduced her partner and friends from Germany to her home country.
Her workday in the Philippines followed a unique rhythm. Working from 2 pm to 11 pm local time to align with the German working hours meant her mornings were entirely free for swimming, gym sessions and personal errands. Her colleagues in Germany supported this schedule by avoiding late-afternoon meetings, ensuring a smooth transition. In addtion, Jesselyn’s workspace also came with a few perks not found in the gridX offices: her brother’s two cats, who provided plenty of entertainment and cuddles during calls.
She also made sure to casually "flex" her summer wear on camera while the European winter was at its peak, all while fueling her days with comforting Filipino food like tangy tamarind-based sinigang and her favorites from the iconic Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee.
Quick question: The first order of business upon arrival?
Jesselyn: A mandatory stop for Bangsilog (smoked milkfish, garlic fried rice and fried egg) for breakfast and a deep dive into Filipino traditional comfort food.
From beehives to boat trips: Pau’s Argentinian summer
For Pau, a trip to Argentina is usually a major logistical undertaking. Between two full days of travel and the inevitable jetlag, a standard vacation rarely feels long enough. By utilizing the work-from-abroad model, she managed to spend an extended period in her mother’s city, reconnecting with old friends and slowing down in a way that would have been impossible on a traditional holiday.
The change in scenery provided more than just a personal reset; it offered a significant creative spark. Swapping the dark German winter for the Argentine sun and familiar cultural rhythms made her daily work feel lighter. Pau spent her time outside of design tasks engaging in some unique local rituals. She visited her uncle, a hobbyist beekeeper, who taught her the intricacies of the craft – resulting in Pau successfully producing her own honey. Whether she was brainstorming on her mother’s patio or maintaining her tradition of renting a floating house in the Delta de Tigre to watch the sunset with friends, the balance of productivity and presence made the trip deeply meaningful.
Quick question: What is the first thing you do in Argentina that you can’t do in Germany?
Pau: I immediately head to the river with friends to stay until sunset, followed by a mandatory serving of Flan with Dulce de Leche!
The 6 AM coffee club: João’s Brazilian homecoming
After three years away, João’s return to his small hometown in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil was a big one. He used the trip to introduce his boyfriend to his family and his country. Their journey was packed with highlights, from staying in a cozy cottage in the nature-rich lake town of Bonito for Christmas to a New Year's celebration filled with karaoke and great food. They even spent time in São Paulo, visiting museums and enjoying a friend’s garden and pool before João began his period of remote work.
Navigating a different time zone might sound challenging, but João used it to his advantage. He aligned his schedule with his parents, waking up at 6:00 AM to share breakfast with them before starting his workday fully energized. This early start allowed him to maintain a significant overlap with his colleagues in Germany while also helping him adjust his internal clock, which made the eventual jetlag upon his return to Aachen much easier to handle. Between the support of his team and the high-quality Brazilian coffee, Joao found that working from his childhood home was a seamless and rewarding experience.
Quick question: The best part of the -5 GMT shift?
João: Sharing breakfast with my parents at sunrise every single day before the rest of the team even logged on.
Why we do it
At the end of the day, these stories from the Philippines, Argentina and Brazil show that giving our team the space to reconnect with where they feel at home is part of our culture and DNA. When our people can return to their roots (and their cats), they bring that a lot of energy and global perspective back to everything they build at gridX.
While Pau, João and Jesselyn used this policy to reconnect with their roots, these opportunities aren't reserved solely for our colleagues with long-haul journeys back home. The chance to work from selected non-EU countries is open to all gridX employees looking to broaden their horizons. And for those who prefer to stay a little closer to home (or just want to trade the rain for some Mediterranean sun), don’t worry: our standard EU workation policy remains as active and encouraged as ever.
Want a job that lets you trade your desk for a beach or a beehive once in a while? Check out our careers page!
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