Stefan can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My Name is Stefan Hartmann, I’m 30 years old. I’m from Passau, located in the Bavarian state of Germany. I studied Technical and Mechanical Engineering. Since February this year I’m working remotely from Fuerteventura. The main reason why I came to Fuerteventura is to enjoy kitesurfing and the good weather.
How does your remote working day look like?
A normal working day for me start at 8 o’clock German time (7 o’clock Fuerteventura time). After breakfast I login to my computer to check my emails and meetings i have for the day. I’m a project manager and therefor I depend a lot on my own organization. I have a lot of meetings with experts from different technical fields, in order to clarify technical topics for our products. When I’m not on calls I write a lot of specification/requirements for our products or make presentation for our customers. At 16/17 o’clock (Fuerteventura time) I close my laptop, I’m heading to the beach to go kitesurfing or in case there is no wind I enjoy a game of volleyball or a swim. In the evening I have either dinner with friends or I go out for some drinks.
What was your trigger to start working remotely?
The main trigger was Covid. After the second lockdown our boss told us that we weren’t allowed to enter the office for the next 2 months. That’s when I decided to go abroad. I called one of my kitesurfing buddies and we agreed to work remotely from Fuerteventura. The initial plan was to stay until April, when the offices were supposed to reopen. Now it’s October and I’m still in Fuerteventura. There was no reason to go back, because everything here worked out really well.
For how long have you been working remotely and for how long you plan to keep working like that?
I’ve been working remotely since February this year. I’m going back to Germany tomorrow, but I’m planning to leave again for another trip this upcoming winter and work remotely from there.
When did you start working remotely from Gran Canaria/Fuerteventura?
My first working remotely experience was here in Fuerteventura.
How did the distance effect your communication and relationship with your colleagues?
The distance didn’t really affect the communication or relationship with my colleagues. I work with an international team. I have colleagues in France, Romania, Asia and in different parts of Germany. Before I started to work remotely I was already mainly in touch with my colleagues via video calls and email. And practically I operate the same way from Fuerteventura.
Also the communication with my boss didn’t change. I have a weekly call with my boss where we discuss the status and the quality of the work. We have a very open feedback communication and that has been working well, also from Fuerteventura.
Do you feel it is easy to make new contacts and friends while working remotely? do you feel lonely sometimes? How easy is it to get to know new people and contacts while working remotely from a new place?
For the first couple of months I worked together with a friend of mine in a shared apartment. It was great to have a colleague/friend to work with. We were working the same hours, we were having breakfast and lunch together and after work we would go out together to check the wind conditions for some kitesurfing. That was working really well and was great.
In the last month I was working alone in my apartment. And sometimes I felt a bit alone, because I had no personal contact from 7 o’clock in the morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon. I would recommend to work remotely with a friend in a shared apparent, so you always have some company. Or make use of co working spaces to meet other people doing the same thing like you.Could you say you feel more motivated and/or creative since you have been working remotely?
I feel definitely more motivated. The feeling of having great weather every day and to be able to be outside go kitesurfing, go to the beach, have a good time with my friends really boosts my overall mood. I love my work and to have this lifestyle next to my work, motivated me to give that little extra. Sometimes I even open my laptop in the evening for another hour, just because I had a great day and it’s okay to spent a bit of extra time on the job.
What do you do in your spare time in Gran Canaria/Fuerteventura after you close your laptop?
I generally love doing sports. The main reason why I came to Fuerteventura is for kitesurfing. But apart from that, I love the outdoor activities the island has to offer. I play volleyball with friends, go hiking around the mountains and volcanoes, use the outdoor gyms, explore the island by car or just simply go for a swim in the ocean. This outdoor lifestyle just creates an unbelievable work life balance.
The other great thing about Fuerteventura is the possibility and easiness to go around to other islands. I went to Gran Canaria & Tenerife and it was such a great experience. The vegetation is different there, the landscape is different, the climate is different, the kite spots are different, the beaches are different. It’s just really cool to see those new places with just a 3 to 5 hour ferry ride away.
Would you still work in an office in Germany if that’s required?
I would work in an office if that is required, but only for a certain period of time. I understood that I can deliver the same quality of work (or even better) in places like Fuerteventura and be able to enjoy my favorite hobbies and having a great time. My aim is to spent winters in other places where the weather is better and where I can practise my biggest passions.
Last question: Would you recommend others to work remotely from the Canary Islands?
I would definitely recommend to work abroad in the Canary Islands. Especially when you love to be outdoors and if you want to experience new things.
Also, if you interested in real life stories of people already working remotely, consider reading our interviews with our awesome Remoticals or our story blogs, where we give updates on recent events, typical days of Remoticals or other remote working topics.
Feel free to write us your story or experience of remote working at Facebook or Instagram. We are always keen to learn how other people handle their remote work.
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If you interested in real life stories of people already working remotely, check out our interviews and our story blogs, where we give updates on recent events, typical days of Remoticals or other remote working topics.
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Feel free to write us your story or experience of remote working at Facebook or Instagram. We are always keen to learn how other people handle their remote work.
