It’s a nerve-wracking conversation, telling your boss that you’re leaving the country. For me, it was my worst nightmare. I had joined a new team just two months prior and was basking in the highlight of my career.  I had a great team, a boss who was connected to anyone and everyone in the company and more opportunities than I could have ever asked for – yet, here I was leaving. I still feel a rock in my stomach just thinking about it.

My husband, Will, has dreamed of travel since the day I met him. Five years into our marriage and his desire to pack it up and see the world hadn’t faded in the least. However, every year there was something to distract us from making the decision: I went to graduate school, we bought a house, he got a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity – the list goes on. Sound familiar?

This spring we came to the conclusion that if we didn’t make the decision to live out the dream now, it would never happen.

But what about my job?! I was coming up on my second year as PGi’s Corporate Communication/Internal Community Manager and I had what I never thought was possible, a career that I loved and that challenged me; one of those jobs where you feel like you’ve won the lottery. I couldn’t leave. After all, we were just getting started. And gosh darn it, the control freak Community Manager in me didn’t want to give up my yearly PGiLife objectives to someone else. And then it hit me… why would I have to give it up? Only with PGi, only with our products could I keep my position while traveling the world and actually do a better job than if I were in Austin. After all, THIS is what we do best! We bring people together to get work done quickly and easily, no matter where they are.

With the support of Will and a few Starbucks Doubleshots®, I put a proposal together that had me bouncing between PGi offices around the world, two weeks at time and as much PGiLife goodness as I could deliver. Fast forward a few sleepless nights and a flight to Atlanta, and I was in his office. Only a few minutes in to my shaky presentation and he was on board – Amazing! Digital Nomads rejoice!! Only with PGi, only with our products. PGiLife was going on the road.

I leave Austin, Texas, for the seaside of Clonakilty, Ireland, on July 22nd. I’ll be traveling to a few of our European offices, down to Bangalore, India, through to Sydney, quick stop in Malaysia, Tokyo if we have time, then finally (and hopefully!), to our newest member of the PGi family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Twelve months total, and as many offices as possible.

On my growing list of objectives while we travel is to continue offering support for PGiLife, PGi’s internal Jive community, ensuring the site is as robust and useful as possible. I hope to find new and exciting ways PGiLife and corporate communications can meet the needs of each office. I also look forward to experiencing each area’s unique communication and collaboration challenges.

I will post at Blog.PGi.com through the Cora the Digital Nomad series about my experience on how best to stay connected while keeping a nomadic lifestyle. You’ll also get the latest on where we’re living, what it’s like to drive on the other side of road and where we’re headed next.

Although it’s hard to leave my friends in Austin, I look forward to an exciting adventure! I come in peace, I’m looking for friends and I hope you welcome me into your digital world.

A few questions I’ve received:

Is PGi paying for your travel/living expenses? No, this is something that my husband and I have saved for. PGi has graciously allowed me to keep my position and take this adventure with them.

Is your itinerary final? I imagine our itinerary will change daily. We want to stay flexible so that if an opportunity arises, we can take it.

How did your boss react?!? Surprisingly well! PGi is incredibly forward thinking when it comes to the “new way” of working. My boss quickly recognized the opportunity for PGi and our products, as well for me. I’ve always admired how PGi goes above and beyond for their employees. This adventure is just one of many examples I’ve seen.

How long are you traveling for? We are aiming to travel for a full 12 months. Hopefully we’ll make it the full year! Since this is the first time anyone has done this on our team, we are going to take it one month at a time to ensure everyone’s expectations are met.

Where will you live? We’re not exactly sure where we will live. We want to stay flexible and not tie ourselves down to one specific lease so that we can get up and go to the next office as-needed. We’re hoping to connect with locals as soon as possible to get the scoop on where the best places to live are and whether it’s best to get an apartment or to rent out a room. If you know of anything available, email me!

What did you do with your house? We quickly put everything we owned in a storage unit and found a renter for our house. I never want to move again! Packing that unit was like playing a game of Tetris.

What will you miss most? BBQ, my favorite bar in Austin and walking around our neighborhood in the morning.

Are you so excited?!? Oh yeah! Couldn’t be more excited (and nervous!), professionally and personally. This is going to be a huge adventure.