Next Wednesday, June 13, at 12:00 noon New York time, Eve Bodeux and I will be hosting our next Speaking of Translation conference call. This time we’ll be talking about freelance sabbaticals (and extended vacations) abroad and how to manage your business on the road. These calls are a continuation of our Speaking of Translation podcast and each one focuses on a different topic related to translation or the business of translation.
Here’s the full description of our topic: Part of the appeal of working as a freelancer is location independence: in theory, translators can work from anywhere with a reliable Internet connection. But what’s actually involved in taking your freelance show on the road? How do you create a truly mobile office? Find a place to live? Manage your clients while in another country? As Eve and Corinne prepare for their own “overseas sabbaticals,” they will offer their insights and take your questions about working abroad as a freelancer.
The call will last about 30 minutes; it’s completely free and you can listen in by phone or by Skype, or listen to the recording that we’ll post afterward. Eve and I will talk a bit about our upcoming freelance sabbaticals, and we’ll answer any questions that you submit in advance. For all of the details, hop on over to the Speaking of Translation website!
I worked abroad for a month shortly after I started freelancing. I loved it and plan on doing it again BUT I don’t consider it a sabbatical or an extended vacation. Actually, I get annoyed when people act as if I was on holiday, just because I was abroad.
Anyway, off to check the details of the call!
I will definitely try to attend. In 19 days I am leaving for a year in Sweden and there are so many things to think about, depositing checks, working on only the laptop, time zone differences and clients, tax documentation etc. That said, my business part was the easiest part to arrange. The whole family is going and we have had to find schools, places to live, arranging so that everything is taken care of at our permanent house etc.
This topic is right up my alley! Since becoming a translator I’ve lived and worked in France, Portugal, the UK, Brazil, and, since September of last year, Russia. This is in addition to extended trips to visit friends and family in Canada and the US. I’m starting up a blog which will focus mainly on being a “nomadic translator”, and hope to launch it soon. Can’t wait to listen in!
Corinne, Eve,
Thanks for that interesting call.
I’m not much of a cyclist, but I do know that if you’re planning on biking in Paris, you can buy a 1-day or 7-day Velib’ pass online. That’s one less expense to put on the chip-and-PIN card you were talking about.
http://en.velib.paris.fr/
Enjoy your trip!
Thanks Lakshmi, that is a great idea about the Velib pass. For anyone thinking of going that route, I would definitely recommend calling your bank before you make the purchase so that the bank doesn’t flag the transaction as potentially fraudulent. But this looks like a good way to get around the chip and pin issue!