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Vietnam-lovin' VoIP man's 50-nation tally couldn't hold him back

Every single journey's got a story to tell

Have obscure technology knowledge, will travel

The Register: Is being a nomadic worker good for your career?

Joshua Puckett: Yes, beyond question. When I was new to a country and had not made friends yet, I was able to study the technologies more thoroughly than I would have at home with all the distractions and comforts I am accustomed to.

The Register: Where is it cheap to work? Where's expensive?

Joshua Puckett: Cheap to work is Southern Asia – low cost of living, low wages and a lot of fun can be had for very little. Expensive is Switzerland or Sweden: HIGH cost of living – bar tabs run in the hundreds or thousands of dollars easily (after exchange) with only a few people drinking. They do have higher wages in general, but they have less need of expats in the technical field because the educated speak English very well. This results in a less competitive rate for Americans.

The Register: What do you miss about home when you're in a new country?

Joshua Puckett: Friends and family. Above all else (as corny as it sounds) I missed my father. I met friends, I found places to hang out, I found a church easily enough anywhere. But you only have one father ... and I missed his counsel, advice and just having a beer with him. I also missed my motorcycle everywhere but Vietnam, because I "stole" (forcefully borrowed) my friend Trung's bike and used it during my time there!

The Register: What advice would you offer someone considering a move to Switzerland or Hungary?

Joshua Puckett: To Switzerland: See the sights, don't take your office for granted, go to Interlaken and climb the hotel to have a beer atop the tallest building in the town. Climb to the top of the Munster and see the beauty that is Berne. Pick up the languages you can and just see and try everything!

To Hungary: The language is hard and not many of them speak English. Be kind and patient with people and they will be the same to you. Use hand gestures often, because even the English-speakers will miss things in your language and your non-verbal signs will help you communicate. Also, zero tolerance on drinking and driving, so take the metro.

The Register: What do you get up to on weekends, and where's the best country to do it?

Joshua Puckett: I would try and find a new bar for a beer every night I was feeling adventurous. I wanted to meet new people and learn new things!

*Sigh* The BEST country? How can I say that? They all have SOMETHING to offer. Something different, someone new to get into a conversation (or bar fight) with.

The hardest to just relax and mingle was in India. If I hadn't had close colleagues with me during my month there I would have been lost. Besides that, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe were all amazing in their own right. If I had to move somewhere for good, though (pay being equal), I would say Vietnam or Thailand.

As beautiful as Switzerland is, and as much fun as there is to be had in Germany, there is something about that Eastern mentality that makes the common people more open and accepting. I loved my time there and if I found a job I would move back in a second.

Where have you moved to work? Can you top Joshua's 50-nation tally? Write to me and The Reg could well end up sharing your expat tale with the world! ®

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