From Travel Dreams to Coding Skills: Why I’m Learning to Code While Getting Ready for My Life Abroad

When I first started dreaming of a life abroad, I imagined mornings by the ocean, discovering hidden cafés, and sharing stories of the world’s most beautiful places. Travel has always been my passion — it’s the reason I launched my travel brand, Uncharted Pathways. But the deeper I got into building this dream, the more I realized something: to live freely, I also need skills that keep me flexible and secure no matter where I am.

That’s why I started learning coding.

Why Coding?

Coding is more than just lines of text on a screen — it’s a skill that opens doors worldwide. With just a laptop and Wi-Fi, coding allows you to:

• Build websites (for yourself or clients)

• Work remotely in tech roles

• Freelance across industries

• Add extra stability to a digital nomad lifestyle

For me, it’s not about leaving travel behind. It’s about giving my travel dreams roots — ensuring I never have to give up this lifestyle because of financial setbacks.

The Beginning of My Coding Journey

I joined FreeCodeCamp, a platform that teaches you coding step by step. I love how it has you actually write code from the very beginning — no waiting, no overwhelming theory. My first projects have been small, but powerful: building simple webpages, recipe layouts, and travel-inspired practice sites.

Starting with HTML felt exciting but also intimidating. I didn’t know what tags, classes, or divs were before — now I’m learning to structure content in a way that makes sense both to me and to the browser.

It’s humbling to start at zero, but each lesson makes me realize: if I can learn this, I can build a life where tech and travel work together.

The Difficulties Along the Way

I’ll be honest: coding isn’t always easy.

• New language, new mindset → At first, it feels like learning a completely foreign language.

• Saving and running code → Even figuring out how to save my first file was a challenge.

• Frustration is normal → Sometimes I stare at the screen thinking “Why isn’t this working?” — only to realize I missed a tiny symbol.

But these difficulties remind me of travel itself. Getting lost in a new city, struggling with a menu in another language, or figuring out local buses — it’s all part of the process. Coding is the same. Each mistake teaches you to slow down, be patient, and problem-solve.

How Coding Supports My Travel Dreams

Here’s how coding ties directly into my travel future:

• Building my own websites → I can design travel guides, blogs, and even booking platforms for Uncharted Pathways.

• Freelance flexibility → If travel bookings dip, I can offer web design or development services to other travel companies, tour guides, or small businesses abroad.

• Financial security → I’ll never be forced back home just because of money. Coding gives me a portable skill that’s always in demand.

• Creative freedom → Writing about travel is one thing — but being able to build the platform I write on makes the dream feel complete.

The Future: Tech Meets Travel

My vision isn’t to become a full-time software developer sitting behind a desk all day. My vision is balance.

I see myself writing travel blogs in cafés in Thailand, building websites for travel brands in South Korea, or creating custom digital guides while living by the beach. Coding doesn’t take away from my love of travel — it fuels it.

By adding this skill to my journey, I’m not just building a career. I’m building freedom. Freedom to explore. Freedom to create. Freedom to live boldly, anywhere in the world.

Final Thoughts

Starting something new is never easy. But that’s exactly why it’s worth it. Just like travel, coding challenges you, pushes you outside your comfort zone, and rewards you with a bigger world than you thought possible.

I didn’t get into coding because I wanted to change who I am. I got into coding because I wanted to protect and strengthen who I already am: a traveler, a creator, and a dreamer building a bold life abroad.