Networking While Working Remote in Spain

• October 29, 2024
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By Anamaria Sporea, Account Executive

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Early in my career, I was told networking can happen anywhere. But I didn’t think it would happen on a paddleboard at sunrise in Barcelona. Or during a historical walking tour in Valencia. Or during a rooftop tapas tasting in Madrid.

While a typical summer of Montreal bagels and construction noise feels like home, this summer I spent four weeks working remotely from Madrid, Spain. I dialed into team meetings, launched client campaigns and led influencer briefing calls all while managing a six-hour time difference ahead of my Toronto and Montreal teams.

This was all thanks to the Publicis Groupe “Work Your World” program, which allows network colleagues to work from anywhere in the world the company has an office for up to six weeks each year. My only regret is that I didn’t use the full six weeks I was granted for the year, but now I’m looking forward to 2025 even more.

Before logging in each day, I would take advantage of the time difference to adventure out of my apartment and explore the different neighbourhoods of Madrid, each one with unique characteristics and rich history. As someone who completely geeks out on anything related to arts, culture and history, this ancient European city was the perfect playground for me to expand my knowledge, indulge in tasty tapas and be reinvigorated by my new surroundings.

On the weekends, I would take advantage of Spain’s incredible public transport system (yay high-speed trains!) to explore other cities like Valencia and Barcelona, only a short two-hour ride away from Madrid. You’d be shocked at the cultural differences between these cities despite the close geographic proximity, but I embraced it all to inspire me in my day-to-day work.

Making connections and working remote

This is why the last thing I expected to do during my travels was network! But there I was in Barcelona, paddling away, basking in the rays of an early morning sunrise when I started chatting with another paddler. We quickly realized we both worked in communications and worked abroad. While she was a consultant from New York with over 10 years’ experience, I was still in the early stages of my profession. And so, while attempting to successfully stand on our paddleboards, we shared anecdotes about our work and she offered precious career advice.

Another time, I was intently listening to my kooky tour guide when a woman leaned in to introduce herself to me. Turns out she was PR professional from Scotland, working remotely for an American company. Later, we grabbed dinner and after a few glasses of wine, discovered that ″it’s PR, not the ER″ is actually an international motto for communications professionals!

Though I only shared a few fleeting moments with these women, these encounters remain a highlight of my remote work experience and have changed my perspective on networking at home. It can—and should—happen beyond formal events designed for that purpose. They might not happen on paddleboards at sunset in Spain, but they can be just as valuable wherever they are. I now understand these encounters as crucial moments of connection that add to my professional knowledge and can grow my network.

Not only did I make incredible memories while working remotely in Spain, but I met communications professionals with years of experience in their respective fields and regularly stay in contact with them today. Because of this experience, I learned the importance of using your connections and networking—even abroad—to learn more and grow your career. So, salud (that’s “cheers” in Spanish) to new connections, growth opportunities and an ever-growing network!

To learn more about employment opportunities at North Strategic, visit us at on LinkedIn Jobs and explore career opportunities with Publicis Groupe on Smart Recruiters.

@northstrategicFollow our Montreal Account Executive, Anamaria, as she takes advantage of the Publicis Groupe program Work Your World in Madrid! 🌍 🏷️ PR, Toronto PR agency, social agency, agency life Accompagnez Anamaria, notre chargée de compte basée à Montréal, alors qu’elle profite du programme du Groupe Publicis «Work Your World» à Madrid! 🌍 🏷️RP, agence RP Montreal, agence sociale♬ original sound – North Strategic