Expanding Horizons: MGI’s successful workcation journey from Hungary to Spain
MGI colleagues can discover new opportunities while exploring with MGI’s Workcation initiative. Recently, a colleague from MGI BPO, Hungary, experienced this blend of work and travel at Barcelona's MGI Àmbit office in Spain. This initiative fosters professional connections across borders, empowering young talents within MGI to grow and explore without the need to take time off.
Zsuzsi Bikki, Senior Accountant at MGI BPO, expressed her enthusiasm for the Workcation initiative, stating, ‘Loved it!’. Here Zsuzsi shares her story:
“Recently, I had the pleasure of being one of the first to try out our international network MGI Worldwide’s ‘Workcation’ initiative, which allowed me to work for a week from our sister office in Barcelona, MGI Àmbit. The term ‘workcation’ is created by combining the worlds ‘work’ and ‘vacation’, and the word speaks for itself: you can go on a vacation without taking any time off”.
Benefits of the programme
If a member or an employee of MGI would like to spend a few days in another country or city and doesn’t want to or cannot take a few days off, they don’t have to give up their plan, they can talk to the local MGI member of the network to arrange a workstation for them for those few days in their office. This program is not only an opportunity to travel and see the world without taking a day off, but it also between MGI members and provides experiences that can be used both professionally and personally in the future.
The beginning of the Barcelona adventure
“I wanted to visit a good friend of mine in Barcelona this spring, as he might not be living there later. I don’t need to explain to accounting professionals why such a trip at this time of the year is a challenge, and our clients also know that this is the busiest time of the year, when the preparation of financial statements is hastened. However, I didn’t want to give up my plan, as I have always been attracted to this city and there’s rarely a time in one’s life when one has the opportunity to explore new places in a less touristy way.
“Luckily, when I outlined my plan in the office, I was immediately supported: it turned out that I could be one of the first to try Workcation. We wrote an email to the local MGI member firm, MGI Àmbit, and received an almost immediate reply saying that I am welcome. That’s when I got really scared: anyone who knows me knows that I’m not very confident in new environments, especially abroad, but curiosity and knowing that I would be welcome gave me the strength to embark on this big adventure.”
The meeting of work and culture
“I arrived in Barcelona on Saturday, so I had two days to look around and acclimatise before the big day. It was a strange feeling on Monday morning to go to work with the Spanish crowd, when I was still nervous about what to expect and how I would be received. When I arrived at the office, I was greeted by the head of the company, introduced me to all his colleagues and showed me to a separate meeting room that had been prepared for me.
"I was given all the technical and infrastructural support I needed, I had to bring only my laptop from Hungary and could work just as well as if I had been sitting in the office in Budapest. It was so good to think that I was working from nearly 2,000 km aways and no one notices any difference; everything works just like at home. The Spanish colleagues were friendly and interested and came by several times to talk or just to make sure that everything was OK. I can’t say that there weren’t minor language barriers, as English is a language we all learnt, but mutual willingness could always overcome these difficulties.
“During the week, we went out for lunch together several times, which proved to be a great opportunity for professional discussions. We discussed the similarities and differences between the two companies in terms of work, tasks, countries, authorities, and deadlines.
"We mentioned the MGI Talent Meeting several times, an event of the international network where young staff members from several countries can meet and exchange experiences. It was nice to feel first-hand that MGI connects us, so that we are not strangers to each other, but distant colleagues meeting for the first time.”
Thank You MGI!
“I’m very grateful to have been able to participate in Workcation initiative and hope to have the opportunity to do so again in the future. I would encourage all my colleagues to go on a trip like this, it’s a great experience, which can make you richer and more confident both professionally and personally, you can make new friends and discover the city you are visiting in a different dimension than during a vacation. I hope soon we will have the opportunity to host colleagues from other countries in MGI-BPO’s office at Budapest, Hungary too.”
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Want to know more?
For those seeking seeking new avenues for growth, MGI Worldwide's Workcation initiative offers a special platform to develop, gain experience and build professional relationships at an international level. MGI is proud to be able to support the professional and personal development of employees and to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and explore the world as their careers continue. MGI members can access more information or get involved by visiting the Member Portal online and joining the Global Mobility Group or contacting Nicki Lynn at [email protected].
MGI Worldwide, is a top 20 ranked global accounting network and association with over 8,000 professionals, accountants and tax experts in some 400 locations in almost 100 countries around the world.