Interview: Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
Kenneth Rasmussen has taken a leap many dream of. For the next few months, he’ll continue his regular tasks at pensopay—but this time, under the shade of palm trees in Bali.
Being a working nomad—or digital nomad—means working remotely while travelling. You’re not tied to a specific physical location, as long as you have a stable internet connection and the necessary tools.
A checklist for anyone dreaming of working abroad as a digital nomad.
At pensopay, a hybrid working model is deeply embedded in the company culture. And while Kenneth’s idea may have sounded like an unrealistic dream, the management team was incredibly supportive in helping him make it a reality.
Kenneth, 35, works in onboarding and compliance at pensopay. Based in Aarhus, he usually commutes to the office in Vejle two to three times a week.
“I’ve been with pensopay for 3.5 years now, and time has flown by. I really enjoy my work—I welcome new clients and help them get set up with a payment solution by collecting and verifying their information and ensuring they remain compliant with relevant rules and regulations.
I have a master’s degree in business administration and a background in both marketing and banking. My job is partly technical, which I love diving into, but also involves working with people, which really motivates me.” Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
Kenneth enjoys life in Denmark with friends, family, and hobbies. But like many, he sometimes finds himself stuck in the daily grind, longing for new experiences. The dream of living and working abroad had been growing for a while—and after a long trip to Thailand, he was inspired to see more of the world.
“There’s a difference between going on holiday and actually living abroad. A vacation is temporary, but living abroad forces you to build a daily routine. I’m heading off on my own, and apart from my work tasks, I have no idea what my new everyday life will look like.” Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
Kenneth had heard about Bali through friends, and because it’s a well-known hotspot for digital nomads, it felt like the perfect place to meet like-minded people. “I wanted a place with a lot of different nationalities, where people aren’t surrounded by their existing friend groups. I think that creates a greater openness to meeting new people," siger Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
“I’m hoping for some amazing experiences in nature—like hiking and visiting waterfalls, which I find especially fascinating. I can be a bit introverted, so I’m looking forward to meeting new people and, even more importantly, getting to know myself better.” Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
“I might even come back and think, ‘That wasn’t for me.’ But I’d rather try it than sit at home thinking, ‘I should have gone.” Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
Kenneth is especially focused on meeting deadlines and managing his work hours responsibly. Even with the time zone difference, he makes sure to stay on top of his tasks. He’s been open with his team about his working hours and availability, so they know when to reach him.
“I hope this experience will make me better at embracing new challenges. I tend to be quite analytical and can spend too much time weighing pros and cons instead of just acting.” Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
Kenneth hopes the journey will bring a range of valuable skills. He’s looking forward to gaining cultural insight by meeting people from around the world and building new networks. “Learning about other people’s lives and hearing their stories” is something he sees as a key part of the experience. For Kenneth, this is also a chance to sharpen his communication skills and grow more independent—something that will benefit him both personally and professionally.
He also hopes to build better habits: working out more, finally reading that book he’s always wanted to read, and cutting back on TV time after work. The goal is to return to Denmark as a stronger and more evolved version of himself—something many of us can relate to.
Kenneth is currently working from BWork in Bali, where he’s meeting new people and continuing to support pensopay customers from across the globe.
“I’m incredibly grateful! I don’t think many people are as lucky as we are at pensopay. That’s definitely what I’ve heard from friends. A lot of people who want to work abroad have to find a job in the country, which ties them to that place. That’s not the case for me.” Kenneth Rasmussen, pensopay.
It all started as a joke when Kenneth mentioned that it would be amazing to work for pensopay from abroad. But his managers took him more seriously than he expected and said that if it was something he truly wanted, they’d support him. Since hybrid work is a core part of pensopay’s DNA, the idea was far from impossible.
Kenneth was thrilled about the opportunity—it was something he had always dreamed of. He’d been unsure what his next challenge should be, so this opportunity meant the world to him.
We hope you’re still enjoying Bali. We’re looking forward to having you back in the office—you’re missed.
From all of us at team pensopay.