The Connectedness of Digital Nomads with the Host Environment: Medellin, Colombia

Abstract

This thesis dives into the phenomenon of digital nomadism and the connectedness aspects of it. One of the global digital nomad hotspots – Medellin, is chosen to conduct the fieldwork. We shed light on the ambiguity of the term ‘digital nomad’ and introduce related concepts, such as coworking and co-living. Community-focused spaces (co-spaces) are distinguished as the core of many digital nomads. By spending time in selected co-spaces and participating in digital nomad events, observations are made. Respondents are selected and interviewed to draw conclusions about digital nomad sociodemographic characteristics, mobility trajectories, the infrastructure used, and the connectedness with the host society. We distinguish that this emerging and rapidly growing segment of the digital workforce is involved in local activities and we identify specific local hubs of connectedness, which are critical in facilitating social and occupational links between the locals and the ‘nomads’. We also shed light on engagement with the local communities and the social networks of digital nomads within the innovative context of Medellin and the city's latest transition towards the knowledge economy.