Ding Without Borders: Meet Barbara!

'Ding Without Borders' is a series where our team share their experiences of life abroad, and how they stay connected with loved ones back home.

Like many of our customers, a number of our team at Ding also know what it's like to move overseas for work, and the challenges and rewards that come with it!

Meet Barbara 👋 Our Fraud Team Lead in Spain! 

Barbara first joined Ding three years ago in the HQ Dublin office, and now she is working from home in Valencia, Spain!

Barbara in Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ireland.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in São Paulo, Brazil, one of the most populous cities in the world, with approximately 12 million people.

Why did you move to Ireland?

When I was young, I always dreamt of going on an exchange program to learn English and to experience a new culture.

I had a few friends who lived in Ireland at the time, and I remember seeing their pictures, listening to their amazing stories and experiences, and being so enthusiastic about moving abroad. So, my boyfriend (now husband) and I decided that Ireland would be our home for the next year… well, this was 8 years ago!

What challenges did you experience when you first arrived in Ireland? 

Moving away from family and friends and learning a new language. On my first day in English school, I went home crying because I didn’t understand a single word in the class. The Irish accent is the best, but it was very hard for me at the beginning.

How are you finding now working remotely from Spain?

It’s been over a year and a half since we started working from home and now I'm so used to it. I really enjoy remote work and have found more time to spend on things that are important to me.

Working remotely from Spain has been amazing so far. Although I love Ireland and I will always consider Dublin to be my second home, I am Brazilian, and I was missing warm sunny days. My days off in Ireland would be spent mostly indoors, and now my days off are at the beach 😊

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to live in another country and learn another language whilst continuing to work for a company that I love.

Barbara and her husband, Alex, in Mallorca, Spain.

What is your experience working with Ding?

I can describe it in two words: learning and growing.

I started in Ding as a barista, 3 years ago. After 7 months, I moved to the customer care team and worked there for another few months before getting an opportunity to work with the Fraud Squad. I’ve already learned so much from the team and I feel that I am always learning something new every day. 

What do you miss the most living abroad? 

My family and friends, especially my niece and my nephew.

Do you see yourself moving back to Brazil?

I never say never, but at least for the next few years, the answer is no, I don’t.

How do you stay connected with family and friends back home?

WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.

What do you love the most about working at Ding?

So many things! The culture, the company’s mission, and values, the opportunities for growth, my team... everyone is so open-minded and helpful. Ding keeps us all connected and I get a real sense of belonging here.