Lune on temporarily working abroad as a Virtual Assistant

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

I thrive on freedom and having control over my own schedule.

I studied at the Hotel Management School in The Hague, where my passion for hospitality and travel began. I later completed a Master’s in Marketing Management in England. After that, I started in recruitment at Manpower, where I was responsible for coordination and matching. That puzzle—finding the right person in the right place—is still one of the things I enjoy most about my work.

My partner and I always had one big dream: to explore the world. We made that dream concrete, gave up our homes and set off with a backpack. We travelled for two years, took on volunteer projects and worked in Australia, where we managed a team within a hotel chain. That period strengthened my love for travel, but also confirmed that I function best when independence and responsibility go hand in hand.

At the moment, I’m in Bali for a few months. We’re building a house here and spending the winter abroad while our son is still below school age. During this time, my partner and I both work slightly reduced hours, allowing space for family time, exercise and stepping away from the daily routine. It brings calm and ensures I can return to work in the Netherlands with renewed energy.

What attracted you to the combination of VA work and People/Recruitment?

I strongly believe that every individual is different and has their own strengths.

VA work fits perfectly with what I enjoy: supporting others, creating structure and taking initiative. I love helping entrepreneurs move towards their bigger goals. You’re supporting, but also genuinely part of the team.

The combination with People/Recruitment developed naturally. Given my background, I shared what I had done before, and the link to an internal role within Moneypenny was quickly made. Being able to work both with clients and internally on matching feels like the ideal combination.

I find it fascinating to understand people—what motivates them and what gives them energy. I strongly believe that when someone enjoys their work, it shows directly in the quality. It’s rewarding to contribute to that, both for VAs and for clients.

What does your workweek look like at the moment?

It sounds flexible, but it’s still a job with real responsibilities.

Right now, my week is quite a puzzle, as I’ve taken on three roles at once: for two clients and internally at Moneypenny. That requires a lot of switching, especially at the start.

Because I’m in Bali with a seven-hour time difference, the Dutch working day only begins for me at 4pm. On days when my son is in childcare, I work full days and can focus on larger projects. On other days, I consciously spend my mornings on personal or practical things, and start work around 2pm by reviewing and picking up tasks from the previous day.

I’ve made a conscious choice to keep my evenings available for the Netherlands. I can work ahead while the Netherlands is still asleep and ensure everything is ready when their working day begins.

What do you think makes a strong match between a VA and a client, and how does Moneypenny approach this?

A good match isn’t just about skills, but also about personality and how you work together.

For me, a strong match isn’t only about tasks aligning. Of course, skills matter—but communication style, pace and expectations are just as important.

What I appreciate about Moneypenny is how thoughtfully matching is handled. We know the VAs in our pool well and carefully consider who best fits each client.

That’s why we don’t present multiple VAs at once, but one candidate we genuinely believe is the right fit. There’s always an introductory call first to see if there’s a mutual connection. After that, a kick-off follows where clear working agreements are made. During the collaboration, there are regular check-ins, and as a VA, you’re never on your own—there’s always a buddy and an account manager involved.

You’re currently working from Bali. What does that require from you in practice?

It’s not a case of going abroad and just doing your own thing.

It mainly requires discipline. It may sound like a dream—working from Bali—but it also means regularly keeping my evenings free for Dutch working hours.

Working in a different time zone isn’t suitable for every assignment either. Some projects are more time-sensitive than others. For certain clients, it can actually be an advantage, as it creates more spread in availability.

I’ve consciously chosen to align with Dutch working hours. That means planning ahead, scheduling emails and adjusting my communication accordingly. Sometimes I work until 9:30 in the evening. That’s not always easy, especially with a young child, but it’s a deliberate choice.

How do you make sure remote working doesn’t negatively impact colleagues or clients?

I want them not to have to think about the fact that I’m working from abroad at all.

For me, it starts with proactive communication. During weekly check-ins, I explicitly ask: are you noticing any impact from the time difference? Is everything still working well?

I also make sure the practical side is covered: stable internet, a good workspace, quiet environments for calls. I use scheduled emails and fixed check-in moments.

I even adapt my communication to Dutch time. So if it’s “good morning” for them, I’ll say good morning too. It may seem small, but I don’t want my location to create any extra mental load for a client.

What conditions do you think are essential for working responsibly from abroad as a VA?

It’s flexible—but there’s also a very non-flexible layer around it.

You need to be willing to work Dutch hours. That’s essential. You also need to have the right setup: reliable internet, a professional workspace, equipment that works.

But perhaps even more importantly: you need to be honest with yourself. Are you willing to make sacrifices? To skip dinner plans because you need to work?

It’s not a holiday. It’s simply work—in a different location.

If you could give one piece of advice to VAs who want to work abroad (temporarily), what should they realistically consider?

Don’t underestimate it.

It can be fantastic—but only if you approach it professionally. You need to plan well, stay flexible and take responsibility. It’s not a casual “digital nomad job”. It’s a serious role with service levels and deadlines.

If you’re willing to always put quality first, it can work very well. But start by asking yourself: am I truly prepared to treat my work just as seriously as I would if I were in the Netherlands?

At Moneypenny, we believe flexibility goes hand in hand with responsibility—and that a strong match starts with attention, structure and trust.

Curious what a Virtual Assistant could mean for your organisation? Feel free to get in touch—we’d be happy to think along with you.