I originally wanted to be an astronomer — I was completely fascinated by science and thought research was my calling. But while studying computer science in Argentina, I was already working in software development and discovered something I loved even more: working in teams, solving real-world problems, and actually engaging with customers. After trying research for a bit, I missed the fast-paced world of software, so I moved to London and joined some startups.

Here's the thing though — my personal experiences with Argentina's banking system made Wise's mission hit home for me. I often joke that I used to literally fly with cash between Argentina and the UK because sending it through banks was so difficult and expensive. The fees were outrageous, the process took forever, and you never knew what exchange rate you'd actually get. When I learned about Wise's focus on transparency and making cross-border transfers actually work for people, it just clicked. This wasn't just another job — it was solving a problem I'd lived through.

When I joined Wise in 2016 in London, the Latin America team was just forming, with a strong focus on Brazil due to such high demand. It was an exciting time to be part of a team that was laying the groundwork for something truly impactful. My passion grew as Wise expanded across Latin America — Colombia, Mexico, Argentina. I contributed to major launches like the multi-currency account and the investment product Rende+ in Brazil. Each of these projects taught me something new about building products for diverse markets, and seeing the positive impact on our customers' lives was incredibly rewarding.

Brazil is one of Wise's largest markets, and we're transforming our São Paulo office from supporting operations like compliance, customer support, and Know Your Customer (KYC) to a full-stack office with engineering teams represented locally. This transformation is particularly exciting for me because it involves building our Engineering team here — a key reason for my relocation.

What's really energizing is that we're not just expanding our capabilities, we're deepening our roots in the local community. We're tapping into Brazil's incredible tech talent and building locally for a market that's shown amazing demand and growth. The energy and innovation in São Paulo are palpable — there's this entrepreneurial spirit that reminds me why I love working in tech.

Personally, this move brought me closer to home and Latin America — a place I have deep ties to. The move from London to São Paulo was daunting, but super exciting. The cultural vibrancy and warmth of the people here make it feel like home, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with my roots while contributing to Wise's mission in the region. There's something special about building products for markets you understand on a personal level.

Relocation isn't easy — anyone who's done it would say the same. There are logistics, visas, personal challenges, not to mention moving your entire life to a different continent. But Wise's support made the transition much smoother for me and my family. From helping with paperwork to providing resources for settling in, they were there every step of the way.

What impressed me most was how proactive the support was. Every time a new challenge came up — and there were many — Wise helped me find a solution and move forward. Whether it was navigating local bureaucracy or finding the right schools for my kids, there was always someone ready to help. This level of support not only eased the transition but reinforced my belief in Wise as a company that truly cares about its employees.

Embrace the opportunity, honestly. São Paulo is a beautiful city with incredible tech talent and a culture that values collaboration and creativity. The tech scene here is booming, and there's real excitement about building products that can impact millions of people across Latin America.

Be prepared to immerse yourself in a culture that's different but incredibly welcoming. Wise is committed to supporting its employees, so you can expect a supportive environment that encourages growth and development. The learning curve might be steep initially — new country, potentially new language, different ways of working — but that's also what makes it exciting.

Remember why you're considering this move — whether it's to be part of a growing market, work on impactful projects, or experience a new culture — and let that motivation guide you. The opportunity to build something meaningful while being part of Brazil's dynamic tech scene is pretty special. Plus, you'll be working on products that genuinely make people's lives easier, which never gets old.