Everyday Lives of the Western Balkan Online English Teachers

Many young, educated people from the Western Balkans, especially Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, have traditionally migrated to countries like Germany or Austria in search of better jobs and lives. But today, thanks to the internet and globalization, some are staying put while still earning a living globally. This project focuses on online English teachers from these countries who teach students in East Asia, like China or Japan, through digital platforms. Often called "gig work," this flexible online teaching allows them to work from home without the need to move abroad. The research explores their everyday experiences: how they balance work and personal life, the emotional challenges of connecting with students across cultures, and the joys and desires that come with this new way of working. It also looks at why they choose not to migrate, how gig work shapes their identities, and the broader social and economic impacts in the region. Using interviews, observations, and cultural analysis, the study aims to understand how this "virtual migration" is changing views on work, community, and staying connected to home. The findings could help rethink migration trends in Europe and highlight the role of digital jobs in semi-peripheral areas.