Before joining Agoda, I was an entrepreneur, co-founder, and COO of a startup. When the opportunity came to lead the Content Ops team at Agoda, I knew it was one I couldn’t turn down. The role gave me the chance to work on projects at the cutting edge of GenAI, explore the B2C and product space, and give my family the opportunity to live abroad and experience life in Asia.
Originally from Israel, I spent 12 years in New-York City before making the decision to relocate to Bangkok with my husband and our three kids, who were 2, 4, and 7 at the time. This move was inspired by the unique professional opportunity that Agoda offered me, and the desire to give our family the gift of an expatriate experience. I saw it as a chance for my kids to build resilience, develop adaptability, and for us as a family to explore Asia together. With the motto “You Only Live Once,” we decided to take the leap and embrace this exciting new chapter in our lives.
A Day in the Life of a Content Ops Leader at Agoda
Every day, I work with smart, data-driven colleagues on projects that reach millions of users globally. Leading the Content Ops team, we deliver accurate, trustworthy content that inspires confidence and drives bookings. Our work spans all Agoda funnels, meaning we collaborate with various teams inside and outside the product organization. This makes work diverse and exciting.
I’d like to give special credit to the incredible team I work with. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work are instrumental in achieving our goals and delivering impactful results. Together, we’ve accomplished projects that I’m particularly proud of, such as developing a new star rating framework applied to all Non-Hotel Accommodation (NHAs). These ratings help customers make informed decisions by setting better expectations. Additionally, we procured over 150,000 User generated photos and more than 10,000 videos, now featured in our accommodation photo galleries. This new content provides validation and assurance to our customers, enhancing their booking experience.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
Agoda’s work environment is incredibly international, and I get to work with smart, approachable, and helpful colleagues. Data drives everything here, fostering a culture of innovation and enabling change at all levels of the organization. You can truly feel the ability to make an impact, no matter your role—and that’s what makes the work so rewarding.
Growing at Agoda: Opportunities to Learn and Lead
Agoda offers excellent career growth opportunities for those with a growth mindset and who are willing to work hard and prove continuous growth. As a leader, I focus on creating growth opportunities within my team, promoting high performers and encouraging development. In the short time since I’ve joined, I already learned a lot on the job and through Agoda’s courses and workshops, which support continuous learning and professional growth. I also recently joined the Woman in Leadership program.
Relocating to Bangkok: A Unique Family Adventure
Agoda made the relocation process smooth by handling visas, shipping, and other logistics. While packing up our lives in NYC and starting fresh in Bangkok was challenging—adjusting to new schools, banks, and language—the adventure is worth it. Naturally, the hardest part was leaving behind our support system of family and friends, but we knew this coming in so we took this adjustment period in mind and we’re hopeful that with time we will build a strong support system here as well.
Bangkok- a City to Settle and Thrive with a family
Bangkok provides excellent options for families with young children, making it a great place to settle and thrive. We found a great international school for our kids, which they love. The cost is lower than private schools in NYC, and the facilities are spacious and top-notch. For childcare, we have a live-in helper, which is much more affordable than in NYC and a luxury we didn’t have before. Healthcare is also significantly cheaper while maintaining good quality. Activities for families can be challenging due to the heat and occasional pollution, but we’ve discovered fun water parks and large, clean indoor playgrounds like Harbour Land, which are lifesavers on hot weekends.
Building Community in Bangkok: Finding Connections and Settling In
Like any relocation, settling into a new job and place comes with its challenges. That said, at Agoda, people are friendly and supportive, and it was easy to acclimate. In Bangkok, we found a lovely apartment, the kids are happy in their schools, and we’ve made a few new friends, including other expatriates and Agodans. My advice to anyone relocating is to be patient, open-minded, and being proactive in building a social network will help ease the transition.
Cost of Living in Bangkok: Affordable and Value-Driven
The cost of living in Bangkok is much cheaper than NYC, offering more value for money and tax savings. While costs depend on lifestyle choices—where you eat, shop, live, and travel—Bangkok provides a more affordable and comfortable lifestyle overall. Here are some of the approximate cost comparisons between New-York City and Bangkok, although I would recommend anyone to reach out to other expatriates via Facebook groups, Reddit or do your own research online to better understand the costs of living in a capital city like Bangkok.
| Expense | New York (USD) | Bangkok (USD) |
| Childcare (per month) | $5,000 | ~$800 |
| Daycare (younger kids, per month) | $3,500 | ~$1,200 |
| Private Elementary School (per year) | ~$50,000-$35,000 | ~$20,000 |
| Health Care (monthly premium for a family with 3 kids) | $1,000 + additional costs for deductibles and co-pays | $525 (no additional costs so far) |
| Rent (per month) | $8,500 | $4,000 |
Final Thoughts: Why Consider Agoda?
If you can find a role that appeals to you, don’t hesitate to join Agoda. It’s a fast-paced company with a great culture, and you’ll enjoy the experience. The most rewarding part of my journey has been learning every day and working in an environment that fosters growth and collaboration.
