Before Agoda, I had a mostly fulfilling career. I tried different things—cofounding companies, teaching software development, freelancing, and working in various roles like frontend, backend, and mobile. For about nine years, I worked both locally in Nigeria and remotely with companies outside of Africa.
I decided to join Agoda in Bangkok because I wanted a lot more from my next role. I wanted to start traveling (I had never left my country at the time), grow and explore my field on a global scale, and find new challenges. After doing my research, Agoda seemed to be a perfect fit.
A Day in the Life as a Senior Software Engineer at Agoda
I start work early, whether from home or in the office. I begin by checking quick tasks that need attention before joining my team’s standup. After that, I collaborate with my colleagues to solve problems and deliver on our goals. Most days, the rest of the day is meeting-free, except when we have sprint-grooming or User Acceptance Testing (UAT) sessions.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see our work make a real difference for our business and customers. For example, one project I worked on was the development of a feature that handles the proper transliteration of Chinese names into Latin characters, which was needed in our new booking flow. Before this implementation, we faced issues with incorrect name representations across our platform. By allowing users to select the correct pronunciation of their name from multiple options or input their preferred romanization manually, we improved the experience for Chinese customers.
Tech at Agoda: Hands-On, Innovative, and Always Evolving
Tech at Agoda is very hands-on and challenging, in the best way. We operate on the edge of technology, embracing new tools like AI, building in-house solutions for experimentation, and so much more. I am yet to scratch the breadth of it all!
I’m part of the Unified Booking Form (UBF) Frontend team. Our main focus is building and maintaining the booking forms for Agoda. We primarily use React and TypeScript for our codebase. Our team’s core project is the development of a unified checkout form component—what we call the Dynamic Form. This component is designed to replace the many individual forms that were previously used across different products and booking funnels at Agoda, such as accommodations, flights, and activities.
The Dynamic Form is a reusable React component that generates fully functional forms based on configuration, rather than hardcoding each form separately. This approach allows us to support a wide range of products and booking flows with all their nuanced differences, while reducing code duplication and maintenance overhead. For example, in 2021, Agoda had 14 different booking forms. With the unified approach, we reduced this to just two main forms by the end of 2024.
Why Agoda is an Exciting Workplace
My team has made settling in very easy. They’ve been willing to help and fill me in on things every step of the way. The work environment and culture are very free and collaborative, and everyone’s input is welcome.
One of the standout benefits for me is the hybrid working model, which balances remote days and in-office days. This setup has been especially beneficial given my health complications, as it reduces the need for daily commuting while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration. It’s the perfect balance, enabling me to stay productive and maintain my well-being.
Growing at Agoda: Support, Tools, and Real Examples
From my own experience since joining, Agoda is a place where I can grow. Many of my colleagues are great examples, having joined the company early in their careers and leveling up over time. I’ve seen many colleagues move vertically and also horizontally in their careers here, exploring other departments and scopes of work. Agoda provides the tools I need to upskill, and my leadership acts as accountability partners for the goals I set for myself.
Since joining Agoda, I’ve had to improve my communication and interpersonal skills. Agoda’s workplace environment is diverse, with more than 90 nationalities working in our Bangkok office, so navigating a huge mix of cultures in the same place was initially challenging. I was always worried about whether I was saying or doing things properly. Thankfully, Agoda provided me with tools that I could refer to, and I’ve started to feel more comfortable communicating with teammates of various backgrounds and cultures.
Relocating to Bangkok: From Lagos to a New Life
Relocating to Bangkok, Thailand, from Lagos, Nigeria, was a move I had to consider carefully, as I was just about to start a family at the time. However, I found that Bangkok had a lot to offer. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, with a better standard of living overall.
I relocated with my wife, and Agoda offered support every step of the way. The support included dedicated contact persons for liaison, helping organize flights, shipping personal belongings, and temporary accommodation. Agoda’s visa team also provided extensive documentation that helped us prepare appropriately before and after landing in the country.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Bangkok for Agoda, you’ll find that Bangkok is a beautiful city with very friendly locals and a great standard of living. If you are coming from Nigeria, the weather and seasons are very similar, and you’ll fit right in.
Living in Bangkok: Skytrain, Swimming, and City Life
Transportation in Bangkok is hassle-free and the city is well-connected, making it easy to move around. I’ve been enjoying using the BTS Skytrain, Bangkok’s main metro lines running through the city.During my free time, I usually watch movies or eat out. I have been intentional about trying as many different dishes from different cultures as I can find, and Bangkok offers food from every corner of the world and for any budget option. I’ve yet to try a Nigerian restaurant here, though there are a few in the city, as there are too many options in Bangkok. I might try one in the future!
I personally brought food items from Nigeria to Bangkok with me, mostly dried things that could be kept for a long time, like Garri, Starch, and egusi. Luckily, I found familiar ingredients like Okra and Catfish, so I have been able to enjoy Nigerian dishes at home!I also enjoy swimming a lot. I rented a condominium in Bangkok. It’s common for condominiums in Bangkok to come with facilities such as gyms and swimming pools, so having access to a 24/7 pool is awesome.
Building Community and Settling In: Friendly Faces and Fast Friendships
It was very easy to settle in. People are very friendly and helpful both at Agoda and in the city. I have had so many fun experiences where I got help from a stranger without expecting it.My colleagues have quickly become friends. We plan outings together, and they show me experiences I wouldn’t have found on my own.
Starting fresh in a new city or workplace can be daunting. But truly, there is very little to worry about. Agoda helps along the way, and my colleagues and fellow new joiners were there to help. For example, I was able to find an agent and find a wonderful condominium following recommendations from fellow new joiners at Agoda!
For quick vacations outside the city, it’s easy to travel to other places from Bangkok. One of my favorites is visiting Khao Yai National Park, where I saw amazing wildlife like monkeys, elephants, and deer. We also visited the Thiang windmills. It was cold, and I got to pair up with my wife on a tandem bike (we failed to get very far 😂).
Cost of Living in Bangkok Compared to Lagos
Although the cost of living in Bangkok is higher than in Lagos, the vastly improved standard of living makes up for it. Everything from the healthcare system and housing to transportation is better.
If you’re considering your next career move, I can’t recommend Agoda enough. It’s a fantastic place to grow, surrounded by inspiring people and endless opportunities, all in the heart of vibrant Bangkok. Joining Agoda has truly been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.
Final Thoughts: Why Consider Agoda?
If you’re considering your next career move, I can’t recommend Agoda enough. It’s a fantastic place to grow, surrounded by inspiring people and endless opportunities, all in the heart of vibrant Bangkok. Joining Agoda has truly been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.
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