| When the adventure travel virus has taken a hold | | | | you have several jobs over the years, or did you |
| of you, it probably starts itching. You have seen | | | | work for one employer for a long time? In the |
| or heard about long-time travelers and wonder if | | | | first case, you already know how to find a new |
| it could be for you, too. But, you have a good | | | | job, don't you? In the second case, it has been a |
| job, a career, a house with mortgage, not much | | | | while since you had a job interview. Well, the |
| money in the bank, etcetera, etcetera. Enough | | | | times have changed a bit, and nowadays it's a |
| obstacles for you not too make the choice of a | | | | little easier to find a job via the many job search |
| lifetime. | | | | engines on the Internet. It's scary for sure, but it |
| But it keeps on itching. You keep that unsteady | | | | will work out fine, trust me. In any case, you |
| feeling of "what if...". The only way to get rid of | | | | have learned to live on a budget while traveling, |
| that feeling is to just go for it!! So read on to | | | | so that will give you some slack. |
| learn how to plan for your sabbatical leave or | | | | House and mortgage |
| career break. Convince yourself that it is possible | | | | The next important obstacle is your house. A |
| for you, too. It may harm your career, yes, but it | | | | large part of your income goes into your |
| might also give it a boost. A sabbatical mostly | | | | mortgage. When there is no alternative income, |
| adds to your personal development, which is good | | | | your travel budget will vanish soon in the costs |
| for your career, too. | | | | for your mortgage. Well, there are several |
| Your Job | | | | possibilities to counter that. |
| So, what are the obstacles you're facing? First of | | | | First, consider selling your house. Many people go |
| all, let's take a look at your career. The risk of | | | | traveling for a fresh start, and what's fresher |
| loosing your job will be there. But, you will never | | | | than leaving nothing behind? Be prepared to start |
| have a guarantee of not being fired, will you? | | | | from the bottom when you come back, though. |
| Although your job seems to secure an income, | | | | Live with your parents, or your friends. Again, |
| when things turn bad for your boss, it might be | | | | you're used to living on a shoestring now, and it |
| gone in a snap. And I know, it happened to me | | | | sure is an experience. But you will find a new job, |
| twice... | | | | and a new house, be sure of that. |
| Having said that, it is always better to have the | | | | For the slightly less adventurous (like ourselves), |
| security of a job when you return from your trip. | | | | consider renting your house. When you live in or |
| So, talk to your boss and make good | | | | near a city or industrial area, chances are that |
| arrangements. If your boss thinks you're good at | | | | there is a market of expats searching for housing. |
| your job, he will probably want you to come back | | | | You will learn the market price for furnished |
| after your sabbatical. For him, the return of a | | | | houses by contacting rental agents. Based on their |
| good professional will always be beneficial. Point | | | | advice, you may decide whether renting your |
| that out to him, and he'll probably agree to an | | | | house is a good option for you. |
| arrangement. Next, just put the conditions for | | | | Money |
| you to come back on paper, signed by you and | | | | How much money do you need for your |
| your boss. | | | | Sabbatical? Well, it depends. Life in less developed |
| As a sidebar, consider my story. We planned for | | | | countries is much cheaper than at home. But not |
| a sabbatical leave in the beginning of 2001. In that | | | | if you're a big spender or a fast traveler. Your |
| time, the Internet bubble was still alive and kicking, | | | | budget is personal, but plan on it. And decide for |
| and I was working in the Telecom industry. | | | | yourself how much you can save per month for |
| Obviously, my boss wanted me to come back, | | | | your trip. Finally, there is always the option to |
| lots of work would be waiting for me. But when I | | | | work abroad. But consider that those jobs will |
| did come back early 2003, the bubble was gone, | | | | probably earn less than your job at home. It |
| and so were most of my boss' customers. | | | | might be better to save a month longer than to |
| Because of our arrangement, I could come back, | | | | work for a month abroad. |
| but after a few months, I was fired any way. | | | | In conclusion, there will always be obstacles. But |
| Moral of the story: make sure you get that | | | | as in every day life, obstacles are there to be |
| arrangement, but be prepared to loose your job | | | | taken. If you want it hard enough (and you do, |
| anyway. | | | | don't you?), there will be a way. The travel |
| What if you do loose your job, or your boss | | | | experience will certainly be worth it, as you can |
| doesn't agree to an arrangement? Well, you will | | | | see on our website. |
| have to find a new job when you get back. Did | | | | |