Whether you are looking to change careers, need a rejuvenating break from your current job or want to reexamine your life goals, a cultural career break can help you find the answers you are looking for.
Usually common amongst people from the UK, Australia and Canada, we aim to make the concept of cultural career breaks acceptable to a demographic that could gain a great deal from taking one: the American with an established career. Whether you call it a sabbatical, a gap year, or a mid-life change, it’s all the same to us; you need a break from your job.
Planning such a career break can be quite overwhelming to Americans not used to the concept. From contemplation and preparation to life on the road and returning, we are here to inspire and guide you through the career break process - using our own personal experiences and gathering experiences from other American “career breakers”.
Join us in adding “career break” to America’s vocabulary!
Featured Career Break Posts
Life on the Road: Staying in Hostels
When most people hear the word “hostel” they think of the run-down,...
Culture Shock: Overview
If you search the internet for culture shock, chances are you will come...
Benefits: A New Era of “Retirement”
There are numerous benefits of taking a career break – most of which can only...
Let’s Go: Packing Tips
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind when packing is that you can get just...
Reflection: Travel by Numbers
After her first 16-month journey, Sherry reflected on the experience through numbers. I...
Featured Career Break Destinations
Peru: Cusco
In 2006 I took a career break and volunteered in Peru for the summer. ...
What to Do: Photography Lessons in Laos
Not all activities on the road need to be planned in advance. During her travels,...
Thailand: Homestay with Andaman Discoveries
Michael and I traveled to Thailand as part of our 2007 career break. The...
Australia: The Red Center
Michael and I traveled to Australia as part of our 2007 career break. The following...
Nepal: Annapurna Circuit
Nepal was one of the countries I visited during my 2001 career break. Following...
Favorite Career Break Books, Blogs, Gear and Websites
Favorite Website: Indie Travel Podcast
Since the moment I started prepping for my career break in 2006, I started listening to the Indie Travel Podcast (ITP). At the time, they were only one of two travel podcasts out there covering long-term travel around the globe. Now, the market has exploded, however I still always stay true to Craig and Linda of ITP. Through iTunes they provide... [Read more of this review]
Favorite Gear: Silk Sleep Sheets
One thing I don’t leave home without when traveling is a silk sleep sheet (also known as a mummy liner or sleeping bag liner). It’s lightweight and will be your savior when you check into a seedy hostel* in Greece, find yourself sleeping on an overnight train in Vietnam, or staying in a village in the hills of Thailand. A sleep... [Read more of this review]
Favorite Gear: Eagle Creek Switchback
Suitcase or Backpack…why not both? One of my favorite and yet to be retired travel items is my suitcase…I mean backpack…I mean suitcase; yes, it’s actually both. When I started planning my around the world trip I had the typical dilemma of how I should carry my stuff. I knew I wasn’t a hard-core backpacker and I knew I wasn’t a... [Read more of this review]
Travel Tips from Hole in the Donut
Barbara Weibel of Hole in the Donut shared with us some of her favorite travel tips she utilized on her career break – and we want to pass them on to you! BEING CULTURAL RESPECTFUL It’s very important to understand the culture and etiquette of a country you are traveling to so that you can be respectful to the people you may encounter. Travel... [Read more of this review]
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Michaela Potter - Wanderlust Productions
Sherry Ott - Global Photography
