Authored by Gemma Orrock

To those looking in, Craig and I are living the dream. Partying a SXSW music festival in Austin, trekking to Machu Picchu (Peru), discovering Colombia’s street art scene, diving in Cuba; at almost 30, we packed up our past lives as teacher and tradesman to backpack the Americas and Europe for 18 months, and our first five months on the road have produced incredible memories.

Though we’re often asked why we get to do it while many others have to settle for sitting at home dreaming about it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to settle for living vicariously. How to take a career break.

We hope the following helps explain how to take a career break to travel. We imagine young ‘ins are as excited about spring break as we are about our career break! How to convince my boss to let me travel

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Do You Really Want It?

The first thing to decide when considering to take a career break to travel is if you really want it. I mean really want it? It’s all well and good to dream about taking a break to travel the world, though you have to truly want to make it happen. What happens to my job if I travel the world

For instance there might be a $30K wedding in the pipeline which holds you back (we’re eloping). Or the need for the pitter patter of tiny feet which has started to pull at your embryo. We’re both 30+ (good genes), and time is ticking as they say, so taking a career break is a big decision to make.

Before you begin your research, before you start looking at destinations and flight paths – decide if you really want it, and doing that means figuring out where your priorities lie. Ways to take a career break

Yes,You Really Want It!

After you’ve decided that you really want it, start looking into the company guidelines of the place you work. Do they have a policy for career breaks? Some don’t, though many do. Take a career break to travel the world

I’m a teacher, and after three years of service with my council I was eligible to apply for a career break. Craig, on the other hand, is a self-employed tradesman and he left his business in the hands of his brother. Sound it out with your line manager or a confidant. Iron out any technicalities, and consider different options like if you can work remotely whilst on leave.

You will most likely have to write a personal statement detailing why a break is justifiable and how it will improve your skills and benefit the work place. As I am a Teacher of Politics and Current Affairs, I discussed how my experience in developing countries would bring the textbook to life my students when I return. Can I come back to my job if I take a career break and travel

You may need to do a bit of soul searching here; siting on a beach and sipping a mojito probably isn’t going to cut it for this type of statement (not to say you won’t do that though!) How long can a career break be?

Can You Afford It?

Travelling isn’t actually expensive unless you need to purchase a Mulberry handbag with every paycheck to keep you happy. Craig and I have a daily budget of £22.50 each; this includes accommodation, food, drinks, transport and ice cream. What to do to get a career break

We don’t drink as much as we did before we were saving, though why would you opt for booze when you have trails to hike or beaches on which to relax!?

We definitely don’t eat tuna out of a tin for every meal, no chance of eating like this with Craig the meat lover. We do sometimes stay in dorms, though mostly opt for private rooms; you have to make some sacrifices. We would always choose a flight over a 22 hour bus journey, so I’m sure there are travelers who spend a lot less, though as you get older there are some luxuries which you’re not willing to forgo! Can I afford a career break?

Getting to the other side of the world however is the expensive part – the flight, jags and travel insurance. There is no denying that. We sold everything we owned; the car, the couches, even the out of date Megan Fox calendar which had been sitting in the garage. How much will a career break cost?

Selling our belongings and getting back to the basics was surprisingly therapeutic, and we raised £20K in total. Not quite enough for our 18 month career break but there are a huge range of options for making money while you’re on the road. Can I travel and still come back to my job?

Alternatives to a Career Break

Your work may decline your application, in which case it may be time to consider leaving and looking for a position that allows you to travel. Perhaps you could even look at taking a job overseas.

Think about jobs that are needed all over the world, where your experience, education and skills can translate. For instance, teachers are needed all over the world and especially English teachers, you could perhaps do a TEFL course online or what about an accelerated bsn online as nurses are needed all over the world too. 

Think outside of the box.

Consider things like if you can work remotely for a certain period of time and put in your work days overseas. Or if you get an extended holiday with no pay. Craig did this for our five week trip to South East Asia in 2013 (he worked for The Man at this point.)

Final Thoughts

Craig and I are currently living on the Sunshine Coast in BC, Canada where it is sunny most days and we clean for our keep. I volunteer at a local yoga studio and in exchange for my time I get access to drop in classes, an opportunity I could not see happening back home. I probably wouldn’t have had the savvy to even ask in Scotland. What do I have to do to take a career break. 

The point is, that taking a career break to travel will open your eyes to so many experiences and opportunities which you wouldn’t have guessed would exist. It empowers you to find new hobbies, new goals, and offers a completely new perspective on life. It saves you from the monotony of 9-5 office life.

Our blog, Two Scots Abroad, wouldn’t exist if we had not taken on a career break. It came about as a result of having felt empowered by a new focus, and having met a very supportive group of talented writers and photographers along the way. Help me organize a career break

Who would of thought that at thirty you could meet a potential new career? Another benefit of a career break. Who knows, it might just conclude in a career change! want to take time off from my job to travel

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