Taking a gap year from work

Hi there,

I've followed the comfortable route in life of getting a degree and
starting work - without taking that vital step of seeing the world.
Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -
what the challenges they faced. My situation is that I'm single, I've
got a fairly comfortable job, not too much pressure - and would be
happy to leave to find pastures new. also have a mortagage to think
about...but that shouldn't stop me right?

Would be good if you can get back to me.

Thanks,
Indie

Ask yourself what is comfortable job? what is comfortable life?
or what is life? what is left?

Buddhist is cool.


"Indie" wrote in message
om...
Hi there,

I've followed the comfortable route in life of getting a degree and
starting work - without taking that vital step of seeing the world.
Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -
what the challenges they faced. My situation is that I'm single, I've
got a fairly comfortable job, not too much pressure - and would be
happy to leave to find pastures new. also have a mortagage to think
about...but that shouldn't stop me right?

Would be good if you can get back to me.

Thanks,
Indie

On 12 Nov 2003 14:02:44 -0800, (Indie) wrote:

Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -

I've done several major trips, each in a different way.

One started the day I got out of the US Army in Europe. I had ~$600 in
separation pay, and I stayed a vagabond for 4 years, working odd jobs.

Another started when I got bored at Uni. I conned 4 professors into
supporting me on a "Special Studies" program to study traditional
housing in the 3rd world. That meant the G.I. Bill checks would keep
coming. I worked in an Alaskan fish cannery for the summer to earn
some extra money. That trip lasted one year, almost entirely in
Africa. (Yeah, I did complete the courses.)

A few years later, I got a settlement from a vehicle collision. I was
able to "retire" for two years and go to the South Pacific and Asia.

Basically, big trips happen when you can't do anything else. "I'm
bored. I can't stand it any more. I've gotta get outta town."

I've always had the thought that if you put a goal in front of you,
and keep focused on it, you can make it happen. And travelling to the
ends of the Earth is an easy goal to achieve.

Hi, Indie

There's an interesting perspective of dropping out to travel in "One
Year Off" by David Elliot Cohen. Be advised however ( and he tells
you this in his book), that he had the benefit of wealth when he
started. Not exactly a backpacker kind of trip, but its an easy read,
and he shares some of his lessons learned.

On 12 Nov 2003 14:02:44 -0800, (Indie) wrote:

Hi there,

I've followed the comfortable route in life of getting a degree and
starting work - without taking that vital step of seeing the world.
Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -
what the challenges they faced. My situation is that I'm single, I've
got a fairly comfortable job, not too much pressure - and would be
happy to leave to find pastures new. also have a mortagage to think
about...but that shouldn't stop me right?

Would be good if you can get back to me.

Thanks,
Indie


change "example.com" to "comcast.net" to email

"Indie" wrote in message
om...
Hi there,

I've followed the comfortable route in life of getting a degree and
starting work - without taking that vital step of seeing the world.
Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -
what the challenges they faced. My situation is that I'm single, I've
got a fairly comfortable job, not too much pressure - and would be
happy to leave to find pastures new. also have a mortagage to think
about...but that shouldn't stop me right?

Would be good if you can get back to me.

Hi Indie,

I did this 4 times. Not for an entire year but for 6 months at a time.
Spending the scandinavian winter travelling through Asia.
I rented my place out you could do the same.
Wouldnt have missed the experiences I have had during these 2 years.
Carpe Diem

Cheers
Michael Christoffersen

Indie:

You have 2 choices: Experience life or
accomulate assets.

I say go for it and travel!!!

Tom Welch

PS: Worst case, you'll have some neat stories to tell.

On 12 Nov 2003 14:02:44 -0800, Indie wrote:
Hi there,

I've followed the comfortable route in life of getting a degree and
starting work - without taking that vital step of seeing the world.
Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -
what the challenges they faced. My situation is that I'm single, I've
got a fairly comfortable job, not too much pressure - and would be
happy to leave to find pastures new. also have a mortagage to think
about...but that shouldn't stop me right?

The critical question is not "which it be fun?" or "will it enrich my
life?". It absolutely will be fun and it will enrich your life.

No, the important question is "what will it do for my career?". If your
employer is willing to hold your job for a year then it is a no brainier.
Go. However, that's not very likely. More likely you will come back
after a year with no job and 1 year gap on your employment history. In
some fields that gap can make it more difficult to find a new job. If you
come back during a recession, it could be a real problem.

Fortunately, we seem to be coming out of recession rather that going
into one. A year from now, the job market is likely to be
substantially better. Still, it is best to plan for the worst. Work
out what you will need to do if you can't start a new job soon after
your return. This may mean a large financial buffer, survival work that
is more or less guaranteed or a combination of the two.

I chose the financial buffer and I'm reasonably good at controlling
expenses. That turned out to be important because I seriously mistimed
the economy. I've managed to squeeze almost a year of traveling in the
last 2 but ASIC design is one of those unforgiving professions and I'm
afraid I may have shot myself in the foot.

--
Use the From: header. Sending mail to
or will only result in frustration.

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 01:48:14 +0000 (UTC), (Eric
Edwards) wrote:

The critical question is not "which it be fun?" or "will it enrich my
life?". It absolutely will be fun and it will enrich your life.

Not necessarily. The year I spent in Africa was very rewarding,
certainly enriching, and usually fascinating and exciting, but it was
not often fun. It _was_ often painful and excruciatingly tedious. From
dust storms that lasted for days, to long rides in crowded stinky
buses, to bouts of malaria, and big knives thrust in my face, the one
word that would describe my trip was "difficult." But I wouldn't have
missed it for anything.

No, the important question is "what will it do for my career?". If your
employer is willing to hold your job for a year then it is a no brainier.
Go. However, that's not very likely. More likely you will come back
after a year with no job and 1 year gap on your employment history. In
some fields that gap can make it more difficult to find a new job. If you
come back during a recession, it could be a real problem.

Or, you may discover other interests that push you towards an entirely
different career. If you've got enough of a nut to cover 2 months
after you get back, I wouldn't worry about the career. You can always
find _something_ to make money. As for the lost year on your resume,
I've found that employers like the initiative, the worldly experience,
the self-motivation, responsibility, ability to deal with exotic
challenges & a variety of people, etc, that comes with travel.

(Indie) wrote in message . com...
Hi there,

I've followed the comfortable route in life of getting a degree and
starting work - without taking that vital step of seeing the world.
Has anybody out there dropped everything at work and just went
travelling? Is there anybody that can tell what it did for them -
what the challenges they faced. My situation is that I'm single, I've
got a fairly comfortable job, not too much pressure - and would be
happy to leave to find pastures new. also have a mortagage to think
about...but that shouldn't stop me right?

Would be good if you can get back to me.

Thanks,
Indie

Hi Indie,
I'm in the same boat my friend. I'm 24, I'm giving uop my job
(excellent money, easy number)which is pretty good for my age.
Basiacally mate I'm sick of the mundane routine of life and don't
simply want to be a 'normal guy with a normal life'. I've always
wanted to do this and have put it off for too long!!
I too have a mortgage. I'm leaving enough to cover the payments and
heading off in January 2004 for 6 months.
Check my site out - www.asiaeplorer.co.uk
Email me if you want as I know what you thinking mate.

All the best
Mark
www.asiaeplorer.co.uk