Planning an Extended Trip or Sabbatical

If you've dreamed about taking some time off work — more than just the standard 2 or 3 weeks — you have a lot of company. Many people dream about taking anywhere from a few months to a year off from the daily grind. Now that a growing number of companies offer sabbaticals or personal leaves of absence, that dream is becoming a reality for those outside the teaching profession.

Why Take a Sabbatical?

There are many reasons to take a sabbatical. You can use a sabbatical to:

• Relax and recharge: For some people, relaxing means sitting on a tropical beach. For others, it's biking across the country or around the world. Maybe you'd simply like to catch up on your reading, or finish projects around the house. Everyone has a different idea of what they would most like to do to reduce stress in their lives.
• Pursue other interests: This is your chance to follow your interests in the things you've always wanted to do but never had time for. Maybe you want to spend a year as an athlete, training every day. Perhaps you'd like to study art or music, or write a novel. The key is to do whatever it is that makes you happy.
• Further your career: To break into a different field, consider working for free at a company to learn firsthand about a new career. You can also use your sabbatical experience to move your career in a new direction. Or, after your sabbatical, you may find you have more motivation and enthusiasm for your old job.

The Obstacles

Taking a sabbatical would be easy if you didn't have to think about money, your job and your loved ones. But these factors all influence and are influenced by your decision to take a sabbatical. Here are some common obstacles, and suggestions for getting around them.

• Money: In some fortunate cases, you may be able to negotiate with your employer for part, if not all, of your salary while you're gone. Grants and fellowships are available for a wide variety of purposes. Another option is cutting extra expenses to save money, or choosing a sabbatical that's less expensive, such as living in Central America rather than Europe.
• Your job: Although some people quit their jobs to take a sabbatical, that isn't the only option. You can try negotiating with your employer for time off. If you're a valuable employee, and if you can show your sabbatical will in some way benefit the company or customers, you have a good chance of successfully negotiating for a sabbatical. If you do choose to quit your job, you can present your sabbatical as a productive, learning experience to impress your next employer.
• Your loved ones: If your family isn't as enthusiastic as you are about your sabbatical, make sure you involve them in the decision-making process. It's likely they'll be more supportive if they feel as though they're being included and have a say in matters. If you're asking friends or family to pay bills, take care of a pet or oversee your rented house while you're on a sabbatical, avoid resentment by making things easy for them. Don't forget thank-you gifts.

Taking Care of the Details

No matter how long you're planning your sabbatical for, make sure you have health insurance. In some cases, you can negotiate with your employer to keep your current health insurance. Otherwise, research different policies. If you'll be traveling abroad, consider trip cancellation insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

If you plan on leaving your home for a long period of time, there are a few things left to consider:

• Finances: Depending on how long you plan on being gone, you'll either want to have your address changed to your new one, or designate someone at home to take care of mail and bills while you're gone.
• Your stuff: You can choose between selling or renting your house. Leaving it empty for long periods of time creates extra liability and many insurance companies won't cover your home if it's unoccupied. You can also choose to sell or lease your car. If you'd rather keep it in storage, talk to your mechanic about how to store it safely. Finally, find well-secured, long-term storage for the rest of your belongings.

Returning to Your Job

It can be nearly as hard to return to your regular life as it was to leave in the first place. Here are some ways to smooth the transition:

• Stay in touch: While you're away, it's important to stay in touch with your company and the people you work with, especially toward the end of your sabbatical. When you return, it's also important to keep in touch with all the friends and contacts you made on your sabbatical, as they could be an excellent future resource.
• Take extra time: Don't expect to return home from your sabbatical and go to work the next day. You need time to go through mail and bills, catch up with friends and family and settle into a new routine. Give yourself time to adjust before jumping back into work.
• Plan the next one: Sabbaticals don't have to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After returning from your sabbatical, you may find your priorities have changed and that you have ideas for another long break. Returning to work will be easier if you start saving and planning with a goal in mind.

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