Sabbatical abroad: what is it, why do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is a sabbatical?

• A sabbatical is a period - often somewhat longer - when people take a break from their current work and living environment and travel or do something completely different for an extended period of time.
• Usually, people do not talk about a sabbatical until a period of several months. Some people even create the space to take a year or two off, for example.
• With a sabbatical, the intention is often to return to the current situation (home, job, etc). At the same time, the longer period often provides an opportunity to explore very different interests (take courses, do volunteer work) and discover other countries and cultures.

How can you fill a sabbatical abroad?

• The details of a sabbatical can vary greatly from person to person and for what purpose the “pause button” is pressed. One person chooses to spend several months with a pile of books in a “cabin in the woods” another goes on foot to Santiago de Compostella.
• You can perfect your language skills and you can take classes in subjects of your choice, from art and history to media studies.
• You can also gain work experience and improve your skills by doing an internship at a local company.
• You can help yourself and someone else by doing volunteer work.
• You can fill your backpack with experiences by making a long or world trip.
• You can also do it all and not make it a gap year, but the starting year of the rest of your (meaningful) life.

Why should you take a sabbatical abroad?

• People also often use a sabbatical as a moment of reflection, to reflect on choices made and to look at the next few years with fresh eyes.
• This often involves questions such as:
  • “Does my job still suit me or should I take a different career path?”
  • “Am I happy with my current living environment or do I see myself living in a completely different context (smaller/larger, busier/quieter)?”
  • “Am I happy in my current relationship?”
  • and “How do I want to develop in the coming years and what life goals do I want to achieve?”

What do you need for a sabbatical abroad?

• A sufficient budget to last as long as you want, or enough work ethic to earn money there.
• The realization that when you return, you may want to leave again immediately.. so take enough time to acclimatize at home.
• The realization that after the period that you have been away, you may think very differently about your future.
• The realization that after the period that you have been away, you might think exactly the same about your future.

What is the best place to go during your sabbatical period?

• Backpacking through: Australia, Asia or Europe
• Learn Chinese in China: for example in Beijing.
• Become a divemaster and teach diving: Greece, Egypt, Indonesia.
• Learn German: (Berlin), Austria or Switzerland.
• Teach English abroad: South Africa, Latin America, Vietnam or China.
• Learn French: Biarritz; Nice, Paris, Switzerland.
• Learn Italian in Italy: Florence, Rome, Siena, Venice.
• Learn Spanish in Spain: Barcelona, ​​Granada, Malaga, Madrid, San Sebastian, Seville, Tenerife, Valencia.
• Learn Spanish in the Caribbean: Cuba, Dominican Republic.
• Learn Spanish in Central America: Costa Rica (Turrialba), Guatemala (Antigua), Panama (Bocas del Toro).
• Learn Spanish in South America: Argentina (Bariloche, Buenos Aires), Ecuador, Peru.
• Learn Swahili in Africa: Kenya (Kilifi), Tanzania (Zanzibar).
• Volunteering with children or the elderly: you can do volunteer work in almost any country in the world. Check the JoHo country pages for an indication of the work or projects.
• Volunteering as an animal caretaker: Australia (koalas, kangaroos, horses), Curacao (dolphins, dogs, cats), Indonesia (orangutans, street dogs), South Africa (monkeys, cheetahs, sharks, penguins, rhinos, elephants).
• Volunteering: protecting sea turtles: Sri Lanka, Costa Rica.
• Travel the world: Southeast Asia, Latin America or Australia.

What are the risks of a sabbatical abroad?

• Your health insurance coverage may lapse if, for example, you will travel and also work abroad.
• You may suffer from homesickness and want to go home earlier (but there is a lot you can do about it, and prepare for it!).
• You may have problems with the organization with which you are going abroad (read more about solving problems abroad).
• What are the consequences if, for example, you end up in a hospital?
• If you end up in a hospital, you may have to pay the costs yourself if you have not taken out insurance that covers your activities.
• Are you insured for a longer sabbatical abroad? A sabbatical abroad can be covered by your current travel and health insurance if you do not go abroad for too long, do not undertake paid work or special activities. In most cases, special insurance is recommended or really necessary.
• Read more: Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - Theme
• Read more: Vezekeren van een tussenjaar het buitenland (NL)