Taking a gap year to pursue one’s dreams to travel (via moving abroad), during what may seem like a crucial period in one’s professional career, may seem… stupid, irresponsible, escapist. But that’s only if your goal is sustaining a fun ride.
Following dreams are great but finding ways to bridge them to a future is even better.
Committing your life to a gap year of travel or living/working abroad can be a solid investment, moving both life and career …forward. No offense to travelers who have playful travel as their goal, but I have absolutely no intention of squandering a year (perhaps longer) to a hostel partying circuit. As I near 40, my playfulness seeks moderation and I must to weigh the risks of my dreams with building a nest egg for my future. Perhaps this takes all the fun out of serendipity. However, with age you find serendipity is only improved when matched with a bit of practical planning.
Each action must move me forward with well-timed efficiency.
Traveling and exploring a new culture IS moving forward.
Living, working and navigating in a new country offers a wealth of learning. It provides 1) free schooling, 2) work experience and 3) new skills that can be applied to a career or profession. This actually saves me time, years of schooling, education fees and job hunting.
The advantages of living abroad are obvious:
1. Live and work in a foreign country*
2. Learn about a new culture.
3. Learn a foreign language.
4. Better travel access to neighboring countries.
5. Develop a hobby/ talent or take up new ones (photography, writing, martial arts,…).
6. Re-discover yourself.
7. Gain clarity about your needs/wants for a life through a different perspective.
8. Live a quality of life you’ve always sought.
In outlining a plan to develop my own personal/professional toolkit, here are some considerations I aimed for in choosing my country:
• Interest in Asia
• Learn a new language *potential career asset
• Strong business models in media or technology
• Has a television & film industry *my industry– just dreaming…
• Is partially “developing” and “developed” *I’d like to experience a bit of both
• Medical tourism *I’m tired of paying expensive monthly bills for health care
• Affordable living
At first glance, these aims may seem overly ambitious. It casts a large scope of what could be if I applied myself and it shows me that living and working in Korea might offer me more than I thought.
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Next: A Gap Year: Teaching English in Korea Part II >>
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Related Posts:
A Gap Year: The Advantages of Taking One Part I
A Gap Year: 10 Ways to Gain a Year (vs. Lose One!) Part III
A Gap Year: The 3 Steps to Moving your life abroad Part IV
