I quit my job to travel

Heather,
I understand that you hate your job, we all do at some point! Even though i dont know you, i am sure that you are on to something good. Quitting your job and traveling abroad may seem brash, but i bet you will have the time of your life and you will have experiences and memories that will last longer then working in an office and say getting a cookie at 3pm everyday from Starbucks. I bet your friends are jealous of your travel plans and your bravery. Best wishes! It's always good to live with intent :)

Here’s an idea... Teach English abroad. Both of my roommates in college spent time in Japan after college teaching English.(one was fluent in Japanese, the other not at all) My stepbrother has lived in Thailand for about 10 years teaching English to students. There are several programs you can go through. Or, join the Peace Corp. (or even Americorp)

Have you ever thought about getting a job in the travel industry? Tour director, flight attendant, cruise director, meeting and event planning, etc.

Yes I have thought about doing something in the travel industry but I feel like I want to travel a lot so that I have the knowledge I need to really know what I'm talking about. I am really good at planning. I thought about starting my own business where I help people plan trips. Maybe some day I would like to have a B&B or a hostel some where. I don't think I'd like even planning - that is too high stress for me. I don't do well with stress - have bad problems with anxiety. Flight attendent would be another good idea - I would probably like doing the for a little while. Depends are where the flights are going. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming!

I think Frank's advice is very good. Unless you've won the lottery (major money here), you can't really travel for an indefinite time without some plan for the future. I hate to be a "Debbie Downer," but being a parent, my thinking will obviously be for finding something you can work at that you love, and that allows you the time and money to travel.

In the meantime, go forth and have your adventure. Read lots of travel books and see if something catches your fancy for a future profession.

Best of luck!

You'd probably have to research this here before you go, to make sure you have all the right paperwork, but there's plenty of jobs for Americans in Europe. I had a friend who worked as a nanny in Paris, don't know if that's up your alley. Other people work as tour guides at different sites, but that may be seasonal. Don't know what kind of work you were doing, but there's also work to be had on the military bases in Europe.

Maybe someone on here knows where to find information on these kind of things?

I'm just thinking since this is a time when you don't have a lot of things tying you here, it may be a good time to work overseas. You may not make a lot of money, but it'd be a great experience.

Yes I certainly agree with all these things. It would be a great experience for me and would probably make me a lot happier than public accounting. Thanks for the input and if anyone has information on working overseas please let me know.

Try contacting the Department of Defense. Many US civilians work on US military bases in the UK, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. With a college degree, you may be able to work there in some capacity. Some jobs, through the MWR and USO even specialize in travel, although I have no idee what qualifications you would need. Every Department of Defense civilian I have ever spoken to seems to have ample free time to travel. Perhaps James from Ansbach may have more information?

First of all, good for you for starting down a path to finding something you truly will enjoy in life!

My husband and I are a fairly young couple without children who quit our jobs about a year and a half ago so we could do a fair amount of traveling. While we were fortunate to have had some success with our previous careers that allowed us to do this (and not having children makes a huge difference, too!), we also live by the mantra "It's not what you have, it's what you spend." So if something catches my eye in a store, I have to ask myself first if buying it is integral to our shared goals of being able to remain unemployed so we have the freedom to roam around. Usually the answer is no, and I can't tell you the last time I bought something like a new purse! This may sound naive of me, but I was really surprised at how all those little purchases ($20 here, $20 there...) added up to a big chunk of money over time.

So I'm afraid I can't help in terms of advice on where to start looking for the job of your dreams, but I can suggest you take a hard, honest look at your financial resources, determine how you can control your spending to fit within your current and long term goals (hey, we clip a lot of coupons!), and go from there.

I wish you the best of luck!

I think you need very careful of looking for jobs in Europe. I am sure that Maureen's advice about lot of jobs for Americans is accurate if you use the term LEGAL jobs. Think of the current attitude by many towards the illegals working in the country and that is want you would be if you don't a legal work permit.

I really do think that you need to resolve your career objectives first. Work in a miserable, dead end job is not any more pleasant in Europe than the US. Remember something about grass being greener over there.

Have a good trip, explore other areas, and hopefully return so that you can address the more basic problems with a different attitude.

Echoing Frank...at least in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, the current attitude towards illegal immigration is not favourable at all. Procede VERY carefully. And familiarize yourself with Schengen Zone work rules. Basically, unless you hold an advanced technical degree or qualify as a skilled health care worker, to be hired in the Schengen Zone, a potential employer (not including the department of defense, that I alluded to earlier) must justify in writing why they need to hire you over an EU national. Otherwise, they are obligated to fill the position with someone from the EU first.

Wake up, and quit your dreaming! Now get back to work and become a productive member to society!

Heather,

My suggestion would be to take the 2.5 month trip and then give some further thought to your future when you return home. I suspect that your perspective and your attitudes will probably have changed, perhaps significantly.

Since you're leaving on August 9th, you don't have time to work out the details for work permits, Visas or whatever to work in Europe (those arrangements are best made before arrival in Europe). That means you'll still be limited by the three month Schengen Limit.

The other "reality" is that following your trip, you may need to return home to "replenish the travel funds".

If you have specific skills, you might also contact the cruise lines, as I know people that have taught courses on cruise lines (ie: photography) and although they're "working", they get to travel a lot and do some touring in their free time.

Good luck and happy travels!

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. In response to the person who says "quit your dreaming" I laughed when I saw that because it was so funny and blunt. However, I know that life is very short and doing something you don't like day in and day out is really not a good way to spend your time. I am definitely not benefiting society right now in this unhappy state of mind. I have to go to a pshychologist for depression/anxiety and am on anxiety meds - all of which my heath insurer has to pay for thus driving up the cost of health care more so than it already is. Now tell me, is that beneficial to society? Maybe if I travel a bit, gain knowledge about the world, and figure out something I truely like to do I won't be on these medications anymore and that ultimately benefits everyone in your terms of thinking right??? Just throwing that out there because I am sick of people always thinking they have to behave in a certain way and do what everyone else views as normal.

It's good that you are taking advantage of this opportunity now, because most likely you will get to a point in your life where this sort of thing is just not feasible.

If you have a place to live when you return (I'm thinking indulgent parents), I would go and enjoy your trip and worry about your future when you get back. You'll have a different perspective then.

Hopefully you'll talk to a lot of people while you are away and come back with a lot of ideas. But if you go with the idea that you have to find all the answers, that doesn't sound like a very fun trip to me.

I worked as a temp for a few years and saved money so I could travel. I quit my temp job and traveled to places that I had always dreamed about. Spent a year in Australia, New Zealand and many of the Survivor Islands in the Pacific. Met my husband on this trip. Again worked as a temp when I came back got married and settled down with a house, kids and cats. We still travel and I can tell you my kids love it!! Been all over the US and to Europe. I cannot tell you how cool it is to have a 5 year old ask if we can go to the Eiffel tower or if we can see Spain after watching a travel/cooking show on TV. Looking forward to our trip in a few weeks to Switzerland to see family and to Paris so my son can go up the Eiffel tower.

I am not looking for all the answers - of course I know that is not going to happen. I just can't wait to just meet other people and see some amazing places in Europe. I don't know what will happen afterwards - I am just looking for ideas! Don't know what else to do at this point :)

Heather,

Sometimes "doing something you don't like day in and day out" is a "means to an end", in that it allows one the freedom to do what they enjoy.

Given the "insurance issues" that you described and the costs, hopefully you'll eventually find a position that provides health care.

Hi Heather,

Have you consdidered perhaps teaching English abroad? I don't know the specifics of getting the TESOL but it may be worth looking into. It may also give you an opportunity to travel to places that are a bit more "exotic" (at least by our definition of the word) where English may be less widely spoken. You may also want to consider splitting your time between the aforementioned teaching English and something else like tour guiding (as others have mentioned etc.).

This link may be of use to you...

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/

Happy Travels,
Steve

Since you mentioned you don't like stress, then perhaps the travel industry is not for you. Whenever you are dealing with paying customers, there is stress. I've worked in the travel industry and it is stressful.

Tour Guiding in Europe for Americans is not as easy as it used to be. It's the same as any other job--you need a work permit if you want to reside there. And it is a very stressful job. (If you are based in the U.S. and take tours over, there are ways around it.)

Teaching English is a good idea. You need to get ESL certification which takes 6-12 months but there is big demand for this both in schools and large businesses which hold their own training. It's something I'm looking into. The pay isn't great but usually you'll get some type of living subsidy.

Hi Heather,

My comment offers a different perspective along the lines of "delayed gratification" but something to think about. A career as a teacher can be rewarding, typically offers extended time off in the summer and holidays for travel, health insurance, retirement benefits, and usually adequate pay. If you begin accruing retirement benefits when you're young--you could potentially retire at 55 or so with benefits and all the time to travel that you want!

Enjoy your travels and best wishes as you explore your career options!

I say follow your dreams, but just make sure your basic needs are covered in the interim: food, shelter, clothing, income, health insurance, etc. You’ll need to do a lot of research, develop a plan, and find a community of like-minded people to help you along the way. Check out this article for tips, inspiration, and a little guidance:

http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-travel-for-free/

In the meantime, enjoy your travels and best of luck!

As long as you currently have no debt, have enough money to fund your trip without putting yourself in debt (and this includes having a nest egg for when you return that can hold you over while looking for a new career in an unstable economy), and you don't drop your health insurance coverage in an effort to save money, I think extended travel is a good way to get a new perspective on life and what path you want to take in the future.

I took a year off to travel. Everyone had a different opinion on my decision from "why leave a profitable career?" to "I wish I was brave enough or had the freedom to do that".

Don't count on easily finding work in Europe. They have their own economic woes, so it is much harder now unless you have an in-demand skill. If you hope to extend your travels, think about potential volunteer positions in other parts of the world like Asia, Australia or South America. Some offer free room and board in exchange, but often the work is physically demanding and you'll be in rural areas or dealing with a lot of poverty. It does, however, offer you a priceless opportunity to really immerse yourself in a whole other culture.

I'd get a job with a cruise line. They are always looking for good English speakers.

Flight attendent wouldn't be bad but it's not guaranteed to get you much international travel and the industry is consolidating right now.

Travel agent - yuck.

English teacher or child care abroad - probably also yuck unless you're lucky.

Job working for the US Government abroad - another good possibility. They want US citizens. Check out USAjobs.gov and search for jobs in the overseas locations you would like to work in. They won't pay your moving expenses, but you're young and probably don't have household effects and family to tow around.

Hi Heather,

I did the public accounting route too, but I stuck with it and now am glad that I can afford to travel more and have reasonable job security.

That said, it's not for everyone (I'm actually in industry now anyway, jumped as soon as I got my designation) and realising that sooner rather than later will lead to fewer regrets.

Just go and enjoy your trip--don't worry if you don't come home with all the answers. It will at least clear your head and give you some fresh perspective. You've been given some good advice here for some options to stay overseas, but most of them will need to be sorted out from this side of the pond I think.

Happy travels!

Don't know your background/education, but my nephew has a job that entails a lot of travel to Europe (1 week out of the month). Not only does he go there for work he's stacking up the miles for free trips. Maybe there's a company out there for you.

Thanks for all the adivce! I can see I have A LOT to think about now!

You're really awesome! (first of all) i love it when people decide to forget the preconcived way of life and find what else the world has to offer. My partner and I (23/24 yrs old) have begun our lifestyle as you are just beginning yours. We havent got jobs abroad yet but have a few tips.
1. get into social networking. things like couchsurfing.com or airbnb.com are great ways to stretch your budget and meet people who in turn will introduce your to other people and give you more ideas. we are going to EU aug 25 to oct 25, then returning to the US for a winter job.
2. If you can stand the cold, apply at a ski resort. positions range from office to food and bev or on-mountain operations. try looking up intrawest ski resorts. we worked in winter park and loved it. you meet people from all around the world, you get to save up money, then when the season ends...off you go....just know that usually resorts are kind of secluded so learn an indoor hobby or something.
3. From what ive heard cruiseships can be hard work, but fun AND some apply/cover your visas if you go to different countries. You cant spend much money you make on the ship so you end up saving it, more money for your next trip
4. and last very important!!!! dont return home without knowing or havin gsomething lined up. We came back after colorado, and "got stuck" and its taken a year to get back where we need to be, to get back into the world.
best of luck to you. you live once. make it worth it.

Chance

Congratulations! Not many people have the nerve to quit their job and travel. For those that are negative, well I just think they are jealous that you have the means/fewer responsibilities to do so!

After traveling to Europe last fall I started thinking about the possibility of teaching/working abroad. Securing a work visa in Europe is extremely difficult and a very time consuming process. But I am still working on it and will most likely end up teaching abroad due to my various degrees. Besides my husband has an intense year of paramedic school/fire academy coming up so that’s why I am looking to move abroad because he will never be home or will be studying all the time.

My advice, go to whatever city or country sounds exciting. Granted if you have more of a plan it could be less expensive rather than jumping on a train and going. Check out airlines such as Ryan Air (Double check their weight requirements) that is usually an inexpensive way to travel between countries. The airports can sometimes be out of the way, but well worth the savings.

If you have a chance go to Ireland it’s a very sweet, loving, country where everyone is so incredibly friendly. We loved Dingle and all its charm!
Good luck and if you need particulars on England, Scotland, or Ireland send me a private message.

Heather, the first thing I would say to you is- go for it.

The next thing is, I haven't read through all the excellent answers here, so please excuse me if I repeat what someone else has already said.

Teaching English is a good suggestion. Although there are many, many people who have the same idea, if you can be flexible about where your first post is, you can do OK. My stepson took a month's intensive course here in the UK. He wants to work in Spain but has taken a year in Dubai, is making lot$$ and will (hopefully!)have good references and experience when he's finished there.

Have you travelled around North America? It's the most amazing continent. Would it satisfy you to maybe find work that involved travelling in N. America and then you might find it lead to travel overseas as well? That would keep you legal, earning and also with your healthcare benefits.

It's what I did when I was your age and felt like you do, except it was in reverse. I got a job which involved working around the UK (at shows and exhibitions) and it lead to work across Canada, the US, and South Africa.

Whatever you do, I wish you good luck. Best wishes, Maggie.

Hi Heather,

A website I like to spend a lot of time on is www.bootsnall.com. the people on the Bootsnall forum are hardcore travelers who have come up with creative ways to save and fund for their trips.

They also devote a lot of space to Around The World travel; you'll love the travel stories and blogs.

Just overall it's a great site for people who are fanatical about traveling, exploring,experiencing, and for people who don't quite know which direction they want to take.

1. You are not crazy.
2. You will never have the time to be selfish like you are being now.
3. Your gut is telling you that something is off.
4. You are taking charge and addressing things.
5. You'll figure out things along the way, so smile!

I'm 26 and am embarking on a very similar adventure w/ my best friend. We've both been incredibly successful @ young ages but feel physically burnt out and emotionally depleted by our professions. We're going to take a month or two and experience life and learn a few key life lessons including careful budgeting, dealing with ambiguity and getting a clearer picture of what we want.

Chin up and congrats on taking care of you.

Here's what I suggest: (1) take a leave from your job, (2) travel wherever you want for 1, 2, 3 months or more, depending on your finances and interests, (3) decide on a language to become fluent in, (4) return home to your job and take classes or do whatever it takes to become fluent in that language. After that, you are ready for living and working in Europe. Of course, you can learn that second language in Europe, but I am assuming some financial limitations. In Paris there is a publication, FUSAC, aimed at English-speaking transplants. There are always job offerings there for bilingual English-French speakers. Fusac has a website. The people I've met in the travel industry in Europe speak at least their native language and fluent English; they usually speak a couple of other languages as well.

You should be sure to check into the entry requirements, have a return ticket, and be sure to dress nicely when going through customs.

I heard of someone who had a kid around your age that tried going to Europe for an extended stay with vague travel plans. He arrived in London with a one way ticket that got cheap somewhere.

They refused to allow him into the country since he could not show how he would support himself and return home. He was held at the airport in limbo until his parents bought him a ticket back to the U.S. He never did get into Europe.

Back in the 1980’s I was traveling by backpack through Canada from Seattle to Alaska and at the boarder crossing into Canada I had to show the Canadian customs official that I had enough cash and travelers checks to make it to Alaska.

Greg

Perhaps you might want to read this book:

"Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel" by Rolf Potts. I haven't read it myself, but I've heard good things about it. I believe the author also did a podcast awhile back (possibly as a guest on a travel podcast show), so look for that as well.

I didn't make it to Europe until I was in my mid-30s, and I wish I'd gone sooner. And it wasn't until 40 that I got to spend a couple of months there really soaking up the culture. To do that, I had to take a leave of absence from work, which is not an easy thing to do, especially if you have obligations.

Life is short, so why not try to "live the dream" even for just a bit? Indeed, it sounds like you are on that path already. Good luck!

I too am going to europe for a few months with my son. It takes some planning but its good to be up in the air with your plans. Find a cheap ticket over and a good hostal and start from there. If there are specific things you want to see and do make sure you make a list of expenses and a tenitive plan for when you want to be there. This will give you a little more focus and will make the trip successful.
Don't let others talk you out of it, I did that and it taken me twenty years to get back to my original dream to see europe and experience all that it has to offer.

Hi Heather. I suggest : enjoy your big trip in Europe, and do not do intense thinking about how you could be employed in Europe. If I could be in Europe for 2 and 1/2 months, I would decide on destinations there, but I would not make an itinerary. I would stay at a place until I felt rested and ready to do more travel. At some point in your trip, you might need a long rest. Good places for resting are : a Greek island, and the Cotswold region in England. Come back to the U.S.A. and get a job. Next year, perhaps you could be an assistant tour group leader in a Rick Steves Bus group tour in England. It does not pay a salary, but you would get free transportation in Europe. And it could lead to a seasonal job as a tour group leader. For people who like talking, teaching English as a second language, in Europe, can be a wonderful experience. I am really not much of a talker, but I was a teacher of conversationl English, in a country in east Asia, shortly after I received my Bachelor's degree. It was the best thing I did, up to that time. The most satisfactory plan for you may be to find a job in the U.S.A., working nine months in each year, and travel in Europe for several weeks each year.

You just made me think of the song, "Free As A Bird", by the Beatles with the late John Lennon.

OMG! To be 25 and free to travel and see the world!

That would be the most wonderful thing for this 59 year old feeb! LOL

I didn't read the whole thread, but I, for one, would be MOST interested in following a blog, if you have one, regarding your adventures in Europe and the world.

Hey guys? We talk about travel a lot on this site, so how about we talk about TIME-TRAVEL, sometime?

Just kidding, but this young lady has just touched my heart, and I wish you the best, Heather!

Please stay in touch with us here, okay?

Thanks

Bill

To be free and young again!

Heather, Enjoy your opportunity and don't think twice. You may never get this chance again, so go for it.

Heather, when I was 24 I quit my job - didn't hate it, but was tired of it and always had the travel bug. Cashed out what little retirement fund I had built, added my meager savings, and headed for Europe. Spent 7 months hitchhiking and training around. Because of new rules, you can't spend that much consecutive time in Europe these days unless you are an EU citizen or are there on some other special status.

That was the best decision I ever made. I had barely sufficient funds, no itinerary, no job prospects either in Europe or upon return to the US, but I did it anyway. And loved every bit of it.

That was 30 years ago, and now it's hard for me to find 1 or 2 or 3 weeks and the necessary money for a Europe trip (though I still go). I say go for it. Don't overthink it. You won't regret it.

Heather when young like you are, I encourage3 all young and free to go,, and take the full 90 days to enjoy and explore Europe.
Do it for fun, do it to give yourself time for geting to know yourself,, but don't do it because you think it will "cure" your anixety or depression issues. Those can be serious mental health issues and just running away will not work,, as a few wisely noted,, travel itself can be stressful,, so don't go with unrealistic expectations.

That all said,, I basically think you should just go for a vacatin,, not to work,, and have some fun,, then come home and figure out what you really want to do with your life( of course all the free time you will be travelling will give you lots of time to think) .

wow heather, THIS IS ME TOO!!! i'm also quitting my job, going to europe and figuring it out later. i really hope that you'll still follow this thread either you're gone or after you get back to tell your tales, lol.

it's not that i hate my job, i'm just really not happy there and i've known since taking the job nearly 2 yrs ago that i wouldn't stay there and build a career. i don't expect to ever LOVE what i do, but i'm really feeling a need to exercise my passions and find a sense of fulfillment in what i do.

i'm 24 - only real bills i have are student loans but they're not overwhelming and i've built myself a pretty decent safety net financially. still at home with my parents but expecting to move out and get engaged to my wonderful boyfriend within the next 6-8 months. but i guess this could change depending on what happens when i get back from my trip.

i have many ideas about things i might want to do yet i have absolutely no idea, lol. i just know that i've spent too long doing nothing while trying to figure it out. maybe finally doing something i've always wanted to do will actually help me figure it out. how can you not come back from a trip like this and have a new perspective?

of course i'm freaked out about the interim and running out of money but i really think i'll be okay. i'm smart and capable and i tend to work better under pressure so when the need comes i'll find the way. i feel like this might be my only time to be completely selfish and if i don't take this chance i'll kick myself in the ass forever. i don't want to be someone who always talks about what i want but instead actually does it. let this be my first step...and same for you!!!

high-five for changes and please do keep us posted if you can.
best of luck :)

I know this is WAY after you have already left for your trip, but maybe you will read this while you are away. I have to agree with one of the previous posters:

When you get back, look into becoming a teacher. Maybe you'll start by teaching English abroad, or maybe you'll come back, work at your old job (or another one) and go to school at night to become a teacher. Teachers are always needed, but to be really invaluable, become a special ed. teacher. I used to teach 3rd grade, and then one year it seemed like I had a classroom full of special needs students (even though it was a regular ed. class) and at first I was very frustrated, but then I realized I really liked working with these kids, quirks and all. So I've spent 4 of my 13 years teaching special ed. students and love it. And, of course, most school districts have summers off, which gives you a chance to travel. Living in California with all of the budget cuts, I haven't been laid off because there is always a need for special ed. teachers!

I know you posted your message back in July and you are in Europe now, but I just want to tell you a few things.
DO QUIT YOUR JOB and KEEP DREAMING. !!!
I am older than you, but for a few years now I'm working on an idea to be able to quit my current job and travel. Well, I am lucky because I can travel for a while, I get a month vacationw where I work now, but I need more than that to travel.
But at the same time you will need a source of money. I guess you got some money, but if you want to travel in the feature you will need money again.
I met a guy from India about a month ago.He has been traveling around the world for about 2 years now. He worked for 8-9 years in Sillicon Valley, saved money and now travel.I met him in the US while he was traveling across US. This is something I would love to do. Sell most of my stuff and travel.
Good luck!!!

Have you ever considered doing a round the world trip? I have been following lots of peoples blogs lately detailing how they prepared and following them on their adventures. Many of them are in the same boat as you. Go farther than Europe! You can live incredibly cheap and well in South Eastern Asia and it is perfectly safe for a single woman to travel there. Lonely Planet Thorntree forum has an excellent thread on gap year/RTW travel.