Relaxation/Vacation
Career breaks prompt gap yearsTeens have been doing it for decades. For adults, taking a gap year is a relatively new concept. |
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 [ 2007-04-07 ] |
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In Canada, retail travel agency Travel CUTS is calls it a "career break" and last week launched an online guide for working adults who are tired of watching the kids have all the fun.
"The career break is a gap year abroad for grownups," says Karen Moore, sales development manager of Travel CUTS' international programs.
"Taking a career break has become one of the fastest growing trends in recent years and people are looking to do something different. They want to take time out to travel, learn new skills and discover the world themselves," she says.
Indeed, the Internet is littered with sites -- many based in the U.K. -- that cater to adults looking to take some time off to recharge, explore and experience adventure.
Data on Canadians who have taken such a career break is difficult to come by.
However, a survey released last week in Britain by Direct Line Travel Insurance found almost one in five workers there -- about 5.5 million -- are planning to join the ranks of the three million workers who have taken an extended break from their careers in the past five years.
"Taking an extended break from work used to be the preserve of a privileged few, but now more and more people are taking time out from their careers to travel," said Chris Price, business manager at Direct Line Travel Insurance.
"It seems that firms are recognizing this desire and are offering sabbaticals as a way of recruiting and retaining the best staff."
The Travel CUTS guide explains opportunities that are available -- from volunteer teaching in a school in Ghana for eight weeks to exploring the islands of Fiji for two weeks to working your way across France (for those under 35).
It's available online at www.gapyearabroad.ca.
For those seriously considering such a break, the book Gap Years for Grownups by Susan Griffith, available at Chapters, and its related website grownupgapyear.co.uk, offer advice on how to plan and afford such an adventure. They even offer advice on how to negotiate with your employer to get time off work.
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