How to Plan a Sabbatical

In a world where work-life balance is becoming more of a priority—but most people don’t have much spare time to pursue their interests—many of us dream of taking a sabbatical. It might seem like a fantasy to take time off professionally and make time personally, but it’s only out of reach if you don’t make it a reality!

Ready for a change of pace? Here’s how to plan a sabbatical from work.

Whether you’re considering a backpacking adventure through South America or teaching English in Asia, there are endless ways to take a sabbatical. Figuring out how to plan a sabbatical from work can be daunting, but by getting creative about potential solutions, you can make it happen. Taking a sabbatical is a major life experience and one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do!

5 steps for planning your sabbatical

Going on sabbatical means leaving your job behind (maybe temporarily) to focus on doing something for your personal growth. Whether it’s a year to gain a specific qualification or a few months to volunteer abroad, there are many ways to fill this time.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for figuring out how to plan a sabbatical from work, but there are several important steps that will help alleviate some of the stress:

Step 1: Figure out what you’ll do during your sabbatical

Sabbaticals should be spent productively. Doing nothing for several months isn’t healthy for anyone, so create a short list of goals for your break. Some people have clear-cut reasons for taking a sabbatical, but others might not have such a straightforward plan. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Pursue a passion like traveling, volunteering, writing, gardening, etc.
• Go back to school—part time or full time!
• Try new things to discover your passion and cross items off the bucket list.
• Launch a new career or freelancing venture.
• Start a family, adopt a pet, or help take care of someone you love.

Figuring out how you’ll spend your time is only a jumping-off point, and you’ll probably continue to revisit this as you fine-tune your plan. You may have to tweak your plans to work in unforeseen details like travel costs, visas, or training time, so stay open-minded and flexible.

Step 2: Pick a start date and duration

It’s tempting to start your break right now, but we all know it takes a little planning! Consider all the factors like your current job responsibilities, housing contract, and financial goals so you can pick an ideal start date for your sabbatical. You don’t have to worry about getting the date exactly right, but it’s helpful to have a general time frame in mind so you can plan around it.

Once you know where your sabbatical will take you, it’s time to figure out when you’ll go.

There are a few things to consider:

• Make it concrete—“someday” isn’t the right move. But you should also stay flexible and remember this is just a point of reference for planning.
• It can sometimes help to tie your start date to a life event or momentous occasion. It’s easy to track and provides an encouraging mental push. Some good examples are taking a break to travel the world before starting a family or celebrating a big birthday.
• Talk about your plans with people you’re close to. Mention it to your partner, family, or friends during casual conversations and ask for their feedback. This helps to make it feel real, and you’ll hopefully get some valuable input while planning.

You should also start determining the length of your sabbatical. Some travelers head abroad for a year to enroll in intensive language courses, while others volunteer abroad for a few months in a specialized field. There are no rules for how long a sabbatical should be, so pick an ideal time frame based on your goals.

Step 3: Make a financial plan

You’ll want to take a sabbatical in a financially responsible way, so the following questions can help you start figuring out what to cover:

Do you have any debt? This can turn into a huge burden while taking a sabbatical. If possible, get rid of it before your break.

If not, determine how you can keep paying it off during your sabbatical. At a minimum, make sure you won’t increase the debt because of your break.

How will you pay for everyday living? The cost of housing, food, transportation, and fun can vary greatly from country to country. Consider the following options to fund your sabbatical:

• Savings: Put away enough to support yourself.
• Spouse: Talk with your partner about supporting you. If you’re headed abroad together, shared living expenses help keep your budget down.
• Side income: Establish a stream of side money before going on break. Some options could include rental properties, investments, or website referral revenue.
• Part-time job: Work some hours here and there while on sabbatical. Photography, pet sitting/walking, web development, teaching English, upscaling products—the possibilities are endless!

How will you fund unexpected expenses? Emergencies and unplanned situations happen, like needing to fly home to help a family member or getting injured while traveling. Build up an appropriate emergency fund before heading out. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Step 4: Have the conversation with your boss

Take a deep breath and have that conversation. Your sabbatical is within reach!

During the few months to year it takes to plan for a sabbatical, continue to do your best at work and stay focused on your day-to-day goals. It’s important to figure out your exit strategy in a way that maximizes your situation and minimizes damage to your employer.

Start by researching your employer’s policies—you might actually get some financial help. You could be eligible for tuition reimbursements if you’re pursuing higher education and FMLA policies often guarantee an equivalent job after a short break to care for family. Even if specific policies don’t exist, check with HR to see if there are options for an unpaid leave of absence.

When you’re ready, have the big conversation with your boss. Your timing for this depends on your relationship with your manager and workplace expectations. Some choose to tell their boss months in advance so they can help train coverage during a temporary break.

If you can’t negotiate a break and decide to quit, don’t burn your bridges. Provide the required two-week notice, write a cordial resignation letter, train your replacements, and maintain professionalism. You never know what the future holds, so it’s important to take care of good relationships.

Step 5: Do it!

Time slips by really fast, and before you know it, you’ll be saying goodbye to your colleagues and starting your new lifestyle. It’s normal to experience cold feet before taking the plunge, so use the following tips to help with the transition:

• Ease into your new life: If possible, take some time off each week for the last few weeks of work to “test drive” a new schedule and habits.
• Plan your first few weeks off in detail: It’s too easy to just want to relax and vacation at first, but then slip into an unproductive lifestyle. Establish some type of routine within the new freedom so you’re staying focused on your goals.
• Socialize and don’t become isolated: Make a conscious effort to schedule time with friends or old coworkers, reconnect with buds from high school, or look for opportunities to make new friends. Joining a gym, gardening club, or other hobby-based group is an easy way to meet people!

3 cool ideas for your sabbatical from work

There are so many ways to spend a sabbatical that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help get you started, here are three of our favorite programs:

1. Intern Abroad with the Institute for Global Studies

• Why it’s great: The Institute for Global Studies was founded in 1999 as an internship and study abroad provider specializing in eco-tourism and marine ecology. Today, the IGS is committed to cultural sensitivity and environmental stewardship through a wide range of programs. Whether you’re looking to help protect coral reefs, intern at a Buddhist monastery, or join a team rehabilitating injured wildlife, the IGS provides tons of sabbatical options!
• What? Intern abroad
• Where? Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, U.S. (including Hawaii)
• Read Institute for Global Studies reviews

2. Teach English Abroad with Maximo Nivel

• Why it’s great: Maximo Nivel is one of the top meaningful travel program providers in Latin America, offering a wide range of options for anyone wanting to teach English abroad. Maximo Nivel trains and certifies world-class ESL teachers through their TEFL certification program and matches teachers with schools and educational centers abroad. If you’re thinking of heading to Latin America but want to consider other options besides teaching English, check out their volunteer, intern, or study abroad programs!
• What? Teach English/TEFL certification, volunteer abroad, study abroad, and more!
• Adventure travel, gap year, intern abroad
• Where? Costa Rica, Peru, and Guatemala
• Read Maximo Nivel reviews

3. Volunteer Abroad with International Volunteer HQ

• Why it’s great: With 50+ destinations and over 300 projects, the International Volunteer HQ offers the world’s largest range of fully-hosted volunteering programs. From teaching English and providing childcare to wildlife conservation and medical support, there are program options for everyone. IVHQ helps travelers become part of the local community and experience new cultures in an authentic way. Make your sabbatical truly matter by giving back to communities in need!
• What? Volunteer abroad
• Where? 40+ countries
• Read International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) reviews

Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get matched with 5 gap year programs abroad

Make a plan to make the most of your sabbatical!

Having a plan will take your sabbatical—and personal growth—to great heights.

If you’ve ever wanted to take an extended career break in a responsible way before you retire, it’s definitely possible with just some planning and a positive attitude. We hope this sabbatical planning guide gets you off to a great start and you’re feeling inspired to make it happen!