Anyone leave their job and go abroad?? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

glitterhairdye · 03-23-2009, 03:17 PM

Well, it's not a job. It's a school. I may not be able to finish out the four years here and I'm seriously considering going abroad for a year, maybe two if I can't. But it sounds lame but I'm terrified of this because a. I don't have any money, the school I'm at now means you can't work and b. what happens when I finish travelling? What do I do? Just go back to school? And how would i plan it all out??
Has anyone done this? I'm so conflicted about it. I've looked at helpx.net and WWOOFing. I think I would rather do a hostel but work for money. I don't know what to do. In a way I really love the path I'm on. I want to be a doctor but I'm afraid it won't work out. On the other hand I love travelling and I'm worried that I won't ever be able to travel and do all these things that I want to do. I want the experience of working abroad. I want to see and party and do. I don't know.
What would yáll do??

**c0urt** · 03-24-2009, 05:30 AM

I have left several jobs to travel.
my resume looks like hell because of it, but i am still happier for it.

**mish99** · 03-24-2009, 06:33 AM

Do what will ultimately make you happy. It will be scary no matter what happens.

Have you looked at something like MedForce :: Gap Year and Career Break Medic and Elective Placements kind of incorporating both meaningful travel and being a doctor. I think it costs though.

There are so many options though if you want to travel - fruit picking in New Zealand, hospitality work in Oz etc...

**maracle** · 03-24-2009, 08:30 AM

The naval academy will let you leave? I thought you were kind of locked in once you accept a spot there.

Well anyway, I think if you need a break there's nothing wrong with taking off to travel and finishing school later on. Lots of people become doctors through unconventional means, and with the competition for medical schools it almost seems like it's better that way. You have to get noticed by the admissions staff! Although I don't know how the military route is different.

Being broke is tough though, hostel work doesn't exactly pay well. You might want to check out a work/tourism visa program, like BUNAC. That way you could get a job as a bartender or somethign in Australia or the UK and hopefully make enough cash to travel.

Do you have anything specifically in mind?

**Canadian Bacon** · 03-24-2009, 10:52 AM

Haven't done it yet, but if you can get a similar job when you return from your trip, why not?

Although in these economic times, it may be better to save some $$$ and hold on to that job.

glitterhairdye · 03-26-2009, 05:08 AM

Yea. Me leaving may be beyond my control. But I've been looking at maybe continuing school at an american university in Germany or going to school in England or Oz. Don't know though...
Or just staying in the states and making money and then doing a huge two year RTW. Ugh i'm very unsure about a lot right now and I wish I wasn't.

Thanks for the link, mish99!

snowball1982 · 04-15-2009, 09:25 AM

Sounds like you are pretty confused about your entire life in general. If I were you, I would seperate the two problems (your academic and life wants.... and your travel wants).

Don't use travel as an excuse to escape from your lifes problems. But it can be an amazing time to grab perspective.

astro25e · 08-04-2009, 07:01 AM

Taking a year off as a student is a lot easier (and doesn't look so bad on the old resume) than doing it once you have a job. No one will fault you for taking off a semester or two to travel.

But if you want to go into the health profession you can travel even when you are a professional. I have friend who are nurses and they are doing some kind of travel program within the US that has them spend like 5 months in any city they want for 2 years i think. Also, doctorswithoutborders.org = awesome! Good luck!