Sabbatical: 5 ideas worth the time out

Sabbatical: reasons for a break

The reasons for a sabbatical can be manifold. Some workers want to use the time to travel or to support social projects. For others it stands Continuing vocational training or even reorientation in the foreground. A sabbatical can also be used to spend more time with the family or prevent burnout. As you can see there are plenty of good reasons to take a sabbatical! And who knows, maybe you'll be inspired by our ideas to take a break from the job yourself.

1. Make a world tour during the sabbatical

Travel is undisputedly rank # 1 for sabbatical reasons. When else do you have the opportunity to see the world for several weeks at a time and travel to different countries? Intercultural competence is also a welcome skill from an employer's point of viewIn addition, traveling helps you improve on soft skills such as your independence, flexibility and organizational skills. In addition, the change of perspective will give you a lot of new impulses for your job and start your return to professional life later highly motivated and full of ideas.



2. Use the sabbatical and learn a new language

A training course that can be wonderfully combined with traveling is to learn a new language. You always wanted to learn Spanish, but you never had the time? Then a sabbatical is just the thing for you. How about, for example, a several-week language course in Buenos Aires to graduate and then travel through South America? Through daily use, you will get used to the new language much faster. Incidentally, this example can also be wonderfully transferred to other areas: If you always have Learn how to program or start a new sport Wanted, now is the time.



3. Do a sabbatical to spend time with the family

The children grow up faster than we would like, and apart from work, the family is often much too short. That's why the sabbatical is often used to to spend time with the loved ones, Others also take a break in the job so they can care for their loved ones. No matter what reasons are at your forefront: For the family, it is always worthwhile to take a break.

4. Social engagement in the sabbatical year

Abundance volunteers abound, but most of us lack the time to do so. During your sabbatical year, this excuse is no longer valid! For example, you can do the following volunteer forms:

  • volunteer to help out at the blackboard
  • engage in child or senior citizen work
  • support the refugee aid of your hometown
  • act as a coach in the sports club
  • Volunteer for the homeless
  • engage politically, e.g. for human rights
  • Support people with disabilities

Also Animal and environmental organizations are constantly looking for temporary help, for example, after Gassigehern in the shelter. On the website Gute-Tat.de you will find many projects for the cities of Berlin, Hamburg and Munich where you can get involved.



5. Start your own project during the sabbatical

By taking a break from the job you have the opportunity, you and Reflect on your abilities and become aware of your strengths, It may turn out that you do not fulfill your current job and you would rather start your own business. Then you can use your sabbatical to work out a business plan and to fulfill your dream of independence, Or you've been slumbering the idea of ​​writing a book for a long time, but you never got around to putting it into action? For such projects a sabbatical year is ideally suited.

Financing models for the sabbatical

Depending on the employer, there are different ways to finance a sabbatical. Some companies offer one work account on which overtime is entered, which will then be paid out during your sabbatical. At the Part-time model If the employee for one period waives half of his salary, the other half is paid out during the sabbatical year. There is also the possibility unpaid vacation however, this special leave may affect your health insurance. In any case, you should inform yourself in advance about the loss of salary and make sure that your insurance cover is still guaranteed.

Here you will find more information on how to plan a sabbatical and what you should consider, for example, in terms of finances and insurance.In addition, we introduce women who have taken a break from work? let yourself be inspired by them!

Video tip: Work Life Balance

How to get back to work after a career break | Carol Fishman Cohen (March 2024).



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