fabien & emma’s video postcard

Fabien and Emma, “The Dynamic Breakers”, Ireland

Fabien and Emma show that a career break cannot only be good for the soul, but for your relationship. In February 2007, they set off for a 23-month trip around the world. They traveled through South America, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Asia with their last stop in India where they got engaged at the Taj Mahal. Over the course of the trip, they showed that a career break trip could be anything you want it to be. They traveled for the sake of travel, they worked, and they volunteered.

The high point (besides the engagement) was their month in Vanuatu to visit some friends they had made while working in the orchards of New Zealand. Despite being the first Europeans to visit their friends’ village, they had an “amazing” connection to the people and fit right in. The low point was when Fabien got Dengue Fever in Malaysia and was in the hospital for a couple of weeks.

Their advice to people thinking about a career break? “Just do it! It’s not for everyone, but if you are really dreaming about, it’s worth it. Just take the courage to go beyond your comfort zone. You learn a lot and it pays back. It gives you a better perspective on life.”

And for reintegrating back into the workforce in January 2009? Despite one of the worst economies in decades, they both found jobs in their fields within a month of returning to their home in Cork, Ireland.