10 Sabbatical Ideas (For Making the Most of Your Time)

You’ve worked hard for many years, and now you have an opportunity to take a break from your career. But maybe the idea of doing nothing just doesn’t sit well with you. After all, that’s what retirement is for, right?!

If you’re looking for a way to recharge, see the world, and learn new skills, a sabbatical is a GREAT idea.

Perhaps you’re looking to make the most out of that time off. If you’re looking for sabbatical ideas that embody meaningful travel experiences and personal growth opportunities, you’ve come to the right place.

From aiding wildlife in South America to empowering kids in Asia to overcoming fear of heights in Asia, going on a sabbatical abroad will help you get off the beaten path, satisfy your wanderlust, and achieve new milestones. Oh, and not to mention the landscapes you’ll see and the dishes you’ll try! With any of these ideas of what to do during a sabbatical, you’re bound to come home with new skills and a new lease on life.

Is taking a sabbatical a good idea?

Did you know that three out of four employees have experienced burnout at their current job, which can negatively impact their quality of work and their relationships with others? Chronic stress also increases the risk of developing serious mental and physical symptoms.

So, why is taking a sabbatical a good idea? A sabbatical gives people the chance to step away from that stress and grow in new ways. Most of all, it’s an opportunity to ignite new passions and acquire new points of view.

If your employer has granted you a year-long sabbatical, congrats! And while in some cases, your mid-career gap year may only be a couple of months, that's still time—one of life’s most precious nonrenewable resources—to make new memories.

If your sabbatical is unpaid or underpaid, you can earn money with some of the sabbatical ideas on this list. Plus, check out these digital nomad job ideas.

What to do during a sabbatical

Whether you’re going on sabbatical for a week or a year, these program options provide a variety of durations to meet your timeframe allowance:

1. Learn a New Language

• Why? The top idea of what to do on a sabbatical? How about learning Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, or some other language? A language immersion program will offer you the tools to communicate naturally with native speakers, and better yet, you’ll get to practice with them in local settings!
• Plus, many programs offer homestay accommodations, daily cultural activities, and weekend excursions, so you’ll be able to take your language skills to new heights while experiencing the country to the fullest.
• Recommended program: Intercultura Costa Rica: Spanish Immersion for Adults

2. Hike Everest Base Camp

Can you picture yourself at these heights?

• Why? Ever dreamed of seeing the world’s tallest mountain? By hiking Mount Everest’s Base Camp, your hard work will be rewarded with soaking in one-of-a-kind majestic views and Himalayan glaciers.
• Keep in mind that to even reach such heights at such a high starting altitude, you’ll need to be in top physical condition! You’ll also get to learn more about the local Sherpa people’s culture while enjoying the natural surroundings and trying flavorful stews.
• Recommended program: Nepal Hiking Team Pvt. Ltd: Everest Base Camp Trek

3. Volunteer in the Galápagos Islands

• Why? Why not join conservation efforts to keep the Galápagos Islands a sanctuary for one-of-a-kind animals like blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises? Go ahead and snorkel the turquoise waters and spot sea lions, rays, sea turtles, and more!
• Plus, you may be able to stay with a host family and improve your Spanish-speaking skills. With awe-inspiring seascapes and diverse wildlife, the memories you make on the Islands will be ones that you’ll treasure for life.
• Recommended program: GoEco: Giant Tortoise and Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos

4. Help Provide Relief for Refugees

• Why? Organizations in countries around the world seek volunteers to assist with providing refugees with medical aid, food and water distribution, and education. You could provide hands-on humanitarian support in Palestine, Greece, Lebanon, Poland, Tibet, or the United Kingdom, to name a few.
• Your support and empathy can go a long way in making a difference for those in need and may be one of the most emotionally challenging yet rewarding experiences of your life.
• Recommended program: A Drop in the Ocean: Volunteer Field Workers

5. Teach English Abroad in Thailand

• Why? With hundreds of schools in need of English teachers, you can make a difference (and earn some money!) teaching English in Thailand. Plus, the golden Buddhist temples, majestic wildlife, colorful markets, and turquoise waters make for jaw-dropping surroundings.
• If you don’t have your TEFL certificate or a degree, don’t let that slow you down—many programs will allow you to earn it right in Thailand. You could also opt for short-term placements, private tutoring jobs, or months-long contracts.
• Recommended program: Greenheart Travel: Paid Teaching Contracts in Thailand

6. Spice Up Your Culinary Skills

Consider going on sabbatical your call to perfect your culinary skills.

• Why? Any foodies in the house? This list of sabbatical ideas wouldn’t be complete without suggesting taking a cooking class abroad! Simmer up paella in Salamanca, bake up a pizza in Florence, or assemble ratatouille in Paris. The world is your oyster!
• Culinary programs dish up all of the ingredients for cultural immersion—meeting locals, viewing art in museums and landmarks, volunteering opportunities, and adventurous excursions too. Sounds like a recipe for an enriching experience!
• Recommended program: Mente Argentina: Cooking Program +Optional Spanish Classes

7. Raise Awareness for Wildlife with Photography in South Africa

• Why? Lions, rhinos, and elephants, oh my! South Africa is home to hundreds of endangered species—help raise awareness of the importance of conserving these precious animals with photography.
• You can learn from professional photographers how to snapshot wildlife through the lens of humanitarianism. And better yet, you may even get to enjoy some jeep off-roading along the way! You’ll come home with an impressive portfolio that is sure to make others roar with awe.
• Recommended program: Penda Photo Tours: NGO Photography Workshop

8. Dive into Marine Conservation

• Why? Now’s your chance to get a taste of what life would be like as a merperson! Many marine conservation programs offer their volunteers scuba diving certification programs.
• From the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean to the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll encounter spectacular marine life as you contribute to sustainability efforts by surveying coral reefs, observing marine wildlife, and rehabilitating sea turtles. Grab your GoPro and suit up for an adventure under the sea!
• Recommended program: GVI Marine Conservation Expedition in the Seychelles

9. Work Abroad as a Camp Counselor

• Why? OK, so the chances of discovering lost twins like in “The Parent Trap” are low, but you can definitely be an important role model for kids and improve your leadership skills as a camp counselor on your sabbatical. Better yet, you can make some money from it too!
• Many programs are seasonal and are looking for language counselors, ski/snowboard instructors, and program coordinators. Discover opportunities in France, Canada, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and many more places around the world.
• Recommended program: American Village Camps: Camp Counselor in France

10. Namaste with a Yoga Retreat Program

Nothing says recharging on sabbatical quite like a yoga retreat abroad.

• Why? Reconnect with your mind, body, and soul with a yoga retreat abroad. Imagine immersing yourself in the cloud forests in Costa Rica, the mountains in Nepal, or the Mediterranean Sea as you breathe new life into your health.
• When you’re “off the mat,” you could also learn how to surf, sample new dishes, or take language classes with many of the retreat programs. Some of them will even teach you how to become a yoga teacher yourself!
• Recommended program: Philotimo Med Abroad: Yoga Retreat Program in Greece

After seeing this list of opportunities to make a difference in your life and the lives of others, our answer to “is taking a sabbatical a good idea” looks like a hell yeah and fist pump!

Make the most of your sabbatical leave!

No matter how you fill your days, these sabbatical ideas will have you making the most of your time.

Now you have plenty of sabbatical ideas for a meaningful travel adventure. From climbing mountains to scuba diving, perhaps you’ll cross off some bucket list items along the way too! And hey, your time abroad will inspire you to write your own version of “Eat, Pray, Love.” Repeat after us: Carpe diem—well, in this case, carpe annum (seize the year)!