“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain
June, 2016
I see that look in people’s eyes when I tell them what I’m doing. Sometimes it’s a look that says, “You’re nuts” while others give a look resembling fear and concern for my safety, and there are many (like the UPS guy the other day) who are so excited for me, seemingly more excited than I feel, but quickly say they could never do anything like what I’m doing. Very rarely do I see the look that says, “I get it.” That’s okay. I embrace all of these responses because they remind me to be adventurous, to be cautious, to be brave, to be prepared. For the last eight months, I have been meeting and reading about people who make what I’m doing look like a completely normal and expected event. The reactions I get from family, friends and strangers here in the US remind me that it may not be such a normal thing and perhaps merits further explanation.
Early on, I learned that many around the world refer to this type of trip as a career break, a term I have come to use, though it does not fully capture what it’s really all about. One of the first pieces of advice I received from others who have done this before was to write down my purpose and goals for this trip. It did not take me long to come up with the following:
I want to learn about other cultures by stepping outside my comfort zone and living, working and volunteering in diverse places in order to see new perspectives, make meaningful connections with others, and to gain experience that will lead to personal and professional growth.
Eventually, I came up with a list of what this trip is and what it is not. Writing this down has helped, and will continue to help me decide what I will do throughout the year. For anyone reading, this is not what I think your year abroad should be, it’s what I want out of my adventure and nothing more. Also, this list is neither complete nor is it set in stone.
I’m sure I will change my mind about some of these things.
| What this trip is | What it isn’t |
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Update: 2018
It has been six months since I returned from my year abroad. I had hoped to continue writing several posts a month on this blog as I continue to reflect on my past travels, current teaching, and future goals. While I haven’t been able to write and photograph as much as I had hoped, I will continue to write and reflect on this blog about teaching, traveling and learning.
Anne
June 24, 2016 at 14:35
Awesome Tim can’t wait to continue reading throughout the year
Tim Flanagan
June 24, 2016 at 22:30
Glad you’re reading! Thanks for sharing this with Cindy.
Sharon Eash
June 24, 2016 at 17:18
Sounds great Tim – I can’t wait to read more… 🙂
Tim Flanagan
June 24, 2016 at 22:35
So glad you’re reading this, Sharon! Hope you’re all doing well.
Emilia
June 24, 2016 at 19:32
I think this opportunity affords you this once in a life time experience to be of the world and to use your many talents in service to many others. Also,your peers and students will learn so much from your adventures.
Tim Flanagan
June 24, 2016 at 22:37
I hope I don’t disappoint! Thanks for your kind words, Emilia.
Jean & Anthony Ogilvie
June 26, 2016 at 02:41
Hey Tim. We were thinking of you today and decided to look at your (old) blog only to see this update. Very exciting! Good luck with it all and so looking forward to tracking your adventures.
Tim Flanagan
June 26, 2016 at 05:41
Hi Jean and Anthony! I was just checking to see if I had sent you my blog address when I saw your comment. You were there when this whole adventure started and have been an inspiration all along. I’ll be following your next adventure as well and maybe our paths will cross in the coming year.
Gina Cross
June 29, 2016 at 09:15
I get it! I’m so excited for you for doing this. What a great adventure and purpose (s). You have given me the chance to broaden my retirement opportunities in the future 😉 Thanks!
Tim Flanagan
June 29, 2016 at 09:38
I was hoping to hear from you, Gina! Still remember our weekend adventures in Mallorca. You and Julie (comments on other posts) have the same sense of adventure. Can’t wait to hear about your latest trips.
Jessie
July 7, 2016 at 18:32
Jose said good luck and he is excited for ur learning experience.
Tim Flanagan
July 7, 2016 at 23:31
Thanks, Jessie. Tell Jose I was just talking about him yesterday. I have a student here named Jose and was telling him about your Jose. Hope you’re enjoying the summer.
Elaine Temel
July 9, 2016 at 11:05
Very insightful. I’m actually totally jealous. I would love to do this one day (kids to college first!).
Tim Flanagan
July 12, 2016 at 00:41
Yes, priorities do get in the way. I’m sure you can make it happen one day. I’m lucky that I can do it now.
Elaine Temel
July 9, 2016 at 11:06
P.S. I’m going to show this post to Miles as he thinks about where he wants to go! It will be very helpful for him.
Tim Flanagan
July 12, 2016 at 00:41
Please do!
Ken Flanagan
July 10, 2016 at 09:23
Nicely put Tim,
Look forward to reading and seeing about this great adventure.
The girls say hi!
Tim Flanagan
July 12, 2016 at 00:42
Hello back to everyone. Thanks for checking in.
Marika
July 11, 2016 at 11:25
I love this list. You inspire me to focus on what it is I want to do in life. Thanks for taking us along on your journey my friend.❤️❤️❤️
Tim Flanagan
July 12, 2016 at 00:44
My pleasure, fellow adventurer!
Elizabeth Hick
July 14, 2016 at 11:14
Tim, what an awesome adventure! Best of luck this summer in your brave endeavors. I will continue to venture through your blogs/website.
Tim Flanagan
July 15, 2016 at 01:18
Thanks, Elizabeth! Tell your parents the adventure started when I drove to Montana with them many years ago.
VickyAnn
August 13, 2016 at 08:52
Well Flanagan- you are the best… I get it ! I will read an autographed copy of your first book! Right now I’m on page 415 of my 789 page book, called Saigon by Anthony Grey. Thoughts are in Vietnam and on hip recovery. Keep on writing- see you soon…..⛩VickyAnn
Tim Flanagan
August 18, 2016 at 20:13
Glad you’re recovering. Hope the book is motivating you to come for a visit in Vietnam. I’ll see you very soon!
Monica Schnee
September 24, 2016 at 09:04
Tim,
I love your list and could not agree with you and “it” more. I hope that it will expand to add other things you did not know were there. Time is the one thing this opportunity offers us, the one luxury we seldom have. One thing I must say, I wish I had more time in Seoul. I already feel that three weeks have gone by and that my time here will be too short. Will now read your other posts!
Stay well my South East Asia neighbor. Monica
Tim Flanagan
October 6, 2016 at 05:54
Yes, time is flying by. I wish I had more time to record all the amazing moments here, but there’s just too many.
Sharon Shalloo
October 1, 2016 at 21:30
Hi Tim,
I finally took some time to look at all your posts. Totally awesome. I look forward to reading future ones. So, so neat and interesting. Love it…
Tim Flanagan
October 6, 2016 at 06:12
Thanks for reading, Sharon. Hope you’re having a good year!
Charles in charge
October 27, 2016 at 15:53
Hey Mr Flanagan
Tim Flanagan
October 28, 2016 at 06:10
Kumusta, Charles. I’m going to the Philippines in February, so send me some places to visit!
Charles in charge
October 28, 2016 at 16:49
I did, I write it in a paper and give it to Ms Payne. Have a nice trip.
Tim Flanagan
November 1, 2016 at 08:41
Thanks, Charles. I will ask her to send it to me.
Jeff
November 2, 2016 at 02:08
Awesome post. I should also make a list like this!
Tim Flanagan
November 4, 2016 at 01:41
I got the idea from some world travelers I met through Couchsurfing. Definitely worth doing.
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