Editorial
Editorial Submissions
Tell me, I forget
Show me, I remember
Involve me, I understand
This Chinese Proverb is a great way to describe the community at Meet, Plan, Go! and Briefcase to Backpack. We could easily tell you about the wonders of taking a career break and international travel, but that can easily be lost in translation. Instead, we want to show you through our personal experiences and stories. And more importantly, we want to involve you so that you can share your own experiences.
This means that we want to hear from you!
No matter where you are in your career break planning, your personal experience can help inspire others.
Monday: We feature a guest post or interview for one of the four main categories (Contemplating – Preparation – On-the-Road – Re-Entry).
Friday: We feature a career break inspired Photo Friday. To submit a photo, join our Facebook Group and upload your career break photo onto our Wall. Add a brief description & we may choose to feature it.
How to submit your story:
– 500-800 words – include a short bio as well as any links to your website and/or Twitter ID
– Attach at least 3 photos (600x400pixels – 72dpi preferred)
– Specific topic related to one of the four categories (Contemplating, Preparation, On-the-Road, Re-Entry)
– Email to editor@meetplango.com - in the subject line note which category your submission is for
Some examples of topic-specific posts:
Contemplating
Workplaces for Sabbaticals | Keith Savage: Breaking One Career to Start Another | Should I Stay or Should I Go? | Negotiating a Sabbatical
Preparation
Preparing to Leave as an International Volunteer | Letting Go: What About the Pets? | Teach English as a Second Language | Bring on Africa! (I Think…) | Health Insurance for American Travelers
On-the-Road
Slow Travel with Mobile Lawyer | Dealing with Tragedy Back Home | Traveling with Medications | Frustrations on the Road
Re-Entry
Getting Back in the Game | Lisa Lubin’s New Business Card | Reflection: Morgan’s Tale | Trading in Your Backpack for the Briefcase
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.