Is going abroad for a few months worth leaving your job for?

MarthaMyDear

Hi

I don't even know if this counts as a personal issue but just wanted some outside opinions! Feel free to move if it's in the wrong place.

It sounds a little dramatic but basically I'm trying to decide what to do with my life. I'm going into my final year of college and I work part time in a busy shop. I'm on good enough wages, depending on how much overtime I get, and I live at home. This year a lot of people I know went on a J1 to America and they all seem to be having an absolute ball. It's something that I would love to do but is it worth leaving my job for? I know it wouldn't be till next summer but if I want to do it I would like to know far in advance so I could start saving. I just bought a car so I'd need a good while to make sure I could put aside enough money for plane tickets etc.

The thing is, there is no way my job would be waiting for me when I get back. I feel like it's a big opportunity to be able to get a J1 visa. The job I have is only part time and it's not something I want to have a career in but it's well paid and stable. I'd be lucky to get something similar if I left it. I will have a degree by then (hopefully!) but it's not a degree that leads straight to a career I would need to do a masters or something along the lines of that.

A few months ago I never would have even thought about travelling to America because I'm a complete home bird but I recently broke up with my boyfriend and am just starting to feel like there is more to my life than staying here and working part time till I can advance my degree then getting a job here in that area.... Not even sure if I'm making sense but I suppose my question is: be sensible and put off travelling till I am older and more financially stable? Or live a little and start planning a J1 to America or Australia and give up my job here?

DaenyB

I would advise you to definitely go on the j1, I went on mine 6 years ago and my friends and I still talk about the great times we had. I know the job you're in at the moment is stable etc but everybody needs to have a summer of fun and I think you would definitely regret it in the long term.

If you were to stay in the job you would only be thinking about it and wishing you were there too.
I didn't go on one j1 with friends one year cos was with a guy and had a great job and still regret it to this day, by the following summer was with a different guy and was worried about leaving him but we're still together now and I can honestly say it was the best few months I've ever had!

You say you don't want this job as a career and I know it's scary to leave it but to be honest you sound really sensible as you're saving etc already (something I've always been useless at!) so hopefully it'll work out for you too when you get back, sorry for the long post, hope this helps somehow!!

purplepapillon

Totally agree with DaenyB. I had a great permanent part-time job in college, which I had to give up to go on an erasmus year. I thought it was a problem at the time, but it was so worthwhile, I know I made the right decision. Came back stony broke, but had the best time of my life! I know these are scarier recessionary times and many say you'd be a fool to give a job up, but I'd do that to travel for sure, even now. Best of luck!

LegacyUser

OP go, leave on good terms with your job and let them know when your back and you never know. I did the J1 a few years back and like yourself I had a good retail part time job. I spoke to the manager well before I left and let her know when I would be back and I was able to get my job back. I know you can't say for sure that will happen for you but if it doesn't, it doesn't and you deal with that then.

jimmycrackcorm

Get rid of the car and go. The costs of a car that you can really do without affect your decision.

DylanII

Im in a similar situation. I want to do an erasmus year but it will mean leaving my job. For a student I am paid very well. If I leave that will mean that the job is gone for good. If I do manage to get another job when I return then it will be for a lot less money.

After I return I will still have another 2-3 years left in college so if I dont get a job when I return then I will be bunched. However, Im swaying towards leaving the job and going.

Its very unlikely that you will ever get the chance to do something like this again. Do you want to look back and think that you should have done it?

fungun

Id go, you will rgret being too 'sensible' and missing out on a chance for a really great experience. And as said above, keep on good terms with your boss, you may get back in but s/he wont be able to promise anything.

in terms of money, also do look at how much you really need a car (kinda horse/stable/bolted here i suppose). So many students have cars these days and I really wonder why they feel the need when there is decent public transport, esp in Dublin. I would add up the hours you need to work annually to pay for the car/insurance/tax/petrol and see if it wouldnt be better to just spend the extra bit of time/money and use public transport per journey

kjl

Is this a joke, you are in college and have the ability to travel with your friends and you want to stay and work in a boring shop?

Firstly you will be able to find work over there, secondly it's not like you will never find another job working in a shop and thirdly you are young, go enjoy your life. Stop trying to be so responsible and go and have a laugh.

You will always regret it if you don't.

MarthaMyDear

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately giving up the car is not an option as I need it for college (not in Dublin) as well as other family commitments. I can freeze my insurance for the 3 months I'm over there though. Think I'm just gonna go for it and talk to my boss about possibly hiring someone temporary or else taking me back on as Christmas staff if I can't find anything else when I get back.