Hey there, I’m Jeanee, the voice behind the Sabbatical Girl. This is a site where I share my experiences living abroad, travel tips and recommendations, photos and much more.

</The story behind the name: Sabbatical Girl>

It’s a running joke amongst my mates that I’m perpetually on sabbatical. To be precise, I took 3 sabbaticals or career breaks to travel before I turned 30. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity not once, but several times. These sabbaticals were all in between jobs, a career break between two countries and my student exchange program in university.  

I’m a firm advocate for taking a sabbatical or a career break to travel the world. It is an opportunity to reset and reflect on your own personal development and growth. 

</Growing up with expats>

Originally from Sydney, Australia, I grew up in an expat community which sparked my initial interest in travel, other cultures and living abroad. I had neighbours from Turkiye, Norway, the UK etc. 

</Finally moving overseas… 6 months before Covid>

I studied accounting and finance in university knowing that these were two majors that would take me overseas. Once I had finished my Chartered Accountant exams, I moved to Boston in September 2019 with the aim to travel around North America and Central America. 

I found myself unexpectedly stranded in the US during the Covid chaos. Australia was very strict when it came to COVID lockdowns and restrictions which meant that even its own citizens like myself were not allowed to return home. What could have been a challenging situation turned into an incredible opportunity. Although trapped in a country that was 24 hours away from home, I was stuck in a large country with much to explore and minimal travel restrictions.

</Another plot twist that spurred my move to London>

Entering into the post-covid world, I thought that this would finally be my chance to explore Central and South America. Fate had even more surprises in store for me. I was laid off in March 2023 and found myself facing another crossroads: find another US-based job within 60 days or leave. Determined to keep the spirit of exploration alive, I applied for my working holiday visa and decided to make the leap across the pond to London.

</Life in Europe>

Now based in the world’s most diverse city, I’m ready to continue my adventures in a whole new continent. Europe’s rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes await, and I’m excited to share every step of this journey with you. From the bustling streets of Paris to the rugged highlands of Scotland, I’ll be exploring it all and giving you a front-row seat to the experience.

Why I started Sabbatical Girl

Life can often become a whirlwind of routine, and it’s easy to forget the incredible world that exists beyond our daily grind. My blog is dedicated to showing you that it’s not only possible but highly enriching to hit pause, temporarily take a step back from that routine and step out of your comfort zone to explore the world. What makes my travel philosophy unique is a strong focus on value travel. I firmly believe that you don’t need a limitless budget to embark on incredible journeys. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems in your own backyard or traversing far-flung destinations on a budget, my blog is here to guide you and help you plan your travels so that you can get the best possible value from travel. 

Safe travels,

The Sabbatical Girl