Learning Leanings

In universities world-wide, sabbaticals are regarded as the most elevated form of professional development; a time for academics to take respite from their day-to-day obligations and do what they love most: learn. The concept of the sabbatical, however, is not confined to the sphere of formal education. Notable companies, such as 3M and Google, provide their employees the opportunity to take a personal sabbatical and still receive a portion of their salary. For many companies, this is considered a sound business investment. New York City designer, Stefan Sagmeister, leaves his high-rolling clients for one out of every seven years. He shuts up shop and encourages his employees to go immerse themselves, as he does, in meaningful learning experiences. Sagmeister claims that these times of sabbatical are what keep his business thriving, as all the creativity cultured during these period flows right back into the company.
Other have opted for the ‘abandon ship’ approach, giving up or taking extended breaks from well-established jobs and careers in order to simultaneously travel and study. Jennifer Ludders, a former employee of an international consulate in Saigon is one such bold soul. She gave up her much coveted job to pursue study in the field of natural healing. She presently finds herself in Chiang Mai immersed in the art of Thai massage. Although her thumbs ache, she is pleased with her decision.
However, you need not be the employee of a well funded conglomerate or firm, nor do you have to radically abandon your current course, in order to turn a few days, weeks, or months into a genuinely meaningful travel experiences.
“One guy I met in Vang Vieng, Laos,” reports a friend, Michael Henman, “was 370 consecutive days into a river tubing bender.” Michael avoids falling into this ‘loafer’ traveler mentality by using his journeying to hone his musical talents--finding instruction from local musicians. “If I value my time so much, why would I want to waste a huge block of free time simply sitting on the beach drinking mojitos.” Although there is a time and place for sipping a cocktail and relaxing on sunny shores, letting this activity predominate travel means that one runs the risk of missing out.
In contrast to this loafer type is the frenetic traveler, who wildly bounces off the surface of a multitude of sights and sounds without spending time to investigate and appreciate the nuances of a place. “I’ve done travel for travel’s sake, but now it is more important for me to explore my creative side,” says Kim Satterfield, a former Ho Chi Minh City resident and unofficial learning sabbatical advocate. “It’s also a really good way for me to connect with the local culture and people. When I am just traveling, ‘seeing things’ takes up all of my time.” Kim recently concluded a stint in Chennai taking a screenwriting course and pursuing her interest in script writing and film production.
Certainly, travel-study takes a bit of capital, but it is possible ever for the frugally minded. Well- known travel writer, Rolf Potts, writes that travel is not a matter of income, but rather a “conscious decision of how to use what income [and, I might add, what time] you have.” One can also get creative in finding ways to learn inexpensively. Skill exchanges, like switching an editor’s eye for art classes, can create an even more satisfying and rich learning experience. South East Asia is ripe with possibilities for rewarding and inexpensive learning.
This year past saw me in Phuket receiving an introduction to Muay Thai from a pleasantly harsh and demanding instructor. My time in Chiang Mai revealed the city to be a seeming mecca for those with learning leanings, with a wide variety of institutions offering courses in massage, reflexology, and yoga, with time frames reaching from one day to several months.
I, in fact, piece together these words in-between practice dives on the peaceful Phu Quoc Island, where I am completing my PADI National Geographic Open Water Diver certification. Over the course of the week, my understanding of issues confronting marine life preservation in Vietnam has grown exponentially. Respected dive operators can also be found in Nha Trang, Con Dau, Mui Ne, Hoi An, and Whale Island. For fun a little farther from home, and with more funds in pocket, one might consider dive courses in Borneo or Indonesia, which are considered by many to hold some of the best diving locals in the world.
Bali can nicely combine your need for self-expression and adrenaline. While there, I contracted a local artist who taught Batik in the garden of his home. During the second potion of my travels on the island I was tutored on taking tenuous and unstable stands on a surf board.
In Luong Prabang, Ock Pop Tok will transport you to their tranquil Living Crafts Centre on the banks of the Mekong, where you can learn how to make natural dyes and weave silk. While you labour, you can savour a cup of silk worm poo tea.
Railay, in southern Thailand, provides some of the most stunning vistas for beginning climbers. Our climbing outpost, run by an eclectic crew of Thai Rastafarians, is only one of the many operators available to teach you to scale the peninsulas impressive cliffs.
Of course, you need not stray far from Ho Chi Minh City to take a study break. For me, language classes and informal language study have proved invaluable, not only in understanding and participating in Vietnamese culture, but also for ensuring that I do not get fried spring rolls when I really tried to order hot tea.
Whether a long-term sabbaticalist or a week stint junkie, taking time to transform your travel with study provides irreplaceable experiences. It is a sound personal practice. “It gives you a chance to explore things that you never would have,” states Satterfield, “and maybe discover a new side of yourself that you might like to keep.”