This American took 13-month sabbatical with his family in Taiwan
Have you ever dreamed of buying a sabbatic from your career and traveling around the world?
Jason Lee and his wife Katie did in July 2024 when they moved themselves and their sons to Ohio, Ohio to Taiwan, Taipei.
Both Jason and Katie, 34 -year -old, brought the 6 -year -old Forrest after bringing the father and grandfather in Taiwan to visit the father and grandfather in Taiwan.
Jason spent eight weeks together as Jason received a paternity’s permission and saw how special it was for his family to connect with his grandchildren.
Jason, CNBC, at the end of the journey at the airport tears farewells, “I just thought to myself, if I could do something we could give [my parents] What a special moment will be for a long time they can spend with this child. “
At first he thought of finding a way to move his career to Taiwan, until he realized that he didn’t want to deal with him. demanding business culture.
Thus, the couple decided to save for a real career break, so that they could spend time with the family in Taiwan without having to work.
An investment of $ 60,000
The couple spent the next five years saving for their Sabbatic.
They were in Taiwan for Forrest’s kindergarten year and decided to spend 13 months to match the academic year, and he returned in the state for the first year.
Jason and Katie numbers and Set a target to save $ 60,000 for movement.
Jason Lee said he was inspired to save a 13 -month sabbatical in Taiwan, so he can spend more time with his son Forrest and his grandfather and his wide family.
By the permission of the subject
Jason said that he saw the target as any household would save for a home renewal project and use a budget application to monitor his savings.
In Taiwan, they established themselves with a minimum of state expenses. Both cars are paid and the mortgage at the starter house they bought in 2016 is $ 1,200 per month. Jason says he’s renting the house to cover a friend’s mortgages and rent one of the cars while staying.
As for their accommodation, they rented an apartment and spent months to prepare their documents. Jason used his passport (he was born there and moved to the United States at the age of 9), Forrest received his Taiwan passport and Katie received a wife visa.
In the summer of 2024, Jason left his job in the sale and left Katie in a non -profit organization.
‘This is not something that can wait’
Jason said that the timing was important: He spent enough time with Forrest’s grandfather and his grandfather, and he did not want to adapt to his kindergarten, but also leaping was very important for Katie and his grandmother and grandfather.
“This is not something that can wait, Jason says Jason. “If I don’t do this now, I’m going to lose my 30s forever. And then when will I rediscover myself in my 40s?
We are very happy right now, as a family, the happiest thing and we live less than we have previously had.
Jason Lee
American on a Sabbatikal in Taiwan
Moreover, he wanted to make sure that Forrest had time to interact with his grandmother and grandfather when he was still health and mobile.
In general, Jason said, “I think of all the trips we can make and all the memories we can do,” it is definitely worth it, “Jason said.
‘We are very happy right now’
In addition to having better quality time with the family, Jason has set several personal and professional targets for him for Sabbatikal.
He says that his career break gives time and energy to focus on physical and mental health, such as going to the gymnasium, meditation, healthy food, and working with a psychiatrist for the first time, thanks to Taiwan. universal health system.
With more mental clarity, Jason says he turns his attention to what he wants from his career. Before the break, he says that he has put a lot of pressure on himself to have a high -performance sales year; When this didn’t go out, it damaged the sense of self.
“For the last 10 years, I dictate the next steps, not depending on what I want, but based on what the world or LinkedIn says to me.” Says.
He noticed that he felt pressure to continue climbing the corporate ladder to make higher titles and more money. “When I just didn’t give myself priority to myself or what I want, I noticed how unhappy I was.”
Until March, when they returned to the United States with Katie, he sat down with a great difference, noticing that they were suitable for not chasing the same salaries they had before.
“I noticed that our family didn’t have to do more or more than we’ve done before,” Jason said. “We are very happy right now, as a family, the happiest thing and we live less than we have previously had.”
Return to the USA
Lees have great plans to return to the states.
“The plan was always going back in August, but surprise, we got pregnant,” Jason says.
Considering Taiwan, the couple had discussed their second babies during their Sabbatic. high -quality conjunctive Birth and postpartum care For families.
Katie gave birth to her daughter Ruby in early July, so she will return to America in October, when she was a family passport of four people and was able to travel.
Jason and Katie say that their first priority for career is that their families have a job in the USA as soon as possible to ensure that their families have the scope of health insurance. Jason said he would consider getting a lower -paid job that provides more flexibility, as in a company that makes it easier to keep the summer away in Taiwan.
In the meantime, Katie spent two starting ideas for a Play Cafe for a automatically business and children and caregivers or carers.
As for their journey so far, he says, “It has become a very transformative for the family.”
Lees will return to the United States as a family of four in October after his first daughter Ruby’s birth.
By the permission of the subject
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