The Family Sabbatical Handbook: The Budget Guide to Living Abroad with Your Family

I was so happy to find this book as I was planning a sabbatical from my university to teach overseas in a developing country with my family. The book is amazingly detailed, and provides lots of great lists that I am comparing with my own lists. The discussion about the benefits about taking the kids abroad is fantastic! I really appreciate the details that the author provides, and the story of their family's extended stay in Mexico. While this book is the best one I've found, it very much is geared toward adults who are planning on taking a complete sabbatical - not people working, volunteering, etc. overseas. The book talks about difficulties in meeting locals, boredom, the excessive socializing with ex-pats, etc. I think a lot of that can be resolved by choosing specifically where you go (perhaps not going to a place with a huge ex-pat community) and giving back to the communities you are living in through working or volunteering with local organizations. A sabbatical doesn't simply need to mean a year of rest - but can also mean a year's break from one's routine. This book is an excellent resource and a delightful read, but the options of a sabbatical year can really be thought of much more broadly than it is portrayed.

My family is about to plunge into a year abroad. Although we have a FullBright grant to support it. This book has been invaluable in helping us to think of all the things we would have missed if we did not have the book. Just gathering ideas and reminders has been so helpful. I would reccomend this book to anyone going abroad with kids for more than a month!!

Get this book if you are dreaming of a family adventure. I just purchased two more copies for families I know who are thinking of taking the plunge. Our family spent 6 months in Mexico several years ago and treasured every moment, the good, the bad, the ridiculous and the sublime. I wish I could have read this book before I left!!

This amazing book is the inspirational tale of a family and their wonderful, challenging and oh-so-rewarding adventure in Mexico AND it's chock full of practical information that will make going abroad to live much easier and more enjoyable. Given the title, you might think this book is only for families--not so. It's a great resource for anyone planning to live abroad for any reason. And, while Bernick and her family lived in Mexico for more than a year, this book is invaluable even for a relatively short stay. My work took me to South America for 6 months (I went sans family) but the "Family Sabbatical Handbook" was the best source of advice/resources/inspiration I found. It saved me time in preparation and many costly mistakes. Buy it!!! Even if you're not sure you want to live abroad, buy it to be inspired to do something truly life-changing. And, if you've already decided to take the plunge, buy it for Bernick's terrific "to-do lists" complete with timetables right down to departure day.

We aren't right now planning a sabbatical, but even so, for those who relish armchair travel, but this a treasure. Full of charm and humor, it raises tempting possibilities, makes one admire the grit, flexibility and committment of those who take the plunge, elicits amazement, and here a there a laugh. It illustrates that expanding ones world out, and strengthening the ties within, are possible simultaneously. Big recommend.