Takes guts?
What's the likelihood that you return to same/more compensation? If it's 100%, then it doesn't really take any guts at all, does it? Is your next position already "lined up"? That would make this a "vacation". Is there a mandatory "end" date? I assume you'll see a ton of unwashed euros/israelis/australians/canadians that could go a couple years on the kind of money you're spending, so "finances" shouldn't be a "consideration" if you want to "stay".
Should be a "good" experience, but I think the "upside" tends to be "overblown". How can there be anything to "get" that is really "transformative", if it can be packaged int a "tour"? (Edit: I'm obviously anit-tour, they are gr8 ways to see "sites", but seem like bad ways to meet "the people" - appears that convenience was a "factor", I do "get" that)
(Edit II: I scanned those "company" "sites" and kind of recoiled at the thought of the "pre"-arranged "activities", like "parasailing in Vietnam" with my "group". I'm in Vietnam, why the f__k would I want to waste time parasailing? nardi, isn't parasailing for the "Jersey" shore?)
I was on record as favoring the sprint to retirement, but that is probably just a reflection of my poorness. Since you pulled the trigger, I have become a huge fan.
I will like/watch all the episodes, but I especially look forward to the episodes after the "tours". That's where things will get "zany".
Please get into trouble.
"Holy" shit. I'll try to make this "brief."
What's the likelihood that you return to same/more compensation? - If I come back to the same industry, it is likely I get the same comp. If I do not, I should make substantially less. But I'm ok with that for now. I was never one of those Wall Street jabronis that depended on his bonus to make ends meet. I always just lived off of my salary, and managed to save anyway. Plus, I want to use this time to explore other "career" opportunities and set up some passive income.
As for the tours, I get your point. But they provide two things for me at the moment: (1) the ability to see all of the things I was planning on visiting while on this trip, but with included travel arrangements, and accessibility to various activities (and the whole thing is cheap). And (2) truth be told, I'm a little apprehensive about flying to the other side of the globe without knowing anyone. I chose the tours in the beginning to soften the blow of going somewhere exotic solo.
And speaking of "blow", the tour companies have social media apps, so you can connect with your travel partners ahead of time. The tour is like 80% chicks.