Time out at the North Cape

A sabbatical full of nature, tranquillity and family time

Silke Klamrzynski, Assistant in Complex Buildings Department at Inros Lackner in Rostock

Why did you decide to take a sabbatical – and what did you want to achieve for yourself during this time? What activities did you have planned?
My husband and I had one big wish for ourselves and our dog – to spend a lot of time together and simply do what we enjoy. So we decided to take a three-month sabbatical together. Our destination was quickly decided: Scandinavia. It's now our second home and is a wonderful place to travel in a campervan.

We agreed to make the North Cape in the far north of Norway our main destination, but as is so often the case, the journey getting there was its own reward. Our trip took us through Sweden, Finland and Norway – and to very remote areas as well as to popular tourist destinations (like the North Cape). At some point, we stopped noticing ourselves saying "we’re not in any rush" – a phrase we unfortunately rarely say in everyday life. We simply stayed longer in places we liked and had plenty of time for long hikes, campfires and the midnight sun – and later in the autumn, the Northern Lights. It was so nice not having to think about the time, the date or the day of the week.

How did you plan your sabbatical, and what support did you receive from the company?
Inros Lackner offers the option of setting up a long-term working-time account, and I took advantage of this. This allowed us to travel and recuperate in a relaxed manner without financial loss. Thanks so much for that!

What did you take away from your sabbatical, and did it change your perspective on work or everyday life?
Another goal of our trip was to absorb and internalise the Swedish sense of serenity, and I think we achieved that quite well. I highly recommend stepping off the “hamster wheel” occasionally. My perspective on many everyday things has noticeably changed for the better. I returned to work and to my life strengthened and motivated – and the joy of it continues to this day. This time and trip will remain with me forever. It's a great gift.