I spent years building a 'stable' life and climbing the ladder at work. Then, I quit my job and moved to Hungary.
A professional shares her personal journey of leaving a stable career in Scotland to pursue a master's degree in Budapest following the death of her father. The piece reflects on the emotional toll of burnout and the search for a meaningful life change.
Why it matters
It captures the growing trend of 'life-audit' career breaks and the pursuit of personal fulfillment over traditional corporate ladder climbing.
I always loved Budapest, but never thought I'd actually be able to move here. Sarah Catherine Cowie I spent my 20s climbing the career ladder and building the life of my dreams in Scotland. Then, after losing my dad, I decided to make a big change: I moved abroad and went back to school. I've been struggling financially, but I know that I made the right choice. For most of my 20s, I wanted to climb the career ladder — and hoped that as soon as I reached the top, everything would become clear and I would live happily ever after. My life felt like it was headed in the right direction. I was on a steady, exciting career trajectory in the climate policy field. I even bought my first flat in an up-and-coming area of Edinburgh. Then, my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2022.
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