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Hi lovely SFU community - looking to talk with people who have had experience with the logistics of taking a family on international sabbatical (or any kind of extended travel, really).
(Please reply off-list as this is an individual question.)
My study leave is coming up in September. My family and I are planning to go to the UK (specifically Cambridge), for ~7-10 months. We are: myself, my academic partner also on study leave, 2 kids: toddler & 4yr old. We have Canadian passports (no UK nor European).
There's a lot to think about and plan for on both sides of the pond! Renting out our place here, finding housing, childcare, phones/bankaccts/insurance/other life-setup things there; and many many things that haven't occurred to me, etc.
I'm also interested in hearing thoughts about getting connected with local academic communities there. I'm planning on cold-emailing and reaching out to make contacts there; as a teaching professor, though, I won't likely be situated in someone else's research group (and my own work is fairly independent). It would be great not to be totally isolated, work-wise. I've heard that visiting scholar programs may be more common outside of Canada? Or perhaps co-teaching a course (as part of my scholarly pursuits; not for pay)? Other ideas welcome.
If you have relevant experience - can I meet up with you to get some ideas and advice? Or perhaps you have resources that were useful to you. I'd love to take you for a coffee in person on campus, or can talk over zoom/phone/email. Also feel free to pass on to anyone who might be helpful.
Very sincerely, Megan _____________________________
Megan Barker, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Office: B9239, Shrum Science Centre - Biology (SCB)
Mailing address: Dept. of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
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