How to Take an Adult Gap Year: Suzanne's Life-Redefining Move to Oaxaca with Her Family • Gap Year Radio

Episode Summary:

Suzanne Roske, founder of Vamos Coaching and Gap Year Association Board member, shares her journey from a 25-year corporate career to moving her family to Oaxaca, Mexico for a life-changing sabbatical. What began as burnout and a quiet inner voice turned into a bold experiment in slowing down, redefining success, and building a more intentional life. This conversation explores what an “adult gap year” can look like, and why creating space to pause might be the most powerful step toward meaningful change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

This episode explores what happens when high-achieving adults stop running on autopilot and start asking deeper questions about how they want to live.

Suzanne breaks down how her move to Oaxaca created the conditions for real change, including the discomfort of slowing down and the internal work required to redefine identity beyond career achievement. She shares how small, intentional pauses can open the door to clarity, and why you don’t need a full year to experience meaningful transformation.

We also get into practical ways to experiment with change. From micro-pauses in daily life to structured sabbaticals and “gap year in a week” experiences, Suzanne offers a framework for testing new directions without committing to changing your entire life.

The conversation also highlights what this kind of experience looks like for families. From culture shock and homesickness to resilience, independence, and global perspective, Suzanne reflects on what her kids gained from the experience and how it continues to shape their lives.