I have changed career paths — I was a freelance editor for many years, and now I’m studying to be a travel agent. I’m taking a six-month, full-time program at a tiny private travel college run by a very knowledgeable woman who can tell the most interesting, sometimes hair-raising travel stories.
Although I feel I haven’t learned much yet, I am about three-quarters of the way through the course already. There was a huge geography lesson, of course, and lots of information about fares and ticketing, travel insurance, and the different kinds of jobs out there in the huge tourism industry. I know what a “trade discount” is (yay!) and how much it costs to open your own travel agency (whoa!). I have also learned how travellers are pretty well protected by TICO here in Ontario, so that if anyone, anywhere in the world, buys their travel services from a TICO-registered travel agent, they will be covered up to $5,000 for undelivered travel services in the event that a supplier (e.g., a tour operator) goes bankrupt. Pretty cool.
So my head is exploding at the moment. I have not got much time to write or reflect, and I have no idea where I’ll end up after I’ve got my diploma, but I’m excited to be doing something new. I love to travel myself, which is what convinces me that I could encourage others in their plans to do so.
If you find yourself in a rut — try something new! 
