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Sabbatical in Spain

Nov 03, 2015

One of the unique benefits of working for Distinguished is our sabbatical program. Employees who have worked with the company for 7 years are eligible for 1 month of paid leave to completely disconnect and drop off the grid to do whatever they choose: relax, travel, pursue a hobby, take a course, the possibilities are endless. Distinguished President & COO Carla Vel recently returned from her sabbatical and shared with us a little bit about her experience living in a foreign country for a month.

Q: Where did you choose to go on your sabbatical and why?
CV: I went to Barcelona for my sabbatical. I wanted to do something different, take myself away from my usual habitat and haunts. Let my mind roam free with new experiences. But I also wanted to experience living in a different setting. Not touring, per se, but living.

Q: Can you share a few highlights from the adventure?
CV: Because I had different visitors, I had 4 different weeks. The first week my older daughter joined me, the second, my younger daughter, the third, my brother, sister & their spouses and the last week I spent by myself. The thread was exploring the city, eating wonderful food, drinking delicious wine, seeing antiquities and art, sunbathing and swimming in the Mediterranean, and finally, reading.

Q: What was your daily routine like?
CV: I got up when I chose, napped when I was weary and went to bed when I was tired. We explored something new most days, ate outside (the weather was lovely) for most meals, cooked, did laundry, shopped for food, laughed.

Q: How does it feel being completely off the grid? What’s something you feel you took away from being disconnected for an extended period of time?
CV: I was anxious about disconnecting. The second week I was there, I even emailed my colleague Helen English feeling terribly guilty that I was carefree and everyone else was working to capacity. Helen wisely re-assured me and I leaned into the freedom. It was quite wonderful. I filled my days without interruption and relaxed.

Q: What’s a piece of advice you would share with others who may be taking a sabbatical in the near future? What would you encourage them to do?
CV: Embrace it. It will be meaningful no matter what you do.

About Distinguished Programs

Distinguished Programs is a leading national insurance Program Manager and MGA providing specialized insurance programs to brokers and agents with specific expertise in Fine Art and Collectibles, Environmental and Construction Professional, Executive Lines, Inland Marine, Real Estate, Community Associations, Surety, Hotels, and Restaurants. Property and Liability products are distributed through a national network of agents and brokers. Serving the same core markets and partnering with the most stable and reputable carriers, Distinguished’s high-limit Umbrella programs remain the clear choice in its area of specialty for superior coverage, competitive pricing, and attentive service. Through thoughtful innovation, stemming back to 1995, Distinguished Programs fosters growth and opportunities for its brokers, carriers, and employees.

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