[tjmc]

Yes, it's a bit of a tradition both here and in New Zealand to travel for a while. I remember when I was backpacking around Europe over 3 months in 1993 meeting a couple of Microsoft employees who explained that they only had 2 weeks to achieve the same goal.

They intended "to visit McDonald's in every country".

I think the key difference between Antipodeans and Americans regarding travel is a very specific meme. A lot of Americans have told me that taking a year off "looks bad" on your resume. That it indicates you don't take your career seriously or you're having some sort of personal crisis.

Here (and in NZ) travel is seen as broadening your horizons and it certainly doesn't count against you with employers. In fact, many see it as an accomplishment - part of a "well rounded" education.

So I'd invite HNer's to consider "hacking" this meme for themselves. I don't think it serves you very well. The vast majority of Aussies and Kiwis who take a year to travel around the world aren't wealthy. They just do it on working visas and save money between travels.

[callahad]

I imagine that could be a fringe benefit of a startup, even if you don't intend to pursue self-sufficiency: it fills in gaps in your resume while allowing you to dictate how you apply your time.