[rb808]

If you've seen Europeans backpacking around Asia, Australians in Europe or Canadians in South America, its a common thing - with people from countries with a firm safety net. Its a pity Americans dont get that same security and have to work work work.

[johnomarkid]

It's less about the safety net and more about re-entering your career at a similar level. In Germany you'd be hard pressed to explain why you took two years off of your career and now want to come back.

Re Europeans traveling around Asia - Europeans tend to graduate university later than Americans and then embark on one or more internships before diving into their work contracts. It's not uncommon to take a break between those transitional periods to travel for a bit. But it is uncommon to leave your permanent contract to travel Asia for two years.

[bogomipz]

I've backpacked around all of those places and can tell you there's no shortage of Americans backpacking in Europe, Asia and South America. It's nothing to do with a safety net, if you want to travel you just save up for it like you do anything else.