In a world that is constantly demanding our attention, whether in work or our personal lives, sometimes taking a step back and unplugging can lead to meaningful change. In this article, we explore the journey of Catherine Jozwik, our B2B RevOps Team Lead, who embraced a sabbatical to reconnect with herself and her passions.
At Babbel, we believe in the importance of employee well-being and personal development, and we are proud to spotlight this valuable benefit. Join us for an interview-style exploration of Catherine’s experiences as we encourage fellow Babbelonians to consider the enriching opportunities that a sabbatical can offer.
When did you join Babbel, and what is your role?
I joined Babbel in January 2022, almost 3 years ago. I am currently Revenue Operations Team Lead for Babbel B2B. The role of my team consists in driving optimization and process improvement for all Go to Market teams (Marketing, Sales and Customer Success).
What motivated you to take a sabbatical after two years at Babbel?
In a world where time feels increasingly scarce, the opportunity to slow down felt like a real luxury. I had started a new position just a few months earlier, and it was intense. I also hadn’t had time to make progress on a personal project involving plants, and I missed my family and friends.
On top of that, I was aware of this sabbatical benefit, having seen many colleagues take advantage of it over the past two years and share their positive experiences. At Babbel, it’s a common practice, something you don’t have to beg for. So, I decided it was my time to take one as well.
Can you share some of the memorable experiences from your travels during the sabbatical?
Living abroad, in Berlin, means I’m far from my loved ones. I used this time to travel across France, reconnecting with family and friends—no scheduling conflicts, no rushed meetings, just pure, uninterrupted time together. I felt more present, both mentally and physically, recharged by restful days, naps, and a relaxed pace that allowed me to fully enjoy these precious moments.
I also traveled—by train! I took the scenic route to Nîmes, Paris, London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Vienna, and Switzerland. There’s something magical about slowing down to admire the landscapes, and truly experiencing the distances covered.
Finally, I savored my city—Berlin in the summer is a treat in itself. Without the demands of work, I had time to explore, chill, and reflect. I made progress on my wild plant foraging course (thanks Cueilleurs Sauvages), shopped, devoured books, and thought deeply about what I wanted to carry forward from this experience.
How did your time away help you reconnect with yourself and your passions?
I have had the time to think and make some key decisions:
🎹 I’m letting go of the piano—too much effort for too little satisfaction.
🌱 I’m focusing more on my passion for plants, following my flow, and maintaining my fitness routine.
👨👨👧👧 I’m prioritizing time with loved ones, even from afar.
One of the things I knew I wanted to do was to share this experience and thank Babbel for this incredible benefit. Sabbaticals are a rare opportunity, and I strongly recommend anyone who can, to take one. It’s refreshing and incredibly beneficial to step back, pause, and breathe—to better move forward.
Has your sabbatical made you approach your role differently?
First, I returned with a renewed perspective. The time away gave me the opportunity to reflect, and I now have a much clearer sense of priorities. This has helped me make more focused decisions, realizing that not everything is as urgent as it once seemed. While my team solves many problems for employees, we’re not saving lives, so there’s space to approach challenges more calmly, better prioritise and remove pressure.
The break also allowed me to improve my work-life balance. It gave me time to think about my personal goals and well-being, which has led to healthier boundaries between my professional and personal life. This shift has made me more effective in both areas, and lead by example for my team.
What advice would you give to colleagues considering taking a sabbatical?
Do it! You can choose the length of your sabbatical, anywhere from 1 to 3 months, depending on your plans and budget. Personally, I took 2 months.
Take notes! After spending 2 weeks at my parents’ house in the south of France, I started to feel like I had already used up a quarter of my sabbatical and hadn’t done enough. But that was totally false! I had actually done so much. After those first two weeks, I started journaling and documenting every cool thing I did each day. Now, when I read it, I’m so happy to realize how amazing that time was!
Balance between activities and downtime (like traveling versus staying at home) is key. Constantly being on the move can be exhausting. This is what my sabbatical looked like: 2 weeks in the south of France, 2 weeks in Berlin, 1 week in Austria and Switzerland, then another week in Berlin. Finally, I spent 2 weeks between Wales and Paris for the Olympics. I enjoyed relaxing in Berlin just as much as I enjoyed traveling across Europe, even while everyone else was working!
A reality check: While it sounds wonderful, a sabbatical isn’t paid time off. Babbel offers a scheme where you can reduce your salary for a few months before your leave, then continue to receive a reduced salary during your time off. I personally dipped into my savings and, to be honest, I’m pretty excited to return and see my paycheck again! I encountered an issue with my health insurance in Germany. Since my sabbatical was unpaid, and I opted out of the company’s savings plan, I had to cover one month of insurance costs out of pocket.
What an incredible adventure you have had! Any last words before we close this conversation?
A huge thank you to Babbel—an extraordinary employer—and to Abhishek Sahni, my exceptional manager, who took over my team while I was away 🙏 Looking forward to the next chapter with the Operations Team 🙂
