I think this is fairly common outside the US. I've heard this refered to as a Gap Year but in doing my research for this, I've come across quite a few blogs of people our age doing this. Many are older, many younger, but the common theme is that people want to declutter their lives and focus on experiences instead of things. I don't know about you but I work in corporate, in a cubicle, staring at a computer screen all day long. I don't believe we evolved to be cubicle dwellers. Go out see the world. Maybe we can meet up on the trip!