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My Senior Gap Year
Reading this entertaining travel memoir, you'll discover how one man's journey, prompted by a personal loss, has changed his life forever and inspired countless others. A grandfather of seven, Chris Herrmann left his home and family in Australia and embarked on an unlikely and at times hilarious 365-day solo backpacking adventure around the world. Chris set out to live every day as an unknown adventure. He wasn't trying to escape from life or to find himself. Instead he wanted to be free to explore and escape the normal routines and expectations of life. While some saw his trip as crazy, he embraced it as a way to challenge himself. To push himself out of his comfort zone. He left with no purpose, other than to take each day as it came and be open to opportunities. You'll learn how one project he initiated has benefited charities worldwide. Chris's story has been covered by the BBC and by numerous TV, radio, print and online media across Australia, Europe and Asia. During his journey, he was inspired by the confidence of many young travellers he met along the way. He hopes My Senior Gap Year will inspire you to live your travel adventures.
196 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2018
About the author
Chris Herrmann
2 booksChris Herrmann's career has covered both corporate management and the founder of a small business technology start up. Innovation has always been at the forefront of his activities.
His business has been recognised for several Australian Government Small Business, Entrepreneurial and Innovation Awards. His client list has included some of Australia’s top ASX companies including the big four banks, plus Australia’s largest airlines.
He has served as an adviser to Saudi Arabia's Telecommunications management as well as management roles in the telecommunications industry. He has presented at a Chinese University in Kunming on commercialising technology. Chris has served as a member of a State Government Business Development Council advising the Minister for Small Business.
He has been an active participant in community projects including part of the management team of a popular long running annual Sculptures event and an open water swim event. Both events raising funds for Surf Lifesaving. Through Rotary International he has been a member of the organising team for an annual major annual fund raising event.
Chris has written a few other books. There's the "corporatee" type books, one of which Goodreads found and listed here. It was actually based on an excellent very simple employee recognition program ran in his business. This reflects his recognised career in management and leadership. He's also written a couple short biographies for family members. One for each for both his late wife and father. Plus four fairy tale stories. The fairy tale stories go under under a pen name. When asked why, "Blokes don't write fairy tale stories", apparently! They were written for each of his children's weddings. They tell the story of their romance and how they came to be together.
Nearing the age when most start thinking about retiring, Chris took a different direction. With no desire to retire, he took a Gap Year. A Senior Gap Year. Intentionally, he set off to do the exact opposite to his professional past. No structure. No goals. To be free and just explore. Equipped with a new title, a Senior Gap Year Specialist, his next vision is to encourage more people of his age to do similar!
His business has been recognised for several Australian Government Small Business, Entrepreneurial and Innovation Awards. His client list has included some of Australia’s top ASX companies including the big four banks, plus Australia’s largest airlines.
He has served as an adviser to Saudi Arabia's Telecommunications management as well as management roles in the telecommunications industry. He has presented at a Chinese University in Kunming on commercialising technology. Chris has served as a member of a State Government Business Development Council advising the Minister for Small Business.
He has been an active participant in community projects including part of the management team of a popular long running annual Sculptures event and an open water swim event. Both events raising funds for Surf Lifesaving. Through Rotary International he has been a member of the organising team for an annual major annual fund raising event.
Chris has written a few other books. There's the "corporatee" type books, one of which Goodreads found and listed here. It was actually based on an excellent very simple employee recognition program ran in his business. This reflects his recognised career in management and leadership. He's also written a couple short biographies for family members. One for each for both his late wife and father. Plus four fairy tale stories. The fairy tale stories go under under a pen name. When asked why, "Blokes don't write fairy tale stories", apparently! They were written for each of his children's weddings. They tell the story of their romance and how they came to be together.
Nearing the age when most start thinking about retiring, Chris took a different direction. With no desire to retire, he took a Gap Year. A Senior Gap Year. Intentionally, he set off to do the exact opposite to his professional past. No structure. No goals. To be free and just explore. Equipped with a new title, a Senior Gap Year Specialist, his next vision is to encourage more people of his age to do similar!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 20, 2018
Ok
Good on him for taking the trip. I'm a similar age, and I feel more inspired to follow suit.
There were a couple of bits where a little better editing and/or proofreading would have helped - but a minor niggle. At least some of the worse mistakes from the blog were fixed. "Columbia" was fixed to "Colombia". Thank you.
On the whole, an interesting book.
I wasn't sure though how to access the pictures from the Kindle edition.
Good on him for taking the trip. I'm a similar age, and I feel more inspired to follow suit.
There were a couple of bits where a little better editing and/or proofreading would have helped - but a minor niggle. At least some of the worse mistakes from the blog were fixed. "Columbia" was fixed to "Colombia". Thank you.
On the whole, an interesting book.
I wasn't sure though how to access the pictures from the Kindle edition.
January 10, 2021
Good on Chris for following through with the idea.
Visited many interesting areas and always remained positive....despite the odd near disaster.
Would have enjoyed it more if it had been edited properly...really didn’t flow too well.
The links to pics and videos were great.
Visited many interesting areas and always remained positive....despite the odd near disaster.
Would have enjoyed it more if it had been edited properly...really didn’t flow too well.
The links to pics and videos were great.
August 2, 2018
Good on Chris for getting out of his comfort zone and setting out on a gap year. A very interesting, inspiring read. Five stars and well worth the money spent. Would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews