Chasing a lifelong dream around the world: Carmen Rodriguez Paniagua on her sabbatical
Exploring the world
When Carmen Rodriguez Paniagua, LEMAN’s Group Head of Agent Network, Air & Sea, decided to take her sabbatical, she did something she had been dreaming about for more than 15 years. She designed and completed a solo journey around the world in just 38 days, visiting 12 countries across four continents.
For Carmen, the sabbatical was not just a break from work. It was the fulfilment of a long-held dream that had been waiting for the right moment:
“I had always imagined doing a worldwide trip when I turned 30, but then COVID made it impossible. When I turned 35 and had the opportunity to take a sabbatical, I felt that the moment was finally right,” she explains.
Living every moment with intensity
Carmen planned every part of the trip herself. The route took her to both new destinations and places she had always wanted to revisit. Along the way, she experienced everything from snowy streets in New York to the Panama Canal, which holds special meaning for anyone in the logistics industry.
She wore a traditional kimono in Tokyo, sang along at a Backstreet Boys concert in the Sphere in Las Vegas, and watched elephants roam freely in a national park in Sri Lanka. Her goal was simple. To experience each place fully and to make the most of every single moment:
“I wanted to live every occasion with intensity. Nature, monuments, wildlife, concerts, sunsets. I loved every second of it, and honestly, I can’t choose just one favourite experience,” she says.
Living every moment with intensity
Carmen planned every part of the trip herself. The route took her to both new destinations and places she had always wanted to revisit. Along the way, she experienced everything from snowy streets in New York to the Panama Canal, which holds special meaning for anyone in the logistics industry.
She wore a traditional kimono in Tokyo, sang along at a Backstreet Boys concert in the Sphere in Las Vegas, and watched elephants roam freely in a national park in Sri Lanka. Her goal was simple. To experience each place fully and to make the most of every single moment:
“I wanted to live every occasion with intensity. Nature, monuments, wildlife, concerts, sunsets. I loved every second of it, and honestly, I can’t choose just one favourite experience,” she says.
Time to reconnect and recharge
The break gave Carmen something she values deeply: Time to reconnect with herself and reflect on how she wants to shape her life going forward.
“This sabbatical allowed me to recharge my energy and take care of myself. Travelling is my favourite thing to do, and this gave me the perfect balance between personal growth and professional growth. It reminded me how important dreams are, and that they can actually be made real.”
Returning to work at LEMAN felt natural. She came back feeling grateful, energised, and supported by curious colleagues eager to hear about the journey.
“For me, it is important to have goals and dreams. Having the space to take this break showed me that balance is key in everything we do. We work hard, and we also enjoy hard,” Carmen says with a smile.
A message to colleagues considering a sabbatical
Carmen’s advice to colleagues who might hesitate to step away is clear:
“Please take the sabbatical. It is a great opportunity that LEMAN provides. It will help you discover another part of yourself, recharge your batteries, and come back as the best version of you. Everyone has a dream worth planning for. Take a pen and a notebook and start designing it.”
At LEMAN, sabbaticals are offered to all colleagues every three years as part of our commitment to giving people space to grow, recharge, and explore life beyond their daily routines.
