Five Countries. Five Weeks. One Transformative Sabbatical.

At HB Construction, we believe great work starts with people who feel energized, inspired, and supported. That’s why every team member who reaches five years of employment earns a paid sabbatical leave. This year, Project Manager Giselle Andrade used her sabbatical to travel across five countries in five weeks. 

Giselle began her journey in Peru, a family trip filled with breathtaking landscapes, rich traditions, and surprisingly life-changing potato dishes. 

Next came Iceland, a longtime dream inspired by the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. There, she hiked glaciers and soaked in the beauty of the country, calling it a place she can’t wait to return.

She wrapped up her trip with more than two weeks in Germany, hopping over to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria on weekends. Traveling alone at times, Giselle embraced new languages, unfamiliar customs, and the joy of getting a little lost. 

“Every trip gives me a bit more courage,” she shared, “You realize people everywhere are the same, and you grow when you’re willing to try.” 

From Austrian pastries to Icelandic hot dogs to adventurous bites like puffin and shark, the experience was as much about tasting the world as it was about seeing it. 

Why Sabbaticals Matter at HB 

Giselle returned with fresh energy, new perspective, and gratitude for the chance to check off bucket-list destinations while reconnecting with herself. This is exactly why HB offers sabbaticals: When our people recharge, they come back stronger, for themselves, their teams, and the communities we build for.