"Over the three-month program I met many people who were different from me and began to see life from much more diverse perspectives than before. I realized a lot about myself, so I definitely want to recommend this program to others. Also, communication with Gap Year was consistently good, and I was very satisfied with the overall program." Studying English affordably in Toronto while receiving room and board as a demi-pair in Canada Park Sojin — Gap Year gapper (25, university student) / 12-week gap year |
A choice so good it became a turning point in my life: Canadian demi-pair!
I am a student who took a leave of absence after the first semester of my senior year. I really like traveling to other countries and learning new things there, so I applied to the program andI think this choice turned out to be so good that it became a turning point in my life.
After taking a leave of absence, I went to the Philippines for language study. I studied English hard there and wanted to practice the English I had learned in everyday life. I was planning to do volunteer work, but due to the time limitations of winter, I chose to be a demi-pair.
Actually, I had helped take care of children at home before and I naturally like children, so I applied to the program.I was actually a year older than others, so I had many concerns about taking a leave of absence, but I participated with the mindset of ''let''s do it when a good opportunity comes.''
When preparing for this program, I had an exam coming up in the Philippines so I couldn''t focus fully, but I tried to prepare whenever I had time, and once I decided to go ahead with the program I studied English more diligently. Also, before going to Canada I carefully checked online what I would need and familiarized myself with public transportation and how to use a cell phone.
The first thing I wanted to change through my gap year was my English ability.That was it. Based on what I studied in the Philippines,I wanted to converse and live with locals to learn by doing, and meet various people to learn about different cultures.Also, by working as a demi-pair and directly caring for and raising children, I wanted to experience the difficulties and the rewarding feelings of raising kids.
In the mornings I attended English classes at a language school, and in the afternoons I did demi-pair activities according to the children''s schedules!
The daily routine varied each day depending on the children''s schedules. Generally, I woke up at 7:30, got ready, commuted for an hour, and had language school classes from 9:30 to 1:00.That was my class schedule.
MondayThere was a swimming lesson for the older child, so after school I picked the child up at 3 PM, took them to the pool, waited about 30 minutes, then brought them home and made dinner.
TuesdayAfter studying at the library until 5:30 PM, I picked up the older child at 6 and took them to the gym. I waited there for about two hours and then brought them home.
WednesdayI picked up both children around 3 PM after school, brought them home, made an early dinner, had them take piano lessons, and prepared them for the next activities.
ThursdayAfter school I picked up the older child, took them to a math academy, and then to the gym.
Our host familygave Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as days off,and occasionally asked me to look after the children on Friday nights or Saturday mornings.
During my gap year activities I considered the demi-pair work my top priority, so I didn''t travel to other cities separately,but during the program I went skiing at Blue Mountain for a 2-night, 3-day trip with the family.Personally, after the project ended I traveled to New York for about nine days and then entered the country.
# I made many unforgettable memories and met great people from various countries!
Through this project I made many unforgettable memories and met good people.I met friends from various countries such as Spain, Switzerland, France, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil, and I also met several Canadians at a party with the families.
Among them I met my four closest friends, who were from Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and Spain. Although we came from different cultures, we were good friends who listened to and understood each other''s concerns.
Also, the most memorable experience was that my stay overlapped with Christmas, so I was able to experience the hospitable way Canadians celebrate Christmas.
I learned a lot through the project, but to mention a few things,First, while taking care of children I felt most strongly the weight and hardship of being a mother during difficult times, and I learned the host family''s new approach to education.Actually, until then I thought it might be necessary to be somewhat forceful when children didn''t listen, but this family never did that and respected the children''s thoughts and opinions.
Of course these aspects were sometimes difficult (for example, when a child cries without giving in or insists on having something bought), but when they explained that they want to raise children who don''t feel diminished and can express their own thoughts, I tried to do the same and reconsidered my own educational philosophy.
# I met many people different from me and started seeing life from much more diverse perspectives!
Before joining Gap Year, I simply wanted to improve my English skills, butDuring the three-month program I met many people who were different from me and began to view life from much more diverse perspectives than before. I realized a lot about myself, so I definitely want to recommend this program to others.
And communication with Gap Year was consistently good, and I was very satisfied with the overall program.
In my case, since my main goal with Gap Year was English, I avoided contact with Koreans as much as possible and made only about one close friend so we could talk when things were hard and get through difficulties. Because of that I was able to make more foreign friends and learn more.
Also, because these things had a big influence on my values,I strongly recommend that future participants interact with many foreigners, engage in serious conversations with them, and create enjoyable memories togetherI recommend it.
# My Gap Year Tips
(Flights)
Ich habe bei China Eastern Airlines Hin- und Rückflugtickets für etwa 800.000 Won gekauft. Die Route führte über Shanghai nach Toronto.
(Sprache)
Es war hilfreich, dass ich zuvor auf den Philippinen einen Sprachkurs besucht hatte. Die alltäglichen Redewendungen und Wörter unterscheiden sich jedoch ein wenig. Am meisten geholfen hat es mir, mit verschiedenen Einheimischen zu sprechen und die Ausdrücke zu lernen, die sie häufig verwenden.
(Unterkunft)
Ich habe mehrere Demi-Pair-Teilnehmer kennengelernt. Da jedes Haus anders ist, kann ich nur schwer konkrete Ratschläge geben, aberWenn du dich mit deiner Gastfamilie anfreundest, hast du die Gelegenheit, Dinge zu unternehmen, die allein schwierig wären, und den echten kanadischen Alltag kennenzulernen – so, wie ihn kanadische Familien tatsächlich leben. Das unterscheidet sich von den typischen Erfahrungen ausländischer Menschen, die in Kanada leben.Diese Möglichkeiten hast du.
(Mahlzeiten)
Ich habe mitgemacht, obwohl ich absolut nichts vom Kochen verstand. Es wäre aber besser gewesen, wenn ich etwas besser kochen könnte, denn beim gemeinsamen Essen koreanischer oder selbst zubereiteter Gerichte mit den Kindern, der Familie und Freunden ergeben sich mehr Gelegenheiten, miteinander ins Gespräch zu kommen.
(Was man mitbringen sollte)
Ich war im Winter dort und dachte, es würde kalt sein. Deshalb habe ich nicht viele schöne Kleidungsstücke eingepackt. Doch es gab mehr Gelegenheiten, sie zu tragen, als ich erwartet hatte, und das habe ich sehr bereut. Einen Bluetooth-Lautsprecher hatte ich auch dabei, und der erwies sich als nützlicher, als ich gedacht hatte.
Mein Gap Year ist
Erfahrung ★★★★★
Ich war schon in vielen Ländern im Ausland, aberIch glaube nicht, dass ich jemals so viele unterschiedliche Erfahrungen gemacht habe wie bei diesem Programm. Ich habe Menschen aus vielen verschiedenen Kulturen kennengelernt und viel Neues gelernt.
Lernen ★★★★★
Das Niveau der mit dem Programm verbundenen Sprachschule war ziemlich hoch und die Unterrichtsqualität gut. Außerdem habe ich viel gelernt, während ich Zeit mit Freunden und Familien in den Vororten verbrachte.
Umfeld ★★★★☆
Eigentlich bereue ich ein wenig, dass ich im Winter gefahren bin. Es war einfach viel zu kalt.
Sicherheit ★★★★★
Es schien sehr sicher zu sein.
Freizeit ★★★★☆
Da ich als Demi-Pair arbeiten musste, konnte ich manchmal nicht ausgehen, wenn ich wollte. Meistens ließ sich aber alles gut regeln, nachdem ich mit den Familien darüber gesprochen hatte.
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