Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
Focus only on your own growth.
GapYear is a time for growth and happiness.
Back to ListBack to List
25th GapperGo Minsu
Gap year period:2014–2015
Experiences during the gap year:Unplanned world trip
"Where is your time going?"
Before my gap year, this phrase was constantly on my mind.
By the time I finished my second year at university, even though I had spent two years fully engaged in school life and extracurricular activities without regrets, I felt a thirst within myself. Living the same routine every day, I...Let's try something newI made that decision.
After repeatedly thinking, 'How can I spend each day differently?', I chose travel. I decided to move as much as possible and see many countries, and to spend my gap year on my own resources I saved money by working part-time at restaurants.
In the autumn of 2014, I wrapped up all my activities in Korea and prepared to go abroad. I stopped all the jobs I had, such as part-time work and being a youth instructor, got a passport, packed my bags, and my heart pounded as I realized I was finally leaving.
My journey is a trip, not a tour.
Before I left on the trip, an acquaintance told me, "When all your money runs out, that's when the journey begins."
That one sentence gave me a great thrill and filled me with even greater anticipation.
'First, I'll depart from the UK and keep traveling without a plan,' and 'I'll try to sell my concept photos while traveling.' With these two...goalsI set out. As a result, the first goal succeeded. I traveled around Europe, went to North Africa, then to India, Nepal, and across the Chinese continent before returning to Korea. Unfortunately, the second goal—selling my concept photos—ended in failure.
When I first arrived in the UK with no plans, I only had a place to stay for the night of arrival and a plane ticket to France.
For someone who had never even spoken to foreigners, going to the UK alone was a big challenge, but when I planned and departed I was filled only with anticipation and had no fear at all. With 2.5 million won in my hand and 900,000 won on my card, a trip of unknown length began.
A small incident happened as soon as I arrived in the UK. I entered Glasgow, Scotland, but couldn't communicate with the immigration officer, which raised suspicion, and only after a long time and an enormous number of questions did I finally receive the entry stamp.
I left not knowing foreign languages, how to use transportation, dining etiquette, or how to order food. Because of that, I faced the same worries every day: 'Where will I sleep tonight?' 'How can I get cheap meals?' Sometimes I didn't know the transport options and had to walk aimlessly. I basically walked about five to six hours a day, but everything was new, so I always walked with a smile.
Many unexpected situations also occurred. The most memorable incident was when I took a low-cost flight from Portugal to France and landed at such a tiny airport that...there was no way into the city except hitchhiking. In the end I hitchhiked alone until the sun went down, and after barely getting into town I took a train to Lyon in southern France, where a festival was taking place.
One good thing about traveling alone was that, whether the outcome was good or bad, everything...was the result of my choices.That was the case. I couldn't blame anyone, and I had no regrets. In fact, there were times when I even hoped for situations that were difficult to resolve.
Overwhelmed by loneliness
But there were times when I was suddenly overcome by loneliness while traveling alone. Loneliness that came occasionally — for example, when I was the only person in a single train car running across a snowy plain, or when I arrived in Egypt where English wasn't used and spent three hours searching for someone who could speak it — was an emotion that made me feel weak and, at the same time, made me stronger.
Even when many people were around, I felt alone; even with plenty to see, I somehow felt trapped in a prison. Whenever I felt this way, I would strike up conversations with nearby foreigners and try to say at least one more word to feel human warmth.
Even at the very end of returning to Korea after finishing my gap year, incidents and accidents did not cease. I was staying in Nepal when an accident involving Turkish Airlines occurred at the Nepal international airport, the airport was closed, and I became trapped in Nepal. As a result, I ended up returning to Korea about four days later than planned after stopping in China to rest. At first I was startled by the sudden event, but the unexpectedly given four days in my gap year felt like a big giftand I felt grateful for it.
After having a gap year, I returned to everyday life.
However, I returned as a student learning to become the person I wanted to be, not the person society wanted.
Even now I make time bit by bit to try to find the version of myself that was happiest — the version that wandered without a destination, the young man who always walked the streets with a smile.
Before taking a gap year, I was simply the type who liked to be active and start projects. Even now it's true that I still start projects, but I picked up one more habit: keeping records. I began recording as episodes occurred one by one.
One example is the book I am writing to keep for myself. It's a book meant to bring me back to the happy young person I was—so that when I open it again in 10, 30, or 50 years, I will see that joyful smile.
Besides the habit of recording, I gained something from my gap year: the belief that "everything starts with me, and I can solve it." While traveling, the word 'give up' never occurred to me. Whenever a new situation arose, I didn't try to run away, and because I kept throwing myself into solving things courageand gainedbelief in myselfI was also able to gain it.
When are you happiest?
There is a saying that one's calling is the work one does while wearing a happy smile like a child. I believe that to find such joyful work, you must take on challenges. Each challenge will enrich your life and make it special. I hope you discover a new version of yourself by tackling the situations that come to you in a new environment, one by one.
