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[100 Gap Years] "A gap year: a period of career exploration that shines brighter than language study abroad"
32nd GapperYu Young-jun
A 10-month gap year
Volunteering in India, the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, an Israeli kibbutz, volunteering through couchsurfing, and more
# A leave-of-absence story that shines brighter than language study abroad
From January to October 2014, I traveled to about 20 countries.The main focus of my trip was meeting many peopleIt was. Therefore,How can I meet many people through travel?From that question,The trip began.I think the most impressive parts of the trip can be divided into five parts."Couchsurfing", "volunteering in India", "one month in New York", "the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage", "an Israeli kibbutz"
At first, I planned to go on a language study abroad.took a leave of absenceI did it because everyone else was going, so I planned to go too.Then, I met a mentor from Samsung Mentoring and Mr. Ryu Si-hyung, who completed a world trip on the Kimchi Bus,and I gave up the language study and started preparing to travel.It was completed. I wanted to be exposed to English that was more useful in everyday life than language study abroad, and if it cost the same, rather than staying in one place for a long time, to travel around the worldI wanted to.
Afterward, while earning money, I made travel plans by occasionally looking up travel books and information on the internet.What kind of trip do I really want?When I thought about it,peopleI realized I had started to like traveling because of the charm of meeting people "Special People Travel"under the concept ofI traveled.
1. Communicating with locals: Couchsurfing
Couchsurfingis a global community where locals invite travelers into their homes.In particular, it is well established in North America and Europe. I traveled 100% by Couchsurfing in North America, and in Southeast Asia, Australia, and even India I CouchsurfedI did. The biggest advantage of Couchsurfing is that there is no cost for accommodation. For poor travelers, that's huge.However, if you go simply hoping for accommodationit can make travel more difficult. I believe mutual trust and cultural exchange are more meaningful.
In fact,simple various experiences you can't have through ordinary tourismand also had deeply with locals an avenue to communicate it was.They were all impressive and special encounters, but if I had to pick just one, a meeting with an Apple employee 이었습니다. 공대인데다 프로그래밍에 관심이 많았for me, meeting a Couchsurfer who worked at Apple was extremely special. Also, being able to meet people with truly diverse occupations from different countries I think that was one of Couchsurfing's charms.
2. India — Death witnessed at the Mother Teresa House and the McLeod Ganj workcamp
I volunteered twice in India over two months.Three-week volunteer work at the Mother Teresa Houseand a workcamp in McLeod Ganj.The Mother Teresa House is a social institution founded by Mother Teresa in Calcutta, one of the poorest cities. Volunteers from around the world come here every day.
Here, I volunteered at a care facility for elderly people nearing death I did. People passed away day after day.It happened. The first time I helped move a corpse into a vehicle, the grandfather who had been smiling until the day before was struggling in his hospital bed the next day...When I faced that sightI also thought deeply about death.그런 죽음 앞에서도 우리에게 순수한 웃음을 보여주시던 것이 아직도 기억이 납니다.
Also, the place where the Dalai Lama went into exile,a workcamp in McLeod GanjWe did one. It was the off-season for workcamps, so there were only four of us, and I was the only Asian.A small-scale workcamp took place. There we went to a free school and did repair work,taught English to the childrenWe also did that.
4After spending a month with four people, unlike those I met during my travels,anddifferent, deeper conversations and friendships을 나눌 수 있었습니다. 그리고 seeing the children with untouched innocence made me reflect on myself. Luckily, on the last day, I...I was also fortunate enough to attend a lecture by the Dalai Lama in person.
3. Living in New York for a Month
On impulse, I tried living in New York for a month.A friend I met through Couchsurfing happened to be renting a room, so I stayed for a month at a low price.I felt like a New Yorker. Looking back, I began to notice New York's drawbacks as well, after only seeing its advantages.
On the other hand, I was frightened by how quickly I was adapting to this place.I was. I even walked into pubs full of New Yorkers to enjoy the Champions League final with them, andI enjoyed New York nights with New Yorkers I met through Couchsurfing.I thought that to see their lives as they are, I had to immerse myself in them. However, I also felt a sense of self-disgust because I couldn't have any deep conversations.It was a time that brought those feelings.
In fact, life in New York wasn't that satisfying. However,Actually doing what I had only thought about wanting to do left me with no regrets.I realized that it's better to try something and regret it than to regret not trying.
4. The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, the highlight of my gap year
I think Couchsurfing and the pilgrimage were the highlights of this trip.I walked for 30 days and then rested deeply for a week after arriving.Camino de Santiago pilgrimageA month on the Camino was more satisfying than the roughly six months of travel I had done before.People who become close after a single greeting. Stories unfolding on the road.Each person's story unfolding on the trail. Truly a diverse group of people.They weren't extraordinary, but every one of them was so special.
AndPersonally, for myselfcontemplationIt was a month of reflection. I had been busy and had so much to do that I couldn't properly talk with myself,the stars of the pre-dawn nightand while walking alone on that path, I experienced contemplation and introspectionI felt it.친구들이 어떤 곳이 가장 좋았냐고 물으면 제일 먼저 산티아고 순례길을 추천합니다.
5. Israel Kibbutz: Friendships formed while working
I had always been interested in Jewish people. There was an opportunity in Korea to volunteer at an Israeli community, a kibbutz, so I applied to goand went. You need to stay at least two months, it costs money, and there is a short interview, but life there was fantastic.
As we became close while working together, the friendships were stronger than with other travelers, and spending 24 hours together allowed us to learn deeply about each otherIt was a time when we could do that.It was a meaningful time to observe Israeli daily life up close.Many go to improve their English, but not only English,you can experience Israeli life and culture as a wholeI stronglyrecommend it.
An asset for earnest career exploration: confidence
In terms of personality, I was closer to type A.I was timid, couldn't speak well, and could hardly do anything on my own.Especially Englishwas the hardest part for me.
Traveling was difficult. I got homesick, felt lonely, and there were more than a few times I felt extremely frustrated because my English wasn't good.For no reasonWas I asking for this trouble?I wondered if I should have just traveled like everyone else, but each time, thanks to my friend's encouragement,I was able to finish the trip safely.
The biggest change before and after the trip was my confidence.At first I couldn't even properly approach people or greet them. But after doing it once,it wasn't a big deal. As I gained confidence, I realized I was a more outgoing person than I had thought.
After returning to school,I personally organized a travel lectureand held it,an opportunity to tell my story to teenagersas wellI received it.Above all, when I met foreigners, I was surprised at myself for trying to keep the conversation going no matter what.I was also surprised.
The confidence of 'I can do it!'That was the greatest asset I gained through my gap year and I believe it is the biggest driving force for me to move forward now.
A message to young people leaving on a gap year: Don't be afraid and don't give up.
There is an expression meaning "to be easily intimidated." I have often been intimidated beforehand, given up, or tried a few times and quit halfway.I really want to say this.Leaving,It's much less of a big deal than you think.The worries you imagine won't happen.So, give it a try.You have to try your best to know whether it suits you or not.
Recommendations and submissions for "100 Gap Years" are always welcome. Please contact marketing manager Choi Da-young (choi@koreagapyear.com)! |