I am a fourth-year university student preparing for employment.
In 2015, everyone around me was focused on getting jobs and building up their qualifications.
I thought about what I could do as a student under the theme 'If not now, when?', and my greatest interest was bicycles.I chose a bicycle trip because you move forward as much as you pedal.
I also wanted to convey the message of 'challenge' to young people around the world, including my friends.
I thought it would be the most memorable and coolest challenge of my life, and with excitement and anticipation I prepared everything from the bicycle to camping gear, one by one.
Although the preparation period took a lot of time, I was happy to be doing what I wanted to try.
# Preparations for the trip
While I was in school, regardless of semesters or vacations, I worked all kinds of part-time jobs: waiting tables, moving company, factory, gas station, school jobs, substitute driving, delivery, and so on.I tried many different things, gained various experiences, and steadily saved money.It was difficult, but after saving consistently from one year before the trip, a large sum of 10,000,000 won accumulated in my bank account.
Of course my academic grades were not good, but grades were not important to me.Because I believe life is about happiness rather than grades.Then I purchased a bicycle, gear, camping equipment, plane tickets, and a camera.
There wasn't much information about Europe, so I read books about Europe at the library and spent hours searching the internet, preparing step by step.
My knees weren't good, but I practiced riding my bicycle whenever I could, adapted by doing long-distance rides across the country, and learned basic maintenance; before I knew it, the departure day approached.
# 'If it doesn't work, keep trying until it does'.
I served my military service in the Marine Corps.
Among the spirit of the Marine Corps'If it doesn't work, keep trying until it does' and 'Strong waves make strong fishermen.'I have them deeply engraved in my heart.
Thinking about riding a bicycle to a foreign land for the first time made me worried and anxious, butI prepared with the mindset that even if I got knocked down and broken a hundred times, I would get back up a hundred times.
# My bicycle was stolen
I, a country bumpkin who couldn't speak English, took a one-way ticket and headed to London without a plan.
On my first day in London, the roads were left-hand traffic, the opposite of my country.
From my very first ride I rode the wrong way and was cursed at by foreigners.
The distance from London Airport to the city center should take an hour, but it took me four hours to arrive. I reached the accommodation I had reserved, unpacked and rested, then went to the bicycle parking area only to find my bicycle gone. I had locked it with two locks, but it seemed they had cut them and stolen it. I was devastated, my legs went weak, and I was under tremendous stress.
Unable to speak English, I used hand gestures to explain that my bicycle had been stolen, but they said they couldn't find it.
I returned to my lodging and fell into a deep dilemma: should I go back to Korea, or buy a backpack and travel as a backpacker...
In the end I went to an outdoor store in the city and bought a large backpack. I then prepared all the gear for backpacking.
But the thought 'I didn't come to Europe to backpack...' made it hard for me to take that step.
I spent another day in London thinking. I sat on a bench by the river for hours. Deciding to see it through since I'd already begun, I went to every bicycle shop in London. But the prices were so high that I thought I might have to give up.
At the last shop I bought a slightly heavy but affordable bicycle, and I began my bicycle journey again.
I got stuck in the mountains, got lost, encountered heavy rain that soaked everything and shivered from the cold; facing difficult situations alone led me into a slump and I wanted to go home.
But because I had decided to come and there were people in Korea supporting and praying for me, the thought of not giving up and finishing the journey grew stronger.
#When I let go of impatience.Things I couldn't see when I was struggling became visible.
As I began the trip and days passed, my body and mind became very tired. On top of that, the weather grew much colder and I had to battle the cold.Fortunately, many foreigners helped me and invited me into their homes, so I was able to rest for a few days, sort out my thoughts, and recuperate physically.I shared in their lifestyles and values, and, in a small way, introduced Korea to them.
As a result, my English naturally improved—I was even surprised at myself when I spoke. Talking with foreigners changed my perspectives a lot, and I think my personality changed significantly during the trip.After living in fast-paced Korea and coming to relaxed, slow-paced Europe, it was very frustrating at first, but over time my impatience disappeared.
Before I knew it, I had arrived in the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. I met many Koreans at tourist spots, and speaking Korean after a long time felt refreshing. Because I liked soccer I watched matches, and while sightseeing the trip I had planned to complete turned into a relaxed journey without impatience. When I was tired I rested, and when I was hungry I ate something delicious. Because of that, many things that had been invisible during hard times became clear.When my body and mind relaxed everything looked beautiful, and even when I rode long distances I felt happy.
I passed through the Czech Republic and Austria and arrived in Switzerland.Switzerland was the country I really wanted to visit, and I considered it the main part of this trip.There were many high mountains, and although I climbed uphill for hours, when I reached the summit the view instantly washed away all the hardship I had endured. After seeing tall, impressive structures made by people's hands, encountering such vast nature was even more moving. Standing still and staring in a daze, I had many thoughts and vowed to come back again.
While cycling up the Alps for six hours of continuous uphill, I often felt like giving up.
It was extremely difficult, and because of the altitude my body temperature dropped rapidly. It was getting late and the sun was setting, and fearing trouble I pedaled until my whole body was soaked with sweat. I eventually reached the summit, and because the mountain was so high I descended for four hours.Crossing the Alps gave me the confidence that there would be nothing I couldn't do from then on, and I felt that no matter how hard things were, if I endured a bit and worked hard I would succeed.
After crossing the Alps and following the Mediterranean coast to Barcelona, Spain, the weather was wonderful and the end of the journey began to come into view. During that time an IS bomb attack occurred in Paris, causing many deaths, and I received many messages checking on me. Although I was scared because the attack happened nearby, I completed the journey without any incidents.
After my gap year..
Before I took on the challenge, like many Koreans, I wanted everything to be fast.
If things didn't go my way I got irritated, and I gave up easily.
But while riding on the bicycle saddle for 6,000 km, I developed perseverance and a mindset of not giving up, and living with foreigners changed my values and brought a more relaxed way of life.
During the challenge I received selfless care and generosity from many people.In the future I plan to actively help many people in need.
Three days after returning home I started a part-time job again.
Drinking various coffees in Europe taught me the flavors of coffee, and now I work at a coffee shop.
And I am planning a bigger challenge in 2016.
Rather than accumulating credentials for job hunting in my senior year of university,to build my life's credentials, what I planned wasIt was to cycle across the United States.
In the summer of 2016 I am gathering funds and information to cross deserts, mountains, and plains by bicycle.
I will strive every year to take on new and bigger challenges.
#Tips for those planning a gap year
You don't really need to prepare in great detail.
You need to challenge yourself, face setbacks, and learn from them.
Because we're young!!!
#A message to the youth of South Korea
Korean youth!!!
Youth only comes once.
Take on the challenge!
And face it head-on!
If not now, when will you do it?
Watch Mr. Jo Yong-jun's European bicycle trip video ▼
We welcome recommendations and submissions for the '100 Gap Years' anytime.
Please leave a comment or message, or email marketing manager Haein Jo (dorothy224@koreagapyear.com)!
Back to List
