Gap year... The reason I decided to take time completely for myself was a belated uncertainty about who I was.
As graduation approached, when I saw friends who, unlike me, were preparing and building their futures, I thought, 'Ah, they really have goals; they're living their lives more meaningfully than I am.'
AndLooking back, my life was so bland that something felt empty.
I didn't really know why I was going to university, and without even understanding why I was studying, living just as the adults and others expected felt very frustrating and foolish to me.
#Deciding to cycle around the world
I couldn't keep living like a leaf carried by the current, following others without knowing who I was, so I needed drastic action and an opportunity to change my life.
So I decided to take time to get to know myself.
It was through travel.
I resolved to fulfill the long-held dream of traveling around the world, and this decision completely changed my twenties.So I began planning to cycle around the world.
#Preparations for cycling around the world
There were three main things to prepare for a long-term bicycle trip around the world.
The first was to plan routes for overland travel and to gather destination updates and visa information to fully enjoy the trip.Gathering information, such as studying the history of countries of interestI had to do it, and secondly, for bicycle and camping travelCamping skills and bicycle repair techniquesI had to learn them, and lastly, the most important and time-consumingRaising fundswas.
Gathering information was not difficult.
From the moment I decided to travel around the world, reading posts on related forums and books was so enjoyable that I could study without anyone telling me to.
And I practiced bicycle repair methods and camping through domestic trips. I joined the school's mountaineering club, learned professional mountaineering skills, and experienced numerous camps.
What took the longest to prepare was, unsurprisingly, securing the funds.
I planned to travel by bicycle and sleep in a tent, but traveling for nearly two years required a considerable amount of money.
Like others, I wanted to take a leave of absence and go on a working holiday to earn money, but because of my age and limits on leave periods, during my second and third years I attended school in the mornings, worked nights as a security guard at a shopping mall, worked at a cafe during breaks, and did short-term part-time jobs on weekends, saving money without even looking at my bank account.
After that effort, I was able to save an amount close to my planned budget, and during the trip I contributed articles to magazines and raised additional funds through sponsorships.
# I was afraid of the 'gap' and 'age', but what I feared more...
Preparing for a gap yearThe most practical worry was, above all, the 'gap' caused by the travel period and the resulting 'age'.
Other friends left for training to prepare for employment, obtained certifications, or studied English to build their strengths, but unlike them, is it okay for me to pour time into something that no one will recognize and that won't leave a certificate? If I spend time traveling and graduate at 29, will I be able to find a job? Such practical questions terrified me.
But what scared me more was that now might be the freest and most passionate time of my life.It was the future 'me' who would certainly regret not having had the time I wanted.
I did not have the courage to live with such regret, and that overcame my fear of the gap or age. My curiosity about the outside world and my longing for freedom in life also became powerful forces that turned my decision into action.
After making up my mind, I spread the plan everywhere so I wouldn't waver. I created a blog, always talked about the travel plans when meeting friends, counted down to D-day, and created an environment where I would be a coward if I didn't leave. That way, I was able to leave Korea on the planned date and time with friends seeing me off.
# One lap around the Earth in 600 days
The journey began with taking the Trans-Siberian Railway, a dream of world travelers.
I went from Moscow into Europe, cycled from France to Hungary to tour Europe, and then encountered the pyramids in Egypt shortly after the unrest.
When I arrived in Africa, I was initially intimidated by that exotic world I saw for the first time, but only briefly — new adventures unfolded before me, and filled with excitement I traveled around the world.I wandered for nearly 600 days, visiting dream destinations everyone imagines: the Seven Wonders of the World, the world's three great waterfalls, and the top three must-visit places before you die.
▲ Namib Desert, Africa
In Kenya I learned to play musical instruments, my dream of publishing a travel series became reality, and I witnessed a true ecosystem inhabited by creatures other than humans that functions naturally without us.
Also, during the trip I climbed Africa's highest peak Kilimanjaro, South America's highest peak Aconcagua, and North America's highest peak Denali with an expedition team, which led me to experience and reflect on various concerns.
▲Denali, North America's Highest Peak
In South America I learned tango and finally found companions for my bicycle trip, and it seemed the journey would become more fun, but unexpected problems and unforeseen accidents occurred. Thus, unraveling and entangling again and again, we rode our bikes all the way to Alaska.
▲Tango in South America
In Alaska, the final destination of the trip, I even sold walnut cookies as the first Korean to do so, and I saw the aurora I had dreamed of.Thus, after circling the globe, I returned home after 600 days.
▲Selling Walnut Cookies
#The World's Longest Train, the Trans-Siberian Railway
I still clearly remember the companionship with Tom, whom I met on the Trans-Siberian Railway where the journey began.
Now, let me tell you a story that happened on the world's longest train, the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Travel is as much about 'who' you travel with as it is about 'where' you go.
And my first train trip was 200 times more enjoyable because I was with Tom.
My British friend Tom, who shared the same compartment, had already taken the Trans-Siberian three times, so he was very bored from the first day. Bored Tom fell asleep around seven times a day, and later, perhaps bored even by that, he even cut up a chocolate box to make cards.
Then he asked me, "Do you know how to play poker?" From that day our poker races, with our precious food at stake, began, and the winner enjoyed the 'honor' of being able to give various canned goods, chocolates, and cup noodles to the other friends.
Unfortunately, Tom had no chance to enjoy this 'honor.' Within three days of starting the game I had taken all of Tom's food—but it wasn't that I was particularly skilled at the game; Tom was so naive and straightforward that it was almost inevitable he'd lose.
"I have a full house!!"
"Oh.. Die..."
Most Russian stations had small shops at each stop, and at slightly larger stations merchants would come out and sell food separately.But when I traveled it was winter, so mostly only small shops were open and there were few merchants to be seen. Tom had injured his leg during the trip and couldn't easily go out to buy something even if he wanted to. So Tom, who could speak Russian, stayed on the train, and I, who couldn't, had to go out to buy food.
Tom was really kind. To illustrate how kind he was: if I bought him a 1.5L soda when he only asked for water, he would still smile; if I bought bread that had to be microwaved for him though he only asked for simple bread, he would barely frown...;; But there was no helping it. I couldn't speak Russian, the shopkeeper didn't even understand 'water,' and Tom's leg hurt.
"How am I supposed to eat this bread?"
"Tom, good experience. It's okay, this is a good experience too."
After several days of poker, Tom, who had lost all his food, suggested we try the dining car. I was tired of bread and instant noodles anyway. "It might be expensive," "Hmm—let's go find out!" So we went to the dining car and ordered a chicken dish, ate it deliciously, and were stunned by the bill that arrived soon after.
"Gasp!! That's really expensive!"
"Taehwan—good experience. It's okay, this is a good experience too."
Tom... could this have been revenge?
Through my travels I met many people, and now, as time has passed, some have been forgotten while others have grown closer.
I regret some of the forgetting, but I believe it's all part of the process that leads to better relationships.
#At some point, waking up in the morning became enjoyable.
▲Africa's Highest PeakKilimanjaro
What changed after taking a gap year? Would the work I do now, my environment, or my mindset have been different if I hadn't taken a gap year? To be honest, I'm not sure.
One thing is clear: at some point, waking up in the morning started to become enjoyable.
I learned how to plan for the future, learned the value of today, and spent my twenties without regrets.
Compared to before my gap year, the difference is that now I wake up each morning with anticipation and have an attitude that lets me enjoy the day.
#After my gap year
▲Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America
After taking a gap year and graduating from school, I started working at an NGO in Thailand.
It was meaningful work: in a small Thai village, we carried out student exchanges with Korean children, taught the Korean language and various cultural classes, and helped build a school.
However, not long after I started, the headquarters decided to withdraw the Thailand branch urgently due to financial problems, and I faced a new crossroads. The work was rewarding, but I wanted something more fulfilling, and after deciding I should go into sales, I was hired as a sales representative at a pharmaceutical company and have since poured my passion into it again.
#Tips for people who want to take a gap year
▲Uyuni Salt Flats
What choice should you make now if you don't want to look back on your twenties with regret?
That choice will be your gap year.
In my case, it was travel.
▲Pyramid
If you are also contemplating travel,'It's better to leave than not to leave, and it's better to prepare before leaving than to just leave.'That's what I'd like to say.
And if possible, try to prepare to fulfill two aspects: ways to nourish your soul and ways to meet your practical needs; I believe when both are satisfied, you can have a fulfilling time.
#The world doesn't change as much as you'd expect
Do you feel like you'll fall behind if you spend free time alone while others are studying? Does the world change so fast that if you spend your time differently you'll be unable to keep up?
After traveling the world for nearly two years, I realized one thing.
That the world doesn't change as much as you'd imagine; even if I take some time off, the world doesn't really care much.
Of course, even if you continue living the same way, the world won't care about you.
Even if someone next to you is gossiping or complaining right now, the only person who truly cares about you in the end is yourself.
So stop worrying and fully enjoy 'time for yourself'—your gap year.
Recommendations and submissions for 100 people's gap years are always welcome.
Please leave a comment or a message, or send an email to marketing manager Haein Cho (dorothy224@koreagapyear.com)!
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