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[I'm on a Gap Year Too] #All About Women - A Female Traveler Living Her Own Life Through Travel

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Autumn has quietly arrived, with the foliage turning and leaves fallingtravelseasonhas arrived. Mountains famous across the country—Seoraksan, Jirisan, Sobaeksan, and others—are crowded with travelers seeking autumn foliage. Not only domestic travel but also overseas travel has become part of everyday life for everyone. During the Chuseok holiday last October, an unprecedented record was set when as many as 1.02 million people departed the country for overseas trips, more than three times last year's number. From nearby trips to Japan and Southeast Asia to distant Europe and the United States, travel has become an essential way to recharge and rest in our lives.




In the past, could everyone travel freely as they do now?
Even in the Joseon Dynasty, women were legally prohibited from traveling. The Joseon legal code Gyeongguk Daejeon contained provisions forbidding women from traveling, and violating this rule was punished with 100 blows of the cane. Even taking into account the historical context in which women's status and social position were low, one can sense the frustration of women who could not enjoy freedom of movement. Unbelievably, there was also a time in France when women could not exercise the right to travel: women needed their husband's permission to apply for a passport. This was based on the idea that women had the responsibility to care for the family.





So, were there really no female travelers in the Joseon Dynasty?
Not quite. There was a female traveler named Kim Man-deok, whose life was even made into a TV drama. Born as a gentlewoman of a yangban family, she led a turbulent life that included becoming a gisaeng (courtesan), and she displayed a special talent for commerce, which she used to help relieve the suffering of the people. Later, by a special decree of the king, she was allowed to leave Jeju, where she lived, and fulfill her wish to see Hanyang (Seoul) and Mount Geumgang; she was 58 at the time. Another woman, Kim Geum-won, disguised herself as a man and set out to travel at age 14. Questioning the roles and status of women at the time, she boldly journeyed through Chungcheong Province. Later she traveled to Mount Geumgang, Seorak Mountain, and Hanyang, and wrote poems about the feelings and impressions she experienced.

Since the 19th century, women traveling became common worldwide, and anyone could travel freely. As not only domestic but also international travel became commonplace,there are ample opportunities to experience new lives and new cultures through travelare abundant. In particular, gap-year travelers who take a gap year to find their own lives spend time traveling the world and accumulating diverse experiences. Whether in the past when women's travel was taboo or today, the specialness that travel gives us seems unchanged. Today there are also travelers who make travel their profession; here are people who travel the world and confidently shape their own life stories.




Former announcer Son Mina
Son Mina, who worked as the anchor for KBS '9 o'clock News' before becoming a freelancer, currently holds various titles: novelist, traveler, editor of Huffington Post Korea, head of the Korea branch of The School of Life run by the famous French writer Alain de Botton, and CEO of a company named after herself. Her first travel book, "Spain, You Are Free," was hugely popular, and she has since traveled to and written about France, Japan, Argentina, Peru, and other countries.A travel writer who travels the world and writesShe is a travel writer. The reason she became editor of Huffington Post Korea is interesting: the U.S. headquarters' representative insisted that the editor be a traveler, so they accepted her proposal. Always curious and interested in new things, she continues to pioneer the areas she wants to pursue.

Travel writer Kim Nam-hee
Kim Nam-hee, who says she cannot imagine a life other than that of a traveler. Even after more than ten years of traveling,deciding to live a traveler's life was the best decision she ever madeshe says. When people call it a dream job, she explains that there are tiring, difficult, and lonely times as well. What she has continued to learn through travel is how to live with greater contentment with what one already has. For her, the more questions a trip raises, the better the trip; travel is an opportunity to leave a narrow world and learn about different commonsense and norms in other worlds. She writes poetry while traveling, composing about the emotions felt in unfamiliar environments and the fleeting connections made as a traveler who settles nowhere. She plans to travel to Greece and the Camino de Santiago next spring.

Walking traveler Hwang Anna
Having worked as a teacher for nearly 40 years, Hwang Anna retired at age 57 and, on her doctor's recommendation, began regularly climbing the local mountain. This led her to seek out mountains across the country and traverse Jirisan. At 65, she completed a cross-country journey of 800 km from the Unification Observatory to Haenam, the southernmost point of Jeollanam-do, in 23 days. At 67, she completed the 800 km Camino de Santiago in Spain, and at 73 she completed a domestic coastal tour of 8,300 km. She says that when others think it's too late, it's actually early; she does not fear challenges regardless of age.Walking trips she lovedenabled her to begin a second life.


In the stories of the women introduced above, some common traitsexist.




1. They quit what they were doing and tried something new.
Ms. Son Mina left the stable job of a 9 o'clock news anchor and chose the uncertain path of freelancing. Instead of taking the seemingly smooth road where anyone could clearly succeed, she chose work that made her heart race. Ms. Kim Nam-hee also quit the company she was working for, used the money from vacating her room to set off on a trip, and that became the catalyst for traveling for more than ten years, living as a traveler and as a writer. Ms. Hwang Anna had been a teacher for over 40 years, but she decided to retire early and chose a second life as a walking traveler, and is walking that path.

We all' what one must do' and' what one wants to do' experience a conflictThey experience that conflict. 'Must-do' work is usually something one is good at, or it is chosen because of other conditions or circumstances—for example, job stability, future prospects, or pay. By contrast, 'want-to-do' work is something that makes you feel joyful and good just to think about. Nothing else matters. It's simply something you want to do because you like it.

These days, despite the difficult job market, many young workers who have struggled to get a job find themselves unable to last a year at that job and think about changing jobs. I don't blame them; I went through the same process. Only then do you start to worry about what you really want to do. It would be nice to choose what you want to do from the beginning, but because of social pressure, family expectations, and comparisons with peers, it's not easy to take time for yourself and choose a career. Perhaps these three women travelers were the same. Or at the time they may have thought it was what they wanted to do and chose that path. What is important isthe decisiveness and courage to stop what you're doing and start something else when you realize there is something you want to doIt is. Stopping on the path you're on to go back or finding another path is hard and sometimes demands sacrifice. But setting out on a new path will always be a heart-pounding, exciting adventure.



2. They continued to seek new learning and challenges through travel.
As the saying goes that travel is made by the traveler, the three travelers each traveled in their own colors and never stopped learning new things and taking on challenges. If travel simply meant a brief escape, then letting go of daily life at a destination and taking full rest or healing would be meaningful, but for these three travelers, travel is work and essentially life itself. Therefore, they focus on what they can gain, learn, see, and feel at their destinations. They write while traveling, fully face themselves, travel in the ways they want, and continue to challenge themselves; for them,travel is an endless journey of learning and a process of challenge and growthIt is.

For someone who is very curious, travel makes every newly encountered environment a continuous learning experience. By admiring unfamiliar architectural styles, observing how passersby dress, and tasting foods with new flavors and aromas, they build their own set of values and enrich their lives through every moment they see and feel at a destination. Ms. Son Mina constantly wants to learn and satisfies her desire to be curious about everything through travel. A free spirit who can set off on a journey at any time, she says, "A traveler is a person with endless curiositywho possesses", she says.

Some people travel to understand others' lives, to respect their ways of living, and to enjoy them together. When you surrender yourself to another world and fully blend with them to become one, you experience a world different from the one you lived in. Through that experience, you can view the environment and the world around you from a broader perspective that goes beyond your own thoughts, emotions, and knowledge, and you become able to accept others. Author Kim Nam-hee, who says that a good traveler is someone who asks questions rather than judges or defines, in every passing moment at a destination there is specialnessis continuing their journey while discovering it.

Travel awakens the spirit of challenge that lies latent in everyone. The target or form of the challenge can vary, but the core is that it is first a challenge to oneself, and regardless of the outcome, one can feel personal growth through the process. Travel itself, where you meet unfamiliar people in new places, can be considered a challenge. Traveler Anna Hwang is doing what she loves and does well: namely, walking travel.challengetravelingis doing.




3. They currently love their work and are actively engaged in it.
Son Mina, who holds as many as six titles, works as an expert in various fields and is recognized for her abilities. When she served as the head of the Korean branch of Alain de Botton's School of Life (mentioned above) and when she was the editor of Huffington Post Korea, people said that no one else could do it but her, so her skill and value were highly regarded. She writes as a novelist and travel writer, runs her own company, and gives lectures and appears on broadcasts.

Kim Nam-hee, who writes while traveling, wrote a book during this trip called "Poems Read on the Road." She consistently writes pieces that capture stories and life from her travels and is already planning her next trip. Not often, but occasionally she organizes gatherings with strangers to share meals or read books.

Anna Hwang, who is living her second act as a walking traveler, has written a book containing her travel stories and spends busy days appearing on broadcasts and giving lectures, inspiring people with a sense of challenge and courage.

Loving the work you do is not easy. Moreover, for those who have accumulated some life experience to still be working so passionately at their jobs is something that would be difficult unless they regarded that work as their calling. Above all, these people...because they have clearly discovered what they like and want to do.I think so. And all of them...travelwere able to discover that through travel, and now travel itselfhas become a part of their lives.


Fortunately, we are not living in the Joseon era anymore... If you set your mind to it, you can travel anywhere. If you want to set off on a trip right now but real-life issues or worries about the future are blocking your path, remember that the three female travelers were in the same situation and...remember what you want to do right now and try focusing on it.Finally, so you can refer to it whenever you travel...travel destinations that are good for female travelersrecommendintend to.




1) Stockholm, Sweden
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) was named by the 2015 Prosperity Index as "the safest region in the world", and Sweden ranked 5th among all countries. It also holds the title of one of the safest cities in Europe. There are many historic attractions including the Royal Palace and the Vasa Museum, and with the Stockholm Pass you can access over 60 attractions and use convenient, safe public transportation for free. In Gamla Stan, the "Old Town" perfectly preserved in the center of Stockholm, you can enjoy colorful Baroque-style buildings, crooked cobblestone streets, Gothic churches, hidden tea rooms, and upscale boutiques.





2) Quebec, Canada
The French-speaking province of Quebec, with its peculiar cobblestone streets and historic architecture, isone of the best places to travel alone.In the historic district of Old Quebec, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can visit horse-drawn carriages, street performers, and outdoor galleries to experience what feels like stepping back in time. The best way to explore this charming area is on foot. During your travels you can make new friends and learn a great deal about history and culture. Canada is especially popular among those taking a gap year for a working holiday, where they can experience language study, work, and travel.




3) Bali, Indonesia
Bali is the perfect place to unwind both body and mindto experience healing.The island's beauty catches travelers' eyes, but what truly makes it special are the people. They are very kind, warm, and welcoming to visitors. If you want to surf near the beach, try staying at Uluwatu Surf Villas. There you can sip coconut water, enjoy sea views, and practice yoga. In Bali it's easy to meet friends to hang out with, like fellow backpackers. Indonesia also offers a variety of gap year projects for volunteering, travel, and more.




4) Queenstown, New Zealand
Without a doubt, New Zealand isone of the most beautiful countries in the worldIt is. Here you can experience dynamic landscapes, adventure, and culture. The Wanaka lakeside, the country's fourth-largest lake, can be fully enjoyed through alpine trekking or leisurely walks. One traveler described Queenstown's “beauty that cannot hide deep awe and excitement.” If you want to meet new people, make use of the city's Haka Tours and Haka Lodge (Haka Lodge Queenstown). Conservation volunteer work in New Zealand is one of the most popular gap year projects, making it perfect for combining service and travel.


5) Verona, Italy
It is also the place where two lovers risked their lives in the name of true love.A city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage SiteThe city preserves ancient Roman relics such as the Castel Vecchio bridge and the Arena di Verona amphitheatre, which was built in the 1st century and is still in use today.





6) Moorea, Tahiti
Located in French Polynesia, thissmall island paradiseis like a dream for everyone. With a population of only about 16,000, you can enjoy perfect relaxation. You can snorkel, sunbathe, or swim where only the peaceful sound of the sea can be heard. You can also explore untouched tropical rainforests overlooking Mount Rotui or Opunohu Bay. Experience the purest form of nature by hiking, parasailing, skydiving, swimming with dolphins, or rent a bicycle and tour the whole island in a day. You can feel stress melt away as you take in the wide sea before you and the majestic mountains unfolding behind.





7) Marseille, France
In Marseille, whose name alone evokes the romantic image of a sunlit afternoon, you can enjoy beaches overlooking the beautiful Côte d'Azur.the second largest city in Franceinstroll through charming streets and 19th-century avenues, browse souk-like markets, and soak up the atmosphere of the Vieux Port. This glamorous coastal city is full of character and history. Rent a bike to ride along the waterfront and breathe the fresh air. You can also visit the Le Panier neighborhood on the hill above the water.





8) Tokyo, Japan
This city, the capital of Japan,The most populous metropolisIt is also attractive simply to visit. Tokyo was named the safest city in the Asia-Pacific region in 2015, and according to the U.S. State Department, Japan's overall crime rate is much lower than the U.S. national average. You can walk across the famous Shibuya Crossing that blends with the bustling city, enjoy the coolest street styles in Harajuku, or travel while tasting the best food. In early April during cherry blossom season, you can witness a spectacle of thousands of blooming flowers.





Traveling doesn't mean our lives will change in an instant or that we'll necessarily find the perfect dream job for us. It could happen, but it's more likely that it won't. Rather,part of the process of creating small changes in my lifeI hope you'll think of it that way. When those changes accumulate, somedaythe driving force for a new lifewill become that, and within itthe true shape of my lifeWouldn't that help us discover the real shape of our lives? I was very impressed by something Mina Son said during the interview.


From my point of view, life is, after all, like a short journey,
During that journey, what role did each of us come into this world to play,
If I worry, that person probably worries too,
How can this world be made a little more meaningful.
I remain very curious and continually explore those questions.

I hope you take some time to think carefully about what you want to do, not just what you have to do now. And like three travelers who genuinely live their own lives while traveling the world, spend a gap year in travel andyour own uniquenessI sincerely hope you find all of your unique qualities.

by Editor Bora

Someone who wishes to one day be a small help to someone. Always dreaming of breaking away and of freedom unbound by anything :)

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