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Freedom Music Journey Around the World : First Stop, Varanasi India program

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Gap Year Program Introduction
How about escaping the stressful routine and enjoying a relaxing break with new music?

Learn and play traditional Indian instruments that are rarely seen in Korea to gain diverse musical inspiration, and if you can play beautifully for those around you! Experience a new life and hobbies that you might not have known or realized before through music!

Location
“Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” As the famous American author Mark Twain once said, Varanasi is the oldest city in India, and a sacred place where many Indians wish to end their lives. The religious ceremonies held every evening by the Ganges River deepen the city’s sacred and reverent atmosphere. Varanasi is also the birthplace of traditional Indian music, attracting free-spirited musicians from around the world who come to learn and teach Indian music.

Organization
Our organization, renowned enough to be featured in famous guidebooks, has been teaching traditional Indian music and instruments to travelers from around the world for many years. Skilled and professional musicians offer one-on-one lessons on how to play traditional instruments. We provide lessons on traditional instruments like the sitar, tabla, and santoor, as well as vocal classes teaching the unique Indian singing techniques, and classes in the traditional Indian dance, Kathak. Additionally, every Wednesday and Saturday, we hold concerts featuring a variety of traditional Indian instruments like the sitar, santoor, and tabla, accompanied by Kathak dance performances.

Programs and Activities
This program is conducted in English.
•English required ★☆☆☆☆
Since the main activities involve learning traditional Indian instruments and vocal training, and Kathak dance, basic understanding of English is sufficient.

English proficiency is not crucial for participating in the program.

A. Traditional Instrument Classes
Sitar
This instrument is similar in shape to a guitar but is larger and longer.
It has 26 strings and a gourd-like resonator that produces a lively and mysterious sound.

Tabla
A representative percussion instrument of India, consisting of a set of two drums played with the palms and fingers to create various tones.

Santoor
An instrument with 24 strings on a trapezoidal wooden box, played with light mallets to produce beautiful and mystical sounds.

B. Vocal Classes
Classes on Indian vocal techniques.

C. Kathak Dance Classes
Kathak is a traditional Indian dance performed as a form of spiritual worship, expressing harmony with deities.
Dancers express the changes of seasons, nature, and human emotions through elegant movements and facial expressions.

Top 3 Travel Tips

Agra
When you think of India, Agra is one of the first places that comes to mind. It’s home to the Taj Mahal, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture often considered one of the most beautiful places in the world—a colossal marble flower symbolizing eternal love. Explore every corner of the vast Agra Fort, where the red sandstone walls and white marble interiors blend to create a sense of grandeur and intricate detail. If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable romance, like the Taj Mahal, the ultimate gift of love, head to Agra and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Varanasi Ghats
The stairs leading down to the Ganges River are known as “ghats.” Varanasi has over 80 ghats, where bodies are publicly cremated and released into the Ganges, or where people bathe with a sacred expression for the purification of body and soul. Sitting at the ghats and watching the mix of Indian locals and diverse tourists from all over the world can be a fascinating experience. Varanasi Ghats is a mystical and sacred place where life and death coexist. If you’re looking to experience something new and profound, this is the place to visit!

Rishikesh
Known as the Yoga Capital of the World, Rishikesh attracts travelers from all over who come to learn yoga, creating a vibrant city with diverse cultures. (Check out the Korea Gap Year Yoga Program in India!) Situated at the gateway to the Himalayas, this city offers opportunities to join trekking expeditions into the mountains or enjoy adventure sports like rafting. With buildings and markets clustered along the upper Ganges River, Rishikesh is not only the birthplace of yoga but also the city that inspired the Beatles. Come here to heal your mind and body and immerse yourself in Hindu culture!

Discover Korea with Korea GapYear(KGY)!

At KGY, we offer a diverse range of programs tailored for students eager to learn Korean, apply to international student programs, experience university life in Korea, or embark on a working holiday to explore the country and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture.

Our offerings don’t stop there—KGY also provides opportunities for internships, volunteering, and NGO work. Gain hands-on experience in Korean companies using your specialized skills in fields like IT, design, marketing, and more.

Our internship and volunteering programs allow you to work with professional organizations, gaining valuable experience while contributing to meaningful projects. Whether you’re teaching English, tackling IT challenges, crafting marketing strategies, or engaging in community service, you’ll find opportunities that match your interests and career goals. Plus, you’ll have the chance to make lifelong Korean friends and participate in a variety of cultural activities and events.

For those on a working holiday, KGY offers extensive support to help you find employment, secure accommodation, and navigate daily life in Korea.

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