I left because I hated Korea, but only after leaving did I realize how many privileges I had as a Korean. I was selfish and only cared about myself, and only after leaving did I realize the importance of my family, When I was in trouble, someone always helped me, I thought that if even one of those people hadn''t been there, I wouldn''t be who I am today.
Recharging warm love with the children in Hanoi, Vietnam! Lee Joo-hyun, gap-year family gapper (25, university student) / 14-week gap year |
# At some point I felt that I couldn''t keep living like this.
Hello, I''m 25-year-old university student Lee Joo-hyun living in Daegu. At some point I felt that I couldn''t keep living like this. So I went to psychological counseling and lectures, and I looked up all related videos.I thought I had been living without problems, but everything burst at once and I couldn''t handle it. I suffered from insomnia, mild anxiety disorder, and depression; I visited a psychiatrist, received school counseling, went to a meditation center, and tried everything, but in the end nothing changed.
Then last winter I remembered a ''gap year lecture'', so I got gap-year consulting and started a project I needed.
* For Joo-hyun, who wanted to recover from exhaustion and find out who she was, daily tailored 1:1 personal missions that challenged her existing thoughts and provided new experiences and emotional recovery were offered, and a gap-year notebook to reflect on herself and make plans was also provided.
# Preparations before departure?
Actually, I didn''t really prepare before departure. But everyoneI recommend booking your plane ticket first.
At first, while preparing I felt unstable about having to stay abroad for a long time; although I knew Korea was actually very close, I still think I left with worries.
However But I did go with clear goals: becoming calm. Becoming happy. Being able to control my emotions myself. Becoming independent and strong. Eliminating vague fears about living in the world. Getting rid of thoughts of wanting to die. Feeling gratitude for life. Returning to the lively, bold, and positive me I used to be. Becoming someone improved, grown, and more mature than before.Those were among them.
# These children really taught me love, and I''m so grateful.
Through this gap year, the prejudices and fixed ideas I had were all broken by experience.Living with autistic children in Hanoi, Vietnam completely erased my previous prejudice that children with disabilities wouldn''t be happy.
The kids I met seemed like the happiest children in the world. They were just so lovable as they are, and even as I write this I still miss them. These kids dance if they want to dance and sing if they want to sing. Scolding them doesn''t help; they just hesitate for a moment and then it''s over. Sometimes while scolding them I end up bursting out laughing.These children really taught me love, and I''m so grateful.
I also learned from these kids how to live without worrying about what others think.I need to live as myself; only then does everything seem to become happy. Don''t fake it, and never lose yourself by worrying about others, haha.
# I realized that I am a dignified and precious person simply by existing.
I realized that I am dignified and precious just by existing. It''s not that I have to do something, be recognized, or be useful to be valuable — just being born is enough; at least to my family, I learned that I am the most precious person in the world.
When I just looked at babies and the parents who cared for them, I would cry. I thought, ''My mom must have done that for me.'' I must have been loved like that too. Just by their existence, the parents looked so happy. I think I came to feel, ''Ah, I was such a precious person.''
# I felt like I wanted to do something for others!
I left because I disliked Korea, but only after leaving did I realize how many privileges I had as a Korean. The selfish me who only cared about myself only realized the importance of my family after leaving; whenever I was in trouble someone always helped me, and I thought that if even one of those people hadn''t been there, I wouldn''t be who I am today.
And then, like what I received from them, now... I felt like I wanted to do something for others. What I have is not something to take for granted. How can I give back to society well?Right now I''m in the process of researching and implementing ways to achieve maximum efficiency in my own way.
# After my gap year I became a completely different person!
After the Hanoi volunteer gap year I became a completely different person — more open-minded and more liberated. I gained a lot of confidence, and above all my self-esteem really blossomed.
Now I love myself as I am, and I gradually accept the remaining anxiety as a companion in life.Realizing that the emotion of anxiety isn''t bad in itself makes it not as tormenting as before.
Lastly, I became better at enjoying life, and I think I''ve become more romantic.At the same time I''m planning my life as if I''ll live a long time. I''m thinking about how I can use my energy, strengths, and experiences to inspire others and have a positive influence. Haha. Even now I''m already doing what I can for the people around me. I have to do it right now—if I don''t do it today, I definitely won''t do it tomorrow.
# A typical day on-site
I wake up in the morning and have a Western-style breakfast, go to work by 8:30 AM and do morning volunteer work until 10:30. I take the bus back, rest until lunch, eat at 12, and take a nap. Then I go back to work by 2:30 and volunteer until 4 PM.
After that I go back, rest a bit, and eat dinner at 6 PM. After that it was free time. From Friday through the weekend were days off, so...I could freely go out and hang out!
# My travel recommendations!
Hanoi, Vietnam is in the north and is great for traveling.Make sure to take at least a 1-night, 2-day cruise in Halong Bay.Since you''re already going, take a luxury cruise ship. When else will you spend like that!! Haha. Spending a bit more to fully enjoy yourself and then realizing ''I need to earn money well'' is an even bigger gain.Ninh Binh is best visited as a day trip.It''s very beautiful. Definitely go. I haven''t been able to go myself, though.Make sure to visit Sapa and Ha Giang as well.They say you should especially go here in the summer.
Now, here''s the travel route I took during the two-week holiday in Vietnam.
Hanoi -> Bali (3 days solo, 4 days traveling with a friend and an Indonesian friend) -> Ho Chi Minh (with Danish & Swedish friends) -> Mui Ne solo (3 nights, 4 days)
Try a mix of solo travel and traveling with friends. You can learn a lot. I used to be someone who didn''t understand that you learn through travel. Just experience it!
# Tips for preparing your own gap year!
- Language
: You don''t need much English for volunteering, but it''s a good idea to study basic conversational skills before you go.
- Accommodation
: Choose a lower bunk for comfort. If you want to make friends, a 10-person dorm is a good choice. When you shower, be sure to label your toiletries. Always keep track of and take care of your belongings. Bring a personal water bottle.
Hanoi''s weather makes it very easy to catch a cold, so be sure to bring plenty of cold medicine. And hand sanitizer!
- Meals
: The food was very, very delicious!
- Packing
: Be sure to bring travel insurance and masks. Hygiene isn''t as clean as in our country, so I recommend bringing hand sanitizer. But The most important thing is GO WITH THE FLOW! Do as your heart leads and go with the flow! This alone is enough. haha
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
Learning ★★★★★
Environment ★★★★★
Safety ★★★
Leisure ★★★★★
