Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Changed to a positive attitude of enjoying every moment #An experience of acknowledging and overcoming feelings of inferiority #The joy of a new turning point that boosted my self-esteem
I had long dreamed of living abroad, so right after my discharge I left for a gap year in Canada. My time in Canada became an opportunity not only to improve my English skills but also to find leisure and happiness in my daily life. Experiencing achievements I accomplished on my own abroad gave me pride and confidence in myself!
The world''s most livable city! Learn English with friends from around the world in Vancouver, Canada! Yoon Sujong, gap-year participant (24)
|
# Now that I''ve finished my gap year in Canada! I''m trying to enjoy every moment 100%!!
When preparing for my language-study gap year in Vancouver, Canada, if asked "Why are you doing a gap year?" I would have answered that I needed overseas experience and English skills,Now that I''ve finished the gap year, I think I could answer that I went because I wanted to find a new way of feeling happiness.
I''ve always pictured an ideal future and thought, "I''ll be happy once I achieve these things,"—a somewhat rigid belief that this gap year in Canada gave me a chance to change.Now, I want to give myself full marks for trying my best to enjoy every moment 100%.
* For Mr. Yoon Sujong, who wanted new experiences abroad and to improve his English,he was provided with daily tailored 1:1 personal missions about life direction, new experiences, and improving English skills, and was also given a gap-year notebook to reflect and plan.
# Through gap-year consulting I realized I had a burden regarding "recognition," and while in Vancouver I tried to break the mold I had about myself!
There are a few memories from my gap year in Vancouver that I remember as the best.Those memories all share the common trait of always being with someone.We always studied, ate, and traveled together, sometimes talking about worries and sharing thoughts. Most of the friends I met were from European countries, and we created unforgettable memories enjoying common interests like music and special activities,and afterward I realized that I find happiness in mingling with many people.
Before coming to Canada for language study,I received 1:1 consulting at Korea Gap Yearand among the things that came up in the consultation, the topic of recognition is indispensable.In the past, I didn''t want to reveal the inferiority complex inside me; I constantly felt anxious under the belief that I had to be perfect, and I think I was overly conscious of others'' opinions.
This pressure became a shackle that made me unhappy.So during my language study in Vancouver, I constantly tried to acknowledge the things I had been postponing admitting to myself.For example, I came to admit to myself that I actually enjoy being the center of attention, that I sometimes pretended to try to improve relationships, or that I exaggerated certain things to elicit recognition from others.
When I began to admit those immature parts of myself in a foreign country and started to change, these immediate changes occurred.One example is when I honestly expressed my feelings one day and received empathy, thereby turning people with similar thoughts into my people and being praised at the language school for having a friendly, positive energy.
Also, when planning a trip to the U.S. with like-minded friends, instead of forcing things to go as I had initially thought, I tried a flexible approach and didn''t cling to a single plan, and as a result I was able to make close friends in the U.S. with whom I made unforgettable memories and kept in touch. These are some of the evaluations I often heard about myself since coming here.Positive. Cool. Brave. Kind. Grounded.
These events, which I wouldn''t have even attempted if I had stayed only in Korea, became a turning point that helped raise my self-esteem.
# During my language study in Canada, I learned a lot from the friends I met!
Also, from the people I met in Vancouver, without complicated vested interests,I think I learned to treat people more sincerely from friends who accepted me as I am.I formed many small groups where the friends I met and the friends they introduced gathered to share interests. The people I met during my language study in Canada were very meaningful to me because I could make unforgettable memories with others!
Being with those friends often made me think about things I hadn''t considered and it was an honor to have the chance to experience a new culture.The best part was that although we all grew up in different environments and countries, we could share our thoughts.I even made very close friends with whom I could joke casually. If someone asked what I miss most about living in Vancouver, I would definitely say the friends and people I spent time with.
It was also a time when I felt more keenly that proper rest is necessary amid all the relaxed and enjoyable daily life. Even when busy, I tried to make at least one day a week a day to think and invest in myself, and the conclusion I reached was that simply taking a break isn''t enough—I realized you need to take relaxed, intentional rest for yourself.
Before, after working every day, when I suddenly had free time I often panicked, not knowing how to use that break.So I felt a better approach is to work when it''s time to work and to truly enjoy rest with a light heart when it''s time to rest.
# Rather than books, I thought I should make more effort to use English by meeting people, talking, and taking action.
Honestly, I did feel some burden about returning to ordinary life after finishing my gap year. But through this gap year in Vancouver, I concluded that I must not neglect expanding my internal frame of reference.I''m confident that always challenging myself with new things and gradually expanding the scope of my initiatives will make the version of me who achieves my big dream shine even more!
From a language point of view, book study is important, but I felt I need to put more effort into meeting people, conversing, acting, and continuously speaking English aloud.To that end, staying in contact with the people I met and traveling together seems like a good method.
I''m very proud to have completed everything on the To-Do list I wrote on the plane to Vancouver in March, except for skydiving.However, I still feel some regret, so I definitely plan to try skydiving this year. I''m planning a trip to Switzerland in August and intend to reunite with the Swiss friends I met in Canada.
# I resolved to approach everything with an even more positive attitude!
I also thought I should balance work and rest appropriately. I know it''s difficult, but I feel it''s necessary to sometimes indulge in things you love and fully enjoy them. For that, plan from small things, practice looking at yourself humbly and objectively, and get into the habit of noting and recording ideas that come to mind.
Finally, I vowed to tackle everything with an even more positive attitude!I came to believe that being generous, giving and receiving kindness, and forming harmonious relationships with those around me will improve quality of life. I''m thankful to everyone I shared this Vancouver gap year language-study experience with for allowing me to finish it well and return very satisfied!
# My personal Vancouver language-study tips!
- Language
: Personally, I think Vancouver is an optimal place for a gap year language study. Its multiethnic, multicultural makeup is typical of Vancouver, and if you have an open mind you can share various cultures and ideas and discover many new things.
Seeing people with a variety of learning levels in Vancouver made me feel that you need at least enough English to understand a new culture. If you have intermediate to upper-intermediate English, it''s a great choice; if you''re below that level, I recommend improving your English in Korea first.
In my case, while serving in the military I dreamed of a gap year and prepared a lot of basic grammar, vocabulary, and speaking. Studying for TOEIC and TOEIC Speaking helped somewhat. Ultimately, I think with basic English skills (intermediate to upper-intermediate) plus an open mind and broad thinking to understand friends from other cultures, you can spend your gap year efficiently.
- Accommodation
: I stayed in a homestay for three months during my gap year and was satisfied overall. I was lucky to stay with a kind host in a clean house, which was great. When I had no particular plans, we went hiking on weekends and had home parties with the host—good experiences. Personally, homestay is a good choice for those who prefer a quieter life. In my case the host was a single male, so it wasn''t the ideal homestay full of conversation I had hoped for, but homestays vary and in those times I went out and spent more time with friends. If you''re active and sociable, I recommend doing a room share instead of a homestay. Thinking back to rooftop parties with overseas roommates makes me really happy!
- Meals
: I only used the homestay-provided meals for breakfast and dinner, and I had lunch with new friends I met at the language school. In Vancouver there are many restaurants from various countries in addition to Korean restaurants, so you can try foods from different countries. It was nice to learn about each country''s dining culture and have lots of conversations. I definitely recommend having lunch with friends outside the school!
- What to bring
: Before leaving for Vancouver, Canada, be sure to register your Compass Card online. If you buy a monthly pass and lose it, you can get it reissued! Also, make sure to have insurance arranged before you go. In my case I lost my wallet shortly after arriving, but luckily I was compensated because I had insurance.
My gap year
Experience ★★★★★
: It was a really great experience getting to know friends from different cultures!
Learning ★★★★★
: Learning about and adapting to new cultures helped me break stereotypes, and having many topics to talk about really helped improve my conversational skills.
Environment ★★★★
: It was great for both improving language ability and gaining a variety of overseas experiences.
Safety ★★★★★
: I felt very safe!
Leisure ★★★★★
: Vancouver, Canada is a city where urban life, natural environment, and multiculturalism coexist, so it was excellent for leisure activities!
Visited by Yoon Su-jongVancouver, Canada Language Study ProjectIf you''re curious??
Please click the banner below!
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
