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#Resilience, confidence, writing habits #English proficiency, connection with animals #The importance of confidence and expanding one's horizons
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This volunteer experience has been very meaningful to me, as I have a goal to work at the UN in the future or to help others in the field of education.It became a significant opportunity to strengthen my dreams,and through volunteering, I could meet friends from around the world and expand my perspective even more!
The Ultimate Adventure in Chiang Rai, Thailand - Volunteering as a Childcare Teacher with Friends from Around the World! Hye-Min Kim, Korea GapYear Participant (23 years old) |
# My goal is to work at the UN or help others in the field of education in the future!
Hello! My name is Hye-Min Kim, and I am a student in the Elementary Education Department at Daegu National University of Education. When I participated in the overseas volunteer program, I was studying as an exchange student at the Hong Kong University of Education.
I have continuously participated in school programs over the past three years, involving interaction with foreigners, studying abroad, and teaching. I have a goal of working for the UN or helping others in the field of education in the future!
*For Hye-min Kim, who wanted time to experience new challenges and explore her career path, a tailored 1:1 personal mission was provided daily, featuring unique challenges, career experiences, and leisurely activities. Additionally, a Korea GapYear Notebook was offered, allowing her to reflect on herself and make plans for the future.
# I wanted to spend my vacation doing meaningful work for others, not just myself.
When I was a college student, I wanted to take a gap year for overseas volunteer work because, while studying as an exchange student at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, I had a five-month break. I had saved money for three years and wanted to make the most of this valuable break.
Since Hong Kong is small, I had already explored much of it within those five months, so I wanted to go abroad. I thought that going to Southeast Asia, with its affordable cost of living, and doing volunteer work could make my college vacation a meaningful experience. Through this opportunity, I chose to participate in an overseas volunteer project, hoping to spend money on a new experience that benefits others rather than just on myself.
As I prepared to leave, I made sure to get vaccinated. However, since there are good medicines available in Chiang Rai, Thailand, you can always buy anything you need locally! :)
# I wanted to make myself stronger through a gap year in a new environment!
Looking back on my decision to take a gap year in Chiang Rai, my goal was to make myself stronger. I wanted to pick myself up from setbacks, get bruised, and grow tougher through all the challenges. Through volunteering and spending time alone, I feel like I became more resilient in many ways.
Another goal was to write a lot. While volunteering with the children, I had ample time to write. Teaching English made my schedule much tighter, but I still managed to squeeze in time to write whenever I could.
# What I enjoyed about my gap year in Chiang Rai, Thailand!
First of all, I loved meeting people from different backgrounds. Although Hong Kong, where I go to college, is quite diverse, it was a unique experience to work and volunteer together with such a variety of friends from abroad, and I feel I learned a lot from it.
Since I was part of the English education volunteer team, I was able to improve my English quite a bit. It also gave me a chance to get closer to animals, something I hadn’t experienced much before. There were so many animals to see – lots of dogs, as well as pigs, cows, chickens, and ducks.
Meeting people from various cultures really broadened my perspective. I gained confidence approaching foreign friends, and I realized that making a difference often starts with small actions. I feel like I learned and grew a lot through my overseas volunteer work in Thailand.
# What’s a day in Chiang Rai volunteer work like?
For childcare volunteers, we’d have breakfast, do a morning class, and then spend the afternoon volunteering or going on outings. After lunch on Saturdays, we’d finish up and take time off until Monday. In the English education role, we’d have breakfast, attend morning and afternoon classes, and end the day with a briefing to plan the next day’s lesson with fellow volunteers.
# For Those Considering a Volunteer Project in Chiang Rai, Thailand!
The biggest thing I'd like to say is: have confidence! With confidence and courage, you'll learn much more. Don’t be discouraged just because you’re not fluent in English. Approach foreign friends with what you're good at, and you’ll be able to connect easily. Always keep a spirit of confidence and challenge—this is my most important message. :)
Chiang Rai is also a great place to travel around at a relaxed pace. Whether you stay in Chiang Rai or explore nearby Phayao or Chiang Mai, it’s all worth it. Personally, I enjoyed Doi Mae Salong and Chiang Saen since I like rural areas. Don’t just go to the popular tourist spots you find on Naver—simply following the bus routes can lead to great travel experiences. So, if you do make it to Chiang Rai, I recommend exploring freely!
# My Chiang Rai Volunteer Gap Year Tips!
- Language
: While volunteering and interacting with English-speaking friends, I naturally picked up some intuition, so there were no major issues. However, being able to communicate at a basic level would definitely make life more enjoyable!
- Accommodation and Meals
: During weekdays, the local volunteer organization provides all three meals, and on weekends, the system is mostly to head into the city for travel or dining out.
- What to Bring
: There’s nothing special that’s needed, but I recommend bringing comfortable clothes like sweatpants, as there are plenty of places to buy them in Chiang Rai city.
For more information on the Thailand Chiang Rai Education Volunteer Project that Kim Hye-min participated in, check it out!
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Capturing the growth journeys
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