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Internship at a Cambodian NGO led by one of CNN's 'Top 100 Heroes'

#Regained lost self-esteem and gained confidence #Hands-on experience teaching children abroad #The joy and fulfillment of working for others

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    I wanted to give myself, who had been running straight ahead, a rest. The gap year I took in Cambodia was for me...

    a precious experience that helped me regain my confidence. Teaching English directly to children in an unfamiliar place...

    was surprising even to myself, and it became a time when my self-esteem could be restored!

     

    Internship at a Cambodian NGO recognized as one of CNN''s 100 Heroes!

    Lee Ji-hyun, gap year participant (24)

     

     

     

     

    # Hello! I''m Lee Ji-hyun, a 24-year-old female college student living in Seoul!

     

     


     

     

     

    Hello! I''m Lee Ji-hyun, a 24-year-old female college student living in Seoul.

     

    I originally attended an engineering college, but since high school I had wanted to enter pharmacy school. I don''t really know why, but because I''d thought that way, after finishing my first year of university I prepared for the TOEIC, and during the summer vacation of my second year I even attended a prep academy.

     

    However, I didn''t have the confidence to go back to exam life. So I ultimately gave up preparing for the pharmacy exam (PEET) and returned to school.When the goal I''d dreamed of for so long disappeared, I lost all motivation. Then I learned about gap years, and through a gap year''s language study and overseas internship (volunteer) project I decided to take a one-year leave of absence to set a new direction.

     

     

    *For Lee Ji-hyun, who wanted sufficient rest and time to think about her future career,she was provided daily with tailored 1:1 personal missions offering relaxed activities and opportunities to consider life''s direction, and she was also given a gap year notebook to reflect on herself and make plans.

     





    # I wanted to give myself, who had been running full speed ahead, some rest.


     


     

    Before leaving for the Cambodia overseas internship, I was deeply disappointed in myself for failing the PEET attempt. I didn''t know what I wanted to do going forward and my sense of purpose had disappeared.

     

    So I wanted to give my forward-only-running self a break, and by taking on a new challenge I hoped to restore my lowered confidence and self-esteem.





    # The gap year in Cambodia gave me far more confidence than before!



     

    While in Cambodia doing the internship and teaching English, I realized how difficult a job teaching is. It wasn''t just playing and studying together; as a teacher there was the pressure that you can''t teach carelessly.Still, I was surprised at myself that I could teach English alone in a foreign place for as much as three hours a day, and I think I gained confidence from that!


    Also, during the volunteer internship in Cambodia I had a lot of alone time, but I liked that because it allowed me to fully focus on myself,and I learned how joyful and rewarding it is to do work for others. So I think this overseas internship will remain a truly great experience for me.I also still can''t forget the children''s beautiful, pure, unspoiled smiles :)




    # About the Cambodian NGO internship I participated in!


     


     

     

     

    If I arrived at school by 9 a.m., I would plan the day''s lessons in the staff office. Referring to the books used at the school, I would choose a theme each day, organize it on my laptop, and get confirmation from the coaching teacher.

     

    After receiving feedback I would revise accordingly, and once finalized I would print the materials, have lunch, and then conduct the class with the printed materials. In class I taught according to the plan I had prepared.

     


     


     

     

    There were two breaks between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and during breaks I would play with the children or relax. After about three hours of English classes, I would ride my personal tuk-tuk back to the accommodation. Back at the accommodation I would google references for the next day''s lesson, go to a cafe to rest, or simply lie down and relax at the lodging. At night, sometimes I went out with friends staying at the accommodation.




    # My recommended place to visit in Cambodia!

     

     


     

     

    When you think of Cambodia it''s definitely Angkor Wat, so I visited Siem Reap.During the period of my overseas internship my mother briefly came to Cambodia, and even though we spent 3 nights and 4 days in Siem Reap visiting only Angkor Wat, we couldn''t see it all. The huge and majestic Angkor Wat was an incredible historical site. Visiting Angkor Wat evokes wonder and a sense of mystery—I recommend going! :)

     

     

     

     

    # My Cambodia NGO Internship Preparation TIP!

     

     


     

     

    - Language

    : There weren''t many situations where I had to use the local Cambodian language, but I learned a few words that the children taught me. Since the activity involves teaching English, studying basic conversational phrases before going will also be helpful!

     

    - Accommodation & Meals

    : Cambodia was hot, but the local internship organization provided one fan per person so I could stay cool in the accommodation. Meals were mainly Cambodian-style dishes, and I occasionally bought simple bread from a nearby market or ate out.

     

    - Packing list

    : They do sell Wi‑Fi SIM cards in Cambodia, but they''re a bit slow. I strongly recommend buying a pocket Wi‑Fi in advance! Also, if you go around May the weather is hot, so a small personal fan will be useful.

     

     

     

     

     

    My gap year!

     

     

    Experience★★★★★

    : The overseas internship at a special NGO allowed me to try out being a teacher, which was a refreshing experience! :)

     

    Learning★★★★★

    : I learned how to adapt to a new environment, and I think I came to enjoy volunteering for others even more.

     

     

    Environment★★★

    : Cambodia in May was a bit hot.

     

     

    Safety★★★★★

    : Public safety was quite good. I had no worries about safety at all.

     

     

    Leisure★★★

    : There were cafes and a swimming pool around the local internship organization and the accommodation, so I could enjoy my free time without lacking options.

     

     

     

     

    Lee Ji-hyunvisited by Information on the Cambodia NGO overseas internship projectWant to know more?!

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Why This Project

What makes this project special

#Rekindling Motivation#Love & Relationships#Inner Peace & Fulfillment#Global Career#My Own Career#Take Action Yourself#Restore Self-Esteem#Real Project#Plan It Myself#Be Confident in Myself#Express Myself#Acquire a Positive Mindset#Expand Myself#Love#Be Loved#Find Direction in Life#Gain Confidence#Practical English Use#Increase Self-Esteem

Take just one brave step.
GapYear will take care of the rest.