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#Became able to express myself and accept myself #Learned English steadily through being a demi-pair #Gained memories that serve as support in the face of many challenges
Through my gap year in Canada, I was able to become someone who can express myself well and acknowledge myself. And above all, what I liked about going as a demi-pair was that I could learn English safely and steadily. I believe the three months of experiences and memories in Toronto will continue to support me when I face many challenges!
Study English affordably in Toronto as a demi-pair in Canada with room and board provided. Gong Won-hee, gap year participant (gapper), 22 years old.
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Hello! I''m a 22-year-old college student who took a leave of absence and went on a 3-month language study trip to Toronto through a gap year!
Hello. I''m Gong Won-hee, a 22-year-old college student who took a leave of absence and returned after completing a 3-month Canada Toronto demi-pair language study project through a gap year!
Actually, I didn''t take a leave of absence in a planned way. Like other students, I had planned extracurricular activities and an exchange semester up until the last semester of my senior year. Sometimes I was so busy and exhausted that I questioned what I was doing, but the more that happened, the more I focused on the things in front of me.
However, after spending two years at university in that state and starting my third year, I felt a strong sense of skepticism about my whole life and decided I couldn''t continue that way, so I took an unplanned leave of absence.While wandering about what to do after taking a leave, someone recommended a gap year to me, and in my desperation I received one-on-one gap year consulting and decided to join the Canada Toronto demi-pair language study project recommended by the consultant.
*For Gong Won-hee, who wanted to set the direction of her future life and have time to challenge and grow herself,She was provided with a daily customized one-on-one personal mission to help her think about and set the direction of her future life and make her experience in Canada more meaningful, and she was also given a gap year notebook to reflect on herself and make plans.
*A demi-pair is a curriculum where you take English classes at an accredited language school during the day and spend about four hours on weekdays playing with children at a homestay family in the afternoon while receiving room and board for free.
# I was very excited to leave for the new and wonderful environment of Toronto, Canada!
This Toronto language study was the first time I stayed abroad for a long time, and since it was a "demi-pair" language study project where I lived with a local family and took care of children, I definitely had various worries before departing.However, the excitement of going to the new and wonderful environment of Canada was greater, so I was able to ease many of my worries.
Before leaving for Canada, I tried to spend a lot of time with my family.I ate a lot of Korean food and told my friends I would be back. I tried to study English in advance, but I couldn''t keep it up... ㅠㅠ I think I enjoyed my time in Korea to the fullest! :)
# Through this gap year, I aimed to be able to express myself well and accept myself as I am!
I had a goal before leaving for Canada: through my time in Toronto, I wanted to express myself well and accept myself.
I tried to freely express my honest emotions—when I was happy, sad, struggling, or joyful—and to accept myself as I am without being swayed by my strengths or weaknesses. Looking back, I think I focused on these goals and did well during my time in Toronto!
# What I liked about the gap year Canada demi-pair language study project!
First, what I liked about being a demi-pair in Toronto was that I could learn English safely and steadily.The meals were much healthier than when I ate alone, and it was a residential area with very good security. Additionally, many classmates were in the same program, so I felt a strong bond with them, and I had experiences I couldn''t have had if I hadn''t lived with the host family—like attending the second child''s baseball lesson or having meals with the host family''s other relatives—which left good memories.
<The host family requested that the children''s image rights be protected, so I deliberately blurred their faces.>
I was moved by the hugs and kisses from the children I met at the local family, but I was especially touched by small things like when they said they wanted to go to the pool with me, lent me their favorite toys, or when they would come over saying "I need you" if I was watching from a distance at the playground. In the last few days before I left, the kids were a bit sulky and didn''t give me warm greetings... haha.Looking back, it seems these kids liked me a lot, and I already miss them. ㅠ
# Through this gap year, I realized a lot about my new self!
Also, while doing the Canada demi-pair program, which was a new challenge for me, I learned a lot about myself.Flaws that would have quietly been overlooked in everyday life stood out to me a lot because I was in an unfamiliar place.For example, that I am clumsier than I thought, and that when I make a mistake my confidence gets knocked and it takes me a long time to recover.
Admitting that was a learning experience for me, and discovering how to overcome it was a real realization.I don''t think that knowing what to do in a situation means I won''t make the same mistakes anymore, but just having paths to try in the future makes me happy and I feel I''ve learned a lot.
Through these three months, I think I can now have more courage before doing something.My outlook on the world has broadened a lot compared to before. In some ways I''m competent and in others I''m flawed and weak, but I''ve come to accept that that''s also part of me more naturally, and I''ve been able to be more accepting of those sides.
Also, by trying to express myself more often, I''m actually expressing myself a bit more now. I also say ''I''m happy'' more often! hahaThere will still be many things that shake me in the future, but the memories of the past three months in Toronto seem like they''ll support me each time.
# People I met during my language study in Toronto, Canada!
I met so many people during my language study in Toronto!!
First, my host family who I lived with for three months – Jason, Ashley, Kobe, Riley, Liz / unforgettable academy friends and teachers – Ashley, Honami, Romina, Saori, Rudy, Shell, Pamela, Karina, Yubin, Edith, Nami, Sabrina, Manon, Kazu, Daiki, Dylan, Nicole.
And Conny, the host family''s housekeeper, also became a precious connection to me.We said we''d keep in touch via social media after returning home, but knowing it''ll be hard to see each other again leaves me with a lot of regret.
# A Day in the Toronto Demi-pair Language Study Project!
Most demi-pair participants had duties in the afternoon and free time mainly after dinner, but I arranged a slightly different schedule with my local host family. While I had a similar schedule to other participants on Monday and Friday afternoons, I had free time on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons; in exchange, I put the children to bed at night or stayed home to look after the sleeping kids.
<Fixed schedule>
-Take the children to school before going to the English academy / wait with them for the school bus (8:00am~8:50am, flexible time)
-Attend classes at the English academy (9:30~1:00; there is a break from 11:10~11:20 and people usually have snacks then)
-Eat lunch in the cafeteria after class (1:00~2:00; usually students who have afternoon classes ate lunch in the cafeteria, and although I didn''t have afternoon classes, I always brought lunch to eat because I wanted to get closer to my friends.)
-On Monday and Friday afternoons, pick up the children from school, make simple snacks and look after them (3:00/4:00~6:00)
<Typical schedule followed for 3~5 days>
-Put the children to bed, stay at home (7:30, 8:00pm~)
# My recommended spots in Toronto!
I often used a student travel agency that was connected to the local English academy in Toronto through my gap year program.It''s cheaper than going on your own, and it''s easy to coordinate with your host family''s weekend schedule, so I recommend using the travel agency!
The place I visited without using a travel agency was Montreal, which I went to by getting a ride in my host family''s car.I was there only briefly but I think it''s a charming city. In particular, Montreal''s Basilique Notre-Dame is really beautiful and the smoked meat sandwich is very tasty. haha
Within Toronto, I liked Toronto Island which boasts very beautiful scenery, and personally I often went to St. Lawrence Market with lots of delicious food and Kensington Market with a great atmosphere. Especially on a nice day, having a picnic on Toronto Island will remain a really wonderful memory!! :)
# To prospective participants who want to embark on the Canada language-study gap year project!
Before coming to study language in Toronto, I recommend taking plenty of time to have many Skype calls with the families you might become part of as a local demipair. Please don''t choose a family as if you''re being rushed. The demipair program itself tends to vary a lot depending on the host family, so I wanted to give that advice.
In my case, time was very tight so I lived with the family I first interviewed with, but our personalities were so different that sometimes I wondered, ''What would it have been like if I''d met many other families?''But! Don''t be too afraid if you didn''t do that — I recommend you just dive in and give things a try. There''s something to learn anywhere haha.
# My personal tips for preparing for a Toronto language-study in Canada!
- Accommodation
: Usually you''ll use a private room in a local Toronto family. Having a private room is nice, but it may be located in a basement and therefore cold. I stayed during the summer but still slept with several blankets and a duvet together. You might catch a cold from the temperature differences, so it''s better to prepare!
- Meals
: I generally had dinner with the Canadian host family, and I made breakfast and lunch myself. Breakfast was eaten Western-style the way the family did, and for lunch I made sandwiches, salads, or fried rice to take to school. I occasionally made Korean food using ingredients the family bought for me when I first arrived, and when I spent time with friends we ate out.
- What to pack
: I recommend bringing a hoodie and a roomy suitcase! Surprisingly, it was chilly even in early summer, so I struggled. I wore thin long sleeves but it was a little cold enough that I wanted to put on an extra hoodie. (May–August)
Also, I brought a multi-outlet extension, but when I plugged the base cord into 110V and tried to use a 220V device on the other sockets I worried about fire, so I ended up not using it. You probably don''t need to bring one.And you don''t have to prepare perfectly. Instead, leave some space in your suitcase.. hehe
Also, personally I''m still a bit regretful that the Korean-style gifts I gave at first meetings to the Canadian host family, especially the children, were a bit lacking. If you understand the personalities of the children you''ll meet and prepare thoughtful gifts, it will be much better!
My gap year is!
Experience★★★★★
: This language-study gap year allowed me to see things very different from what I''ve seen before and a lot of variety. There were difficult moments, but also many happy memories — it became an unforgettable experience!
Learning★★★★
: I think my practical English skills definitely improved. Also, not only in language but constantly confronting an environment full of unfamiliar things led to many learnings different from general knowledge. In particular, it was a time to recognize and work on my weaknesses haha.
Environment★★★
: The environment in Canada was really nice! However, because this is a language-study project that goes as a demipair, there were inevitably some schedule constraints.
Safety★★★★
: When I first came to Canada I asked a taxi driver at dawn if it was safe, and he replied ''This is Canada!'' — that reply stuck with me. I''ve generally felt that it is that safe!
Leisure★★★★★
: While in Toronto, I visited many places that are hard to get to from Korea. I filled my free time visiting Montreal, Chicago, New York, and Niagara Falls. I returned to Korea right after the Toronto language-study project, but many friends traveled alone to New York or across eastern and western Canada before going home. The scenery outside Canadian cities is truly beautiful, so I also recommend traveling off the beaten path!!
Gong Won-heethat they visitedCanada Toronto Demi-Pair Language Study ProjectWant more information?!
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