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#Learned how to manage emotions and organize thoughts #A touching experience of giving and receiving love with the children #Happiness that naturally brings a smile to the face
During my gap year in Vietnam, my goal was to express myself as I am and to accept myself! At the same time, during the volunteer period I was able to focus on the moment and enjoy it just as I wanted, Spending time with the children naturally brought a smile to my face, haha.
Charging up warm love with the children in Hanoi, Vietnam! Gong Won-hee, gapper (21 / university student)
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# Hello! I''m a 22-year-old college student who did volunteer work in Vietnam for two months!
Hello! I''m Gong Won-hee, 22, who did overseas volunteer work in Hanoi, Vietnam for two months.
I am currently on a leave of absence from school, and right before joining the Hanoi volunteer project I participated in a demipair gap year project in Toronto, Canada for language study.
I found out about Korea Gap Year when I was struggling and had lost direction in life. At that time I didn''t even know which project on the website to choose, and I didn''t know enough about my own situation to simply select a project, so I first received 1:1 consulting.
During the consultation I was recommended several gap year projects that suited me,With a desperate desire to change, I decided that I needed a gap year in my life and took part in the recommended language study and overseas volunteer projects.
>> Go to Gap Year 1:1 Consulting
*For Gong Won-hee, who wanted to have time to grow by experiencing new things, thinking about her future self and properly setting the direction of her life,activities that challenged her, time to consider the direction of her life, and tailored daily 1:1 personal missions for growth were provided, and a Gap Year Note to reflect on herself and make plans was also provided.
# Preparations before leaving for volunteer work in Hanoi, Vietnam!
After finishing the Toronto language-study gap year project, I returned to Korea, spent a short period of about two weeks, and then departed for Vietnam again.During those two weeks I finished the departure preparations I absolutely had to complete, met friends after a long time and ate delicious Korean food, and spent happy time with my family while preparing to leave again!
# My goal during my gap year was to express myself as I am and to accept myself!
During language study and overseas volunteer work, my big gap year goal was to express myself a lot as I am and to accept myself.That goal is still valid because I''m still on my gap year! :)
And since I joined the overseas volunteer gap year project wanting to change myself, I had been faithfully following the ''expression'' and ''acceptance'' goals in the project I participated in before.Whether something was good or bad, whatever the emotion or action, I tried hard to express it myself, and I accepted myself whether I showed a disliked side or a good side.
# My goal during my gap year was to express myself as I am and to accept myself!
And after finishing that first project and joining the second gap year volunteer project in Hanoi, Vietnam, specific sub-goals that I wanted to further pursue emerged.So during the second project, among the sub-goals, the most core goal,I tried to achieve ''focusing on the situation and trying to enjoy it.''
Thanks to the gap year project coordinator and mission manager who cheered me on while I was volunteering in Vietnam, I was able to move forward step by step, and after finishing the volunteer work and looking back, I realized that in the last few weeks I truly enjoyed it the way I wanted.
They gently reminded and encouraged me that enjoyment can only come from deeply concentrating on the moment, and I''m really grateful once again. Haha.
# What I felt through my gap year in Hanoi!
Through volunteering abroad in Hanoi I gained a really pretty smile. Hehe :) It’s a bit funny, but because I spent so much time playing closely with the children, laughter naturally settled on my face.My fellow volunteers who stayed with me at the volunteer house even noticed! Beyond this outwardly visible smile, I gained even more.
I was moved in many moments: when the children showed happy expressions and expressed affection even for things I didn’t put much effort into; when they smiled and answered the Vietnamese greetings I gave; when I heard that on the days I didn’t come because I was sick they asked the other volunteers about my well‑being; when they hugged me and gave me a pleasant smile—so many moments moved me.
Also, doing things I had never experienced before made me rethink things I hadn’t considered and feel more gratitude for what I have.In particular, I realized a lot that what I took for granted is not ordinary for someone else. Even if it sounds cliché.
I learned a lot while volunteering, but I also learned a great deal from the friends I lived with at the volunteer house.My practical English skills improved, and from some friends I learned how to enjoy life, while from others I learned life directions and ways I hadn’t thought of. I often felt really lucky to be able to volunteer in Hanoi and stay in such a house! Heh
# The people I met during my gap year!
I had many conversations with the friends I lived with at the volunteers’ house, so I remember all of them.
I met so many people: the cheerful Lyneth, Carli, and Lauri; Nicole and Daan who I went to work with; the lovely Parastou, Caloline, and Pernille from Denmark; Justine from France who was warm until the end; Thuy and Selma; Eden, Denise, and Thuy who went to Sapa with me; the kind interns from the organization who helped interpret—Linh, Dieu, Nhan, Ly; and Hien who always listened and shared fun experiences, local volunteer organization coordinators Hong and Dieu through whom I became close with Chau, and even Da-eun and Chae-hyun whom I met while organizing International Volunteer Day—truly so many people.
''
Among them, the lovely Eunyoung (unnie) who volunteered with me for six weeks; Heejeong (unnie), whom I met for a week but who remained a good connection; Eunju (unnie), who volunteered at the same organization and whom I traveled to Da Nang with; Hyemin, Roman, Kana, and Jiwoo (unnie), whom I met briefly—each and every one remained precious memories and people.
# After my time in Vietnam, I...
Before leaving for the volunteer work, I aimed to express myself honestly and properly, to accept myself as I am, and to focus on and enjoy the situation. After finishing the project and looking back, I feel I have incorporated those things more comfortably in my own way into my life.
Just as during my time in Vietnam, even now I can take one step further within the range of my thoughts and consider things more, and I feel grateful for many things.Also, fitting of the name “gap year,” I was able to know myself better and learned another page of how to take care of myself. I’m really happy to have spent this time! :)
# My personal Vietnam travel recommendations!
While mainly here, people often visit places near Hanoi: 1) Sapa 2) Ninh Binh 3) Halong Bay. I only visited Sapa and Halong Bay.Sapa is a 1‑night 2‑day trekking trip, and Halong Bay is a 1‑night 2‑day onboard cruise; I went through travel agencies for these.
For reference, you can go to Sapa and Ninh Binh without a travel agency. In Ninh Binh’s case, you can rent a motorbike upon arrival to travel, or you can rent a taxi for the whole day. Renting a motorbike lets you travel much cheaper and more freely than using a travel agency.
I once took a plane and went to Da Nang and Hoi An, and personally I recommend Hoi An.Hoi An has a tourist area called the Old Town decorated with traditional lanterns which is really like a fairy tale and beautiful. It had a charm completely different from Hanoi!
# My gap year preparation tips!
- Language
: I tried to improve my English before coming to Vietnam through a Canada demi‑pair language study gap year program! For reference, Vietnamese volunteer projects aren’t ones that require a high level of English. Heh
- Meals
: Korean people generally get along well with the Vietnamese food provided locally and mostly eat it well! And sometimes it was convenient because you could eat out or order delivery when you wanted something else.
- What to bring
: Most items can be purchased locally, so there wasn’t anything particularly necessary to bring! However, please make sure to purchase travel insurance before coming!
My gap year is!
Experience ★★★★★
: Looking back, I thought it was truly a special experience. Working with such pure-hearted children, even without a common language, I felt happy to be able to volunteer and be so loved. I also wondered when else I would get to live in a place like this, volunteer, make friends from other countries, and play together.
Learning ★★★★★
: Not only through volunteering, but also living in Vietnam in a new environment I learned a great deal. I gained insights about myself, and I also reexamined things I had taken for granted, thinking more about matters I probably wouldn’t have reflected on before. I can feel that I have grown in some ways compared to before.
Safety ★★★★★
Leisure ★★★★★
: There are destinations relatively easy to reach from Hanoi like Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay, and by plane you can visit Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang for prices relatively cheaper than from Korea. Hanoi was fun to explore, and on days when all my roommates went traveling I could quietly relax alone in my room. Haha. Usually the week is structured as four days of volunteering and a three-day weekend, so no matter where you go you have plenty of time to travel, which I liked.
During my gap year in Vietnam, my goal was to express myself as I am and to accept myself! At the same time, during the volunteer period I was able to focus on the moment and enjoy it just as I wanted, Spending time with the children naturally brought a smile to my face, haha.
Charging up warm love with the children in Hanoi, Vietnam! Gong Won-hee, gapper (21 / university student)
|
# Hello! I''m a 22-year-old college student who did volunteer work in Vietnam for two months!
Hello! I''m Gong Won-hee, 22, who did overseas volunteer work in Hanoi, Vietnam for two months.
I am currently on a leave of absence from school, and right before joining the Hanoi volunteer project I participated in a demipair gap year project in Toronto, Canada for language study.
I found out about Korea Gap Year when I was struggling and had lost direction in life. At that time I didn''t even know which project on the website to choose, and I didn''t know enough about my own situation to simply select a project, so I first received 1:1 consulting.
During the consultation I was recommended several gap year projects that suited me,With a desperate desire to change, I decided that I needed a gap year in my life and took part in the recommended language study and overseas volunteer projects.
>> Go to Gap Year 1:1 Consulting
*For Gong Won-hee, who wanted to have time to grow by experiencing new things, thinking about her future self and properly setting the direction of her life,activities that challenged her, time to consider the direction of her life, and tailored daily 1:1 personal missions for growth were provided, and a Gap Year Note to reflect on herself and make plans was also provided.
# Preparations before leaving for volunteer work in Hanoi, Vietnam!
After finishing the Toronto language-study gap year project, I returned to Korea, spent a short period of about two weeks, and then departed for Vietnam again.During those two weeks I finished the departure preparations I absolutely had to complete, met friends after a long time and ate delicious Korean food, and spent happy time with my family while preparing to leave again!
# My goal during my gap year was to express myself as I am and to accept myself!
During language study and overseas volunteer work, my big gap year goal was to express myself a lot as I am and to accept myself.That goal is still valid because I''m still on my gap year! :)
And since I joined the overseas volunteer gap year project wanting to change myself, I had been faithfully following the ''expression'' and ''acceptance'' goals in the project I participated in before.Whether something was good or bad, whatever the emotion or action, I tried hard to express it myself, and I accepted myself whether I showed a disliked side or a good side.
# My goal during my gap year was to express myself as I am and to accept myself!
And after finishing that first project and joining the second gap year volunteer project in Hanoi, Vietnam, specific sub-goals that I wanted to further pursue emerged.So during the second project, among the sub-goals, the most core goal,I tried to achieve ''focusing on the situation and trying to enjoy it.''
Thanks to the gap year project coordinator and mission manager who cheered me on while I was volunteering in Vietnam, I was able to move forward step by step, and after finishing the volunteer work and looking back, I realized that in the last few weeks I truly enjoyed it the way I wanted.
They gently reminded and encouraged me that enjoyment can only come from deeply concentrating on the moment, and I''m really grateful once again. Haha.
# What I felt through my gap year in Hanoi!
Through volunteering abroad in Hanoi I gained a really pretty smile. Hehe :) It’s a bit funny, but because I spent so much time playing closely with the children, laughter naturally settled on my face.My fellow volunteers who stayed with me at the volunteer house even noticed! Beyond this outwardly visible smile, I gained even more.
I was moved in many moments: when the children showed happy expressions and expressed affection even for things I didn’t put much effort into; when they smiled and answered the Vietnamese greetings I gave; when I heard that on the days I didn’t come because I was sick they asked the other volunteers about my well‑being; when they hugged me and gave me a pleasant smile—so many moments moved me.
Also, doing things I had never experienced before made me rethink things I hadn’t considered and feel more gratitude for what I have.In particular, I realized a lot that what I took for granted is not ordinary for someone else. Even if it sounds cliché.
I learned a lot while volunteering, but I also learned a great deal from the friends I lived with at the volunteer house.My practical English skills improved, and from some friends I learned how to enjoy life, while from others I learned life directions and ways I hadn’t thought of. I often felt really lucky to be able to volunteer in Hanoi and stay in such a house! Heh
# The people I met during my gap year!
I had many conversations with the friends I lived with at the volunteers’ house, so I remember all of them.
I met so many people: the cheerful Lyneth, Carli, and Lauri; Nicole and Daan who I went to work with; the lovely Parastou, Caloline, and Pernille from Denmark; Justine from France who was warm until the end; Thuy and Selma; Eden, Denise, and Thuy who went to Sapa with me; the kind interns from the organization who helped interpret—Linh, Dieu, Nhan, Ly; and Hien who always listened and shared fun experiences, local volunteer organization coordinators Hong and Dieu through whom I became close with Chau, and even Da-eun and Chae-hyun whom I met while organizing International Volunteer Day—truly so many people.
''
Among them, the lovely Eunyoung (unnie) who volunteered with me for six weeks; Heejeong (unnie), whom I met for a week but who remained a good connection; Eunju (unnie), who volunteered at the same organization and whom I traveled to Da Nang with; Hyemin, Roman, Kana, and Jiwoo (unnie), whom I met briefly—each and every one remained precious memories and people.
# After my time in Vietnam, I...
Before leaving for the volunteer work, I aimed to express myself honestly and properly, to accept myself as I am, and to focus on and enjoy the situation. After finishing the project and looking back, I feel I have incorporated those things more comfortably in my own way into my life.
Just as during my time in Vietnam, even now I can take one step further within the range of my thoughts and consider things more, and I feel grateful for many things.Also, fitting of the name “gap year,” I was able to know myself better and learned another page of how to take care of myself. I’m really happy to have spent this time! :)
# My personal Vietnam travel recommendations!
While mainly here, people often visit places near Hanoi: 1) Sapa 2) Ninh Binh 3) Halong Bay. I only visited Sapa and Halong Bay.Sapa is a 1‑night 2‑day trekking trip, and Halong Bay is a 1‑night 2‑day onboard cruise; I went through travel agencies for these.
For reference, you can go to Sapa and Ninh Binh without a travel agency. In Ninh Binh’s case, you can rent a motorbike upon arrival to travel, or you can rent a taxi for the whole day. Renting a motorbike lets you travel much cheaper and more freely than using a travel agency.
I once took a plane and went to Da Nang and Hoi An, and personally I recommend Hoi An.Hoi An has a tourist area called the Old Town decorated with traditional lanterns which is really like a fairy tale and beautiful. It had a charm completely different from Hanoi!
# My gap year preparation tips!
- Language
: I tried to improve my English before coming to Vietnam through a Canada demi‑pair language study gap year program! For reference, Vietnamese volunteer projects aren’t ones that require a high level of English. Heh
- Meals
: Korean people generally get along well with the Vietnamese food provided locally and mostly eat it well! And sometimes it was convenient because you could eat out or order delivery when you wanted something else.
- What to bring
: Most items can be purchased locally, so there wasn’t anything particularly necessary to bring! However, please make sure to purchase travel insurance before coming!
My gap year is!
Experience ★★★★★
: Looking back, I thought it was truly a special experience. Working with such pure-hearted children, even without a common language, I felt happy to be able to volunteer and be so loved. I also wondered when else I would get to live in a place like this, volunteer, make friends from other countries, and play together.
Learning ★★★★★
: Not only through volunteering, but also living in Vietnam in a new environment I learned a great deal. I gained insights about myself, and I also reexamined things I had taken for granted, thinking more about matters I probably wouldn’t have reflected on before. I can feel that I have grown in some ways compared to before.
Safety ★★★★★
Leisure ★★★★★
: There are destinations relatively easy to reach from Hanoi like Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay, and by plane you can visit Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang for prices relatively cheaper than from Korea. Hanoi was fun to explore, and on days when all my roommates went traveling I could quietly relax alone in my room. Haha. Usually the week is structured as four days of volunteering and a three-day weekend, so no matter where you go you have plenty of time to travel, which I liked.
What makes this project special
