Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Learned how to manage emotions and organize thoughts #The experience of becoming a teacher respected by the children #The satisfaction of taking it slow while learning something new
To someone like me who, during my time in Bali, had been unable to even engage in simple ''thinking'' while resting slowly, I was able to learn how to manage my emotions and organize my thoughts. And the children here The experience of the children calling me ''teacher'' and following me was both moving and something I was grateful for!
A relaxed volunteer trip in Bali where you can see the most beautiful sunsets in the world! GapYear review Working professional GapYear participant (Gapper) (31 years old)
|
# During the one-week vacation I got from work, instead of resting in my home country I wanted to spend meaningful time abroad, so I went to Bali!
Hello! I am a 29-year-old office worker!
While I was deciding how to spend my one-week vacation, I happened to learn about GapYear''s Bali volunteer program.I thought that breaking the continuity of my daily routine and changing my surroundings would help me more than resting domestically, so I naturally decided to go abroad.
Maybe because it was a vacation, I wanted to reduce the number of decisions I had to make. Also, as a woman traveling alone, I didn''t want to worry too much about safety.And I didn''t want to rack my brain over finding accommodation and meals, so I thought this somewhat structured program would be perfect for me, and I joined the Bali volunteer program through GapYear.It was exactly the program I needed, including activities I had always wanted to do, so I decided immediately and left for Bali! :-)
*For the working professional participant who wanted a special one-week vacation and relaxed time,daily personalized 1:1 missions were provided offering activities to enjoy a leisurely time and opportunities to learn more about oneself, and a GapYear Note was also provided to reflect on oneself and make plans.
# Preparations before departure!
When I decided I wanted to participate in the Bali English education volunteer program, there were about two weeks left until the hoped-for start date. I had to take the vacation urgently and couldn''t go if not now, so I contacted GapYear right away, and fortunately they said I could participate.
And the GapYear staff helped me promptly and thoroughly during the preparation process for the Bali volunteer program.After my participation was confirmed and I purchased the flight immediately, I read the briefing materials slowly each day. Even though I was going in a hurry, I didn''t want to do things sloppily, and I prepared a little each day for whatever I could.
Since my GapYear was an educational volunteer activity, I bought origami paper, a masking tape set, stickers, etc. from Daiso to prepare for the children. Fortunately, the supplies I prepared were very helpful during the activities.There wasn''t enough time to make a full lesson plan, so I left with the mindset of preparing one once I arrived. I packed the rest of my things by checking the checklist in the orientation materials. I signed up for the travel insurance recommended by GapYear. I don''t think travel insurance is a waste of money, so I always buy it even for short trips.
Also, because I am a working professional, it was difficult to participate for a long period, but being able to join for one week allowed me to take part without burden.I made good use of a night flight and was able to plan the schedule well :-)
# Through this GapYear I had the goal of ''having new experiences while resting slowly!''
My goal for this GapYear was ''to have new experiences while resting slowly.''Traveling with loved ones is certainly appealing, but as a working person it''s not easy to coordinate schedules, and I didn''t want to be stressed trying to match them.
Also, because I''m usually quite impatient by nature, calming myself and deciding to go slowly was my goal.On the day of departure I was late getting to the airport bus and it looked like I wouldn''t make the scheduled bus. I hurried, my steps quickened, and before I knew it I found myself running. At that moment I told myself to take it slow.The concept of this Bali trip was exactly what I needed and it was a very satisfying goal!
# Most memorable moment while staying in Bali!
It was the first day of volunteer classes. The kids'' vigorous, overflowing energy was truly amazing. Just like how schools in my country end the day with a closing ceremony,The children lined up for a final group goodbye and we were wrapping up class, and before they left the classroom they brought my hand to their forehead. One by one they came to me, put my hand to their forehead, and said "Thank you" :)
Later I asked the local coordinator and learned it''s a gesture students use to show respect to a teacher. I was moved that these children regarded me as a teacher.In particular, here not only at school but in all classes including mentoring sessions, there are opening and closing remarks. Everyone clasps their hands together, closes their eyes, and chants in unison. It starts with "Om Swasti Astu" and ends with "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om." That moment was also a special experience for me.
# Also, through the Balinese people I learned how to manage emotions and organize my thoughts — something I previously struggled with even for simple thinking!
Another realization from observing the Balinese people was that I used to think the society I live in stresses me out, and that leaving it would mean no stress. So I simply assumed that Balinese people, living in nature, would be relaxed and stress-free.
But after talking with villagers I found that everyone has stress; however, they don''t stop there — they actively deal with stress and engage in deep ''reflection'' for their inner emotions.For someone like me who struggled even with simple ''thinking,'' I listened to and learned from their deep ways of handling emotions and organizing thoughts.Putting religion aside, it was an opportunity to rethink the Balinese people''s ''big smile.''
One day while riding a motorbike with the coordinator on the way to school, they said, ''I think it''s going to rain.'' I asked, ''How do you know that?'' They replied, ''It''s just the air. It''s that kind of weather. The clouds too — I can''t really describe it, but I can feel it.''
I answered, ''Since living in Seoul I feel like I haven''t sensed things like that in a long time. When you live in a city you tend to trust what the weather forecast says — though it''s often wrong.'' They told me that I happened to go during Bali''s rainy season, so they could feel and predict that it would rain.
On the way after school, I heard the kids shout while looking at the distant mountains; it turned out they were saying, ''It''s raining! It''s raining!''As someone who mainly lives in the city and stays indoors, I''m not used to predicting the weather by looking at the sky and clouds unless there are storm clouds, so that moment really stuck with me! :)
# Here''s the schedule for the Bali English-teaching volunteer program!
Because of my personal schedule, I requested extra accommodation in advance and arrived one day earlier than the planned start date. The next morning after breakfast, an orientation was held. It was 1:1, covering overall activities, safety and precautions, daily life details, and I could ask questions. After the orientation the local coordinator sent me a tailored timetable via WhatsApp, listing the schedule so I followed it.
Usually I ate breakfast and did one-on-one mentoring English lessons with a tour guide in the morning, and then went on a tour with the guide I mentored.The tours varied daily — temple tours, snorkeling tours, coconut oil and handicraft-making experiences, waterfall tours — and the guides had varying levels of English. Some spoke fluently and expressed themselves well, while others had just started learning English and could hardly speak it.
When mentoring with a guide, the local coordinator would also be present to help interpret if communication broke down. And after the tour was finished, it was time for a delicious lunch!On the day we went snorkeling I was unusually hungry and ate very deliciously.During free time I would take naps, tidy my room, relax a bit, and when it''s time I head to the common area to prepare for the afternoon class.
# I mainly taught the children English words for weather expressions, expressing emotions, and similar topics.
I spent about an hour preparing lessons with the local coordinator, following the existing materials or class schedule, teaching simple English words and expressions. The coordinator helped me along the way, so it went well.In my classes I mainly taught weather expressions, emotion expressions, and clothing-related English vocabulary. Having no experience teaching in English, I drew diligently on the whiteboard and used my whole body to convey meanings to the children. My drawing skills improved a lot :-)
The school children were in grades 4, 5, and 6, and I prepared classes differently according to grade; I regretted not preparing more in advance. Even when the kids weren''t studying and were talking, their eyes lit up when everyone sang and did movements together.
After class we returned to the accommodation; if there were no further plans the activity ended and I enjoyed sweet rest, and if there was a schedule I ate a hearty dinner and joined evening activities.
Especially on Wednesdays and Fridays there''s a Conversation Class where we spend time speaking in English. It''s a relaxed atmosphere where people talk with each other.Villagers who want to learn English come to communicate and chat; it''s a more open atmosphere than class, so we had time to ask each other about things we were curious about.When the afternoon schedule wrapped up like that, I had free time and ended the day :-)
# The people I met while staying in Bali!
Lu –She was the local coordinator at the volunteer organization and took care of the English teaching volunteers.She looked after us with a warm heart, and I relied on her calm presence a lot.She was also the person I spent the most time with during activities; she encouraged me a lot when I had difficulties and gave me courage. I almost cried when we said goodbye. She’s a coordinator I definitely want to meet again someday. I remember talking about Korean dramas — since she was interested in education, she asked if the drama SKY Castle reflects reality, haha.
Bella –I was eating at a restaurant when I kept hearing KakaoTalk notifications from afar. So I thought, “Ah, they must use KakaoTalk in Indonesia too.”But it turned out to be a male student from a local Balinese village named Bella who was learning Korean — and he was really good..He’s a friend who works at a resort in the Ubud area; he told me that whenever he hears Koreans are coming, he always visits to meet them. He had taken time off to come see me.
We only had one day to meet, but he was the most memorable friend.Why he started learning Korean and why he’s good at English. Although he had financial difficulties and couldn’t do what he wanted, volunteers came and taught English, and...The stories about how learning English helped him get a job gave me a lot of personal motivation as well.
# My personal Bali travel recommendations!
In the village where I stayed, the beach faces straight ahead — you can see the sunrise to the right and the sunset to the left! Check sunrise and sunset times on Google beforehand, and sitting by the beach and looking out at those times is what I most recommend :)
Other than that, most tour schedules were well organized, so I didn’t travel individually.
# For those planning a Bali English teaching volunteer gap year!
When people think about doing English teaching as an overseas volunteer, they may worry whether they can do it since they’re not native speakers. I felt the same. But because the standards for education are different,If you’ve gone through our country’s education system normally, you can teach the local people in the village at least basic vocabulary, grammar, and expressions, so I don’t think you need to worry.
Since it’s a time to help each other, rather than worrying about who’s better or worse, or whether you’re good or not, I think it’s better to focus on growing together.Also, before classes start, the local coordinator prepares lessons together using the organization’s materials and comes up with ideas, so I hope you’ll participate without feeling burdened! I brought colored paper, character tape, and stickers for the children, and we did art time and quizzes. Even without prizes for the quizzes, the children showed intense concentration, haha.
# My gap year preparation tips!
- Language
: If the country isn’t English-speaking, I tend to learn simple greetings and self-introduction expressions. Anything beyond that is difficult, but even knowing simple phrases beforehand makes the locals happy and gave me small moments of joy, haha. (I referred to a few expressions in the basic orientation materials!)
- Accommodation
: I applied alone and, preferring private space, booked a villa.The villa had a balcony, so in my free time I would sit facing the sea or lie on the bed and relax.The air conditioning worked well and the bathroom had hot-water showers, so I stayed very comfortably!!And if you need anything, the host or the kitchen maid will help you if you ask.
For reference, there are massage services at the villa and you can also arrange private tours — feel free to request anything you need! I used my free time to book and get a massage! :)
- Meals
: Meals are provided three times a day! They are plentiful every day and well-balanced, so I enjoyed them very much!For breakfast I usually had banana pancakes, toast, omelettes, and fruit, and lunch had a different menu every day. For dinner, the staff would give me a menu and always ask what I wanted to eat. So I enjoyed various dishes including nasi goreng and mie goreng. When I wanted a beer before bed, I sometimes ordered one from the accommodation''s restaurant and drank it! haha
- What to bring
: One thing you must bring when shopping in Bali is a shopping bag.Recently, because of marine debris and plastic problems, Bali does not use plastic bags to protect the environment. If you don''t bring one, you can buy a paper bag cheaply at local markets. I also recommend bringing a tumbler because it will be useful in many ways! Also be sure to bring flip-flops, mosquito repellent, and a swimsuit (rash guard)!!
My gap year!
Experience★★★★★
: Personally, I prefer meeting local people and experiencing local culture rather than visiting typical tourist spots. So volunteering in Bali on this trip was a really significant experience for me and an unforgettable time.
Learning★★★★
: It was my first visit to Indonesia, and I was able to properly meet and experience the country''s culture, stories, and people. I also learned about Bali''s Hindu culture, and above all it was a time when I felt and learned a lot from the mindset of the Balinese people.
Environment★★★★
: The volunteers'' activities take place within local Balinese villages, and basically everything you need is provided! Of course, you might find the lack of modern conveniences inconvenient, but watching the sunrise and sunset, the wide blue sea, the stars in the night sky, and the palm trees stretching up to the sky makes you feel like you have everything in the world.
Safety★★★★★
: The Balinese village where I stayed was really safe! Of course, as you''re abroad you should always be careful, but if there''s any discomfort or problem, tell the local staff and they''ll help as much as possible!
Leisure★★★★★
: I spent my leisure time very leisurely. Outside of volunteering I played, ate, and slept haha. I listened to music while staring at the sea with no thoughts, and I tend to write an emotional diary and organize my thoughts, so I think I enjoyed that time more. Because I don''t usually have time for that, I thought it was more precious, so I took the gap year notebook they gave me and wrote diligently and spent time reflecting on myself!
A short-term gap year even for working professionalsBali English Education Volunteer Project AbroadWant to know more info?!
Please click the banner below!
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
