After leaving my job, I took a gap year to Peru to study Spanish and experience the culture, which had been on my bucket list. During the month in Peru, I liked that the low cost of living allowed me to enjoy delicious food and a lot of travel, and to learn Spanish. Through new experiences, I developed the spirit of challenge that I can do anything in the future! City of the Inca civilization! Journey to the ancient—Machu Picchu, learn Spanish in Cusco! Kim Dong-wook''s gap year tribe gapper review (office worker) |
Hello! I''m Kim Dong-wook, who recently resigned from my job and returned after completing a gap year in Peru.
Hello. I''m Kim Dong-wook, who took a special month-long gap year trip to Peru, learning Spanish in Machu Picchu and Cusco!
I work as an occupational therapist, providing appropriate and suitable treatments to help patients improve their quality of life in daily activities.After working at a hospital for about two years and resigning, I participated in a gap-year project in Cusco, Peru, traveling and taking language lessons for a month, then went to Spanish-speaking Cuba for about eight days before returning to Korea.
* For Mr. Kim Dong-wook, who wanted to improve his Spanish and experience living among locals in Peru,Daily activities for new experiences and customized one-on-one personal missions to improve Spanish were provided, and a gap year notebook was also provided to reflect on oneself and make plans.
>> Participation fee 100 won! Go to the gap year missions
Two years ago, on a trip to Spain, I was greatly attracted to the language, people, and culture, and afterward I made it my bucket list to study Spanish and naturally converse with people!
Two years ago, for my first trip to Europe, I spent about two weeks in Spain.Although it was a short period, I somehow felt attracted to the language, culture, and people, and after studying Spanish I wanted to converse in Spanish on site and made it a bucket list.
So I always thought that when I left my job I should travel for a long time, and when the opportunity came and I was deciding where to go, I heard people in my study group say that Latin America is a good and attractive place to learn Spanish, which made me want to visit.
When choosing a country, I decided on Peru with the determination to see Machu Picchu, and I applied for this gap year project because I wanted to live like a local for a month, travel, and learn the language.
How to prepare before leaving for Peru?
Starting one month before leaving for a gap year in Peru, I gathered information online about the country''s culture, characteristics, environment, and seasons,Before departure, I also prepared by consistently practicing speaking—writing and saying Spanish words and short sentences for basic communication.
And by having a video call with the coordinator from Korea Gap Year, they told me in detail about parts of life in Peru I didn''t know or needed to know, which made preparation easier! haha
I had two goals I wanted to achieve through this gap year!
While participating in this one-month gap year project in Peru, I had two goals.
One was to build confidence in the language by talking a lot with locals, and the other was to visit eateries and tourist spots that locals frequently go to while living there.
Depending on how you feel, a month can feel long or short, butSo during the time I had, I met and spoke with many locals and gradually lost my fear of the language, and by stopping at places that looked tasty while walking, I was able to travel in a way that let me truly feel the local culture! :)
What I liked about taking a gap year in Peru!
First of all, during the month I participated in the gap year project in Peru, I liked that the cost of living was low and that I could enjoy a lot of delicious food and travel,While staying in a homestay I got sick at one point, and I was very touched that the homestay mother took care of me all day.
Also, the South American people in Peru showed a sincere, pure nature and, unlike in my country, they don’t act or work hurriedly — they are relaxed and calm — which was something I could learn from,This one-month trip to Peru gave me an opportunity to break my prejudices about South Americans!
This experience gave me the spirit of challenge that I can do anything!
After this gap year in Peru I developed the spirit that I can do anything, and I believe my fear of unfamiliar environments and my prejudices have changed a lot.
Previously I often hesitated because of fear and worry, but now when there’s something I want to do, I challenge myself in every moment.Also, I think I’ve become someone who can boldly let go of things that are unnecessary or unimportant!
And seeing the sincerity and kindness of local Peruvians, it was an experience that helped me understand, even a little, the prejudices about foreigners and the various feelings and thoughts of foreigners who visit our country.
Life in Peru!
On weekday mornings I took Spanish classes at a local language school in Peru; in the afternoons I went with friends to restaurants or bars or visited attractions near Cusco, and in the evenings I returned and spent time talking with my homestay family.
During the first week I spent time with my roommate, a Swiss friend, making memories, and for the rest I mostly spent time alone or with locals I met through messenger. On weekends I traveled to Peru’s main tourist sites on one- or two-day trips, and when there was nothing planned I spent time studying at cafés or reading books! :)
For those considering a Peru travel & language gap year project!
I hope you feel excitement rather than fear.When you go abroad for travel or language study, it’s still a place where people live, and while living there you can naturally experience new feelings or emotions you’ve never had before — I think it’s a project like that.Don’t hesitate — if there’s something you want or wish to do, definitely give it a try!
My personal Peru travel recommendations!
Cusco city in Peru is small and has many nearby attractions, so you can see all the sights in the city in about one or two days.
There are also city tours in Cusco, so it’s good to check prices and routes and then decide.There are many great places, but if I had to pick must-see spots, I think Armas Square and the Boqueria Market are definitely worth visiting.Also, near the San Blas market there’s a restaurant called Limbus, and the night view of Cusco seen from there is so beautiful and famous, so it’s worth a visit.
When traveling around Cusco’s outskirts it’s hard to get around by public transport, so it’s good to use a tour company; there are many tour operators around Armas Square, so you can go into any of them and compare prices, meals, and other options to find a suitable one.
Most tours are day trips or one-night/two-day trips, and because Cusco and its surroundings are high-altitude areas, if your schedule isn’t tight I think it’s good to allow an extra day to travel.I traveled without planning a detailed route and went spontaneously, so it’s hard to give exact routes, but I visited nearby attractions such as Machu Picchu, Vinicunca, Humantay Lake, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Pisac and Ollantaytambo are relatively close to Cusco, so if you have time it’s good to set aside a half-day for them.
My gap year preparation tips!
- Language
Although you’ll learn Spanish locally, it’s still a good idea to study the basic words and phrases needed for daily life before you go, since you’ll be traveling and staying for a month!
- Accommodation
: The local homestay host connected through the gap year project was very kind and took good care of me, so I was able to stay comfortably. Also, it can be cold, so it''s best to bring warm clothes.
- Meals
: Local foods sold in Peru or on the streets are very cheap and good, so it''s nice to make use of them, and many locals...Using restaurants frequented by locals is also a good option.
- Packing list
: Insurance is essential before you go, and it''s a good idea to prepare by briefly learning about Peru''s characteristics, climate, and culture! Be sure to bring extra winter clothes.
My gap year!
Experience ★★★★★
: I enjoyed being able to experience another side of myself in a new environment through a special one-month trip in Peru.
Learning ★★★★
: I studied Spanish through a language program in Peru, talked a lot with locals, and thanks to that I was able to pick up the language quickly!
Environment ★★★★
Safety ★★★★
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