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#Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem #Healing in New Zealand's Great Outdoors #A time to heal tired body and mind
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Volunteering allowed me to heal my tired body and mind, and it was a great experience where I could grow personally. I hope and wait that I can have such an experience again someday, and whenever things get hard, I will live remembering the valuable and precious memories from New Zealand!
Doing exciting environmental conservation volunteer work in New Zealand''s nature with friends from around the world Lee Ye-rim, Gapper (23 / university student) / One-week New Zealand overseas volunteer gap year after graduation |
# Hello! I am a female university student who has just graduated and is about to start working!
Hello! I have just completed my third year of university and am now a student preparing to enter the workforce!
Wanting to use my time before employment meaningfully and looking into how I could do enjoyable and rewarding volunteer work, I learned about Gap Year, andAmong Korean Gap Year''s various projects, I became interested in the environmental conservation volunteer work in New Zealand that I had always wanted to visit, so I chose it.
*For Ye-rim Lee, who wanted a special volunteer experience and time to think about and grow for her future,she was given daily tailored 1:1 personal missions offering unique challenges, opportunities to reflect on life direction and free time, and a Gap Year Note to help her reflect and plan.
# Preparing before leaving for overseas volunteer work in New Zealand!
I always checked the emails sent by Gap Year, and if I had any questions I resolved them through 1:1 KakaoTalk inquiries with the Gap Year coordinator.They were always kind and answered my questions, so I had no difficulties preparing before departure.
I also prepared by packing items one by one while referring to the packing checklist provided by Gap Year.
# Although it was a one-week short-term overseas volunteer program, my goal was to put down all worries and return to Korea with a renewed mind during my time here!
I had been worn out physically and mentally from school life and had been thinking I wanted to go somewhere and shake all of this off.Then I found out about this project, and although it was a short one-week overseas volunteer period,'' My goal was ''During this period, put down all worries, focus only on volunteering, and return to Korea with a renewed mind!''
# I could also see many sheep near the volunteer site!
Upon arriving in New Zealand, I participated in a tree-planting activity. It was fun as I did it, and I felt rewarded while planting trees!And there were many sheep grazing near the volunteer site, so when volunteering got tough I could watch the sheep grazing, take photos, and continue working enjoyably!
I also went to a place where we had to remove weeds so the trees could grow well. It was one of the most eco-friendly, clean, and amazing natural environments I''ve ever seen in my life, and the memories of working there still stay with me..! :)
# The gap year I experienced in New Zealand gave me great strength for my future life!
Just being able to volunteer in New Zealand''s great outdoors — where I wondered, ''Will I ever see scenery this beautiful in my life?'' — was wonderful, and the fact that I personally worked to care for that environment will be an experience I''ll never forget!
The things I saw and experienced during this New Zealand volunteer gap year project will probably become memories that will lift me up again when I face difficulties in the future!It became an opportunity for me to live more diligently, always hoping for the day I can participate in a gap year project again :)
# It was a great experience for me to grow personally!
My time in New Zealand felt like a healing for my tired body and mind.I think I gained valuable, precious memories I can recall whenever life gets hard, and living with people I didn''t know helped me gain confidence.
I don''t know when I''ll have such an experience again in my life, but I thought I should live harder for the day I might return, and it was a good experience that allowed me to grow. I also want to say thank you to the Gap Year program that created the project so I could have this valuable experience!
# My recommended New Zealand travel spot!
Among the places I visited while in New Zealand, the most memorable was Devonport! You can get there by ferry or Uber from downtown Auckland, and it''s not that far, so if you''re planning to visit Auckland I highly recommend this place. In Devonport I visited Mount Victoria and North Head — if you climb them you''ll experience a breathtaking view where you can see Auckland''s cityscape all at once.
# My tips for preparing for a New Zealand volunteer trip!
- Language
: During the volunteer period I met many foreign friends. I didn''t study beforehand, but even studying a bit of everyday conversational phrases in advance would be very helpful for communication haha.
- Accommodation & meals
: Since you share accommodation, it''s good to bring a laundry net for laundry, and if you look up simple recipes and shop for ingredients in advance it will be better when making meals!
- Items to bring
: I didn''t bring hiking boots, a sleeping bag, or a raincoat, but the organization lent them so I could use them! Also, a wide-brimmed hat, a water bottle, and a small bag to carry while volunteering would be good to have! I had travel insurance.
My New Zealand volunteer gap year is!
Experience ★★★★★
: I think that just living and socializing with friends from other countries during the volunteer period was a very valuable experience! Of course, the volunteering experiences like tree planting and weeding were also fantastic!
Learning ★★★★★
: Living with foreigners, I was able to learn a lot through nature—such as how much New Zealand cares for and cherishes the environment!
Environment★★★★★
: Through this volunteer program, I was able to see and experience New Zealand''s beautiful natural environments that I had never seen before!
Safety★★★★★
: I always felt safe, and because the local volunteer organization always emphasized safety, I could enjoy participating in the volunteer activities.
Leisure★★★★
: During free time, I was able to visit places I wouldn''t have on an independent trip, and it was so much fun! haha
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
