Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Gained the confidence to live anywhere in the world #Certainty about the work I want to pursue #A precious experience of making genuine friends
|
I wanted to work at an education development NGO to find out what I really want to do. Working at the organization and interacting with various volunteers at the accommodation, I...I realized for sure that I become happy when I make others happy. I made memories I''ll never forget :)
Vietnam NGO Internship: Growing into an education development professional Kiara, gapper (27 years old / gap-year) / 2-month overseas internship |
# Hello. I''m a gap-year participant who wanted to find what I want to do.
Hello. I participated in a gap year two years ago as a university student — I''m Kiara. I''m now working as an English teacher and preparing for a master''s degree abroad next year.
Through the gap year, I wanted to find out what I truly want to do.I thought I wanted to make the work I really love my future career, and I believed the gap year experience would not only motivate me but also serve as a qualification. In fact, many volunteers at the accommodation where I stayed chose a gap year to try out the work they wanted in advance through volunteering.In conclusion, this gap year experience clarified the direction I wanted to go and greatly helped me find myself!
# I wanted to experience living in Vietnam to find the work I want to do!
There are two main reasons I chose this project.
First, I wanted to find out what I truly want to do.I wasn''t interested in joining a private company and thought I wanted to do work that inspires or helps people. Also, since I consistently volunteered and worked part-time in education-related roles during university, I thought that working at an education development NGO would let me see whether I really wanted this kind of work.As a result of this gap year, I clearly realized that I become happier when I give happiness to others, and I''m satisfied having chosen the path of an English teacher instead of preparing for a private-sector job.I''m also preparing for a master''s degree abroad in social welfare to study in a way that contributes more to society.
Second, I wanted an experience of living there rather than just traveling.I''ve long admired living abroad since childhood, but without opportunities I only traveled. As a university student, I wanted an authentic experience of living abroad where I could meet people of various nationalities affordably.In this respect, the gap year experience allowed me to meet more diverse people and broaden my perspective more than I expected, and it gave me confidence that I could live anywhere in the future, so I was very satisfied!
# I had a great time meeting various friends at the volunteer accommodation!
There were meaningful moments at the organization where I worked, but above all,the time I spent with volunteers at the accommodation was truly sweet.We watched movies together at night, went out to Hanoi city center to hang out, or went on trips. Or we just lazed around in bed chatting or joined the bonding time organized at the volunteer accommodation!Each day was so enjoyable and pure that I still remember them, and sometimes I wonder if I was dreaming. I want to recommend to college students who are exhausted by daily life and, like me, juggling part-time jobs and studies, to go for at least a month.You''ll be able to feel a true inner peace you couldn''t experience in Korea and come back!
And apart from Koreans, Japanese, and Southeast Asians, most volunteers are from North America and Europe. Many people come alone, so after getting close you can travel together, hang out, and become genuine friends! Also, since it''s a very new experience for those friends too, you can stay in close contact for a long time.You can make real friends, so take the first step! You''ll be able to make lots of unforgettable memories :)
# I still think about the people I met back then!
Denmark, Australia, France, the UK, Mexico, the USA, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, etc.,I was able to meet people of many nationalities, and because they had come from far away across borders to volunteer, everyone was very warm.Also, through conversations with them I realized that smart, good people exist everywhere regardless of gender or nationality. Even now I keep in touch with the friends who stayed in the bed next to me, exchanging DMs. We genuinely consider each other friends and miss each other.Sometimes it feels reassuring to know that there are friends who will welcome me anywhere in the world.I''ll help them if they come to Korea too!
# I gained confidence in many ways.
I gained the confidence that I can live anywhere in the world. Also, I found my sense of self, which gave me the confidence to set my career path to what I want to do.I resolved to study English harder so that in the future I''ll be someone who works with people around the world beyond Korea.And I became more confident living alone, so after returning I started living on my own right away and became more independent!
# My tips for preparing for a Vietnam NGO internship!
- Language
Many locals use Vietnamese, but everyone uses English when communicating. If you don''t understand something, don''t be shy—just ask again or talk about what you did catch, and you''ll be fine.
- Accommodation & meals
I stayed in accommodation provided by the organization. The food at the accommodation was so perfect and delicious that I didn''t miss Korean food for the two months.
- What to bring
There''s a Lotte Mart in Hanoi, so there weren''t any items I particularly needed to bring. It''s much cheaper to buy things locally, so only bring essentials! Make sure to get travel insurance!!
My Vietnam internship gap year was!
Experience ★★★★★
I highly recommend this to those who haven''t lived abroad before or who have vague fantasies about living with foreigners or Westerners. You can think of it as a party every weekend. Haha, we went out and traveled all the time.There have been two turning points in my life, and one of them was participating in this gap year program.I hope you too will have an unforgettable experience like I did.
Learning★★★★
: While working at the institution, I was able to develop an attitude of actively seeking out work. Also, when I said I would try doing something like a project to build up my credentials, no one discouraged me, which was very helpful.
Environment★★★
: The food is tasty and there are surprisingly many sights to see.
Safety★★★★
: It wasn''t dangerous even when going out late at night.
Leisure★★★★★
: You can rest whenever you want. Almost every Fri, Sat, and Sun we would go on trips or go to Hanoi city center and party with the volunteers.. haha
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
