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#I began to seriously think about my future life #An opportunity to reflect on life in Korea #The joy of spending time with animals
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I was amazed to frequently see animals I had only seen on TV and at zoos while volunteering for wildlife conservation in South Africa. Also, I enjoyed being able to fill each day with activities involving the animals, such as petting them, walking them, and playing with them. Meeting many foreign volunteers, I realized that even with different nationalities, backgrounds, and ages, we can become friends easily when we''re in the same situation..
My own holiday enjoying wildlife in South Africa! Review by gap-year traveler Kim Chang-hoon |
Hello. I used my leave of absence to spend a week in ''Africa, South Africa...''''My own holiday enjoying wildlife!''
I am a university student who participated in the program.
I''ve loved animals since I was young. So I wanted to one day see the animals I''d only seen in documentaries......and definitely go to Africa in person to...
see them. While on a leave of absence and planning an independent trip to Africa...I learned about the wildlife conservation volunteer program in South Africa.
Because it was an opportunity to see animals up close, I applied immediately without hesitation.
* For Kim Chang-hoon, who wanted to experience various animal-related activities and make many foreign friends,daily personalized 1:1 missions were provided for activities with animals and for getting to know foreign volunteers, and a gap-year notebook was also provided to reflect on himself and make plans.
>> Participation fee 100 KRW! Go to the gap-year missions
# I wanted to do many animal-related activities and get to know the foreign volunteers.
Because I really liked animals, through the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program...more than just seeing the animals,
my goal was to try many animal care activities. Also, by socializing with volunteers of various nationalities,
their cultures...I wanted to experience them.
Korea Gap Year organized the departure-related materials well, so I was able to prepare without much difficulty.
Especially, via WhatsApp,they connected me so that I could receive announcements and schedules directly from the South African organization''s staff,
thanks to that, even after arriving at the South African airport,I was able to communicate comfortably with the local coordinator.
# Animals — I was happy to make many memories with the animals and the foreign volunteers.
Zebra, giraffe, gnu (wildebeest), cheetah, monkey, elephant, etc.While participating in the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program,
it was amazing to be able to see animals I had previously only seen on TV or at the zoo. Also, activities like petting, walking, and playing with the animals
allowed me to fill each day, which was enjoyable.Visits to a monkey sanctuary, safari tours, casino visits, and various other activities
I participated in many of themand all of them were fresh experiences, so they remain memorable.
I also became very close with the foreign friends who lived in the same accommodation and volunteered together every day.
Through the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program, I realized that even if people have different nationalities, backgrounds, and ages,
they can become friends as long as they are in the same situation..Also, thanks to the always positive and optimistic foreign friends, I was able to laugh a lot and felt happy :)
# It was an opportunity to reflect on my life in Korea.
At the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program, I met many people such as foreign volunteers and local organization staff,
and experienced their cultures,and I realized that there are so many different ways to live life. The life I knew, the life I had been pursuing
was not everything. I reflected once again on what kind of mindset I had been living with in Korea.
Furthermore, I was able to take the time to seriously consider how I should live going forward.
# What does a typical day at the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program look like?
A weekly schedule is provided and it is quite flexible. Activities start at 8:00 AM, and
We clean the elephant enclosure for one hour until 9:00 AM. After that, 9:00–10:00 is breakfast time.
From 10:00 to 12:30,you will take part in activities such as cleaning the carnivore camp, walking cheetahs, and setting up jumping boxes for lions.
From 12:30 to 14:00 we have lunch,and from 14:00 to 17:00 for three hours, in addition to the activities done in the morning,
we do animal-feeding activities. The official volunteer activitiesend here,and after resting for 30 minutes,
starting at 17:30 you have dinner or participate in activities.For reference, activities may vary depending on the number of applicants,
and may be carried out differently depending on the weather and external circumstances!
(Language)
English is mainly used during activities. Because volunteers come from so many different countries, even the same English can have slightly different accents and expressions.
It takes a bit of time to get used to this, but if you don’t understand something, everyone will speak more slowly, so don’t worry too much—haha.
Still, practicing English listening and speaking a little before joining the program will make communication much easier!
(Accommodation)
The common areas and bedrooms were fairly comfortable, but the showers and toilets are better in Korea.
I had no major inconveniences staying there for a week!
(Meals)
Meals are served at a place five minutes from the accommodation. Overall the food was tasty, but as someone who prefers Korean food, I found Western-style meals harder to handle as the program went on.
Western-style meals became difficult for me. If you like Korean food like I do, it might be good to bring some Korean instant meals.
On Sundays there is a lunch buffet, and they served foods I like, so it was really delicious!
(What to bring)
I recommend bringing at least two pairs of shoes. You’ll need to clean animal enclosures, and your shoes often get dirty then.
Bring shoes you don’t mind getting dirty for work! Also, because of the strong African sun,
be sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat, and since it sometimes rains, a small umbrella will also be very helpful.
# Even if your English isn''t strong, be proactive and friendly!
Before participating in the South Africa wildlife conservation volunteer program, my English ability was accustomed to American-style English,
and I could only handle basic everyday conversation.That was my level. So at the beginning of the program, the various accents and intonations of the foreign volunteers,
and unfamiliar expressions''English werevery disconcerting. However,I approached first and tried to start conversations,
and by trying to get closer,I was able to make many international friends.
Keep trying even small conversations in English, and take part in various activities!
Before you know it, you''ll find yourself socializing with foreign friends.
# Gap Year Review
Experience ★★★★★
In South Africa, a country that''s not easy to visit alone, living with volunteers from various countries and being able to do many activities with animals
was a special experience.
Learning ★★★★★
Through activities with animals, I learned about animal temperaments, characteristics, and how to treat them—things I didn''t know before participating.
Also, I learned an optimistic, positive, and passionate attitude toward life from the foreign volunteers.
Environment ★★★★
I was worried because the accommodation in Africa wasn''t well-known, but aside from some facilities, it wasn''t bad to live in.
Safety ★★★★★
The manuals regarding safety and security were well organized, so as long as you don''t act recklessly, you can stay safely.
Leisure ★★★★★
There was plenty of free time, so after the day''s work I would play pool with the foreign volunteers in the accommodation lounge or chat over wine.
This time also allowed me to become close with the foreign volunteers.
A firsthand review video from a participant in the South Africa wildlife conservation overseas volunteer program!
|
I was amazed to frequently see animals I had only seen on TV and at zoos while volunteering for wildlife conservation in South Africa. Also, I enjoyed being able to fill each day with activities involving the animals, such as petting them, walking them, and playing with them. Meeting many foreign volunteers, I realized that even with different nationalities, backgrounds, and ages, we can become friends easily when we''re in the same situation..
My own holiday enjoying wildlife in South Africa! Review by gap-year traveler Kim Chang-hoon |
Hello. I used my leave of absence to spend a week in ''Africa, South Africa...''''My own holiday enjoying wildlife!''
I am a university student who participated in the program.
I''ve loved animals since I was young. So I wanted to one day see the animals I''d only seen in documentaries......and definitely go to Africa in person to...
see them. While on a leave of absence and planning an independent trip to Africa...I learned about the wildlife conservation volunteer program in South Africa.
Because it was an opportunity to see animals up close, I applied immediately without hesitation.
* For Kim Chang-hoon, who wanted to experience various animal-related activities and make many foreign friends,daily personalized 1:1 missions were provided for activities with animals and for getting to know foreign volunteers, and a gap-year notebook was also provided to reflect on himself and make plans.
>> Participation fee 100 KRW! Go to the gap-year missions
# I wanted to do many animal-related activities and get to know the foreign volunteers.
Because I really liked animals, through the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program...more than just seeing the animals,
my goal was to try many animal care activities. Also, by socializing with volunteers of various nationalities,
their cultures...I wanted to experience them.
Korea Gap Year organized the departure-related materials well, so I was able to prepare without much difficulty.
Especially, via WhatsApp,they connected me so that I could receive announcements and schedules directly from the South African organization''s staff,
thanks to that, even after arriving at the South African airport,I was able to communicate comfortably with the local coordinator.
# Animals — I was happy to make many memories with the animals and the foreign volunteers.
Zebra, giraffe, gnu (wildebeest), cheetah, monkey, elephant, etc.While participating in the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program,
it was amazing to be able to see animals I had previously only seen on TV or at the zoo. Also, activities like petting, walking, and playing with the animals
allowed me to fill each day, which was enjoyable.Visits to a monkey sanctuary, safari tours, casino visits, and various other activities
I participated in many of themand all of them were fresh experiences, so they remain memorable.
I also became very close with the foreign friends who lived in the same accommodation and volunteered together every day.
Through the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program, I realized that even if people have different nationalities, backgrounds, and ages,
they can become friends as long as they are in the same situation..Also, thanks to the always positive and optimistic foreign friends, I was able to laugh a lot and felt happy :)
# It was an opportunity to reflect on my life in Korea.
At the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program, I met many people such as foreign volunteers and local organization staff,
and experienced their cultures,and I realized that there are so many different ways to live life. The life I knew, the life I had been pursuing
was not everything. I reflected once again on what kind of mindset I had been living with in Korea.
Furthermore, I was able to take the time to seriously consider how I should live going forward.
# What does a typical day at the South African wildlife conservation volunteer program look like?
A weekly schedule is provided and it is quite flexible. Activities start at 8:00 AM, and
We clean the elephant enclosure for one hour until 9:00 AM. After that, 9:00–10:00 is breakfast time.
From 10:00 to 12:30,you will take part in activities such as cleaning the carnivore camp, walking cheetahs, and setting up jumping boxes for lions.
From 12:30 to 14:00 we have lunch,and from 14:00 to 17:00 for three hours, in addition to the activities done in the morning,
we do animal-feeding activities. The official volunteer activitiesend here,and after resting for 30 minutes,
starting at 17:30 you have dinner or participate in activities.For reference, activities may vary depending on the number of applicants,
and may be carried out differently depending on the weather and external circumstances!
(Language)
English is mainly used during activities. Because volunteers come from so many different countries, even the same English can have slightly different accents and expressions.
It takes a bit of time to get used to this, but if you don’t understand something, everyone will speak more slowly, so don’t worry too much—haha.
Still, practicing English listening and speaking a little before joining the program will make communication much easier!
(Accommodation)
The common areas and bedrooms were fairly comfortable, but the showers and toilets are better in Korea.
I had no major inconveniences staying there for a week!
(Meals)
Meals are served at a place five minutes from the accommodation. Overall the food was tasty, but as someone who prefers Korean food, I found Western-style meals harder to handle as the program went on.
Western-style meals became difficult for me. If you like Korean food like I do, it might be good to bring some Korean instant meals.
On Sundays there is a lunch buffet, and they served foods I like, so it was really delicious!
(What to bring)
I recommend bringing at least two pairs of shoes. You’ll need to clean animal enclosures, and your shoes often get dirty then.
Bring shoes you don’t mind getting dirty for work! Also, because of the strong African sun,
be sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat, and since it sometimes rains, a small umbrella will also be very helpful.
# Even if your English isn''t strong, be proactive and friendly!
Before participating in the South Africa wildlife conservation volunteer program, my English ability was accustomed to American-style English,
and I could only handle basic everyday conversation.That was my level. So at the beginning of the program, the various accents and intonations of the foreign volunteers,
and unfamiliar expressions''English werevery disconcerting. However,I approached first and tried to start conversations,
and by trying to get closer,I was able to make many international friends.
Keep trying even small conversations in English, and take part in various activities!
Before you know it, you''ll find yourself socializing with foreign friends.
# Gap Year Review
Experience ★★★★★
In South Africa, a country that''s not easy to visit alone, living with volunteers from various countries and being able to do many activities with animals
was a special experience.
Learning ★★★★★
Through activities with animals, I learned about animal temperaments, characteristics, and how to treat them—things I didn''t know before participating.
Also, I learned an optimistic, positive, and passionate attitude toward life from the foreign volunteers.
Environment ★★★★
I was worried because the accommodation in Africa wasn''t well-known, but aside from some facilities, it wasn''t bad to live in.
Safety ★★★★★
The manuals regarding safety and security were well organized, so as long as you don''t act recklessly, you can stay safely.
Leisure ★★★★★
There was plenty of free time, so after the day''s work I would play pool with the foreign volunteers in the accommodation lounge or chat over wine.
This time also allowed me to become close with the foreign volunteers.
A firsthand review video from a participant in the South Africa wildlife conservation overseas volunteer program!
What makes this project special
