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#I learned to love myself more #Learned how to feel happiness #Moved by the children's innocence
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Just come with an open mind! Experience as much as you can! Because it''s a precious time that won''t come again, try experiences you wouldn''t normally do,
Charging warm love with children in Hanoi, Vietnam & Volunteer work for children with disabilities in Hanoi, Vietnam — becoming hope for hurt children Review by Inara, a gap year participant |
# Hello! I''m a student on leave who needed a new environment and meaningful challenges!
Hello! I''m Inara, a student on leave spending the year through various challenges and experiences.
This year, I decided to fill the year with everything I really wanted to try!
Since challenge and experience were my biggest goals this year, I wanted to spend meaningful times I had only thought about but never tried. I needed a new environment and challenges rather than usual rest or healing, so I reached out to Korea Gapyear.Among the projects recommended by Gapyear, I chose the overseas volunteer project ''Charging warm love with children in Hanoi, Vietnam'' as my first project. I picked Vietnam because I''m familiar with the country! I wanted to do more volunteer work in Hanoi, so I chose ''Volunteer work for children with disabilities in Hanoi, Vietnam, becoming hope for hurt children'' as the second project and spent a total of 10 weeks!
*For Inara, who wanted a time of new environment and meaningful challenges,we provided personalized activity recommendations tailored to Inara that allowed for unique challenges. Also,daily customized one-on-one personal missions were provided so she could quickly adapt locally and focus on the experiences she wanted. Want personalized gap year activities and missions recommended? Get a Gapyear planning consultation now :)
# Now, even without direct experience, I can willingly be brave!
I wanted to prove to myself that I could be courageous and try things I hadn''t experienced.
Also, in Korea I always lived according to what''s expected,My gap year goal is to proactively manage my days and get closer to myselfwas! It was my first overseas volunteer activity so I was excited and nervous, but I didn''t prepare anything special. Gapyear sent me detailed information by email before departure, and the Zoom orientation cleared up all my questions, so it wasn''t difficult!
# I suddenly realized there that I was receiving even more than I was giving!
While volunteering, I suddenly felt my changed perspective and mindset, and it felt great.
In fact, when I first started volunteering, I began with the mindset of ''As a volunteer, I should help these children.'' Butwhat I felt while continuing activities at the volunteer site was that I gained more than I gave.That''s how it was.
At some point, while playing badminton and doing physical activities with the children, I felt that I wasn''t so much doing something I had to do as I was enjoying spending time together with them.What occurred to me at that moment was, I thought, "Wouldn''t it be better to approach them as friends rather than volunteers who provide help?" Like friends who give and receive, not a one-sided helping relationship!
In addition, friends of various nationalities(plural)of course,I also formed very good connections with local volunteer friends and Vietnamese friends working at organizationsI formed those connections. I was invited to and attended a Vietnamese wedding, and I was also able to join local friends on university campus tours and university festivals.
# Before I knew it, I could see myself becoming much more expressive!
While spending my gap year, I think I''ve become more expressive. I wrote a diary every day and recorded lots of photos and videos. Also, I started saying words like "I''m happy" and "This is fun" more often.
I used to be an extremely T-type person with virtually no empathy.While in Vietnam, I realized that what I had seen and experienced was by no means a given, and that this moment is truly precious, which helped me become more expressive.
Actually, the friends in Korea and my parents, whom I was occasionally in contact with,also told me that I''ve become much more expressive than beforethey said! hehe
So, I''d like to ask those who will come next. It might be a cliché, but.
Just come with an open mind! Try to experience as much as possible!
After all, a gap year is also a limited time. Since it''s a precious time that won''t come again, try experiences you wouldn''t normally do, build relationships with various people, and it''s okay to be a little bolder!
#What does a day of overseas volunteer work in Vietnam look like?
When I participated, between 8:00 and 8:10 we finished getting ready, met with the volunteers doing the same activities, and headed to the bus stop. If we arrived at the activity site at 9:00, we moved to our assigned classrooms.
For the first 30 minutes the morning class was held. Generally, we helped the children with what they were studying in their textbooks (solving math problems, drawing shapes, etc.) or taught origami. Occasionally we also did gardening together!
For the next 30 minutes there was morning exercise time, so we went outside and did group calisthenics, took walks, or played badminton. When we returned to the classroom, classes continued until 10:30.
From 10:30 to 14:00 it was lunchtime. We usually ate at restaurants near the volunteer site and spent time at cafes.
From 14:00 to 16:00, physical activities were carried out in two groups for one hour each. We all took part in physical activities—think of Korean games like passing a towel and musical chairs! When the day''s work ended and we returned to the volunteers'' accommodation, it was around 17:00.
In my free time I used weekends to travel to nearby places! I felt Hanoi has many options for trips to nearby areas. The places I visited were Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, and Sapa.
Except for Sapa, all of these can be visited as day trips. You can book tour packages locally or via apps.
I prefer relaxed travel, so I went alone without an agency. I remember staying one night and two days on a Ha Long Bay cruise, and leisurely walking and swimming in Ninh Binh.
Also, for Sapa you have to travel by a ''sleeping bus'' that combines a bus and accommodation; that was another new and enjoyable experience!
# My tips for preparing for volunteer work in Vietnam!
(Language)
:I don''t think your English ability itself has a very big impact. However, if you have the time, I recommend studying English before you go!At that time I had to communicate a lot with friends from English-speaking countries. I would study the expressions I needed on YouTube at the moment, or actively use a translator!
(Accommodation)
: Because it''s a shared living space, you need to be a bit diligent. On mornings when everyone went to volunteer, the common areas tended to be crowded. I would get up first every morning and leisurely use the shower. Haha Also,Since everyone''s lifestyle is different, it''s necessary to communicate and coordinate well with your roommates!
(Meals)
: If food is arranged in the dining area like a buffet, you serve yourself as much as you want! They also carefully check dietary restrictions like vegan, gluten-free, and allergies in advance. Eating out freely is also possible.I don''t think you need to worry much about meals!
(Packing list)
: A card that can withdraw cash abroad is essential! If you prepare the right card, most items and clothes can be purchased locally. Vietnam still has a high cash usage rate, so except at large shopping malls or restaurants you''ll often need cash. That''s why a card that can withdraw cash is absolutely necessary~!
# My Vietnam volunteer gap year!
Experience ★★★★★
:When I think back on this year, my Vietnam gap year comes to mind first — it was a very significant experience for me!
Almost everything I experienced in Vietnam was new to me: living with young children and children with disabilities, living with volunteers from different language and cultural backgrounds, and all the experiences of group life. I also traveled to areas near Vietnam and rode a motorbike! I had many fascinating experiences.
Learning ★★★★★
: By communicating with volunteers from different cultural and language backgrounds, I was able to acknowledge and learn from differences. I also gained a lot from volunteering with vulnerable groups such as children and people with disabilities.I think I learned that everything I usually enjoyed isn''t guaranteed, and to be grateful for and marvel at even small things.
Environment ★★★
: It was hard to expect an environment as comfortable as Korea. However, once you adapt to the different culture and environment, it''s not difficult!
Safety ★★★★
: I have never felt that public safety was poor in my daily life. Also, thelocal organization really took great care to ensure our safety.You should, of course, follow safety rules well—such as not wandering around alone late at night and wearing a helmet when riding a motorbike!
Leisure ★★★★
: As Hanoi is known as a gourmet city, there are so many food spots and sights in the city and the Old Quarter. There are quaint cafes, bars, and restaurants lined up, and West Lake as well. Near the accommodation there are shopping malls and movie theaters. There are also many places near Hanoi where you can take day trips or go for a one-night trip!
Inarawho visited the overseas volunteer project in Hanoi, VietnamWant to know more information?!
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