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#I gained the freedom to take better care of myself #Confidence in English; precious friends #Happy times that felt like a dream
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Now I can say that I know myself better :) I''ve been able to prioritize myself a bit more over other things, and I feel less frustrated or distressed when things don''t go as planned. I''ve also gained the composure to graciously accept and return compliments from others.
Study English in Cebu, Philippines without stress and while having fun — that''s all! Kim O-jungA gapper''s review |
# Hello! I''m a 28-year-old preparing for the teacher certification exam (or job hunting) who attended a 4-week language study in the Philippines.
Hello~ I''m Kim O-jung, who spent a month studying language in Cebu, Philippines. I''m someone who seems quiet but also has an extroverted side. I hadn''t used English for four years since graduating college, but I remember the teachers I met in the Philippines complimenting my English skills as being quite humorous. Haha
After graduating from university I continuously prepared for the teacher certification exam. I have experience dedicating a whole year to exam study, and last year I worked as a contract teacher.While working at school I felt I lacked a lot of experience, and I wanted to share varied experiences with students to help them feel hopeful about the future. When I started studying again this year with that intention, I felt a kind of lethargy about life.
I felt it was a waste to spend the remaining precious years of my twenties solely on studying, and thinking this might be my last chance, I wanted to spend the time on diverse experiences and for myself, so I decided to take a gap year.
* Kim O-jung, who needed positive experiences and time for herself, decided on the perfect project through 1:1 consulting.Wondering where and how to spend a gap year and want a customized plan? I strongly recommend 1:1 consulting with a gap year specialist!
A sure way to change my life: Gap year 1:1 consulting
# If you''re honest about your feelings, you can prioritize yourself. Then you''ll ultimately be happier.
During my gap year I wanted to be honest about my feelings and put myself first.Of course it was necessary to say I''m fine when I was fine, but it was also very necessary for me to say and express when I wasn''t fine. Consuming for myself — not doing things for others — was needed in the same context.
Because the truly important me had been pushed to the back. I kept putting others ahead of myself without being honest about my feelings. That caused a lot of stress and worry. I couldn''t love myself either. I decided I couldn''t keep treating myself that way, so during this time I focused on myself as much as possible!
# I filled up my confidence and self-esteem through good friends and teachers.
Even now it feels like a dream — it was such a happy month for my happy self. I gained so many things through my gap year.
If I had to pick the single best thing among them, it would be meeting precious friends!Among the diverse friends, the ones I remember are Jay and Paul. They''re Korean friends, and we lived together in the Philippines for nearly 3–4 weeks. I''m the type who finds meeting new people difficult, but Koreans in the Philippines are so precious that I became very close with these friends.We shared many conversations, and when I shared things I wanted to try, these friends would try them with me. Of course actually taking action was ultimately up to me, but they encouraged me and joined me until I acted, allowing me to gain many experiences!Thanks to them I was able to learn to swim, try various activities, and make friends with foreigners. I think it might have been impossible without them... haha
Also, I gained confidence in my English and received great comfort from the teachers, which I really appreciated.Talking with the local teachers, I opened up about my worries in English. The teachers saw that I couldn''t love myself and told me not to care about others'' eyes and to care more for myself. They also told me that I''m already cool and pretty,that I make others feel comfortable, and they boosted my self-esteem in every class.I can''t forget the times we cried together during class while having these conversations with the teachers.
Being with people who differ in culture and language, though clumsy, we were able to share what each of us felt and learned that we could become friends. The process wasn''t easy, but I learned how to understand cultural differences, and I think I also learned how to love people despite them.
# Through joyful effort, I came to know myself better than anyone.
Now I can say that I know myself better :) I''ve been able to prioritize myself a bit more over other things, and I feel less frustrated or distressed when things don''t go as planned. I''ve also gained the composure to graciously accept and return compliments from others.
Because the language was different, I kept thinking about how to accurately convey what I felt and went through the process of asking myself again. Also, in the daily effort to try to complete the gap-year missions, I gradually learned what I can do well and which situations I find difficult. I think all of this process and effort helped me a lot in understanding myself :)
Also, in that processBy practicing expressing exactly what I wanted and thinking about the results afterward, I became able to take better care of myself.Of course I can''t completely stop worrying about what others think, but that''s a big achievement!
Also,I used to feel awkward about greetings and compliments, but in the Philippines everyone greets first, and that changed me too.As I received many compliments, I thought I should compliment others too, and because these things were repeated, it became natural!
I experienced so many things that I couldn''t in Korea, and even after returning I couldn''t get out of those memories for a while.. Looking back, I''m really glad I went on the gap year! The process of finding myself in the Philippines was so joyful.
So, if there are people hesitating to participateI''d tell them to absolutely try it. The self you discover in an unfamiliar place is limitless, new, and above all a huge experience. I want to tell them not to worry and to join and enjoy time for themselves!!
# Philippines language study — here''s my daily routine!
I woke up at 6:30, ate breakfast at 7:30, and attended classes from 8:00 AM to 5:10 PM. We also had breaks in between and a lunch break.
I spent a lot of energy adapting during the first two weeks. Class time took up a large portion of the day, and understanding English I hadn''t been using was quite challenging for me. But after that I adapted to some extent, and even 45-minute classes began to feel short. I also really enjoyed meeting teachers outside of class and talking in English. Haha, since I focused intensively on English classes, I think my skills improved a lot.
After classes ended, I had personal time until about 10 PM, and on weekends I had personal time as well. Using that time, I recommend the 1-night 2-day tour to Siquijor Island in the Philippines that I personally went on :)
# My tips for preparing for a Philippines language study gap year!
I prepared my belongings based on the checklist sent by Korea Gap Year!
Other than packing, I actually worried a lot. It was my first long stay abroad alone, and since it wasn''t Korea I was concerned about safety. I even had many doubts at the airport before leaving. Considering job hunting, a month didn''t feel short at all..
But I left and lived with the mindset of ‘since I''m going anyway, I''ll live carefree just this once!’ Once I actually went, I managed somehow.. haha I met Korean friends and many good foreign friends, so the month felt short.
# My Philippines language study gap year is!
Experience ★★★★★
: I was able to have various experiences in everyday life.
Learning ★★★★★
: It was a good time to learn English and also to learn about the cultures of friends I lived with, like those from China and Taiwan.
Environment ★★★★★
: It was a comfortable, livable environment!
Safety ★★★★★
: It''s a tourist spot so I felt it was okay and safe. Still, you should follow basic safety rules! For example, don''t walk alone late at night or in places that aren''t main roads~
Leisure ★★★★
: There are a lot of things you can do in Cebu!! However, since you attend classes every weekday, you need to choose strategically what to do in your free time.
Kim O-jeongvisited Cebu, Philippines language study abroad projectWant more information?!
Click the banner belowplease!
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Now I can say that I know myself better :) I''ve been able to prioritize myself a bit more over other things, and I feel less frustrated or distressed when things don''t go as planned. I''ve also gained the composure to graciously accept and return compliments from others.
Study English in Cebu, Philippines without stress and while having fun — that''s all! Kim O-jungA gapper''s review |
# Hello! I''m a 28-year-old preparing for the teacher certification exam (or job hunting) who attended a 4-week language study in the Philippines.
Hello~ I''m Kim O-jung, who spent a month studying language in Cebu, Philippines. I''m someone who seems quiet but also has an extroverted side. I hadn''t used English for four years since graduating college, but I remember the teachers I met in the Philippines complimenting my English skills as being quite humorous. Haha
After graduating from university I continuously prepared for the teacher certification exam. I have experience dedicating a whole year to exam study, and last year I worked as a contract teacher.While working at school I felt I lacked a lot of experience, and I wanted to share varied experiences with students to help them feel hopeful about the future. When I started studying again this year with that intention, I felt a kind of lethargy about life.
I felt it was a waste to spend the remaining precious years of my twenties solely on studying, and thinking this might be my last chance, I wanted to spend the time on diverse experiences and for myself, so I decided to take a gap year.
* Kim O-jung, who needed positive experiences and time for herself, decided on the perfect project through 1:1 consulting.Wondering where and how to spend a gap year and want a customized plan? I strongly recommend 1:1 consulting with a gap year specialist!
A sure way to change my life: Gap year 1:1 consulting
# If you''re honest about your feelings, you can prioritize yourself. Then you''ll ultimately be happier.
During my gap year I wanted to be honest about my feelings and put myself first.Of course it was necessary to say I''m fine when I was fine, but it was also very necessary for me to say and express when I wasn''t fine. Consuming for myself — not doing things for others — was needed in the same context.
Because the truly important me had been pushed to the back. I kept putting others ahead of myself without being honest about my feelings. That caused a lot of stress and worry. I couldn''t love myself either. I decided I couldn''t keep treating myself that way, so during this time I focused on myself as much as possible!
# I filled up my confidence and self-esteem through good friends and teachers.
Even now it feels like a dream — it was such a happy month for my happy self. I gained so many things through my gap year.
If I had to pick the single best thing among them, it would be meeting precious friends!Among the diverse friends, the ones I remember are Jay and Paul. They''re Korean friends, and we lived together in the Philippines for nearly 3–4 weeks. I''m the type who finds meeting new people difficult, but Koreans in the Philippines are so precious that I became very close with these friends.We shared many conversations, and when I shared things I wanted to try, these friends would try them with me. Of course actually taking action was ultimately up to me, but they encouraged me and joined me until I acted, allowing me to gain many experiences!Thanks to them I was able to learn to swim, try various activities, and make friends with foreigners. I think it might have been impossible without them... haha
Also, I gained confidence in my English and received great comfort from the teachers, which I really appreciated.Talking with the local teachers, I opened up about my worries in English. The teachers saw that I couldn''t love myself and told me not to care about others'' eyes and to care more for myself. They also told me that I''m already cool and pretty,that I make others feel comfortable, and they boosted my self-esteem in every class.I can''t forget the times we cried together during class while having these conversations with the teachers.
Being with people who differ in culture and language, though clumsy, we were able to share what each of us felt and learned that we could become friends. The process wasn''t easy, but I learned how to understand cultural differences, and I think I also learned how to love people despite them.
# Through joyful effort, I came to know myself better than anyone.
Now I can say that I know myself better :) I''ve been able to prioritize myself a bit more over other things, and I feel less frustrated or distressed when things don''t go as planned. I''ve also gained the composure to graciously accept and return compliments from others.
Because the language was different, I kept thinking about how to accurately convey what I felt and went through the process of asking myself again. Also, in the daily effort to try to complete the gap-year missions, I gradually learned what I can do well and which situations I find difficult. I think all of this process and effort helped me a lot in understanding myself :)
Also, in that processBy practicing expressing exactly what I wanted and thinking about the results afterward, I became able to take better care of myself.Of course I can''t completely stop worrying about what others think, but that''s a big achievement!
Also,I used to feel awkward about greetings and compliments, but in the Philippines everyone greets first, and that changed me too.As I received many compliments, I thought I should compliment others too, and because these things were repeated, it became natural!
I experienced so many things that I couldn''t in Korea, and even after returning I couldn''t get out of those memories for a while.. Looking back, I''m really glad I went on the gap year! The process of finding myself in the Philippines was so joyful.
So, if there are people hesitating to participateI''d tell them to absolutely try it. The self you discover in an unfamiliar place is limitless, new, and above all a huge experience. I want to tell them not to worry and to join and enjoy time for themselves!!
# Philippines language study — here''s my daily routine!
I woke up at 6:30, ate breakfast at 7:30, and attended classes from 8:00 AM to 5:10 PM. We also had breaks in between and a lunch break.
I spent a lot of energy adapting during the first two weeks. Class time took up a large portion of the day, and understanding English I hadn''t been using was quite challenging for me. But after that I adapted to some extent, and even 45-minute classes began to feel short. I also really enjoyed meeting teachers outside of class and talking in English. Haha, since I focused intensively on English classes, I think my skills improved a lot.
After classes ended, I had personal time until about 10 PM, and on weekends I had personal time as well. Using that time, I recommend the 1-night 2-day tour to Siquijor Island in the Philippines that I personally went on :)
# My tips for preparing for a Philippines language study gap year!
I prepared my belongings based on the checklist sent by Korea Gap Year!
Other than packing, I actually worried a lot. It was my first long stay abroad alone, and since it wasn''t Korea I was concerned about safety. I even had many doubts at the airport before leaving. Considering job hunting, a month didn''t feel short at all..
But I left and lived with the mindset of ‘since I''m going anyway, I''ll live carefree just this once!’ Once I actually went, I managed somehow.. haha I met Korean friends and many good foreign friends, so the month felt short.
# My Philippines language study gap year is!
Experience ★★★★★
: I was able to have various experiences in everyday life.
Learning ★★★★★
: It was a good time to learn English and also to learn about the cultures of friends I lived with, like those from China and Taiwan.
Environment ★★★★★
: It was a comfortable, livable environment!
Safety ★★★★★
: It''s a tourist spot so I felt it was okay and safe. Still, you should follow basic safety rules! For example, don''t walk alone late at night or in places that aren''t main roads~
Leisure ★★★★
: There are a lot of things you can do in Cebu!! However, since you attend classes every weekday, you need to choose strategically what to do in your free time.
Kim O-jeongvisited Cebu, Philippines language study abroad projectWant more information?!
Click the banner belowplease!
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
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