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#Started enjoying a dynamic life #The joy of problem-solving, new connections #A positive and profound inner change
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Now, I actually prefer the dynamic life I have. I’ve found joy in solving each problem one by one, and I realized that I enjoy the thrill rather than boredom. Most importantly, the biggest change is that now I have the strength to choose what I love and gradually put it into practice. That’s the biggest change I’ve experienced.
Living for a month in a beloved small European city, Montpellier, France! Review by Park O-kyung, Korea GapYear Participant |
# Hello, I’m a college student who recently returned from living for a month in the beautiful country of Montpellier.
Hello, I am a positive-minded 20-something college student. When I applied for the gap year program, I was in a state where all my plans for the future had fallen apart. I was mentally exhausted from the stress I received from others. I tried to leave behind my previous plans and rethink my future, but I couldn’t think of anything I really wanted to do. As graduation approached, my anxiety grew, and I had lost trust in myself.
Then, I came across the word 'gap year' by chance, and naturally became interested. I felt that I needed a positive change in my life, so I made a big decision and reached out to the gap year program. At that time, I lacked self-confidence, and even the idea of deciding where to go caused me stress.
However, the gap year consultant understood my helpless situation and recommended spending a month in the beautiful Montpellier to escape from daily life for a while. So, I ended up leaving for there for a month. :)
* Due to anxiety about the future, Park O-Kyung was feeling helpless and needed to regain confidence and a positive environment. To help facilitate effective changes, I recommended a tailored gap year plan through consulting :) If you want a personalized plan to know where and how to start changing, I highly recommend a 1:1 consultation with a gap year consultant!
The Sure Way to Change My Life: Gap Year 1:1 Consulting
# I wanted to take time to get to know myself.
Before the gap year, I didn’t really know myself.
When someone asked me, "What do you want to be?" or "What do you like?", I couldn't even answer. So, the first thing I wanted to do through the gap year was to give myself the time to get to know 'me'. The second goal was to find the answer to what I should do in the future.
# Like the sunny weather, the everyday life in Montpellier was always lively and bright.
One of the reasons I was so happy while staying in Montpellier was that the weather was always nice. In fact, when it rains or is cloudy, I often feel sick and depressed, but strangely, during my time in Montpellier, it never rained once. The clear and sunny weather made me happy on its own, and it was truly touching to me :)
Thanks to the precious people I met in Montpellier, the month I spent there became even more meaningful.
I made friends at the language school and hostel, and we had a lot of fun together.
One particularly memorable experience was because my friends encouraged me, I ended up doing an impromptu performance with someone playing the violin on the street. This is something unimaginable in Korea, but performing in front of a lot of people felt strange yet so fulfilling. It was a meaningful experience because I could feel such a big change within myself.
# I Became Interested in French!
When I first decided to live in Montpellier for a month, I was very worried about the language barrier.
As a complete beginner who didn’t even know the French alphabet, I struggled with how to communicate. Since the classes at the language school were conducted in French instead of English, I had a lot of difficulty understanding the lessons at first. But by continuously listening to and studying French, I gradually became more familiar with the language, and eventually, I was able to enjoy learning it.
Now that I've returned to Korea after finishing my one-month stay, I’ve become even more interested in French, and I plan to keep studying it steadily. I’m looking forward to the day when I can speak French fluently and will work hard toward that goal!
# My Life Became More Dynamic
Before my gap year, my life felt dull.
I felt like I was just following a pre-set path, and whenever small or big things happened in my daily life, I would think, "Why does this only happen to me?" with negative thoughts.
But through my gap year, I gained confidence, and now I actually enjoy my more dynamic life. I’ve realized that I enjoy solving problems one by one, and I prefer the excitement over boredom. Above all, I think the biggest change is that now I have the power to choose what I love and take action on it step by step.
# A Day in My Life in Montpellier
I was assigned to a homestay just 3 minutes on foot from my accommodation. I would wake up at 8:30 AM, attend classes at 9:00, and finish at 12:15 PM, then have lunch and take a nap for about 1-2 hours. In the afternoon, I would either relax or have fun, depending on what I felt like doing that day.
On some days without classes, I would spend the day traveling. Since I tend to plan work or study tasks, I was unsure whether I should plan my travels too. But in Montpellier, I decided to try something different and traveled with only a one-way ticket, figuring it out once I got there. Sometimes, I had no return ticket, and I even ended up taking the wrong bus to another city while sleeping on the way back. I think I’ll never forget the good and difficult moments from those unplanned trips.
# Tips for Preparing for a One-Month Stay in Montpellier!
Thanks to the checklist provided by the gap year program, I had a lot of help in preparing for my one-month stay. In addition, I made my own list of things I might need in Montpellier and bought them in advance. Honestly, I thought I would miss Korean food so much while staying in Montpellier, so I made sure to enjoy it as much as I could beforehand :)
# My One-Month Stay in Montpellier, France with the Gap Year Program!
Experience ★★★★★
: I traveled, learned a new language, and made many new friends while having a great time.
Learning ★★★★
: I started learning French for the first time, and I found it interesting, so I plan to continue.
Environment ★★★★★
: Fortunately, I was assigned to a homestay close to the language school, so it was easy to attend my classes.
Safety ★★★★★
: It was a bit inconvenient at times because it was a city, but overall I felt safe.
Leisure ★★★★
: Since I only had classes in the morning, I had plenty of time in the afternoons for myself.
If you want to know more about the One-Month Stay in Montpellier, France project that Park O-kyung experienced,
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