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#Changed from a passive personality to being proactive #Gained confidence in communicating with others #A satisfying and deeply appreciated experience
©Korea gapyear
Running a guesthouse and meeting people for the first time, listening to their stories and communicating with them made my personality more proactive and sociable, and I gained confidence. Just this alone, I think I gained something really big. Communicating with people you meet for the first time is a major advantage and charm unique to guesthouses.
- Busan — I want to live there. The passionate second city / Jeong Ji-yoon, Gapyearer / Gapper / 4-week gapyear |
Before starting the gapyear program, I wanted to try living in another region. After searching around and looking up information, the gapyear program was just right. While traveling in Busan I really wanted to try living there, and since I stayed at guesthouses during my travels I thought it would be nice to work at a guesthouse too.
The day I arrived at the guesthouse with anticipation and nervousness, greeted the staff, made my own plans, and took my first step is still vivid in my memory.The main duty of the gapyear was cleaning. Actually, I had no idea it would be cleaning work. I thought cleaning would be just simple support tasks, but it was a bit more tiring than I expected. After about a week I had already adapted, and as I gradually learned the counter work I learned the overall operations of SUM Guesthouse.Since the gapyear working hours were four hours a day, the rest of the time was all free time.
During my free time I traveled around Busan, and I also had the task of spending my personal time efficiently. To make good use of my time I looked for festivals held in Busan or meetups where I could meet foreigners.Looking back now, I regret not spending my time more efficiently. There were days when I wasted time that could have been used for self-development. However, running the guesthouse and meeting people for the first time, listening to their stories and communicating with them made me more proactive and sociable and gave me confidence. Just this alone, I believe I gained something really big. Communicating with people you meet for the first time is a major advantage and charm unique to guesthouses.
©Korea gapyear
However, there are guests who come knowing about the guesthouse and others who come without knowing, so people''s feelings will differ. Occasionally, those who are not familiar may feel uncomfortable or sometimes want to change rooms. I found this very regrettable.On the other hand, quite a few people came knowing and attracted by the charm of the guesthouse. Through the SUM party I got to know people, heard and learned new information... it was such a great time.Because SUM Guesthouse had many guests from Greater China, it was an opportunity to use the Chinese I had forgotten, and because I wanted to talk more with the guests it was also an opportunity to study Chinese. It was also a time that greatly motivated me to study English.
One small regret was that, since I am also from another region, there were limits to how much I could tell guests about Busan. So I traveled more to learn about Busan, kept up with local news, and visited many popular restaurants. As I did this I became curious about Busan''s history and visited museums, and I felt very proud of the good times I had.
To be honest, I hesitated because there were no testimonials or reviews for the gapyear program ''I Want to Live There'', but it was such a satisfying program! In the future I want to actively participate in gapyear programs and have time to gain diverse experiences and grow myself. And based on these experiences, I want to plan my own gapyear program someday! I want to thank both myself and Gapyear for the month that was bittersweet yet fulfilling. *^^*
After referring to the gapyear program information, what additional information was needed before participating or what differed from reality?
I should have learned more about Busan and prepared conversational phrases to use with visiting foreigners. Also, before participating I needed to learn more about the tasks I would be doing in the program.
Memorable enjoyable experiences (or unpleasant experiences and solutions) while participating in the gapyear program
At the "SUM GUESTHOUSE" where I stayed, they hold a "SUM PARTY" every Friday if enough people are present. At first there was an awkward atmospherebut even if communication was poor, people shared and talked with each other. Despite the modest party, I liked these memories and the feeling of constant laughter.
My advice on language use in the gapyear program (methods of pre-study, etc.)
Actually, fluent language skills aren''t required, but I think if you have enough ability to handle guests'' requests and to have basic conversations, you can have a more rewarding time in the gapyear program.
My advice for future volunteers as participants regarding the accommodation
There weren''t major inconveniences regarding the accommodation, but sensitive people might be bothered by some noise at night. If you''re sensitive, it''s a good idea to bring earplugs ^^
My advice for future volunteers as participants regarding meals
Three meals a day are prepared by the aunt who works here. It''s literally home-cooked meals.She''s really good at cooking!!! There''s no expense for meals, which is also great, and sometimes the staff go out to eat or order in. There''s no need to worry about meals at all!
My advice for future volunteers as participants regarding what to bring
Apart from personal items, everything is really provided so you don''t need to worry much. Everyone welcomes you with kindness and an open mind!!
©Korea gapyear
What I liked about participating in the gap-year camp program.Things that moved me, what I learned, and realizations
First, I was very happy to both experience Busan—which I had always wanted to visit—and stay at a guesthouse at the same time. Fortunately,There were many guests from Greater China, so I had plenty of opportunities to use my Chinese, and I think the charm of a guesthouse is that people greet and talk with a smile whenever they meet.Sometimes I was very grateful when I received local foods or souvenir-like gifts. I realized that even when tired, I must always treat guests energetically and sincerely and try to say at least one more word. I also regretted not being able to go to restaurants or travel with the guests.
My first Soom party with guests who enjoyed it late into the night: the Japanese artist TAKURO, the multi-talented Japanese HIROSI, the Frenchman KEVIN whom I often met on the street, a Singaporean female student who handed me a donut when I was really hungry, a Malaysian family who donated clothes for the next Malaysian Muslim guest, Malaysian friends I promised to meet if I visit Malaysia, and the Malaysian owner who, with a bright voice, thanked me and even gave me food!
Lastly, Ms. Han Hyemi and Mr. Choi Minsu, who stayed long-term, felt like family members and I grew very fond of them; I felt very sad when we parted. Meeting the Soom guesthouse staff, who felt like family for a month, was a very happy and precious experience.
Did you experience any changes in yourself when comparing before and after participating in the gap-year program?
The thing I worried about and looked forward to most was my confidence with foreigners.
Although it''s still difficult to carry on many conversations, my lack of confidence and hesitation have improved significantly compared to before. I realized that even if I''m not fluent, people understand and wait when they see me trying to speak one or two words. I also try to proactively change myself and spend more time alone. Because of that, I had time to reflect on myself, think about the future, and self-reflect, so it was a time when I could grow further.
Please tell us about your personal travel route during the gap-year. (If you have recommended places, itineraries, or routes?)
*Subway routes
Line 1 travel route
: Toseong Station (Gamcheon Culture Village) - Nampo Station (Nampo-dong Gwangbok-ro Street, Food Alley) - Jagalchi Station (Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Bupyeong (Kkangtong) Market, Bosudong Book Alley) - Busan Station (Chinatown, Busan Station Fountain Show)
: From Sinpyeong Station, take a bus to Dadaepo Beach / Dadaepo Sunset Fountain
Line 2 travel route
: Seomyeon Station (shopping, food streets) - Daeyeon Station (Ssangdungi gukbap restaurant) - Pukyong/Kyungsung University Stations (college area) - Gwangalli Station (Gwangalli Beach) - Centum City Station (Shinsegae Department Store, Busan Cinema Center) - Busan Museum (Busan Metropolitan Museum) - Dongbaek Station (Dongbaek Island) - Haeundae (Haeundae Beach, Dalmaji-gil road)
**From Pukyong and Kyungsung University stations you can take a bus to Igidae Park, Busan UN Park, Peace Park, or the Busan Museum.
