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#Increased initiative, an open mind #Experience in environmental protection, improved English skills #Moved by the grandeur of nature, meaningful connections
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Many things happened over the past year, but I can say that the four weeks in Iceland were the most meaningful and happiest. Thanks to the precious experiences and dear friends, I grew into a more proactive and open-minded person. If the same opportunity arises again, I would not hesitate to go back to Iceland.
Protecting the great outdoors with my own hands! Iceland environmental conservation volunteer work Jin Hyun-seoA gapper''s review |
The four weeks I spent in Iceland passed by so quickly that there was no time to long for Korea.
Hello, I''m Jin Hyun-seo, a university student majoring in Law and Global Environmental Studies.
I am very interested in the environment and am studying with the goal of pursuing a career in the environmental field. I spent the year 2024 as an exchange student in the United States, and I participated in the Iceland volunteer program during the summer break.
During the long four-month break while I was on exchange, I looked into what to do and discovered gap year programs, and I decided to participate in volunteer work in Iceland — something I probably wouldn''t have dared to do if I had been in Korea.
Since I was already staying abroad, I didn''t have many concerns. This volunteer program was basically a two-week schedule, but I chose four weeks and was able to mingle with volunteers from two teams. The activities were very fulfilling and the volunteers got along so well that not only two weeks but even four weeks felt very short, leaving no time to miss Korea!
* Jin Hyun-seo, who loves nature, had a deep interest in environmental volunteering, and went to the mystical land of the aurora, Iceland, to experience the country and activities she preferred!Want a customized project that''s just right for you? We strongly recommend a 1:1 consultation with a gap year specialist consultant!
A sure way to change your life: Gap Year 1:1 Consulting
I wanted to meet a variety of people and contribute to environmental protection by volunteering hands-on.
My biggest wish was to socialize with diverse people gathered from various countries. Also, although I was very interested in the environment and even chose my career path in that direction, I lacked firsthand experience in actually practicing environmental protection, soI also wanted to feel rewarded by cleaning a beach where seals were lying right in front of me.
Living in harmony with nature, the various animals I encountered remain precious memories.
Living in a dorm located in the heart of Iceland''s great outdoors, I truly felt like I was living in harmony with nature. I breathed clean air every day, could see a family of sheep grazing beyond the window, and when I went to the beach I often encountered seals sunbathing, allowing me to feel nature firsthand. These times were truly precious experiences that I may never have again in my life.
The most memorable experience was going to clean the beach and seeing a whale.Originally, one of the things I most wanted to do (see) in Iceland was to see whales, but I had given up because whales can only be seen in the northern seas. However, on the day we went to clean a beach more than an hour away from our accommodation, I saw a whale very close by.I was going through a somewhat difficult personal time, and the whale that appeared before me as if to leave me with only good memories from Iceland was truly welcome.
Although we all came from completely different backgrounds, we were able to become good friends by sharing each other''s cultures.
I was able to interact with friends of many different nationalities in Iceland. First, among the Koreans there were two people in the front team including me, and three in the back team. If I had been the only Korean it might have been a bit lonely, but because I had friends to lean on I was able to live comfortably and happily.
As for foreign friends, there were various people from Mexico, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Poland, the UK, France, Italy, the United States, China, and Japan.Although everyone had completely different backgrounds, we were able to become good friends by sharing our cultures.It''s already been half a year since we returned to our respective countries, but I still keep in touch regularly with some friends through Instagram, Snapchat, and so on.
To be honest, I remember having difficulty keeping up with the energy of Western friends. Not everyone, but most of them were very outgoing and liked to socialize. It was really nice and helpful that they reached out first, but on tired days it was a bit hard, to be honest. Haha.
You don''t need to be overly afraid if you''re not good at English. It''s not okay if you can''t communicate at all, butit means you don''t have to feel ashamed about imperfect grammar or bad pronunciation, or be afraid to speak.Besides volunteers from English-speaking countries, there are many volunteers from non-English-speaking countries, so shaky English is not a problem at all.Even if you just stammer out words, if you speak confidently and proactively you can have enjoyable conversations with anyone.
# If a gap year opportunity comes to me again, I will go to Iceland without hesitation!
Actually, while staying in Iceland I experienced positive changes in terms of English. I think my English improved quite a bit over the four weeks. Although there were always Korean friends, if even one foreign friend was at the tablewe had to converse in English, so I naturally practiced free speaking. Also, meeting friends from diverse cultural backgrounds around the world made me more open-minded.
During 2024 I stayed abroad and went through many experiences and events, butI can say that the four weeks in Iceland were the most meaningful and happiest. Thanks to the valuable experiences and precious friends, I have grown into a more proactive and open-minded person. If an opportunity like last summer arises again, I will not hesitate to go back to Iceland.
# Iceland environmental volunteer work — here''s my daily routine!
The fixed schedule of volunteer activities includes Beach Cleaning, Trash Sorting, Workshops, and Hot springs.
Beach Cleaning is an activity where we drive to a different beach each day and pick up large and small pieces of trash.
Trash Sorting is the task of sorting in detail the trash collected from the beaches.
Workshops are times to listen to various trainings prepared by the camp leaders. Topics included introductions to Iceland, Icelandic myths, yoga, and queer topics.
Hot Spring is an activity visiting a geothermal hot spring located right by the Icelandic sea; we can visit 1–3 times every two weeks, and if the weather is bad we go to a nearby swimming pool.
The first schedule starts at 9 o''clock; before that everyone showers and has breakfast. When the first activity ends, around 12-1 we all eat the lunch prepared by the person on meal duty (lunch or dinner). After a short free time, the second activity starts at 3. Dinner is eaten together around 7 after all activities are finished, and that ends the day. During free time people sometimes spend time alone in their rooms, or volunteers gather to play games, watch movies, have campfires, etc.
# My personal tips for preparing an Iceland volunteer gap year!
Because I applied and prepared everything from the U.S., I sometimes found it difficult, but since the program didn''t require a separate visa or vaccinations to participate, I only had to prepare things like purchasing a plane ticket and travel insurance. Also, during the volunteering period I stayed in dorms and the basic necessities for daily life were all provided, so I didn''t need to bring many supplies.
In fact, Iceland''s inhabited areas are very small compared to its large land area and there are not many big cities, so it was difficult to travel around during the volunteer program. I stayed in the capital Reykjavík for a day or two before and after the program to explore the city.
Because prices are very high during personal travel, eating out often is difficult, but you must try the famous hot dogs and cinnamon rolls. Cinnamon rolls sell out quickly, so I strongly recommend getting a freshly made warm one early in the morning. :)
# My Iceland environmental volunteer gap year!
Experience ★★★★★
: Experiences you can only have in Iceland. I personally collected and sorted trash washed ashore and felt my usefulness as a person.
Learning ★★★★★
: Not only did I improve my English, but I also broadened my perspective and had time to learn about the cultures of many different countries.
Environment ★★★★★
: It''s two people per room, with two showers and four toilets, so communal living isn''t as free as being at home, but because we all clean together every week it''s tidy and pleasant.
Safety ★★★★★
: It felt safer because it''s a bit away from local residences. The things to watch out for here seem to be aggressive birds and horses, haha.
Leisure ★★★★★
: On weekdays, aside from fixed schedules, all other time is free, and on weekends you can spend the whole time taking short trips or doing things at the accommodation.
Jin Hyun-seovisited by Iceland Environmental Volunteer Project Want more information?!
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