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#Changed from 'Can I do it?' to 'I can.' #Perseverance to overcome difficult moments #I felt proud and fulfilled
After completing this program, I was truly proud of myself, and my belief that anything can be accomplished with perseverance and a spirit of challenge became even firmer. I am grateful to the Korea Gap Year team who created this program, and when I''m over 30, I would like to try a new gap year program.
-Jeju Blue Bike trip: Riding with the wind, following dreams |
New challenge, new people, new me
Before I turned 30, I wanted to cycle around the island. But doubts like ''Can I do it?'' or ''Will I give up halfway?'' and excuses like ''I don''t have time, let''s do it next year'' kept me from making any concrete plans. Before I knew it, I had finished the military, graduated university, and become a 29-year-old working at a company.Because I''d be 30 next year, I resolved to do it this year, and since my company happened to have summer vacation, I began planning a bicycle trip.One of my coworkers shared the same intention, and through that coworker I joined the ''Blue Bike Sharing'' program hosted by Korea Gap Year.
We picked up the bicycles at Jeju Airport and started riding. We began cheerfully, even shouting ''Woo~,'' for the first two hours... After that, the sun beat down on us as if trying to burn us, and my legs and butt gradually started to ache. Regret washed over me with thoughts of ''Ah—this was a mistake,'' but my coworker riding beside me was pushing hard, so I told myself to hang on a little longer and kept going.
We arrived at the guesthouse, ate chicken, talked about the day, laughed and had fun, and the next day the race that felt like hell continued. The beautiful scenery along the way gave us comfort, and the brief moments resting in the shade felt like an oasis in the desert.The guesthouse on the second day had been open for about a month. The owner was young and passionate, and in the evening he drew out the guests who were resting, held a barbecue party, we had a drink, and spent time sharing travel stories and life stories. Although we were complete strangers, we were able to become close because we shared the common goal of coming to Jeju.
Finally, the third day was the last day by bicycle and the longest day of riding. Because it was the last day we were tired and became careless, and I even had a fall. With only about 10 km left, it hurt but I gritted my teeth and kept going, and before long Jeju Airport came into view. Seeing Jeju Airport, memories of everything flashed before my eyes and tears came without my realizing it. Tears of joy for having made it flowed naturally, and my coworker and I encouraged each other for getting through it.
If I had taken on the challenge alone, I might have really given up halfway, but thanks to the coworker who joined me, we were able to finish the trip safely without any major accident.After completing this program,I was very proud of myself, and my belief that anything can be accomplished with perseverance and a spirit of challenge became even stronger.I am grateful to the Korea Gap Year team who created this program, and when I''m past 30 I would like to try a new gap year program.
Overall impressions of the gap year program I participated in (how the program was, what I felt)
There are many gap year programs, but to me a gap year means taking a short break and, through challenges, discovering something new about yourself. In that sense, this Blue Bike gap year program seemed to fulfill what I believe a gap year should be.
During my company vacation, instead of simply hanging out with friends and drinking and doing meaningless things, through the Blue Bike program I cycled along Jeju''s coastal roads, socialized with many people I had never met before, and learned patience—the ability to endure and overcome hardships.At first, people around me asked why I would do such a crazy thing in midsummer and told me not to, but I had wanted to cycle around the island before turning 30, and completing this program safely with a like-minded coworker is a proud and memorable experience of my lifeIt seems it will be.
Were there people you met or traveled with during the program?
I decided to participate in this program with a coworker, so I was with that coworker for the entire trip. Over the course of three nights and four days, we stayed at guesthouses here and there and spent time each day with new people at the guesthouses.
If there were any changes in yourself when comparing before and after participating in the gap year program
Completing a full circuit of Jeju—more than 200 km by bicycle in midsummer with temperatures exceeding 35°C—is by no means easy. But I overcame the difficult moments and the times I wanted to give up, and ultimately succeeded in finishing. I believe difficult moments will continue to come in society as well. Each time, if I endure and overcome like I did then, I have gained greater confidence that I can ultimately reach my goals.
If there were any regrets, such as things that could have been better during the gap year program
Because we rode across Jeju by bicycle in a short period, we couldn''t see many parts of Jeju and were focused only on riding. It would have been better to have more time, to stop at various places while cycling to sightsee and explore by bike.
Please tell us about your personal travel diary or travel route during the gap year program.
We started at Jeju International Airport, took the coastal roads, went around westward and returned to Jeju International Airport. We stayed at guesthouses in places like Hyeopjae, Jungmun, and Hadori. Since there are so many guesthouses in Jeju with good facilities, we had no particular problems finding a place to stay each night despite it being peak season.
Memorable travel spots include the very scenicSeongsan Ilchulbong; the sea view at Seopjikoji seen at night; and Manjanggul Cave, which was so cool it felt cold, among others.There is.
