Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Discovered my true self #Personal growth and international friendships #The importance of mindset
|
I wanted to break away from the same daily routine and have time only for myself. I realized that I have to change first for my surroundings to change. I was able to experience nursing practice firsthand, I didn''t know that helping people could be this enjoyable. I promised the foreign friends I met that we''d meet again later as doctors or nurses. My interest in my major increased, and I got to know myself better. I had truly warm times with everyone I met during my gap year.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia medical volunteer project treating children that anyone can participate in Review by gap year participant Jo Seung-hee
|
# I wanted to use what I learned in my major to have a meaningful experience abroad.
Hello. I''m Jo Seung-hee, a third-year nursing student on a leave of absence.
I have a bright, cheerful personality so I get along well with people, and I like helping others. I was interested when I saw an opportunity to volunteer abroad using what I had learned in my major. I applied for the Cambodia medical volunteer program because I wanted to escape my daily routine and try living a different life.
*Seung-hee Jo, who dreams of becoming a future healthcare professional, needed time away from her busy daily life to get to know herself. If you want a tailored plan on where and how to start making changes, we highly recommend 1:1 consulting with a gap year specialist!
Gap year 1:1 consulting: a sure way to change your life.
# I wanted to spend time solely for myself.
Through a gap year, I wanted to have ''time only for myself.'' During the three years I attended university, I hardly ever slept more than seven hours, and even after exams there were no days when I could truly rest. As time went on, I forgot the things I liked and wanted to do. I began to feel increasingly unhappy, so I took a leave of absence and set off on a gap year. I wanted to find my true self by meeting different people in a new environment.
# It was truly a valuable time as a nursing student.
On the first day''s orientation, I wasn''t good at English so I couldn''t introduce myself smoothly like other students, but everyone still welcomed me and I was moved. I could meet various people and learn about cultures from different countries, which I liked. Also, performing things I had learned at school—like IM injections or simple catheterizations—directly at the medical site, and observing natural childbirth every day, which is now rare to see in Korea, were all experiences that helped me grow more as a student nurse.
# I''m still keeping in touch with my roommate friends to this day.
I got close with the roommates I shared a room with. We ate at restaurants together, went to the pool, and visited the Russian Market together. In particular, I had many conversations about the medical field with an American friend named Briana. Over time we promised to meet again when Briana becomes a doctor and I become a nurse.
I also grew close with Cambodian student nurse friends. We bonded quickly over being student nurses. Also, the Cambodian student nurses liked Korean male celebrities. It was surprising and became something we could connect over :) Every day after each acting session ended, we chatted and hung out during breaks, and sometimes I helped distribute medicine for other friends, and everyone—friends of friends—got along well.
One day a friend bought bananas and we all shared them, and out of gratitude I bought snacks and slipped them into my friends'' pockets to show my appreciation. My friends gave me delicious snacks and home-grown fruit every day, so I wanted to return the favor and promised to bring them gifts when I went back to Korea. Thinking back, it was such a warm time with people I''m very grateful for.
# Through my gap year, I realized that I must change myself for my surroundings to change.
Previously, I thought my daily life had become boring because of my surroundings, and I thought that going to Cambodia would automatically bring about big changes. But things still seemed similar. From then on, I decided to try changing myself first. I approached friends first and tried small talk, asked about everything I was curious about, and when I returned to the accommodation I practiced what I''d only thought about before by studying my major, reading, and exercising.
My mindset has changed a lot now, and it really makes me and my daily life feel special. I also got to know myself better and my interest in my major increased a lot. Before, I thought I studied only because of exams, but after experiencing it firsthand, nursing and helping people is enjoyable. I studied my major quite a bit locally, and those times were so much fun.
# Cambodia medical volunteer work — here''s my daily routine there
My day starts at 7 a.m. After getting ready, around 7:40 we take a tuk-tuk to the hospital. We volunteer at the hospital from 8 until 11 a.m. or until 3 p.m., and lunch is at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon we might go to the pool at the accommodation with roommates or go sightseeing, and in the evening we look for local eateries to finish the day. The day ends with conversations with my roommates. Sharing each other''s days we laughed a lot and became truly close friends.
# My personal tips for preparing for a Cambodia medical volunteer gap year!
It was my first time traveling abroad alone, but I prepared thoroughly using the gap year checklist. Thanks to the orientation and checklist, it wasn''t difficult at all. The accommodation provides many basic items like towels, toilet paper, masks, and gloves, so you don''t need to pack too much. Above all, if you approach people with an open heart, they''ll welcome you warmly :)
# My Cambodia overseas medical volunteer gap year is!
Experience★★★★★
: You can have new and meaningful experiences.
Learning★★★★★
: You can gain knowledge related to your major and interact with various people. You can also learn many things, such as how to adapt to a new environment.
Environment★★★
: You may often encounter lizards, mosquitoes, and cockroaches while out and about. Although it''s a different environment, it was fine because I went prepared and understood what to expect.
Safety★★★
: Be careful because motorcycles and tuk-tuks weave between pedestrians and cars, and there are hardly any traffic signals.
Leisure★★★
: Cambodia is a developing country, so there aren''t many leisure facilities.
Would you like to know more about the Cambodian medical volunteer project that Seunghee Jo participated in?!
Please click the banner below!
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
