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#Increased self-esteem #Gained trust and interpersonal relationship skills #The value of taking on challenges and happiness
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My goal was to express "myself" more and to act without worrying about what others think. By playing with the children, I regained trust and happiness between people, and by hanging out and playing with friends from around the world, I saw everyone being happy and felt the value of taking on the challenge. I realized that "I''m also a good person", I started approaching people proactively and gained confidence, and I became proud of myself.
<Recharging warm love with children in Hanoi, Vietnam> Review from gapper Kim Young-jun |
#After language study in Cebu, I spent my second gap year in Vietnam.
Hello! I''m Kim Young-jun, a 24-year-old student on leave who participated in the "Charging Love in Hanoi, Vietnam" volunteer program. I learned about gap years during my military service and, carrying my own worries and concerns, applied for consulting. After discharge and consulting with the consultant, I was strongly recommended this program and language study in Cebu.After attending a language program in Cebu, Philippines and being satisfied, I then did two months of volunteer work in Vietnam.
*Because Kim Young-jun had many doubts about people and a timid personality, he needed an environment where he could take care of himself and give and receive plenty of love, so we recommended a Vietnam gap year through customized gap year consulting :) Want a tailored plan for your situation? We highly recommend 1:1 consulting with a gap year specialist!
The sure way to change your life: Gap year 1:1 consulting
#I wanted to express myself more and act without worrying about others.
Before I knew about gap years, I was very distrustful of people and timid by nature, so I thought I should change with this opportunity. ThisThe goal of the Vietnam gap year was to express "me" more: ''to act without worrying about what others think.''For someone like me who was distrustful of people and timid and avoidant in relationships, the Hanoi gap year was, I think, the most impressive environment to achieve this goal.
#I received kindness from other volunteers, the coordinators, and the children.
I was moved when strangers approached me, spoke to me readily, and treated me sincerely. I had never done childcare volunteering before so I was worried, but as I did it I became proficient and gradually got used to expressing myself at the children''s level—it made me very happy.It was a time when I met many people from other countries and, by accepting their cultures and thoughts, realized that there are various kinds of people and that you can see things from different perspectives.
#I met a truly diverse group of people, regardless of country.
At first, most were Westerners so it seemed difficult to get close. But it was only me putting up distance,and when I proactively approached people, started conversations, went places together, went out when invited, and acted confidently,I gradually got closer to people, and even when old friends left and new ones came, it wasn''t even half as difficult—this is how I overcame the challenge of getting close to strangers.
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A friend who had been with me since the Cebu language study; a Turkish friend who did childcare volunteering with me; British and Danish friends who played drinking games and went to Beer Street; Swiss and French friends who traveled twice with me; Canadian and Dutch friends who joined halfway; the coordinators working there and local volunteers; a Korean older sister I met near the end.They were all such wonderful people; I was grateful.
#I was so happy that I advanced not only in confidence but also in my relationships.
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While volunteering in Vietnam, I felt that not only East Asians but people of different nationalities are all the same, and that if I proactively express myself first, people will respond and come closer. I realized that I was simply less expressive, but I am also quite influential and worthy of praise. Making friends, I felt ''I am a good person too'' and felt proud of myself at the same time. I spent joyful time with really good friends, and playing with innocent children,it seems to have rekindled trust and happiness between people.
Because I approached others proactively and didn''t worry about what others thought, I gained confidence, took on many challenges, received a lot of praise from those around me, and became prouder of myself.I believe that with the memories, experiences, and connections I gained here, I will be able to make better choices in the future.
#What does a day of volunteering in Hanoi, Vietnam look like?
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After waking up in the morning, we go to the volunteer center by 8:45, play with the children, then return to the dorm around 10:30 and have lunch and rest until 2:20. We finish volunteer activities by 4:30 and return to the dorm. After that is free time.
#My personal tips for preparing for volunteering in Hanoi, Vietnam!
I would say: start conversations, suggest going out somewhere, and if someone invites you, don''t refuse—join in. Regardless of what your old personality was like, try to socialize as much as possible.I think that if you seize the opportunities that come there, it becomes much easier to approach the courage and chances you''ll need next time. In my case, I performed the songs I had practiced at karaoke with a small dance and showed off my talent without holding back, and seeing my friends so happy made me think that if other participants also give their all as if there were no tomorrow, happiness will follow.
I think the essence of this project was getting to know Westerners well. Since I believed I would rarely have the chance in life to interact closely with Westerners, I tried to approach them proactively, accepted their culture and ways of thinking, and realized thoughts like ''people from other countries might be like this'' or ''there are people with this mindset.'' It was a very valuable experience to learn that there are so many different kinds of people.
#My gap year volunteering in Vietnam was!
Experience ★★★★★
: Since most people living there are Westerners, you can have an experience different from your prior ones. The relationships I made remained as connections and enriched my heart.
Learning ★★★★★
:While volunteering in childcare at the institution, I learned about trust and relationships with people.I recommend it because you can create very precious memories and experiences.
Environment ★★★
: Personally, Hanoi''s air quality is sometimes poor, and I often wore a mask. Other areas are okay, but I recommend wearing a mask in Hanoi.
Safety ★★★★★
: It''s safe as long as you stay alert and cautious.
Leisure ★★★★★
: There are many places to go around Hanoi, and famous tourist spots are within a few hours, so you can enjoy leisure time. There was time for anything I wanted to do or anywhere I wanted to go.
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Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
