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#A shift from a planned life to a freer life #Global connections #The locals' consideration and warmth
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I went on a gap year because I wanted to break out of my planned routine and experience a different side of myself. I was able to learn the differences between welfare programs in Korea and abroad, and I was touched by how kindly the local staff and interns helped me. Breaking away from the compulsive, planned patterns, I experienced the advantages of freedom and spontaneity. I accepted a new side of myself and gained a broader perspective.
<Tackling the emerging silver industry: Senior welfare care internship in Athens, Greece!> Review by gapper Yoon So-eun
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Hello :)
After taking a leave from my job as a social worker,
I am Yoon So-eun, who went on a gap year.
#Why I participated in the gap year
Through my work experience, living in a planned way to achieve goals felt natural, and I wanted to experience another side of myself outside that routine. I joined the gap year overseas internship in Athens, Greece, in the silver industry to see how I would cope and live in an unfamiliar environment and to embrace a new side of myself.
#Preparing for the gap year
Because this overseas internship was the longest time I had been away from Korea, I left after preparing the Korea Gap Year orientation materials, information and news about Greece, and some basic conversational phrases.
#Internship routine
The schedule was mainly centered on starting work at 9:00 and finishing at 17:00, and was flexibly adjusted according to the local situation at the institution.
Fixed activities included a 10–11 AM program for seniors with the lowest cognitive abilities, an 11–12 program for seniors with medium cognitive levels, and a 12–1 program for seniors with the highest cognitive abilities. Outside of those times,I was relatively free to engage proactively in activities according to my own goals.
#Discovering sides of myself I didn''t know
I was moved by how much the local staff and interns helped me.They understood and attended to any discomfort I had during our time together, and while I was living there they shared a lot of useful information that allowed me to gain many experiences.
During my time there, I was able to learn the differences in how programs are structured and run in Korea versus abroad, and personally,it became a time when I fully embraced a different side of myself.
#Connections I made during the gap year
All the staff at the local partner organizations were kind, andI''m still keeping in touch with internship trainees from various nationalities.
#Message to other prospective participants
Since it''s a month-long stay, be sure to enjoy your time there.
#Life change (out of 10 points)
10 out of 10!
Thanks to the gap year, I was able to choose a new experience, and thanks to the people I spent the month with locally, I returned with precious memories.Based on this experience,I''m satisfied because I feel I was able to grow further.
#Changes Before/After My Gap Year
Not being bound to the patterns I had like an obsession,
experiencing the benefits of freedom and spontaneity,
I accepted a new version of myself and gained a broader perspective than before.
#Greece Travel Recommendations
I explored Athens thoroughly. Kalamaki Beach, which I visited by public transportation, is the most memorable, and I also recommend Santorini, which I visited on a day trip by plane.
#My Gap Year Story
During my overseas internship I enjoyed some independent travel in my spare time. The most memorable was watching a street protest during my trip to Athens on May 1st for Labor Day. Also, on International Culture Day all site entrance fees were free, so I was able to visit the Acropolis Museum for free. Having prior information about the local area can make independent travel more enjoyable.
#Thank you, coordinator
working in KoreaI was deeply moved by the sincere words the Korea Gap Year coordinator said to me during my gap year preparations.
Thanks to that, I was able to prepare well for and complete the overseas internship. Thank you.
#My Gap Year Is!
Experience ★★★★★
: I was able to do activities freely.
Learning ★★★★★
: I was able to learn Greek and the local culture, among other things.
Safety ★★★★★
: From the first-day orientation they picked us up to the accommodation, and staff took great care to ensure we could commute safely.
Leisure ★★★★★
: I enjoyed a satisfying leisure time through independent travel.
Environment ★★★★★
: With helpful information like local bus apps, I was able to adapt well to the new environment.
A new challenge, the beginning of growth!
Korea Gap Year accompanies Yoon So-eun on her journey.
So-eun attended Senior Welfare Internship in Athens, Greece
For detailed information and various reviews, Please click below :)
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
