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#A Positive Experience That Encourages Taking on Challenges #Unlimited Hands-on Practice Opportunities #The Value of Taking on Challenges
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# Reason for taking a gap year
Hello :)I am Ji-hyang Lee, a fourth-year nursing student.During the period I took a leave after finishing the first semester of my fourth yearI happened to learn about a gap year project volunteer activity''A project treating children that anyone can participate inI participated in the Phnom Penh, Cambodia medical volunteer activity.''
The reason I chose the gap year project wasthat it was closely connected to why I dreamed of becoming a nurse.I saw medical personnel working in remote areasand I dreamed of becoming a nurse,the desire to become a medical professional who volunteers overseasI chose this project to take one step closer to my dream.
# Volunteering abroad alone, prepare together
Because Cambodia generally has fewer tourists compared to neighboring countries like Vietnam and Thailand, my parents were very worried about me going alone. I also had various concerns, such as about safety and about the language and culture. However, because it was an activity I had longed for,Rather than hesitating because of worries, my desire to challenge myself was stronger, allowing me to overcome my concerns.When preparing before departure, I felt overwhelmed because I had no experience living abroad long-term, but by following the steps on the checklist provided by the gap year project one by one, I was able to finish preparations without difficulty.
#My goal was to enjoy the gap year.
Rather than thinking I had to achieve something, I believed the significance lay in enjoying gap year activities, experiencing communication with various people, and immersing myself in the local environment. Therefore, my goal in the gap year was to fully experience and enjoy a variety of environments.
#Direct guidance from medical staff & unrestricted practical opportunities
What I liked about joining the gap year project wasthat I could perform activities I couldn''t experience during clinical practice in Korean hospitals.In Korea, doctors'' and nurses'' duties are clearly separated and nursing students have limits in actively assisting nurses'' work, but in Cambodiaif you show eagerness to do something, the medical staff would personally explain and let me carry it out, which I particularly appreciated.
#Warm and friendly interactions with medical staff
As you can feel when taking part in the project, I found that the nurses and doctors on the ward are quite earnest about sharing Cambodian food and culture.After work we would have local dinners with the nurses or they would enthusiastically introduce Cambodian attractions; thanks to these warm medical staff, I was able to get closer to Cambodian culture.
#You can challenge it even without experience!
Free travel on weekends!
On weekends, I highly recommend traveling to other regions or even other countries.The memories of traveling with fellow volunteers over the weekends remain my most enjoyable moments in Cambodia, so I hope participants in the project also get to have such enjoyable experiences.
Even if you have little or no practical experience, I hope you''ll give it a try.I may not be good at it but I want to try,If you say, ''I''ve never done it but I''ll follow if taught,'' the medical staff will gladly give you the opportunity to perform procedures, so be sure to give it a try.
Because there are insects in Cambodia, it''s good to bring insect repellent, mosquito spray, ant traps, and insecticides. Note that insect products can also be purchased cheaply locally. For laundry, it''s better to use coin laundries rather than the laundry services near the accommodation, and you should buy the detergent needed for the coin laundry separately.
#It helped change my life. I felt the value of challenge.
Life change 8 out of 10! In a new environmentI came to feel the value of taking on challengesand,I think it helped because it became a positive experience that will allow me to bravely take on things in the future.
Feeling the value of challenge seems to be the biggest difference. Even before participating in the gap year project I had a desire for challenges, but I hesitated to break my current stability. By joining the gap year project I was placed in a completely unfamiliar situation, but,all attempts were enjoyable, and I think I will show a willingness to undertake new attempts when needed.
#Recommended Cambodia travel route
1. Siem Reap - Angkor Wat: Probably every volunteer participating in the project will visit at least once, but I recommend it as the best place I visited in Cambodia. (Itinerary: take a sleeping bus to Siem Reap - sunset temple tour - rest at hotel - Pub Street)
2. Phnom Penh - Korean barbecue restaurants, karaoke: If you miss Korea, visit the Korean-style all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant located in Phnom Penh, and then go to the karaoke within a 10-minute walk—you''ll feel better right away. Highly recommended.
3. Phnom Penh - Russian Market: The Russian Market turns into a night market selling all kinds of grilled foods at night. If you like skewers or barbecue, I recommend visiting.
#A gap year taken on a whim, a time of growth
I actually set out without a specific goalI left on a gap year without any plan.Rather than thinking ''I''m going to see something specific,'' I thought, ''Maybe I can come back having seen anything?'' Starting with a goal would be ideal, but from my experience, even without a goal...I think the act of setting off itself had meaning.
Because whatever you do becomes an experience and whatever you see becomes a memory,even if you have no plans or the direction is unclear,the experiences during that time, the people you met, the emotions you felt then—all of themmade me a little more resilient and broader-minded.Looking back, my...gap year seems to have been a precious time that led me toward growth.
#Thank you. To the gap year coordinator
You helped me prepare for departure very carefully; not only did you explain general local living matters and check the items I needed to bring,but thank you for helping me find the meaning of the activities :)
#My gap year was!
Experience ★★★★★
: I was able to have many valuable experiences that are hard to experience in Korea.
Learning ★★★★★
: I was able to hear explanations from the medical staff about theory and procedures, and I learned a lot from that.
Safety ★★★★
: I didn''t feel that public safety was poor, but be careful—lane encroachment and wrong-way driving on the roads occur occasionally.
Leisure★★★★★
: Because hospital working hours were flexible, I had plenty of time to enjoy leisure.
A new challenge, the beginning of growth!
Korea Gap Year accompanies Lee Ji-hyang on her journey.
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# Reason for taking a gap year
Hello :)I am Ji-hyang Lee, a fourth-year nursing student.During the period I took a leave after finishing the first semester of my fourth yearI happened to learn about a gap year project volunteer activity''A project treating children that anyone can participate inI participated in the Phnom Penh, Cambodia medical volunteer activity.''
The reason I chose the gap year project wasthat it was closely connected to why I dreamed of becoming a nurse.I saw medical personnel working in remote areasand I dreamed of becoming a nurse,the desire to become a medical professional who volunteers overseasI chose this project to take one step closer to my dream.
# Volunteering abroad alone, prepare together
Because Cambodia generally has fewer tourists compared to neighboring countries like Vietnam and Thailand, my parents were very worried about me going alone. I also had various concerns, such as about safety and about the language and culture. However, because it was an activity I had longed for,Rather than hesitating because of worries, my desire to challenge myself was stronger, allowing me to overcome my concerns.When preparing before departure, I felt overwhelmed because I had no experience living abroad long-term, but by following the steps on the checklist provided by the gap year project one by one, I was able to finish preparations without difficulty.
#My goal was to enjoy the gap year.
Rather than thinking I had to achieve something, I believed the significance lay in enjoying gap year activities, experiencing communication with various people, and immersing myself in the local environment. Therefore, my goal in the gap year was to fully experience and enjoy a variety of environments.
#Direct guidance from medical staff & unrestricted practical opportunities
What I liked about joining the gap year project wasthat I could perform activities I couldn''t experience during clinical practice in Korean hospitals.In Korea, doctors'' and nurses'' duties are clearly separated and nursing students have limits in actively assisting nurses'' work, but in Cambodiaif you show eagerness to do something, the medical staff would personally explain and let me carry it out, which I particularly appreciated.
#Warm and friendly interactions with medical staff
As you can feel when taking part in the project, I found that the nurses and doctors on the ward are quite earnest about sharing Cambodian food and culture.After work we would have local dinners with the nurses or they would enthusiastically introduce Cambodian attractions; thanks to these warm medical staff, I was able to get closer to Cambodian culture.
#You can challenge it even without experience!
Free travel on weekends!
On weekends, I highly recommend traveling to other regions or even other countries.The memories of traveling with fellow volunteers over the weekends remain my most enjoyable moments in Cambodia, so I hope participants in the project also get to have such enjoyable experiences.
Even if you have little or no practical experience, I hope you''ll give it a try.I may not be good at it but I want to try,If you say, ''I''ve never done it but I''ll follow if taught,'' the medical staff will gladly give you the opportunity to perform procedures, so be sure to give it a try.
Because there are insects in Cambodia, it''s good to bring insect repellent, mosquito spray, ant traps, and insecticides. Note that insect products can also be purchased cheaply locally. For laundry, it''s better to use coin laundries rather than the laundry services near the accommodation, and you should buy the detergent needed for the coin laundry separately.
#It helped change my life. I felt the value of challenge.
Life change 8 out of 10! In a new environmentI came to feel the value of taking on challengesand,I think it helped because it became a positive experience that will allow me to bravely take on things in the future.
Feeling the value of challenge seems to be the biggest difference. Even before participating in the gap year project I had a desire for challenges, but I hesitated to break my current stability. By joining the gap year project I was placed in a completely unfamiliar situation, but,all attempts were enjoyable, and I think I will show a willingness to undertake new attempts when needed.
#Recommended Cambodia travel route
1. Siem Reap - Angkor Wat: Probably every volunteer participating in the project will visit at least once, but I recommend it as the best place I visited in Cambodia. (Itinerary: take a sleeping bus to Siem Reap - sunset temple tour - rest at hotel - Pub Street)
2. Phnom Penh - Korean barbecue restaurants, karaoke: If you miss Korea, visit the Korean-style all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant located in Phnom Penh, and then go to the karaoke within a 10-minute walk—you''ll feel better right away. Highly recommended.
3. Phnom Penh - Russian Market: The Russian Market turns into a night market selling all kinds of grilled foods at night. If you like skewers or barbecue, I recommend visiting.
#A gap year taken on a whim, a time of growth
I actually set out without a specific goalI left on a gap year without any plan.Rather than thinking ''I''m going to see something specific,'' I thought, ''Maybe I can come back having seen anything?'' Starting with a goal would be ideal, but from my experience, even without a goal...I think the act of setting off itself had meaning.
Because whatever you do becomes an experience and whatever you see becomes a memory,even if you have no plans or the direction is unclear,the experiences during that time, the people you met, the emotions you felt then—all of themmade me a little more resilient and broader-minded.Looking back, my...gap year seems to have been a precious time that led me toward growth.
#Thank you. To the gap year coordinator
You helped me prepare for departure very carefully; not only did you explain general local living matters and check the items I needed to bring,but thank you for helping me find the meaning of the activities :)
#My gap year was!
Experience ★★★★★
: I was able to have many valuable experiences that are hard to experience in Korea.
Learning ★★★★★
: I was able to hear explanations from the medical staff about theory and procedures, and I learned a lot from that.
Safety ★★★★
: I didn''t feel that public safety was poor, but be careful—lane encroachment and wrong-way driving on the roads occur occasionally.
Leisure★★★★★
: Because hospital working hours were flexible, I had plenty of time to enjoy leisure.
A new challenge, the beginning of growth!
Korea Gap Year accompanies Lee Ji-hyang on her journey.
What makes this project special
