Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#I realized my pace through walking stray dogs #A sense of distance matching with stray dogs #An unforgettable experience that filled my heart
Learning and Letting Go in the Countryside with Animals.
Hello. I am Su-bin Lim, and I volunteered with an animal shelter in Tokushima through Korean Gap Year. During this opportunity, I had a meaningful and joyful time, and I write this story with my heart full of great memories. I volunteered for two weeks at an animal shelter in a small city called Tokushima in the Shikoku region of Japan.
In the past three years, I felt overwhelmed with work and people. So for my one-month sabbatical leave after three years of work, I wanted to clear my body and mind. My goals were to not overthink based on others' comments, to accept my mistakes, to eat small meals regularly, and to go to bed early and awaken early.
Having studied abroad in Japan for six months, I was not scared about staying abroad for a month. I felt optimistic, thinking it’s just a place where people live, but still prepared carefully because it was nearly a month outside my home country. I packed thin outerwear and brought emergency medications based on what I’d learned from the pre-interview about shelter conditions.
Upon arriving, the center staff pick you up at the accommodation, where volunteers of different nationalities live together. If you're going in winter, pack thin outerwear and heat tech! Though I haven't been in summer, I expect the air conditioning won't be much different, so prepare well. The accommodation has everything you need, though it may be a bit hot or cold.
Volunteering starts around 10 a.m. when we take a pickup vehicle to the shelter. The shelter has four floors, and volunteers mainly walk the dogs for 15 to 30 minutes on rural roads. Some dogs may be shy and scared, while others might be aggressive, so it's best to approach slowly.
If any dog needs extra care, the staff will explain in English or Japanese, so no worries there. In the morning, we walk dogs on the first and second floors, then take a lunch break. Since there aren't any stores nearby, it's important to prepare your lunch ahead of time. Be cautious on country roads, especially since it gets dark early.
After a 20-30 minute break, we walk dogs on the third and fourth floors. The dogs on the fourth floor take a path through the mountain. Whenever there’s free time during the walk, we help with shelter tasks like moving food or cleaning. Finishing times vary but usually end around 3-4 p.m. depending on volunteering staff numbers.
We have two days off each week, which allows for sightseeing in Shikoku. I recommend visiting the Naruto area. Watching whirlpools at the Uzunomichi Observatory, trying sea urchin rice bowl, and if time allows, visiting the Otsuka Museum of Art, is a great experience.
Staff managers were wonderful people. When we parted, we smiled and exchanged messengers, encouraging each other to return anytime. The staff enjoyed Korean dramas and enjoyed chatting. They also showed me around Tokushima on my days off, which was a lot of fun. The friends I stayed with were kind and friendly folks of varying ages and nationalities, all united by a love for animals.
I can't say I emptied everything, but I feel like I returned having let go of some things while filling my heart with others. Life in the countryside is quiet with not much to do; I enjoyed the early sunrises and sunsets and stepped away from noisy days. I read many electronic books I brought and caught up on some Netflix shows.
Walking the dogs taught me many things. Dogs have different personalities; some walk slowly while observing, some boldly dash around, and others are quiet but stubborn. The speed of approaching and walking distance varied by dog, similar to relationships with people. If I rush towards them, they retreat. I learned to take time and find a suitable distance to maintain.
In every animal shelter, it's best to not rush in just because a dog looks cute. Take your time and match your pace with theirs while frequently calling their names. This applies to the various volunteer friends you meet as well. While it is hard to say how much changed in just two weeks, I feel like I learned a bit about my own pace.
This experience was a 10/10 for me, truly fulfilling. I promise to return someday. Gap years generally refer to taking time before college to decide what to do, but I had the opposite experience, living each day diligently without overthinking. This break was essential for me during this time.
I also want to express my gratitude to Korean Gap Year for introducing me to such a wonderful program, especially to the person who conducted my pre-interview. Though it was remote, the details they explained during our conversation helped me remember a lot during my stay and were a great help.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
Home
Take a step out of your comfort zone.
Challenge yourself for your own sake.
Feel complete freedom.
Be happy.
