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#Overcoming the fear of new environments by communicating first #Confidence in English communication and understanding of culture #A special time where service and travel blended together
Medical volunteering, a valuable experience beyond just help
Hello :) I am Hong Ah-rin, a nursing student who participated in a medical volunteer project in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. I learned about this project through a recommendation from a fellow student at the same school, and I chose to participate after watching the explanation and videos of the Korean gap year program. I wanted to step out of the familiar environment I could only experience in Korea, meet various people, and expand my world by experiencing new languages and cultures. My gap year goal was to grow by having new experiences in an unfamiliar environment.
Through overseas medical volunteering, I specifically wanted to engage in meaningful activities that are hard to experience in Korea. Before leaving, I studied a few essential Vietnamese words. I wasn't worried about staying for a long time, but at first, I was concerned about whether I could adapt well to the unfamiliar environment and various people.
In Vietnam, I woke up early, had breakfast, and went to the hospital to volunteer. During lunchtime, I returned to the accommodation for a meal and a short rest, and then I continued volunteering at the hospital. While volunteering, I was able to naturally adapt to the new environment by spending time with people from different countries and meeting individuals from various races and cultures.
I had friends who volunteered with me, a Korean friend I met at the airport, and friends I got close with while sharing the same accommodation. I also met friends through volunteering at the hospital. Meeting different people and having conversations was enjoyable, and it felt great to do medical volunteer work that is hard to experience in Korea. It was a friendly and learning environment.
During this process, my burden of speaking in English decreased, and I gained confidence in communicating in English. My fear of engaging with diverse people I met for the first time diminished. In an unfamiliar environment, being able to approach and communicate with others was my biggest change. It was a learning experience that brought me closer to my dream by learning about various languages and cultures.
Another reason why my gap year was special is that I made the most out of my time even after the volunteer work ended. After each day's volunteering, instead of resting at my accommodation, I explored different parts of Vietnam. I rode a motorbike around the neighborhood, went on bus tours, and visited famous landmarks. I tasted local fruits and food while experiencing the daily lives and culture of the Vietnamese people up close.
The most memorable thing was that while combining volunteering and travel, I could directly feel the atmosphere of the country and the daily lives of the people rather than just visiting tourist attractions. One day, I helped someone as a volunteer, and in the remaining hours, I experienced a new world as a traveler, which was very special to me. Enjoying Vietnam after volunteering was even more meaningful because I had the opportunity to experience not only the volunteer work but also local food, culture, and various places firsthand. I recommend using travel apps like 'Klook' to make reservations ahead for places you'd like to visit.
Every moment I stepped away from the world I only saw in Korea to see, feel, and experience will surely stay in my memory for a long time. This project deserves 100 points for changing my life! It was a valuable experience that is hard to find in Korea and offered a great opportunity to broaden my horizons. Thanks to the gap year staff, I could stay safe.
For future participants, I recommend approaching other volunteers and starting conversations. Thank you for speaking to me in Korean sometimes and for your kindness and helpfulness throughout my volunteering🥹🥹
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