It was a time when I could think a lot about myself and reflect. Before coming to Jeju Island I was negative, closed off, and had many worries, but those were largely resolved and I became more positive and brighter. - Jeju Island, I want to live there :: Jeju City, the heart of Jeju!/8-week gap year |
- Gap-iProgram:Jeju Island, I want to live there :: Jeju City, the heart of Jeju!
- Participation period:March 2, 2014 ~ April 27, 2014
- Accommodation:Guesthouse
- Type of lodging:Separated by gender
- Meals:Self-catering
- My personal advice about meals:Even if you usually can''t cook, it was a good opportunity to come and try various things.
- Items I was inconvenienced by not having:Hat (the sunlight in Jeju is strong),Driver''s license (Jeju is much larger than we thought, so there are limits to getting around by bus and public transport wasn''t good)
- Items that were convenient to have:Sunglasses,Light jacket (even if the weather had warmed up a lot, Jeju''s sea breeze was strong)
- Memorable things:Not only being able to leisurely enjoy Jeju''s food, scenery, and sights, but also being able to talk with people I met as guests at the guesthouse and travel with them, creating new connections — I think that was the greatest advantage.
- People I met through the gap year program:At the guesthouse, you can meet new travelers every day. We traveled together and spent time sharing various stories. Meeting many people and making precious memories — if I hadn''t been guesthouse staff I don''t think I could have had these experiences and memories anywhere else.
- What advice would you give to participants who will join the gap year program?
Although they came to Jeju to work at guesthouses, there are people who do the work too carelessly because it''s unpaid. I hope they understand guesthouses better and go with a sense of responsibility. Also, many people treat Jeju as an escape from reality and come without thinking; I hope they make travel plans for Jeju and come so it becomes a springboard that gives them good memories and positive change. There were many people who came without plans and just returned home.
- If you compare before and after participating in the gap year program?
It was a time when I could think a lot about myself and reflect. Before coming to Jeju I was negative, closed-off, and had many worries, but those were largely resolved and I became more positive and brighter.
- A story about my own travel route during my gap year
There are many ways to travel Jeju Island. First, if you want to walk Jeju slowly and spend time thinking, I recommend the Olle Trails. The Olle Trails require more physical exertion than you might expect and are often sparsely populated, so it''s best to head out early in the morning. Traveling by bicycle is also a way to enjoy Jeju. The coastal roads have bike lanes as well as car lanes, so it''s safe to ride a bicycle.
Many tourist attractions on Jeju have bus stops, so you can take the bus, but for places like oreums (volcanic cones) or forest paths where buses are infrequent and stops are far away, it''s better to go by car. If a car feels burdensome, renting a scooter is another option. It''s best to reserve and rent bicycles, cars, or scooters in advance at the airport because the prices and systems are convenient. Bicycles use a delivery system, so you don''t have to return them to the pickup location—you can return them to another designated spot, which is convenient.
- My gap year story in Jeju
I applied to the gap year ''Living in Jeju'' program, bought a plane ticket, and went down to Jeju without a plan. Rather than excitement about a new life in a new place, I felt more like escaping reality and wanted to forget heavy, difficult things. I loved Jeju and intended to sort out my complicated feelings. When I arrived at the guesthouse, I learned the work done there for three days starting the next day.
Roughly, the tasks can be summarized as follows.At 7 a.m.Wake up, turn on the lights, play music, and organize the list of guests who are booked for the day.From 8 a.m.Prepare and tidy up breakfast, and replenish any missing supplies.At 11 a.m. Assist guests with check-out, and after check-out is finished, clean the rooms.From 3 p.m.Help guests with check-in: hand out keys, explain how to use the guesthouse, and attend to guests'' requests.10 p.m.Until check-in ends, you can read a book, watch a movie, or have personal time. Take calls to help with reservations and check online bookings. When check-in is over,At 11 p.m.Turn off the lights.
There is a café on the first floor of the guesthouse where many guests make travel plans and hang out together. The charm unique to guesthouses seems to be that you can approach and talk easily with people you''ve never met and socialize. With guests who share your vibe you can travel together and speak honestly about your feelings. Even though they are strangers, there is the advantage of being able to tell things you might not have told people you''ve known a long time.
During the two months I stayed in Jeju I visited many places, but there were still many places I hadn''t been to and many I wanted to see, so I felt a lot of regret when leaving. The more I traveled, the more I discovered new places in Jeju and the more great spots I learned about. The two months living in Jeju and the time I spent at the guesthouse were an irreplaceable, invaluable experience and memories, and a place that made me reflect a lot. When I return, I want to recommend to many people that they spend time as staff at a guesthouse.
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