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#1% courage, overcoming fear #Precious connections; the importance of relationships #The realization that life is an endless series of encounters
It seems that life is a continuous series of encounters. Also, since one cannot live alone without meeting people, relationships between people are important. Meeting many guests and travelers reminded me of people I had known before. I wondered whether I might have been neglectful of my precious relationships. This program gave me an opportunity to rethink relationships between people, and I gained precious connections.
- Italy, Florence — I want to live there / Lee Hye-ryeon, gap-year-er, gapper / 8-week gap year |
My personal gap year story spent in Florence
The first time is difficult, but the second and third times seem very easy. Someone might laugh if they heard this, but on the day I was leaving for Italy, at Incheon Airport where I was supposed to board the plane, I wanted to go home within 30 minutes. It hadn’t even been a day since I left home. Because I had never done it before, I didn’t know what to do; looking back now it was actually quite easy, and I wonder why I didn’t just ask someone nearby. At first I didn’t even know how to buy bus or train tickets, so I was scared and trembled with anxiety thinking, “Is this the right train?” I was also frightened when I took a wrong turn, but I pulled myself together and slowly found my way back.
After doing it a few times I thought, “It''s no big deal!” and I forgot my fears.“I can handle this!”I think I spent the two months with that mindset.1%I feel that I can now do things I couldn''t before because I was missing that 1% of courage.
I met people working hard in various fields — researchers, bank clerks, dentists, nurses, traveling university students, writers, accountants, and an older sister who studied abroad, among others. Although the meetings were brief, I will not forget the good stories they shared during that time. I am also grateful to the hostess-unnie who gave me lots of advice and life stories. She helped me understand what kind of person I am and took care of me like family for two months.
Life is an endless series of encounters.It seems so. Also, since one cannot live alone without meeting people, relationships between people are important. Meeting many guests and travelers reminded me of people I had known before. I wondered whether I might have been neglectful of my precious relationships. This program gave me an opportunity to rethink relationships between people, and I gained precious connections.
Because I tend to worry a lot, I try to look things up and prepare in advance, but during this program I wandered around about half the time without a plan. I went to places others hadn’t been and walked without a map, traveling with only a little information. Of course I got lost a lot and worried, butI realized that this kind of travel is better.There were many good places besides the popular spots people go to, and I liked the pictures painted in the small alleys. People say it’s better to know a lot before you go, but I think knowing just a little and going where your heart leads is a good way too.
Next to the leather marketMedici Riccardi PalaceWhen I went there and saw the garden inside, I thought, “Was there such a place?”Palazzo VecchioWhen I climbed the tower, I was amazed at how beautifully the Duomo and the bell tower were visible,Michelangelo HillFrom there, if you go a little further up to the right to the San Miniato al Monte Church, you can see a different panorama of Florence. And sometimes it was nice to sit in a park or a square and write in my journal or listen to music.a reasonableplan and a somewhat free mindI learned that having them makes the trip more enjoyable.
Q. How did you apply for the gap year program?
In February this year, I graduated and left my status as a student behind. What should I do from now on? Where should I find a job?... I was very stressed and felt at a loss. While working on a contract for about five months, I failed an interview at a company I had applied to. Maybe because there weren''t many working days left, thinking about what I would do with my life made me feel even emptier and more afraid. Looking back on the past year when I focused only on getting a job,I wanted to try it, butI hadn’t been able to.I thought I should go abroad even if it had to be right now. I applied to a gap year program I had wanted to do for a long time because I wanted to experience a new place, rest, and think more about what I want to do.
Q. What did you realize through the gap year program?
'' Encounters'' to reflect again on the word.
What I realized through this gap year program was the importance of encounters.
Encounters, I came to rethink their preciousness. Had I not participated in this program, I would have met people I would never have met in my life, and they became valuable connections. Many people shared various good stories, advice, and guidance. From a variety of people I was prompted to reconsider things I hadn’t known before, and we exchanged thoughts. During the two months I thought a lot about people I had known previously and wondered whether I had been neglectful of those important relationships.
'' The world is vast''
where I live Is there such a place on the opposite side of the globe?There really are so many different kinds of people in the world!
This is what I felt during the gap year program. The stories about China’s population that I had only heard on the news hit home when I came to Europe, and I realized that places like this exist on the other side of the world from where I live. Seeing such a vast world made me feel that I should live with a broader mindset going forward.
Q. Were there any people you met or spent time with through the gap year program?
I remember meeting a college student when I went to Burano Island during the holiday. Hearing that they had taken a leave of absence to travel the world, I thought it was impressive. I wondered why I didn’t have that kind of courage when I was a university student. Listening to that person’s thoughts and stories, I learned and felt things I hadn’t considered. Also, the time spent with guests I met while working as staff and an international student sister who designs shoes are memories I won’t forget. We keep in touch occasionally; I’m grateful and I miss those times.
Q. How would you compare yourself before and after participating in the gap year program?
who had been withdrawn myselfconfidenceinto a more confident meto becomethat I became.
I feel like I can do anything. I used to care a lot about other people’s opinions, but after participating in the program I realized that isn’t a priority. Also, I tended to act slowly, but I became a bit faster; I try to think positively, and I speak in ways that don’t make the other person feel bad.
Q. Please tell us about your personal travel route during your gap year (recommended places, itinerary, route).
Assisi, Pisa, Arezzo, Verona, Cinque Terre, Genoa, Perugia, Siena, etc. — places you can visit in about a day each.Day tripsI recommend them. If you take your time to explore these small but charming places, you''ll discover new things you hadn''t noticed before.
Q. Do you have any memorable experiences from the gap year program?
When I went to a tabacchi (tobacco shop) that sold black-and-white postcards, the owner asked if I was Chinese. I said no, I''m Korean. He said, "Oh, Seoul!" but I answered, "Gwangju." He could have just accepted "Seoul"—after all, he wouldn''t know Gwangju. After I said Gwangju, there was an awkward silence. The man finished wrapping the postcard and greeted me with "Ciao." Another time I went back to buy a postcard, and he remembered me and smiled.
On the day I visited Assisi, I fell while walking down from the Basilica of St. Francis. Of all days, I was wearing ripped jeans so my wound was exposed. Everyone passing by stared at my knee. At the train station on the way back, an old man looked at my knee, pretended to trip, and laughed. I fell, got lost, and it was a really tough day.
On the evening of the second day of a trip to Venice during my time off from working as staff at the accommodation, I happened to run into someone who had stayed there. Later I found out they were staying at the same place, in the same room. It was really surprising and delightful. I don''t know how they''re doing now, but that was a really nice night.
A younger person I met on Burano Island came to Florence and we met again. In the evening we went to drink wine, and because they liked meat they asked the staff if there were any meat dishes...The staff said there weren''t any and recommended a menu item, and it turned out to be yukhoe (raw beef). I never imagined I''d eat yukhoe in Italy. It was a special experience.
Two months felt both short and long. I''m glad and proud that I spent that part of my youth—one that won''t come back—well. I think I''ll sometimes remember those dreamlike times. I definitely want to go again later. Next time, not alone but with the people I love!!
Packing list
Items I was missing:Warm clothes
Items that were useful to have:Laptop, cellphone
My personal tips for packing!
Bring a moderate amount of clothes and make sure to check the season; I recommend bringing at least one warm item. Also, it''s good to pack a book or two to read in your free time.
