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#Realized the importance of people #Motivation to venture into the wider world #That the world is vast and there is much to see
Being able to meet people of such a wide range of ages was also one good experienceI think it was. Through people my age I gained empathy and fun, while through those older than me I gained a new perspective from their life experiences and the advice that comes from them.
- France, Paris — I want to live there / Hong Seung-o, Gapyear tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
When I first started my gap year I was inwardly very worried. Maybe it was because it was my first time working as guesthouse staff an undefined fearthat I suppose. But thanks to the owner and the staff''s help during the first week I adapted more quickly than I thought and from the very next week I was able to do staff duties without awkwardness.
July and August — the peak season — so many guests visited every day and it was a continuous busy life. But since most were my peers or students younger than me traveling during their vacation interestsand concernswere similar, so the guesthouse was always overflowing with fun. I still keep in touch with the people I became close with here, continuing our connections in Korea. This is probably a charm unique to guesthouses.
Outside of working hours it was entirely my time, so I spent the first month very leisurely. Since July was hot and full of tourists, rather than going out I would sit in the shade to read or nap, go to the park lawn to write letters and play catch, and enjoy the leisure.
In the evenings I talked about travels with guests, gained travel information, and shared where is tasty and where is good. Especially, unlike other guesthouses, the one I worked at served wineto guests at night, so evenings were always awash with guests'' enjoyment. Because of that everyone became close without barriers. Unlike in regular society, being able to become close with someone for who they are was really great.
On weekendsI mostly visited flea markets that open in the morning. Flea markets are exactly where you can feel French culture properly. All sorts of items pour out, and I would get excited thinking each item must hide its own story.
Sometimes on holidays, thanks to the owner''s consideration, I visited Mont Saint-Michel, Étretat, Loire castles, and so saw the charms of other regions of France, not just Paris. Especially at Mont Saint-Michel I was spellbound again and again by its grandeur and majesty.
After September passed, more and more people my age or older, who were seniors in society, began to come. Being able to meet people of many different ages was also one good experienceI think it was. Through people my age I gained empathy and fun, while through those older than me I gained new perspectives from their life experiences and the advice that comes from them. Especially meeting a department head from a large company was a very special experience for me. Through him I could hear what companies want from their perspective.
When I finished my gap year I realized I had unconsciously become immersed in life in Paris. This must be what it means to be completely absorbed. Literally, time passed without me noticing and when I suddenly looked back it was already over. I think it felt that way because I had devoted myself to the gap year. At least I have no regrets, so I think it was quite a successful gap year. I hope I can use what I learned through the gap year as the driving force for the days ahead driving forceI hope I can make it into one.
Q.What did you like about the gap year program you participated in?
The best thing was, of course The world is truly vast.I can say that I experienced it firsthand.
There was so much to see beyond staying only in Korea, and there were many beautiful and kind people. The majestic landscapes I saw for the first time in my life, and the people who—despite differences in race and culture—feel and think about the hardships of life in modern society in the same way, all of that was really enjoyable and meaningful time for me.
Working as a guesthouse staff, I came to know many people and many professions that I wouldn''t have known if I hadn''t taken the gap year. If I had stayed only in my country, I would have just followed what others did, but during the eight weeks I was able to think a lot for myself about "What should I live for to make myself happy?"
This gap year, like starting an engine, gave me a lot ofmotivationand served as an impetus.
Q. A story about a memorable person I met during the gap year
The people I spent the most time with during the gap year were, as expected, the fellow staff, the owner, an aunt (auntie), and the neighboring family. Because of these precious people who took care of me like family in a foreign country where I had no connections, I was able to finish the gap year in a truly fun and meaningful way.
Q. My own tips for future participants!
First, you must remember that the guesthouse participating in the program is not a charity. It''s not a guesthouse created for the program, but a place that pursues profit, and you go to work there in exchange for room and board.
If you apply and get accepted simply because you''re romanticizing the program''s title and want to live there, you''ll feel a sense of dissonance when you actually start working.
In my case I was more interested in how a guesthouse is actually run than in the romance of Paris, so I was able to have a more rewarding and enjoyable gap year. If you think simply living in Paris for a few months would be fun, I would rather recommend traveling long-term.
And regarding travel after the gap year, it''s not too late to plan it while participating in the program, so you don''t have to book everything in advance. Since travel within Europe doesn''t have huge differences in airfare anyway, booking early may cause you to miss out on great places you learn about during the gap year, cheaper options, or good travel companions.
Korea GapYearⓒKorea GapYear
Q.If you compare before and after participating in the gap year program?
The biggest change was realizing the value of people. In fact, I had often been lazy and indifferent and let go of precious relationships that had been given to me. I used to think that was no big deal. But through the gap year, meeting so many people and meeting good people changed that thinking.
I learned that if you pay a little more attention to the people around you and are a bitmore considerate, you can live a much more valuable life.
Also, I was able to confirm once again that you don''t have to live like others to be happy. On the contrary, in more developed countries there are truly countless ways of life. Through their lives I saw that being different from others is not strange or something to be anxious about, but that you must be different for it to be your own life.
Q.Please tell us about a place of your own that you discovered during the gap year.
It depends on the person, but I recommend seeing one or two countries properly rather than forcing yourself to see many. In my case, it took me more than a month just to explore the city of Paris. During the gap year, rather than rushing to other regions, I recommend first thoroughly exploring Paris down to every corner. After that I went to London and Manchester and spent eight days seeing them thoroughly. Even London is a city that''s regrettable to see in just two or three days. And if you go to Croatia, I also recommend renting a car and driving around.
Language
English level before participatingEveryday conversation: OK
At the time of participationNo problem
My personal tip about the language
In France, many people speak less English than you might expect, so there’s no need to worry in advance. However, knowing a few basic travel phrases can be useful.
Meals
My personal tip about meals
For breakfast and dinner, the meals prepared by the host are so good that you won’t feel envious of Korea, so don’t worry.
What to bring
Items I was glad I didn’t bring:I’m really glad I didn’t bring a travel guidebook.
Items that were useful to have:A laptop is useful to bring in many ways. If you have an iPad, I strongly recommend bringing it.
My personal tip about what to bring
It’s better to leave half your suitcase empty, because the city has so many things you’ll want to bring back.
Bring only two or three outfits and buy more locally if needed — there are more choices and it’s cheaper.
