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#Found freedom and happiness #International friends and experience teaching English #True happiness and precious connections
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I was truly happy. I told my older sisters that I was thankful they came to Chiang Rai, Thailand to spend time with me. It could have been just a regular volunteer experience, but they made these precious memories that I’ll cherish forever.
Building a Village in Chiang Rai, Thailand, with Friends from Around the World Dong-hyun Lee, Korea GapYear Participant (20 years old) / 4-week Gap Year Experience |
# Finally took the college entrance exam.. Now what?
During my senior year, I constantly postponed my freedom and happiness. I thought, I can’t live my whole life doing nothing but studying and working on things I don’t enjoy. What if I die tomorrow? I wanted to start doing what I love, right now. I felt so trapped in a society that forced me to study for college exams, and I always wanted to escape somewhere. But in the end, lacking courage, I still took the exam.
'I finally finished the CSAT.. now what?' Even before I finished asking myself that question, I felt it with my whole being. The time had finally come for me to leave.
While browsing various sites, I discovered Korea Gap Year and found an overseas volunteer program in Chiang Rai, Thailand, where I could help renovate villages and support ethnic minorities. It was the "volunteer trip" I had long dreamed of. There was nothing to think twice about. I submitted my experiential learning application to school, and then left for Chiang Rai, Thailand, for a month to gain freedom and happiness.
* For Lee Dong Hyun, who wanted new experiences and career exploration, daily personalized missions were provided to challenge existing beliefs and encourage new experiences and challenges. A Korea GapYear Notebook was also provided for self-reflection and planning.
# Despite our different nationalities, English skills, and values, we lived like family.
For the first two weeks, I spent most of my time with Chen from China and Sarah from Kuwait. If Chen felt like a big sister, Sarah felt like a mother figure. Though we had different nationalities, English skills, and perspectives, we got along like family.
On weekdays, after finishing volunteer work, we would stay up late talking and preparing for the next day's English lessons. On weekends, we reserved a hotel in downtown Chiang Rai and enjoyed massages, the night market, local food, and temple visits. At Elephant Valley, we even fed elephants, and later, we went to a Korean restaurant to enjoy dishes like samgyeopsal, tteokbokki, and kimbap.
They accepted and liked me just as I am. When I spoke in English, they thought my accent and pronunciation were adorable. They praised my teaching skills when I helped the kids with English. If I looked sad, they would ask, "Are you okay, Bruce?" multiple times, and when I was excited, they would laugh and sing with me.
# I was truly happy. Truly.
As much as we spent time together, the time to say goodbye was also approaching. During the weekend of the second week, it was finally time to part. I thought I could say goodbye easily, but when I hugged my older sisters, the tears just came. I tried to hold them back, but once they started, they wouldn't stop. I thought I wouldn't feel any regret because we spent two weeks eating, drinking, and sharing everything together.
I was really happy. Really. I thanked my sisters for coming to Chiang Rai, Thailand, and spending time with me. It could have just been an ordinary volunteer trip, but they turned it into a cherished memory, something I’d miss. Even if we don't meet again, I believe the energy we shared here will give us strength in our everyday lives.
# Spending time with them was so much fun, and it made me really happy.
Talking about the volunteer activities, we did a wide range of things, like repairing village fences, picking coffee beans, teaching English to children, introducing Korean culture to monks, painting banners, and face painting. Outdoor activities (outdoor volunteer work) felt rewarding because the effort we put in was worth it. We had volunteers from various countries, and even though communication was tough, we managed by using gestures. I feel like I learned a lot about teamwork and cooperation through this. Also, I realized that I’m good at making kids laugh and having fun with them. Above all, I discovered how happy it makes me to be with children.
During my free time, I traveled alone to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and spent time with my Thai intern friends. During the third and fourth weeks, I spent most of my time with them. The Thai friends really liked me. We had dinner together every evening, shared stories about Korean culture and language, drew pictures, and prepared for Children's Day together.
With Pei (a Thai intern), I rode a motorbike around the city of Chiang Rai. I met special people with whom I could say "I love you" in Thai without feeling shy, and I had such a fun and happy time with them.
# Thank you for your smile, volunteer spirit, sociability, and everything about you.
A month has passed, which felt both long and short. During these four weeks, many people left their mark here and moved on. Each time, I imagined what it would feel like to wake up somewhere else, and now it was finally my turn to leave. While having breakfast, the NGO manager gave me a small whistle as a gift along with my volunteer certificate. The manager hugged me and said, "Thank you for your smile, volunteer spirit, sociability, and everything about you." I felt like I was going to cry.
It was a volunteer trip that I left for without any particular plan, simply to find my own freedom and happiness. When I was sad, I cried as if the world was about to end, and when I was happy, I laughed as if I owned the world. Instead of unnecessary worries about an uncertain future, I focused on each step I took every day.
As a result, I was able to say with all my heart, "I was truly happy," and I met precious people who will stay in my heart for a long time. I will continue to love Chiang Rai and all the people I met here. Also, rather than worrying about yesterday or the uncertain tomorrow, I will live a life that cherishes today. I want to be a traveler who lives everyday like a trip, and trips like everyday life.
# My Gap Year TIP
- Language
It would be helpful to study simple English conversation books before going.
- Accommodation
I participated in December-January, and it gets really cold at night, so it’s a good idea to bring warm clothes.
- Meal
I don’t want to create unnecessary preconceived notions by giving advice before experiencing something. I was satisfied with the meal.
- Supplies
Mosquito repellent (convenient)
My Gap Year
Experience ★★★★★
Learning ★★★★★
Environment ★★★★★
Safety ★★★★★
Leisure ★★★★☆
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
