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#Gained confidence in my dream; learned how to approach people #Gained an appreciation for the charm of guesthouses and other valuable things #It was a meaningful time and I felt grateful
The purpose of applying for a gap year was to have time to think deeply and reflect on myself and my dreams without being disturbed by anyone.
- Haeundae! Gap Year Stay, the place of youth! / Kim Yeseol, gap-year member (''gapper'') / 8 weeks of gap year |
"Right there I am"
My gap year life in Busan can be divided into July and August.
In the first month, July, I visited many tourist sites in Busan. The first place I went to in Busan was Haeundae Beach.
It was strange and amusing to think that I was at a place that always makes the news for its crowds in summer.While going to Haeundae Beach, I also visited Dongbaek Island''s Nurimaru. That place has become my favorite spot in Busan. The island itself is so beautiful, and I loved being able to take a leisurely walk and look at the sea.
Haeundaeas I went toGwangalli BeachI also visited Centum City where BEXCO is and the area with many department stores. And I went to Busan''s famous scenic spot,TaejongdaeI ended up going there. It was truly the magnificent view I had heard about. The cliff faces lined up were majestic, and the sound of the waves crashing violently made me feel calm.
Next,Haedong Yonggungsa TempleI went there and the breeze was so refreshing that I sat there, tossed a coin into the statue that grants wishes, and made a wish. At the nearbySongdo BeachI went and sat there all day, andNampo-dongI also wandered around a lot. Since places like Jagalchi Market, Beef Street, Gwangbok-dong Fashion Street, Gukje Market, Ggangtong Night Market, Jokbal Street, Bosudong Book Alley, and Yongdusan Park were gathered close by, I often went to see them.
July involved a lot of sightseeing, but I also spent a lot of time alone, which gave me time to think a great deal. The original purpose of applying for a gap year wasmyself andtime to think deeply and reflect on my dreams without being disturbed by anyone.It was. And to mention a few somewhat special experiences: a singer I had been a fan of for six years happened to come to Haeundae, so I saw the singer for the first time, and one day I traveled to Namhae. The main attractions in Namhae are the German Village, Sangju Silver Sand Beach, and Daraengi Village; since it was my first time, I found it very fascinating and enjoyable.
August was a month when I became much more accustomed to the guesthouse and the staff, and I felt many of the characteristics of the guesthouse. Since many of the thoughts I had in July had reached some conclusions, I wasn''t in a hurry, and I really felt the charm of a guesthouse where many people of different nationalities and regions gather and meet.
A prime example of that is the chimaek (chicken and beer) party held every Friday. I was originally shy, but after experiencing about seven parties I learned how to approach people first. And I think listening to the stories of people who have lived differently in different places was very helpful to my life.
And actually, it''s hard to say that I got along with the staff I lived with from the very beginning. Naturally, I think it would be stranger if you immediately matched perfectly with people you''ve just met. The parts that felt incompatible at first were gradually adjusted between us, and the effort we each made made gap-year life more enjoyable.
""There are two things I gained from doing the gap year."
The first isCertainty about my dream.And the second ishow to approach peopleis.
I think this is also what many college students hope for these days. In fact, I applied for the gap year on impulse, so I wasn''t sure until the day before. I worried whether I had done this activity for nothing, whether I could do it well, and whether it might actually be better to work a part-time job during this time.
ButHowever, now that I have completed the gap year and look back, I wonder how I would have obtained those precious things if I hadn''t taken the gap year. Through the gap year in Busan, I was able to gain things that aren''t easily obtained by doing other things.
One regret is that I didn''t make a clear plan before going. Of course, you receive help from Korea Gap Year through orientation, but there were many times during the gap year when things fell apart. If it''s difficult to plan very meticulously, I think you should at least make the effort yourself to look up where to go, what to eat, and what other activities you might try.
In fact, when you have a gap year, you surprisingly end up living a more regular life and having a lot of free time. Of course, it''s good to have time to think, but since you''re going to a new place anyway, I think it''s also good to make sure you thoroughly see the place. Another regret is that I didn''t leave many records. In my case, I was really unlucky: when I went to Taejongdae my phone broke, so I couldn''t capture that breathtaking scenery. To avoid such mishaps, it''s important to prepare in advance.
During the two months of my gap year, I gained a lot and realized many things. It was a truly meaningful and grateful time. If you''re a college student or someone who is currently struggling, I think trying an activity like a gap year at least once will have a very positive effect on shaping your life. It''s a year in which I gained many things in Busan.
