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#Overcame shyness and broke down the barriers I had toward others #Developed the ability to communicate with diverse people and gained empathy #It was an experience I absolutely needed in my life
As time passed, the topics of conversation—both public and private—grew one by one, and as I listened first to the other person''s worries and stories, the once-solid wall gradually came down. During the two-month gap year, the best thing I can say is that I met many different people. I was able to mingle, communicate, and empathize with people from various occupations and age groups, and could, even indirectly, experience their lives.
- Paris, France, gap year stay / Jang Su-hee, gap-year traveler (gapper) / 8-week gap year |
20 years old, I didn''t immediately go straight to university ''as a matter of course'' like my friends.
I thought I wasn''t going because I had my own thoughts and convictions. But as time passed, I had more worries and concerns, and I began to think, ''Is it right to make this choice for the sole reason that I like it? Is that one reason desperate enough to be enough?''I felt like I was drifting alone on a vast ocean..
In the meantime I learned about the gap year program, and for the first time I made a decision on my own, filled out the application by myself, and felt proud thinking that I was going to walk forward by my own strength.After receiving the acceptance news, there was little time to prepare.So I packed without planning a travel route or how to spend my time here and flew to Paris. Although it was a long flight, I slept soundly the whole way to France, so I didn''t have trouble adjusting to the time difference.
Actually, even before starting the gap year stay, my shyness was my biggest concern. For two months here I would always have to be among people, and I spent days worrying whether I would be a burden or whether I would be left out. But contrary to my worries, I adapted quickly in Paris; the staff sisters welcomed me, and the aunt looked after me, a stranger, like a niece. Above all, the owner''s consideration made life here comfortable.
Even my shynesschanged.
At first I tried to behave only formally toward everyone. Even as staff I only showed basic kindness,and I didn''t become close with the customers. I was shy, but I also disliked shallow and wide social relationships. When I saw people who easily made friends and were extroverted, I sometimes thought they looked superficial and insincere.
As time passed, topics of conversation—whether public or private—grew one by one, and because I listened first to the other''s concerns or stories, graduallythe solid wall came down..During the two months of the gap year, the thing I can say was best isthat I met many different people.That I was able to mix, communicate, and empathize with people from various occupations and age groups, and that I could, even indirectly, experience their lives.
An essential life experience.
I always had the anxiety that I hadn''t started anything yet and the burden that I had to start and decide something quickly, but during my time here my thoughts changed a lot. Don''t be afraid of roads you haven''t yet taken, and if not everything goes as planned that''s not failure; so don''t spend too much time worrying and thinking—of course wise and careful choices are important—but time won''t solve things for you.Try it first.I became convinced.
The two months I spent in Paris will remain an unforgettable experience for the rest of my life.
If someone asked me whether joining the gap year program was a good idea, or said they wanted to try it too and asked if it would be okay,I would say without hesitation that it will be an essential life experience.
The gap year I spent
experience ★★★★★
I feel grateful to have had this kind of experience in my life.
Learning ★★★★★
I feel that there is no experience like this for learning in life, beyond the realm of knowledge.
Environment ★★★★★
The living spaces for sleeping and eating are comfortable and pleasant.
Safety ★★★★★
They always monitor outing and return times, so there''s no need to worry about safety.
Leisure ★★★★☆
Because time outside the scheduled steps can be used freely, your level of satisfaction will depend on how diligent you are.
