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#Gained vitality and reaffirmed determination #Gained precious memories and opportunities for growth #Spent meaningful time in Paris
There were many things before participating in the gap year stay program. Actually, rather than things, it was more like I was wandering amid overflowing worries and concerns. I can''t write about it in detail, but I felt a need for change. I grew to dislike myself for having nothing to show after taking a leave of absence. I was exhausted and lacked confidence. Then I happened upon this program by chance and applied.
- France, Paris, Gap Year Stay / Lee Yesul, gapper / 8-week gap year |
I hated myself for having nothing to show after taking a leave of absence.
''France, Paris, Gap Year Stay'' was a brief trip during an important time.
So I was very concerned that I would be wasting time and money. My family opposed it, and I myself worried a lot about whether I was indulging in the luxury of travel. But to say the result first, two months after the gap year ended, my thoughts had completely changed.
There were many things before participating in the gap year stay program. Actually, rather than things, it was more like I was wandering amid overflowing worries and concerns. I can''t write about it in detail, but I felt a need for change. I grew to dislike myself for having nothing to show after taking a leave of absence.I was exhausted and lacked confidence.Then I happened to learn about this program and applied.
I wanted experiences or thoughts different from what I''d had so far.
When I first arrived in Paris, I lacked confidence. The people who greeted me all seemed to have pleasant personalities. Seeing the staff, I worried a lot about whether I could do well. I was scolded when I thoughtlessly kept habits I had from Korea. Also, at first I had a hard time feeling like I had no private space. I was also very worried that I wouldn''t be good at living in a group. But when problems arose we resolved them through conversation, and thanks to the people who stayed by my side, I was able to complete the two-month gap year stay very well.
I ended up guiding tours, and twice a week I took guests on city tours and flea market tours. Although I wasn''t a professional guide, it was a tour where I was with them like a friend, a younger sister, an older sister. So after the tours we''d buy kebabs together, take photos, and go shopping. Those moments seemed trivial at the time, but looking back now they''re truly precious. They became meaningful times that can never come again.
At first, since I liked being alone, I wandered all over Paris.But later I tried to meet various people, listen to their stories, and be with people as much as possible. One day while wandering alone I suddenly realized: I didn''t apply to this program and come this far just because I wanted to stay in Paris for a long time. Through this program...I wanted experiences or thoughts different from before.''Wasn''t that the case?'' I thought. So from then on I tried to socialize and be with people as much as possible.
But above all, the thing I gained most from the gap year was ''vitality.''
To have such good times again, I thought I should return to my place and fulfill my role faithfully and live diligently. Also, seeing good things in a good place made me think a lot about needing to grow myself.This gap year was an experience that reminded me of life''s vitality and determination.
I recorded the days here (though the records were at most a few lines of text, an evocative drawing, a collection of pieces gathered that day, or doodles when I was lazy). Looking back now, those records are very precious. I also brought a film camera and used about twenty rolls of film to document life here; when I go back to Korea to develop those photos, I think it will be difficult because I''ll remember those happy times so vividly.
Even as I write this, I remember the delicious food we had every night for two months, the beer, the wine, the games, the pranks, the stories, the laughter. Going to amusement parks together, playing ghost pranks, cooking delicious food, drinking wine and making a racket in front of the Eiffel Tower — countless...memoriesI think I''m taking them with me.
I''m grateful to the good people around me who made me smile for two months without worry.
Yuna, who took the first steps of the gap year with me; Suhyun oppa, who told me to stop worrying; Garden, my roommate who was like a friend and with whom I spent almost the whole two months; Sohyun unni, who I didn''t spend a lot of time with but has a nice personality; little aunt Sunhwa unni (haha); meticulous and funny Byeol oppa; the owner who told me there are no bad people in the world; the aunt who laughed watching me secretly eat more because the food was so good; and countless travelers I can''t list. And even the gap year director who encouraged and supported the gap year — so many people talked to me and were with me, making those times even happier.
Truly, the leave of absence I spent wasn''t time spent piling up things to show off like resume specs,thoughts about how I, as a person, should live going forwardI am very glad I was able to fill it with a gap year that made me think a bit more about that.
My gap year
experience ★★★★★
While living communally in a new space, I was able to try new things.
Learning ★★★★☆
It was a brief time to reflect on relationships with others and how I should live from now on.
Environment ★★★★★
The people I lived with were wonderful.
Safety ★★★★★
The safety of the place I stayed at for two months is truly five stars.
Leisure ★★★★☆
I mostly wandered around museums and the streets by myself. I was a bit sorry I couldn''t visit other European countries, but I enjoyed being able to leisurely visit places that hurried tourists trying to make the most of each day wouldn’t be able to.
