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#Learned to love myself and regained self-esteem #Gained lifelong friends and connected with animals #Felt friendships that transcended culture and language
The thing that helped me most was my friend Tefi. Tefi always said. There is no perfect person in this world and there is only one you, so think about how special you are. Because of that, you''re precious and valuable — be confident wherever you are and believe in and love yourself! Don''t worry. Be happy.
A modest everyday wild life: volunteering to care for abandoned animals in Tokushima, Japan Jo Soyeon, gap year participant/gapper (26, job seeker) / 12-week gap year |
# I chose Tokushima, Japan because I needed time to stay in one place and think.
Hello, I''m 26-year-old Jo Soyeon ^^ I like animals and was very interested in volunteering with abandoned dogs, and I wanted to go to a country close to Korea,I chose Tokushima, Japan because I needed time to stay in one place and think.
I was a little worried before leaving. Because my language skills were lacking, I studied hard for about a month before I left by taking online lectures. I printed the checklist given by the gap year program and found it useful when packing. When booking the plane ticket I searched all the airlines, compared prices, and bought the cheapest one. Also, planning to travel there, I bought and prepared in Korea three 30-day SIM cards, a Kansai mini pass, Universal Studios tickets, a Shikoku rail pass, and so on. And I also obtained an international driver''s license in advance.
# Just focus on myself
Before leaving for the gap year I went through a big slump and my self-esteem was very low. So I needed time to think alone, and I wanted to go abroad where people didn''t know me. That way I could look at myself more closely.I was someone who spent time worrying about and taking care of people around me and my family, so I didn''t really take care of myself. So...I left with the goal of focusing only on myself.
* For Jo Soyeon, who wanted new experiences and to regain self-esteem, daily personalized 1:1 missions to reflect on herself and to take on new experiences and challenges were provided, and she was also given a Gap Year notebook to reflect on herself and make plans.
# Daily routine in Japan
At 10 a.m. the person in charge picks us up at the apartment and we arrive at the volunteer site at 10:30. As soon as we arrive we prepare food in the animals'' bowls and feed them (volunteers can prepare the food, but only the staff can give it), and we start walks from the top floor, the fourth floor.
When the upper floors finish at 12:30, volunteers eat lunch and rest until 1:00. Then from the third floor to the first floor they do cage cleaning, prepare food, wash bowls, take the animals for walks, etc. If everything finishes early, around 4 p.m., they brush the animals or clean up any droppings they couldn''t pick up during walks. Usually it ends at 5 p.m., but if there are few volunteers it can go until 6–7 p.m. After the volunteer work ends, the person in charge takes us back to the apartment.
# You can be true friends even with different cultures and languages.
The best part was meeting Tefi, my friend for life.All my prejudices about foreigners were broken, and I personally experienced that you can become friends who truly share feelings even if culture and language differ.
What moved me was that the dog I walked on the first day was named Neru. Neru was so afraid of people that he couldn''t go for walks. So I decided I had to teach this dog what it means to be loved, and to do that I always called Neru''s name in the same tone of voice, made eye contact, and pictured images of Neru being happy while praying that my sincerity would reach the dog.
But on my last day there, Neru recognized me from far away, jumped, and had become a dog who waited to go for walks with me. It was such a grateful and moving moment.
# Friends I met locally
# Be confident wherever you are, and believe in and love yourself!
Before participating I was in such a dark period that I didn''t believe in or like myself. But after returning, I''m now making an effort little by little,I came to accept that my imperfect sides are also part of me, and I began to encourage and love myself.
The person who helped me the most was my friend Tefi. Tefi always said,"There is no perfect person in this world, and there is only one you, so think about how special you are. Because of that, you are a precious and valuable person — be confident wherever you are and believe in and love yourself!"
Don''t worry. Be happy.
# For prospective participants
# My gap year tips
- Meals
There are lots of supermarkets nearby and they even sell Korean ingredients! So don''t worry about cooking. Prices are much cheaper than in Korea. The food is twice as delicious. Especially make sure to eat lots of pudding and cream puffs. You can enjoy cheap yet high-quality flavors.
- Things to bring
- Item that was problematic when missing / useful items: The item that was problematic to be without was rubber boots (wellies)!
- Useful items / problematic items to have: power bank, SIM card, international driver''s license
- My personal advice for future participants regarding what to bring
: My friends and I donated about four pairs of boots to the accommodation! You can use those. If you need to buy them, you can get them for about 2000 yen. And if you plan to travel while volunteering, a power bank, SIM card, and driver''s license are essential!
# My Tokushima travel spots
First, in Tokushima I recommend hiking Mt. Bizan in the morning. I climbed without stopping and it only took me 25 minutes, but if you go slowly and feel the breeze it will probably take about 40 minutes. Bizan''s night view is also beautiful, so I recommend taking the ropeway at night.
The Awa Odori Hall is also worth seeing for performances! There are times when you can learn the dance yourself, so you can enjoy it. Also, be sure to visit the famous Hayashi Okonomiyaki restaurant, and don''t miss Todai, famous for Tokushima ramen! Oh, and there''s a cheap and delicious conveyor-belt sushi place called Sushiro near the station, so definitely go. You absolutely can''t get that price in Korea.
I went to Takamatsu, the birthplace of udon, and Kochi, famous for tataki, using the Shikoku Rail Pass! I had a really fulfilling 2-night, 3-day trip. If you have time, be sure to visit Matsuyama. I wanted to go to Dogo Onsen but couldn''t. Also, before returning to Korea I stayed in Osaka for 2 nights and 3 days and visited Kobe, Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka. Definitely travel, everyone!
My gap year was
Experience★★★★★
During the three months I stayed, most of what I did were things I tried for the first time. I''m confident I gained a lot of experience..
Learning★★★★★
It was a time when I learned a great deal in many ways — bonding with the animals, communicating and living with people from other countries, and more.
Leisure★★★★☆
After volunteering ended, I always went out in the evenings to enjoy leisure time. On my days off I always went out to have fun, and I attended Japanese classes every week.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
