My personal gap year goal was ''to throw myself into as many experiences as possible.'' During the gap year I chose to take on challenges rather than give up, and being away from my parents meant there were no do''s or don''ts, so I had to make my own decisions, plan, and act. So, with the goal of freely trying everything, I traveled alone on weekends, and when problems arose I approached strangers to solve them. I was surprised at how many people I became close to in the process. - Tackling the emerging silver industry: Greece senior welfare care internship / Lee Ji-hyun — gapper of the gap-year community / 4-week gap year |
I originally majored in electronic physics.
I studied it until my third year, but it didn''t suit my aptitudes so I was having a hard time. At that time my grandmother developed dementia, which affected me deeply, so I withdrew, spent a year preparing again, and re-entered the Department of Social Work. The Department of Social Work is part of social welfare studies, so it''s easy to think of it as social welfare.
Although it was a completely different field, there were no major difficulties. In fact, because I had studied electronic physics so painfully, I was able to enjoy studying social welfare. The challenging part was applying the theory to real experiences.
Even though I entered late, I piled up experiences as they came. In my first and second years I focused on volunteer activities that seemed interesting in areas such as children, people with disabilities, and the elderly, and in my third and fourth years I did many activities that helped my career path. While volunteering I worried most about how to apply what I had learned in theory, but during my third-year practicum the overall framework came together.
Once I had some structure in place, I wanted to try something more special. By chance I saw someone''s gap year story featured on Naver''s main page. It was the story of someone who had participated in the Greece senior welfare care project that I later attended, and I thought it looked so fun. (☞ Participant Kim Hee-jung''s gap year story)
It wasn''t just a simple overseas volunteer trip — the idea of having a gap year where I could try many things myself also appealed to me. And the biggest reason I chose this senior welfare care project over other gap year volunteer projects was my grandmother, above all.
There were two goals for my gap year.
From a career perspective I wanted to know how welfare is organized in Greece and how welfare institutions'' systems operate. But when I actually went and experienced it, it was similar to ours or even somewhat more cost-effective.
My personal gap year goal was ''to try out as many things as possible.''
I''m the eldest daughter in my family. Because of that my parents are strict. They strictly distinguished between what I should and shouldn''t do, and from a young age I never did the ''don''ts.'' After entering university I wanted to go on an exchange abroad, but because my younger sibling studied overseas I once had to give up because of financial reasons.
But during this gap year I wanted to challenge rather than give up, and being away from my parents meant there were no do''s or don''ts — I had to judge, plan, and execute everything by myself. So with the goal of trying everything freely, I traveled alone on weekends, and when problems came up I approached strangers to solve them. I was amazed at how many people I became close to in the process.
After setting my gap year goals, I then began in earnest...PreparationI started to prepare.
The biggest difficulty during the preparation process was my parents'' opposition.
In the end the process of persuading my parents began. I argued reasons such as ''I''m going using money I earned myself,'' ''My sibling went, so I want to go too,'' and ''It''s experience related to my major so it will be a great help,'' and my mother granted permission. But my father opposed it to the end (laughs). He stubbornly objected, saying, ''You''re going to that distant place — somewhere that''s even defaulted?''
But as they say, no parent can outlast their child''s pleas; when I said, ''How often in life will I have a month to spend on myself and the chance to have these experiences?'' he eventually agreed.
This gap year was my first overseas experience.
So I was very worried, but I felt the most afraid when we landed in Abu Dhabi for a transfer, more than when I arrived in Greece. The Koreans who had boarded with me at Incheon Airport had all disappeared and I was surrounded by Europeans. I realized I was truly alone, and my fear grew.
However, the Greek man sitting next to me on the plane started a conversation and spoke kindly, which eased much of my worry. And when I arrived at the airport and the gate opened, seeing the welcome sign held by the person from the organization picking me up turned my fear into excitement.
During the gap year I stayed in an Airbnb, which helped me adapt to Greece quickly. There was another guest, a Chinese friend, and because we were both Asian I relied on them a lot at first. So we talked a lot and traveled together and became really close.
The host was a ceramic artist friend named Christina. She cooked for me as soon as I arrived and told me a lot about Greek attitudes and culture. Also, when I came home after work at the organization she always asked how my day was and helped clear up misunderstandings by explaining them as Greek traits, so I was able to adapt quickly.
The people I met at the organization were all very kind. Above all, I received a lot of affection and adoration from the clients (patients).
The organization''s staff also treated me with affection, which helped me adapt quickly. After we became close they even joked that if I didn''t have a boyfriend I should get one there and live in Greece — they treated me so warmly that I adjusted fast.
One disappointing part was that I could only participate for one month to fit my return-to-school schedule, so it ended just when I was getting used to the program. If I had stayed for about two months it would have been many times more enjoyable, but because I had to return to school that''s what I regretted most.
Still, the month I participated was so wonderful that I won''t forget it.
If I describe the project as a daily routine, it goes like this.
I arrived at work at 9 and the program starts at 10; in the meantime the staff assess the clients'' conditions and explain who is in what state and therefore which program will be run today. I assess those conditions and from 10 to 11 run a care program for the first-floor patients. The patients are divided with the first floor being severe cases, the second floor early-stage cases, and the third floor being those who are generally fine but have mobility difficulties. Different programs are conducted according to the patients'' conditions.
After conducting the program on the first floor, we took a 10-minute break, and from 11:00 to 12:00 we ran the program for the patients on the second floor,
From 12:00 to 1:00 we ran a program for the patients on the third floor.
From 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM is personal time. You can read a book or rest, and it''s also a time to talk with staff in the cafeteria about patients or the program.
From 5:00 to 6:00 we went back to the first floor and ran the same program as in the morning,
from 6:00 to 7:00 we ran the program on the second floor, and at 7:00 we finished work and went home.
When I finished work on the first day, the staff held a welcome party. They even took me to a nice Greek restaurant and we became closer while drinking. Usually after work I went home and hung out with my host Christina or guest friends. I cooked at home or Christina invited friends over and we drank beer, and I was able to make many friends. I usually tried to socialize with others rather than being alone.
What was difficult during the gap year was that while the clients on the 2nd and 3rd floors didn''t have severe mood swings, the clients on the 1st floor had strong mood swings. One day an elderly woman was very kind to me, but the next day she said she didn''t want to do the program, so at first I didn''t know how to adjust. Later I adapted, and if they said they didn''t want to participate, I conducted the program flexibly to accommodate them.
On the other hand there were so many good things, but the most memorable was the last day. Greece has a major holiday in August, so the project manager returned from vacation on the day I was leaving. She was busy handling the work that had piled up during her two-week vacation. I thought I wouldn''t be able to say goodbye properly, but in the afternoon she went around each floor and told the clients that I was leaving and said goodbye.
What impressed the manager was that even though she had worked for seven years most of the clients didn''t know her name; when I told them I was leaving, they said my name and talked about me leaving. She said that was proof that I had worked hard. And finally, when I was running the program the clients chanted "Sara, goodbye," my English name, and I was so moved. On the second floor they also sang a song together for me, and I remember crying a lot.
People I met during my gap year
I met many wonderful people in Greece, but the most memorable are the grandmother on the third floor and the Greek intern university students.
Among the clients I became very close with a grandmother on the third floor. She was so cute that I often visited her room. On the last day, when I told her I was leaving, she came down during the program on the first floor to see me, she came down and participated during the program on the second floor, and she also came when we were on the third floor.
After the programs were over I went to her room to say goodbye and gave her my contact information. The grandmother took out her photo, wrote her contact information on the back, and gave it to me. So I cried a lot next to the grandmother. She was a grandmother I had become very attached to, so she remains in my memory.
And the Greek intern university students helped me a lot. Most of them were younger than me, and thinking I had come from elsewhere and would have a hard time adapting, they tried to look after me. For example, at the feedback time when everyone gathered to discuss the day''s work, although it would have been comfortable for them to speak among themselves in Greek, they were considerate of me and spoke in English. Those small acts of consideration were appreciated and became a great support.
I also continued to work to achieve the goals I had set before starting the gap year.
To learn about the European welfare system, whenever I had time I asked staff and expert teachers many questions about things I was curious about. I also learned a lot through direct experience. The difference I personally felt compared to Korea was the mindset of the people working there. Many people in Greek welfare institutions also do a lot of work for little compensation. However, they never showed clients that they were having a hard time. They didn''t treat people as just work, and that was the biggest difference I felt.
I achieved my goal of meeting many people 100%. I became close not only with the staff I worked with but also with the people I lived with at the accommodation. And what was surprising was that many Greek people would start conversations with you first while passing on the street. At first I was wary, wondering what their intentions were. But once a nurse who was raising a baby near the accommodation approached me first saying she wanted to become friends.
I mustered the courage to have dinner and a conversation with her; it was a great act of courage and a challenge for me. It was something I wouldn''t have even thought of doing in Korea. Because she was a nurse, during dinner we talked about topics related to her field and about social issues in Greece. The more we talked, the more I could understand how Greek people live, and it was surprising how many aspects were similar to our country.
There is something I can do on my own.
"I can do things on my own too." Gaining that thought is the biggest change the gap year brought me.
And I laugh more. I used to laugh a lot, but only outwardly. Now, even in bad situations I find myself laughing more. That''s because, although I brought some of it on myself, there were many hardships and I met good people and overcame them.
For example, I once traveled alone to Mykonos, one of the Greek islands. I was going to take a ferry, but in the taxi I realized I had missed the scheduled time. The driver, realizing I''d missed the ferry, turned off the meter and took me to the booking office to rebook. Fortunately I was able to book the next ferry, and in the time remaining before departure I treated the driver to a cup of coffee.
While drinking coffee I asked him how he could be so kind to someone he had never met. He said he had three daughters aged 25, 23, and 21, and when he saw me he thought of his daughters. He said that if the situation were reversed and his daughter went to Korea and her father was a taxi driver, he would have done the same. And although he doesn''t speak English, his daughter does, so if I had any problems or needed a friend to contact, he wrote down his daughter''s contact. Then he said something that left quite an impression on me.
"You just had a problem. But because of that you gained two friends: the Greek taxi driver and his daughter."
Hearing that, I felt stunned, like I''d been struck on the head. When I was in Korea I always lived as if I were being chased, not even knowing by what, and if I was five minutes late for class I''d panic as if my whole day were ruined. Hearing that made me realize that even the same incident can be viewed from a slightly different, broader, and higher perspective.
In this way, the ''people'' who helped me whenever a problem arose and the positive attitude of ''it will be okay'' made me laugh more.
Plans for the future
After returning to Korea I found the first week difficult because I wanted to go back, but I''m quickly returning to reality. I mean the reality of preparing to graduate and find a job. But my attitude toward that reality has changed. I remember going to the gap year office for counseling just a month ago and saying I needed to study English but didn''t want to study TOEIC (laughs). Now I find English enjoyable and necessary, so I want to study it on my own. I plan to take on the challenge with a ''let''s just do it'' attitude.
What the gap year means to me?
A time that changed me.
It was pretty hard before I took a gap year. At home I felt the burden of being the eldest daughter, and because I started school late I had to act like an older sister to classmates who were younger. I always felt an obligatory sense of responsibility.
During the gap year I was free of any obligations. That naturally allowed me to focus on myself. I felt what kind of person I am, and it felt like my flaws and strengths were sorted out.
I also received overwhelming kindness and gratitude from people. The grandmothers found me cute and cared for me, and the positive energy from the staff and friends energized me. I can really feel how much I changed before and after the gap year. The gap year was a time that changed me.
The gap year I spent was,
Experience★★★★☆
I had so many experiences. During my gap year I asked lots of questions to professionals. If you have the desire to find out what you want or to learn, there are plenty of things to learn.
Learning★★★★☆
More than theoretical learning, I gained a lot from experiential learning—learning by confronting things directly.
Environment★★★★★
The facilities were excellent, and the personnel included many professionals. Specialists in areas like psychology and physical therapy were present, and everyone works passionately.
Safety★★★★☆
As a foreigner like me, I didn''t experience any of the inconveniences one might normally expect. The cost of living is cheaper than in Korea, and the public safety is good.
Leisure★★★★☆
I traveled, and at home I had many conversations over dinner with Christina''s friends.
I used weekends to travel freely to many places, from central Athens to Santorini.
