I began to think that I wanted to have my own gap year. Fortunately I was able to have one, and during my gap year I set three goals: ''decide my career path for sure,'' ''understand my own personality,'' and ''enjoy the present.'' - France, Paris, gap year stay / Cha Sohyun — gap year traveler (gapper) / 8-week gap year |
A job seeker who wanted to quit everything
In my senior year of university, when I was supposed to prepare for employment, I wanted to quit everything. I felt unsure about my career path because I knew life is so short. I didn''t want to decide on a job without even knowing who I was, what I liked, or what I disliked. I was also exhausted from the stress I had accumulated from school life and work.
Then I happened to see a video about gap years on Facebook, and I began to want my own gap year. Luckily I was able to have one, and Iset three goals for my gap year: ''decide my career path for sure,'' ''understand my own personality,'' and ''enjoy the present.''I set them. And during my two months living in France, I was able to learn a lot.
Their relaxed life — I''m jealous!
While staying at a guesthouse and living with guests, the manager, and friends, there were sometimes difficult times, but I also learned how to overcome hardships while being alone in a foreign country. I focused more on meeting people and learning local perspectives than on sightseeing, so rather than visiting many tourist spots, I sought out places where I could meet locals.
I went to places frequented only by locals and struck up casual friendships with peers my age, and we also had serious conversations about society and the future. After my gap year ended, I was able to share a house and live with local friends I had become close to by chance. What I felt from meeting French friends was, above all, how relaxed they were. Those friends were the same age as me and third-year university students, but their lifestyles were very different from Korean students''. I remember being envious of how they never forgot to take it easy and weren''t stressed about studying or getting a job.
Besides meeting local friends, during my two months in Paris I also had many impressions about France. When people think of France, Paris, they tend to picture a romantic image first, but the Paris I experienced felt somewhat less tidy and at times chaotic with many gypsies.
Also, living in Paris with much more leisure than people who come on short trips gave me a lot of time to objectively reflect on myself. In Korea, I had low self-esteem and was someone who always worried too much about my future. I also lacked a spirit of challenge and often gave up on taking action because of overthinking. But while spending my gap year in Paris, I could feel myself gradually changing.
Hanging out with French friends I began to adopt similar perspectives and thoughts; gradually I gained confidence and my low self-esteem recoveredI felt. Also, talking with my French friends made me think, ''Why did I worry so much?'' I realized I had been putting too much stress on myself in Korea.
As a result, I learned with my whole body that there was no need to rush. I learned that French people enjoy much more leisure than Koreans and don''t care as much about age.Living with my French friends, I was able to learn how to reduce worries and enjoy the present as it isI became able to.
So during my gap year I tried not to be greedy and stayed only in Paris for two months, trying to blend into Parisians'' lives. Rather than planning trips to nearby countries or cities and keeping busy, I leisurely enjoyed my favorite places in Paris, like the Seine and Canal Saint-Martin, like a local.
The turning point of my life: finding my true self
Over the two months I clearly came to know what kind of personality I have and what kind of things I dislike. Two months in one''s life may seem very short, but I gained a great deal in that time. I gained a bit more confidence and a spirit of challenge, and was able to let go of the habit of always worrying and being anxious.
Precious friends, my personality and aptitude, my confidence. Through the gap year I think the direction of my life has changed a lot going forward.Before the gap yearAfter the gap year I planned to return to Korea and immediately prepare for employment, but now I''m preparing for one more trip.It is. The two-month gap year I spent in Paris will be remembered as a turning point in my life.
Finally, to those who will participate in gap year projects in the future, ''Don''t think too much, just take the challenge''I want to say those words.
The gap year I took was
an experience★★★★★
I was able to meet many French friends.
Learning★★★★☆
I gained a new perspective on my attitude toward life.
Environment★★★☆☆
It was a completely new environment. There were no particular inconveniences.
Safety★★★★☆
I didn''t feel that Paris was very dangerous.
Leisure★★★☆☆
I was able to enjoy various leisure activities in Paris, such as table tennis.
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