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#Found peace of mind, dream became more concrete #Valuable, hands-on experience available only in the field #Realized the importance of economic development
How should I live? What path should I take to realize my values and dreams? When I began to worry about these questions, I decided to take a gap year, pause my studies for a while, and reflect on myself and my future direction.
-A unique experience contributing to regional economic development in Cambodia / Bae Ji-seon, gap-year tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
Q. Please give a brief self-introduction.
Hello.
I am a gapper who took a gap year after completing the first semester of my fourth year at university. At school, I study Political Diplomacy and International Trade.
Q. What made you choose the gap year project you participated in?
How should I live? What path should I take to realize my values and dreams? I began to worry about these things.As I began to.
I decided to take a gap year to pause my studies for a while and think about myself and my future path.I decided to take one.
Q. Were you worried about staying abroad for a long time?
I had no worries at all because after finishing my second year I did a one-year overseas internship in Norway. Moreover, I''m outgoing and I like experiencing new things, so I tend to enjoy those situations. I go out whenever I get the chance.
Q. How did you prepare before departing?
I paid attention to vaccinations. Although I had traveled to Southeast Asia before, I had never gone abroad for long-term volunteer work, so diseases were the scariest—things like malaria or typhoid. The drinking water is very different and sanitation is generally poor.
Q. What did you want to change through the gap year, or what was your goal for it?
My mind had been so complicated and busy, so I wanted to rest from everything and think again from the beginning. Which path is right for me going forward? And I wanted to reestablish what kind of work I want to do.I had a vague dream of living while interacting and communicating with the world and helping it in some way, and I wanted to think realistically about what I should do to make that dream come true.
I originally applied for a gap year stay in France, but after counseling I changed to the Cambodia regional economic project.Looking back now, I think changing it was really the right decision!Because in Cambodia I regained my sense of ease. I want to once again express my gratitude to the gap year coordinator who sincerely counseled me and suggested a better path.
Q. I''m curious about the structure of the local project. Could you describe a typical day''s schedule?
In reality, it wasn''t very well structured for volunteers.
Most of the documents were in the local language, so foreign volunteers were limited in participating in various projects.
I''ll tell you about a typical day''s schedule.Work hours were flexible.The day''s routine varied from time to time.
Mon, Tue, Wed: Office work
Thu, Fri: English teaching volunteer work
When I arrived at the office, I first helped organize accounting-related documents and handled tasks that staff members handed to me.Various tasks ranging from website organization/editing to document organizationI handled them. And after lunch, in the afternoon I worked on project-related tasks with the Executive Director. Mainlyit involved writing proposals or project plans to secure funds for new projects, and I wrote them smoothly in English and sent them. All the work was for local economic development and ranged from vocational training to microfinance.
On special days I toured communities with staff and met people. They were building a new community school; we visited the site, saw the villagers, and heard their stories.Volunteering in English educationOn days when I volunteered for English education, I went to a school about 30 minutes away and taught English classes.Classes lasted 30 minutes, and I followed the local English teacher to teach. It was more physically demanding than office work, but very rewarding.
Q. Through participating in the Gap Year project: good points, moving moments, things learned, realizations, etc.
I experienced things that I could never, ever do in Korea, and things you absolutely cannot learn from books. I think actually seeing on-site things you can never learn otherwise is truly an enormous asset.Before participating in Gap Year, I vaguely wanted to do something that helps the world and only thought about using my major in international trade, but I had never explored it concretely.''I will work internationally and help the world.'' That was the kind of thought I had.
But through Gap Year I was able to make my dream more concrete. Asking ''Why are people in this country so poor?'' led me to think that economic development is the key.In particular, the place I worked emphasized ''sustainable development'' and carried out many projects to build a foundation for self-sufficiency.(Gap Year) work that helps internationally isalso related to the economy, and I became interested in the field of economic development. I realized I need to find my own expertise within this broad field of economic development.
Once I participated in a local tour program and went on a tour,it was a program combining volunteering and touring where we visited a poor community to explore the area and volunteer. We went to a local school and distributed stationery, backpacks, and clothes to the children while listening to the stories of the locals. Because the government shows no interest in children''s education, if local NGOs don''t take care of it, children who don''t receive educational benefits have no opportunity at all. I found that reality regrettable. Thinking that for a country to develop the economy is key, and that economic policy and the government''s role are very important for that,it gave me an opportunity to make more concrete what I can do going forward.
Q. Were there people you met or worked with through the Gap Year project?
I met so many people. Of course Cambodians, and also multinational volunteers from Australia, Spain, Canada, and others, and I lived with them.
Q. What advice would you give to people who will participate in the Gap Year project?
YouIf you feel so vague that you can''t move forward anymore, or you''re lost not knowing what to do, take a short break..Reflect on yourself; opportunities to see things you can''t see now and to have diverse experiences are not that common.The busier your mind is, the more you should take it easy. Be courageous and take on the challenge!
Q. If you compare before and after participating in the Gap Year project?
The path I should take in the future has become clearer.I realized what kind of work I need to do to achieve my dream.
Q. During your gap year, tell us the travel route you discovered (recommended places, itinerary, route, etc.).
I mostly hung out in Phnom Penh with friends. The busiest area in Phnom Penh is near the Mekong River, where there are many rooftop-style bars. You can play board games on the roof and drink there—it''s worth visiting at least once. I also recommend riding a bicycle around Phnom Penh city! However, traffic rules aren''t well observed by many people in Phnom Penh, so be cautious about traffic safety.
My gap year was,
Experience★★★★★
It was a really great experience—something I couldn''t have done anywhere else.
Learning★★★☆☆
Since I was very interested in economic development, it was a valuable opportunity to see and learn things firsthand in the field. However, I was disappointed that there wasn''t as much I could do as I had hoped.
Environment★★★★☆
The accommodation was fine, and the company/organization was fine as well.
Safety★★★☆☆
It''s not a problem as long as you don''t wander around alone late at night! Wherever you go, you must be very careful, careful, careful!
Leisure★★★☆☆
There is plenty of free time. After finishing work at 5, the remaining time is all free time, and there are weekends too. It would be good to make good use of your free time by traveling with friends or planning how to spend it.
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