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#Gained courage and a sense of anticipation about the future #Encounters with a variety of people, confidence #Interactions with people are precious and make me happy
I hadn''t even decided on a concrete direction after graduation, and rather than aimlessly making meaningless efforts in an undefined direction, I wanted to think about what direction I want in life. I thought living alone in an unfamiliar place would be a suitable environment for reflecting on my career path and the future of my life. So the primary goal of my gap year was to think about my career path.
- Busan gap year stay / Kang Sujin, gap-year traveler (gapper) / 4-week gap year |
Last-semester vacation — is studying my major really the best option?
When faced with my last semester break, I briefly considered spending this final vacation studying my major more instead of traveling. But before long I realized those are things I''d be doing for the rest of my life after graduation.I hadn''t even decided on a concrete direction after graduation, and rather than aimlessly making meaningless efforts in an undefined direction, I wanted to think about what direction I want in life.I thought living alone in an unfamiliar place would be a suitable environment for reflecting on my career path and the future of my life. So the primary goal of my gap year was to think about my career path.
Another goal, similar to the aims of my previous travels, was to meet many different people.During the semester my relationships were always limited to people from the same department and the same school, so I wanted to break out of that framework, meet other people, and hear their thoughts.During the semester my life was confined to classes and school, so there weren''t many opportunities to interact with a variety of people, but,due to the nature of the guesthouse, I was able to meet diverse people and, as a result, hear their stories. Their stories and their lives gave me courage and hope for my own future.
Busan, the gap year stay that comforted me through a difficult semester
Just before starting my gap year, my semester had been the toughest of my undergraduate years. I barely got through the long, grueling final exams by dreaming of spending the month-long summer break in Busan.After the difficult time passed, on July 2 I finally left for Busan pulling a suitcase full of luggage. At the guesthouse, Auntie and the manager Hangeol were mopping the floors — that was my first encounter with the place I would stay and the people I would be with.
I didn''t have high expectations for the guesthouse accommodations. However, the room was decorated with colorful beds and was very cozy.Even now, when I think of my room there, the feeling that comes to mind first is comfort and happiness.My main job was cleaning the rooms. Thanks to the friend who taught me the cleaning duties and Auntie, I was able to adapt well to guesthouse life and they became comfortable friends.
The guesthouse was located in a back alley right behind Nampo-dong, a shopping street like Myeong-dong,so it was very convenient and good for getting the items I needed.I signed up for a gym there and got to know the alleys lined with street food at the International Market, gradually adapting to life in Busan. Who would have known I''d become a regular at the International Market food alley, at the ajumma''s stall number 63!
Another kind of trip at the Busan guesthouse: a journey of people
When I try to recall the most memorable things at the guesthouse, it seems to be the times I met various people.
As is typical of guesthouses, people who met there had only met each other minutes ago in their lives, yet we were able to open up deeply about things we couldn''t even share with longtime friends.When I arrived in Busan alone to start my gap year, even though I was alone at first, I formed so many connections — part-time coworkers, people who came as guests but ended up becoming friends, companions I met during short trips, and so on.
I stayed at the guesthouse while people would come and, a few days later, leave, so the farewells were often sad. But because of the stories we shared in that short time, the time spent together felt even more precious.The charm of travel might be the joy of going to places you''ve never been, but the greatest joy is meeting new people. I enjoyed sharing other people''s lives — their work, daily life, small thoughts, dreams, likes, and dislikes.
First, my British friend Duke comes to mind.Duke was a friend who, after completing an exchange semester at KAIST, was traveling through Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Because he had lived at KAIST solely focused on studying and exams, even though he''d been in Korea for four months he hadn''t been to many places there.I also hadn''t experienced much of Busan, so we had a good time exploring places in Busan together.
There are other memorable friends. The guesthouse had a chicken party every Friday. I remember the friends I met then. That day our table had two older sisters from Daegu, two younger siblings from Incheon, me, and the youngest sibling from Seoul.At first it was awkward, but the six of us soon started sharing stories about breakups and relationships. We''ve become friends who still keep in touch. It''s funny even thinking about it :-)
I also vividly remember the female guest who shared the room and came to see the sunrise.I usually used the room by myself, but after mid-July guests increased, and there were days I had guests in my room. It was 3 a.m., and the guest on the next bed wasn''t sleeping. That''s when we started talking. Iwas really grateful for the various thoughts of the unnie who had already lived the ten years I haven''t yet lived, for her warm understanding of me, and for her sincere thoughts and stories.
What I gained from the gap year: Busan / Confidence / People
I gained so much through the gap year. Maybe I don''t realize it now, but I think the things I''ve gained will come to mind over time. The first thing I gained among them was the city called Busan.Having been born and raised in Seoul for over 20 years, I thought I wanted to leave hectic city life behind. But Busan, Korea''s second-largest city, was different from what I had imagined and also different from the Busan I experienced during two short trips.I fell so deeply for its charm that I even became hooked on Busan to the point of wanting to work there after graduation.
The second thing I gained was confidence and courage about the future.Over the month I met many different people and learned a lot from their lives and the way they were earnestly shaping them.Seeing and hearing how various people live made me more concrete in dreaming about how to shape my own future and what kind of life I want to live. My belief that life should be lived with one''s own distinct color and direction became firmer.Having been a university student for a long time, I realized I had been gradually living complacently and reflected on myself. I gained the confidence that I could think more concretely about my life during the year and a half before graduation.
FinallyI gained guesthouse family members.During the gap year, the people I spent the most time with were the aunt (imo-nim), manager Hangeol, cleaning mate Haekyung, Daeun who worked night shifts, and Hyangji who worked weekends. These five guesthouse family members are the most memorable and I''m very grateful to them. Also, thanks to my friends Mirae and Myeongi who stayed at the Haeundae guesthouse during their gap year, we were able to have a great time together.
And lastly, I am truly grateful to the Korean Gap Year organizers who planned and executed this project.I hope to have the opportunity to participate in other beneficial gap year projects in the future.
My gap year is,
Experience★★★★★
You gain plenty of experience by encountering new places, new work, and new people.
Learning★★★★☆
How much and what you learn depends on your own effort.
Environment★★★★★
It may vary depending on the situation, but at that time I had the room to myself and was satisfied with the guesthouse facilities.
Safety★★★★★
The accommodation had a number lock and lockers so it was secure, and the area around the accommodation was also safe.
Leisure★★★☆☆
There was plenty of free time, but it felt a bit insufficient for going anywhere. It would be good to make good use of the spare moments.
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