Became more outgoing; learned to cherish connections., Paris, France — Gap Year Stay Review: "A Turning Point in My Life"

#Became more outgoing; learned to cherish connections. #Good people; time spent growing through communication. #Realized that who you travel with is important.

Author: Hong Kyung-gi
Country / City: Europe/Malta/Valletta
Views : 3325

They were guests who stayed only briefly, but after experiencing meeting them again one way or another, I feel I value those connections more.

- Paris, France, gap year stay / Hong Gyeong-gi gap-year family gapper / 8-week gap year

# Two years on leave, me wandering

While all my friends graduated and got jobs, I had been on leave from school for two years.After taking leave, I spent time in Canada on a working holiday and met many people, but I unknowingly put up walls and didn’t develop deeper relationships.And there were times I would feel depressed when I was alone, and in the meantime I learned about this project,I was drawn to the opportunity to meet lots of different people,In particular, I liked that the project I joined offered an environment and time to communicate with travelers, so I decided to apply.I decided to apply.

# Times when I could grow by meeting and communicating with people

Two months passed like a dream.During that time, it was truly a period where I could grow by meeting and communicating with many people.And over the two months I gained good people (friends).I met coworkers and even guests I had met :)

Now that the gap year program is over I''m traveling in London and Spain: in London I got a tour from a guest who had been studying there; in Spain I ran into a guest while passing by; another guest contacted me after seeing my Instagram so we went to a flamenco show together; and now I''m getting a tour from a guest studying in Málaga haha.They were guests who stayed only briefly, but after experiencing meeting them again one way or another, I feel I value those connections more.

And I especially remember the guests who were there when I first received the handover.When I first went out, guests who had been there longer than me taught me how to take the subway and bus.Not long after I started working, the airport went on strike so some guests couldn''t leave on their scheduled date and stayed a few extra days; I went out with those guests and ended up being shown around. I remember that I was a staff in name only and received a lot of help at first. Also, during my first month working afternoon shifts I learned a lot—from how to make mulled wine to how to communicate with people.

# Bonds that bring tears to my eyes just thinking about them

Now it''s summer so they don''t do it, but when I was working it was chilly, so on evenings with night-view tours I would make vin chaud by simmering fruit and wine and wait for people—worrying about the flavor each day while chatting with people and having fun.And since it was my first time in Europe, I enjoyed listening to the stories of the trips guests had taken.

When I really think back, there are so many people who make me emotional just thinking about them. Taeyeon unnie, who trained me when I first arrived. Hyerin, my peer who worked with me for a month—I’m sure she’s still wandering around Eastern Europe traveling alone; I miss her so much! And Yungu, an angel—so kind, and the guy who male guests always contacted. Hyojun, the youngest who is currently traveling with me; I haven''t expressed it much in words, but I often feel so lucky to have come on this trip with you. Let’s enjoy the rest of the trip!

After about a month, I ended up working morning shifts for the remaining month. Morning shifts usually require better knowledge of Paris attractions, city maps, and transportation than afternoon shifts so you can inform guests going out in the morning, but in my case I had already spent the previous month going around Paris and gathering information, so the morning shift was much easier. AndAfter the guests went out in the morning I had time to clean with music playing by myself, and that was my favorite time :)And morningAfter finishing the morning shift, in the leftover afternoon timeI liked being able to join many night-view tours and amusement park tours.

Also, while in Paris I kept saying I really wanted to eat naengmyeon (cold noodles), and I remember the owner personally made the broth and boiled the noodles to make naengmyeon for me.Actually, before the naengmyeon he also made tteokbokki and grilled meat for me, so I was really full, but the naengmyeon the owner made for me was truly delicious :)

# Travel is more about who you go with than what you go to see

Once the boss asked me what makes a good boss.At the time I couldn''t answer, and I thought about it after the project ended. I''ve done various kinds of work so far, butI don''t think I''ve met anyone during work who I would call a truly good boss. Of course, positions and goals differ and people think differently, so clashes can happen,But when I think back after the work is over, if the work was fun and left good memories, I thought they must have been a good boss.Next time I go I''ll tell them they were a good boss haha.

Being in Paris, your travel route and free time really depend on you.If you''re diligent, you can travel around many parts of France even while working,If not, you can still enjoy yourself plenty inside the guesthouse.Since I''m not diligent, I often got roped into guests'' trips and ended up being ''touristed'' a lot,I went out with no plans, napped in parks, followed people to restaurants with long lines and queued up too, and enjoyed Paris while eating.

And toward the end of my gap year I took a day off and went on an overnight trip to Belgium,For the remaining month I joined the guesthouse''s night tours every day.Looking back, it seems it mattered more who I went with than what I went to see. Especially among them,The places in Paris I want to recommend arethe really comfortable sofa on the 5th floor of the Musée d''Orsay,Luxembourg Gardens,the Auchan supermarket,and the night view I saw on the Bateaux-Mouches on the last day — it was amazing, really.

# How I''ve changed after the gap year — I''m not displeased!

Actually, when I first came to Paris I had planned to return immediately without traveling; the project was ending onI had booked a flight for June 4th, but I kept hearing from many peopleto ''definitely go here'' or ''this is good'' or ''this tasted great,''so I changed my flight and started traveling like this. Andeven after work ended I started approaching people I met while traveling to ask about their plans, and Ishared information I knew and helped with anything I could.I really felt that externally I have become an extroverted person.I don''t know about the inside yet! Still, I don''t dislike this more extroverted side of myself :)

It was really a short two months, butit made me think a lot, experience many things, and learn. Seeing photographers, power bloggers, models, and students studying in various places made me reflect on myself again,I decided to live not as someone who doggedly works hard at everything, but as someone who works hard following the path I want to live. Also,I wanted to meet various people and, by hearing about their experiences, indirectly experience things and find what I want to do.I wonder when I''ll ever get to meet people like these again in my life.

As a result, I still haven''t exactly found what I want to do, but as many people told me, I decided to enjoy the time I spend worrying about the future instead of being anxious and tormented.I''m grateful to have such a good turning point at a time when I''m about to turn 25 and haven''t finished college or anything yet :)

★ My personal TIP for the next participant ★

1. It''s really helpful to study some basic French. Fortunately, a friend I worked with majored in French, so I learned numbers and basic greetings; when I went out, speaking French—even if only when first addressing restaurant staff or other locals or when saying goodbye—seemed to make people treat me kindly.

2. Guesthouses really have most things, so there''s no need to pack a lot! And if you need something, buy it locally.There was a hair dryer at the accommodation, and I brought a hair iron which was convenient while traveling. Also, it''s good to bring needles and thread and stockings (they are expensive locally!).

3. Whether traveling or working while you''re there, I hope you enjoy that time, because it won''t come back :)And rather than planning specific things for specific days, it''s good to write a list of things you want to do and cross them off day by day according to the weather and time!Two months can feel long or short, so spend it without regrets!

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