Expanding awareness of the wider world and flexible thinking, Jeju Gap Year Stay Review: "An Opportunity to Reflect on the Year"

#Broader awareness of the world; more flexible thinking #The charm of Olle Trails and Oreum (volcanic cones); new connections #Need for solid preparation; the importance of connections

Author: Song Ji-won
Country / City: Europe/Malta/Valletta
Views : 2694

A month of gap-year life, and even a year of being on leave from school, haven''t changed me so much that it''s visible on the outside. I still haven''t decided my career path and haven''t even thought about the life blueprint that was the final goal of my leave. However, I clearly realized that there''s a wider world beyond school, and that solid preparation is necessary to go out into that world.

-Jeju, Gap Year Stay / Song Ji-won, gap-year community ''gapper'' / 4-week gap year

#At the end of my leave of absence

In early 2015, by taking part in a meaningful gap year program in BusanSeven months had passed since I started my leave, and I began to gradually reach the time to finish it.

During my time living in Busan and Seoul, I had various experiences I couldn''t have had in Jeonju, and I was able to spend time differently from others while meeting a variety of people.

#To reflect on this past year

Having spent my time so frantically,I felt that instead of obsessing over doing something new, I should take time to look back on the past year.Therefore, thinking that, as in Busan, I could have a lot of time to think about myself in the new environment of Jeju, I somewhat hastily applied for a gap year. Because of various matters, problems arose, and with the kindness of the boss and the gap-year coordinator I was able to adjust the period.

#The charm of the Olle trails and oreums

On days off I could travel freely, but in my case I adjusted the period so I could only rest one day per week, which was a bit regrettable. Still, by coordinating work hours with the gapper sister I lived with, we helped each other so we could travel a lot and I was able to see many places in my own way.

Jeju shows landscapes completely different from the mainland, so it''s really difficult to pick one place as the most memorable, but I definitely recommend walking the Olle trails and climbing oreums.In my case, I walked the Olle trails in sections during each trip, and I was amazed by Jeju''s country roads I saw each time; as for the oreums, I was captivated by the very tall silver grass and the scenery.

#Jeju travel tip!

In Jeju, there are many inconveniences to traveling only by bus without renting a car—from bus intervals to travel times—so you need to plan your trip carefully to see many places.Download the related apps to your smartphone as a mustdownloadit will be of great help.Also, as with other travel planning, everything like accommodation and food costs depends on how much information you gather, so it''s important to research a lot in advance and choose carefully.

#A year that was never a waste for me

A month of gap-year life, and even a year of being on leave, hasn''t changed me so much that it''s visible outwardly. I still haven''t decided my career path and haven''t even thought about the life blueprint that was the final goal of my leave. HoweverI certainly realized that there is a wider world beyond school, and that solid preparation is needed to enter that world.

Also, I met many people and formed a lot of new connections, and learned how difficult it is to maintain those connections, and at the same time how precious the relationships I originally had are. Although I did not achieve the ultimate goal of my leave,I still believe I spent a year that was absolutely not a waste.

My gap year was..

Experience ★★★★★

When traveling, you can meet many different people and hear various stories, and working inside a guesthouse is an experience anyway, so it''s certain you’ll gain a variety of experiences.

Learning ★★★★★

As with experience, listening to the stories of various people makes you realize many things and helps with learning.

Environment ★☆☆☆☆

I came to realize the importance of personal space.

Safety★★★★☆

Because it’s winter, the sun sets as early as 5 PM. Also, there aren’t many places in Jeju that stay open late, so as long as you return to your accommodation early, there’s no reason it wouldn’t be safe.

Leisure ★★★☆☆

Jeju itself doesn’t have many places suitable for passing the time, so there wasn’t much to do during leisure time. Unless you take a bus, the most typical activities nearby were reading in the small library inside city hall or going for a walk.