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#Reduced prejudice against Chinese people; efforts toward personal development #Improved English skills; meeting a variety of people #Mindset is more important than language; effort toward personal goals
Because of the role model I met during summer vacation, I firmly decided to take a leave of absence. That person recommended a gap year and helped me plan what I could do if I took time off. I received counseling from the gap year program and chose the program they recommended. The fact that I could choose what to do for myself was very appealing.
-Study English enjoyably without stress and that''s it / Jeong Jae-hee, gap-year person / 12-week gap year |
I wanted to find a reason to go to university.
Hello. I''m Jeong Jae-hee. I like taking on new challenges and I''m lively and positive.
And I enjoy meeting a variety of people.
When I was in high school, there were three reasons I wanted to go to college.
First, because I wanted to go to Seoul; second, to try having a romantic relationship at university; and lastly, to drink and party my hardest.
I achieved all of these when I was a freshman.After that, I began to question why I was attending school.
So I wanted to find a reason to go to university.
But in the first semester of my second year I had no plans for what to do, and due to my parents'' opposition I just attended school.
I gradually lost interest in my school studies.
And because of the role model I met during summer vacation, I firmly decided to take a leave of absence. That person recommended a gap year and helped me plan what I could do if I took time off. I received counseling from the gap year program and chose the program they recommended. The fact that I could choose what to do for myself was very appealing.
Preparation before departure
It was my first time staying abroad for a long period, and my first time going overseas alone. So I was very excited, thinking, ''What kind of dream-like things will unfold?'' I didn''t really worry. I couldn''t even imagine what the place would be like, so I didn''t even have any worries.
Before leaving the country I had no thoughts at all. SoLooking back now, I think that if I had researched information and thoroughly prepared what I needed to, I could have had a more comfortable life.For example, when I went to the Philippines for language study I brought a lot of jackets in case of possible cold. But it was really hot, so I never had a chance to wear them.
Days in the Philippines
The Philippine academy was Spartan-style, so on weekdays we followed the academy''s schedule.
Because of the tight schedule, on weekdays it was overwhelming just to keep up with the amount of study in class. But once I adapted, life was manageable.
And on weekends I mainly traveled with friends to islands for one- or two-night trips.
People I met during my gap year
I met a Chinese friend in the Philippines. I had a negative perception of Chinese people, but meeting this friend made me realize that was my prejudice. They supported me when I was having a hard time and became my closest friend. Even after I finished my life in the Philippines and went to Thailand, we kept in frequent contact—we''re really close.Even though we communicated in English, which is neither of our native languages, the reason we could become so close is that the care we had for each other mattered more than the language we used.
I also remember Jake and Sylvia in the Philippines. They started dating two weeks before leaving the Philippines, so the academy friends teased them as a ''two-week couple.'' But they became a long-distance couple and are still seeing each other and dating nicely. Watching them, I thought they were cool.
There was also a 35-year-old Cebu tour guide. He always read books for self-improvement and came up with business ideas. He said he came to learn English because he thought it would help with his next business. His constant effort toward his goals was admirable.
Tips for those preparing a gap year in the Philippines
It may not be a unique travel route, but I really recommend scuba diving.
Because the underwater world I saw for the first time was truly beautiful.
However, the places in Cebu that offer cheap prices have some issues — you get the certificate at that price.
So please look into the details carefully before you proceed.
My gap year was..
Experience★★★★★
There were so many experiences I wouldn''t have had if I hadn''t come here in my life. They were experiences you couldn''t even imagine in Korea.
Learning★★★★★
The learning was also tremendous. Meeting people from many countries made me realize that, in the end, places where people live are all pretty similar.
Environment★★★☆☆
It was comfortable because the nearby area was a busy commercial district, but it was hectic.
Safety★☆☆☆☆
Safety inside the academy was good, but I was constantly on edge whenever I went anywhere.
Leisure★★★☆☆
The program in the Philippines was like a Spartan academy. So, except for weekends, there was almost no leisure time.
Because of the role model I met during summer vacation, I firmly decided to take a leave of absence. That person recommended a gap year and helped me plan what I could do if I took time off. I received counseling from the gap year program and chose the program they recommended. The fact that I could choose what to do for myself was very appealing.
-Study English enjoyably without stress and that''s it / Jeong Jae-hee, gap-year person / 12-week gap year |
I wanted to find a reason to go to university.
Hello. I''m Jeong Jae-hee. I like taking on new challenges and I''m lively and positive.
And I enjoy meeting a variety of people.
When I was in high school, there were three reasons I wanted to go to college.
First, because I wanted to go to Seoul; second, to try having a romantic relationship at university; and lastly, to drink and party my hardest.
I achieved all of these when I was a freshman.After that, I began to question why I was attending school.
So I wanted to find a reason to go to university.
But in the first semester of my second year I had no plans for what to do, and due to my parents'' opposition I just attended school.
I gradually lost interest in my school studies.
And because of the role model I met during summer vacation, I firmly decided to take a leave of absence. That person recommended a gap year and helped me plan what I could do if I took time off. I received counseling from the gap year program and chose the program they recommended. The fact that I could choose what to do for myself was very appealing.
Preparation before departure
It was my first time staying abroad for a long period, and my first time going overseas alone. So I was very excited, thinking, ''What kind of dream-like things will unfold?'' I didn''t really worry. I couldn''t even imagine what the place would be like, so I didn''t even have any worries.
Before leaving the country I had no thoughts at all. SoLooking back now, I think that if I had researched information and thoroughly prepared what I needed to, I could have had a more comfortable life.For example, when I went to the Philippines for language study I brought a lot of jackets in case of possible cold. But it was really hot, so I never had a chance to wear them.
Days in the Philippines
The Philippine academy was Spartan-style, so on weekdays we followed the academy''s schedule.
Because of the tight schedule, on weekdays it was overwhelming just to keep up with the amount of study in class. But once I adapted, life was manageable.
And on weekends I mainly traveled with friends to islands for one- or two-night trips.
People I met during my gap year
I met a Chinese friend in the Philippines. I had a negative perception of Chinese people, but meeting this friend made me realize that was my prejudice. They supported me when I was having a hard time and became my closest friend. Even after I finished my life in the Philippines and went to Thailand, we kept in frequent contact—we''re really close.Even though we communicated in English, which is neither of our native languages, the reason we could become so close is that the care we had for each other mattered more than the language we used.
I also remember Jake and Sylvia in the Philippines. They started dating two weeks before leaving the Philippines, so the academy friends teased them as a ''two-week couple.'' But they became a long-distance couple and are still seeing each other and dating nicely. Watching them, I thought they were cool.
There was also a 35-year-old Cebu tour guide. He always read books for self-improvement and came up with business ideas. He said he came to learn English because he thought it would help with his next business. His constant effort toward his goals was admirable.
Tips for those preparing a gap year in the Philippines
It may not be a unique travel route, but I really recommend scuba diving.
Because the underwater world I saw for the first time was truly beautiful.
However, the places in Cebu that offer cheap prices have some issues — you get the certificate at that price.
So please look into the details carefully before you proceed.
My gap year was..
Experience★★★★★
There were so many experiences I wouldn''t have had if I hadn''t come here in my life. They were experiences you couldn''t even imagine in Korea.
Learning★★★★★
The learning was also tremendous. Meeting people from many countries made me realize that, in the end, places where people live are all pretty similar.
Environment★★★☆☆
It was comfortable because the nearby area was a busy commercial district, but it was hectic.
Safety★☆☆☆☆
Safety inside the academy was good, but I was constantly on edge whenever I went anywhere.
Leisure★★★☆☆
The program in the Philippines was like a Spartan academy. So, except for weekends, there was almost no leisure time.
What makes this project special
