Discovering another possibility within myself, Paris, France — Gap Year Stay Review: "Fertilizer for the Seed of My Youth"

#A more proactive life; a greater interest in the arts #New possibilities in Paris, precious connections #Living together rather than living alone

Author: Kim Song-yi
Country / City: Asia/Cambodia/Phnom Penh
Views : 2811

I lived my university life as a passive student. I went to school based on my grades and, without feeling any interest in my major, I stayed up all night doing assignments and studying for exams just because others did. Suddenly I felt like if I kept going like this I would live without knowing what I truly wanted to do, so I impulsively took a leave of absence. Others take time off to raise their TOEIC scores or get certifications, but this time I didn''t want to follow what everyone else was doing.

France, Paris, Gap Year Stay / Kim Song-yi, gap-year person (gapper) / 8-week gap year

Currently, South Korea is,
Each year 60,000 middle and high school students drop out, 346,000 people in their twenties are just hanging around because they have no dreams, and the one-year turnover rate after employment has entered the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with college life, and more than 80% of workers say they do not feel happy.Many people tell them to dream, but to solve this problem that lacks practical methods and support,we want to introduce the ''gap year'' to South Korea as well.

''Gap year''is a time to either combine or temporarily pause studies and work and engage in various activities such as volunteering, travel, internships, education, or starting a business,to set the direction for the future. It is a culture encouraged in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and other places.

# What do I want?

I lived my university life as a passive student. I went to school according to my grades and, without feeling interest in my major, because others were doing it,I stayed up all night doing assignments and studying for exams. Suddenly I felt like I would go on living without knowing what I really wanted to do, so I took an unplanned leave of absence.People take a leave to raise their TOEIC scores or get certifications, but this time I didn''t want to follow others.

It was the same with travel. I wanted a meaningful trip of my own, not just visiting tourist spots and taking proof photos, and when I happened to learn about the gap year, I felt it was exactly the program I had been looking for, so I applied.

# Living proactively

I wanted to know what I truly wanted to do and, unlike before, I wanted to try doing something on my own.I wanted to clash with things and gain experience. Having grown up under strict parents, I behaved obediently, studied as I was told, did only what I was told to do, and didn''t do what I was told not to. I wanted to break that.

I wanted to try anything and, through those experiences, discover what I truly want and what I want to do. I took a gap year with the idea of practicing living proactively and changing my passive self.

# Paris, the city of art

Paris is a grateful place that opened a new path called art for me. In art-filled Paris, there were so many museums and galleries that you couldn''t visit them all even if you went to a different one every day. I had never really encountered visual art before and thought art was something far from me. I was interested but had few opportunities to engage with it, so I lived thinking, ''I''m not suited to art,'' but coming to Paris I realized that wasn''t true.

The music of buskers echoing in every metro, the artists on Montmartre hill, street dancers, Parisian street fashion with its own vibe—Paris''s unique culture and art were woven into every street, and I loved that. While living in such Paris I started practicing acoustic guitar and developed an interest in contemporary art, visiting museums every day.I''m grateful to Paris for helping me find another possibility within myself.

# Grateful and precious people

The countless connections I made at the guesthouse will be remembered for a long time.The staff and owner, who we relied on most while sharing hardships and joys, and the auntie who cooked delicious meals every day and took care of us like a mother! Thanks to them I was able to stay safe and happy. A wide variety of people came to the guesthouse.

Most visitors were my age, but quite a few were actually around my parents'' generation. Every evening, drinking wine with new guests and sharing each other''s stories, I lost track of time. Every guest I met while working as staff was precious and memorable.

# It was about living together

A terrible terror attack had occurred a month before I arrived in Paris, so I was scared, but I couldn''t give up, so I came to Paris after all.

As soon as I arrived, I was frightened by the sight of rows of soldiers and police. Nervously looking around on the metro, a Parisian came over, kindly asked where I was going, and even bought a ticket for me.

I barely managed to buy a ticket and, being alone and trying to find my way for the first time, everything felt awkward and I hesitated, but another citizen came up to me first and showed me the direction! After receiving help twice in a row, I felt a confidence I couldn''t explain and thought that this city, far from Korea, is also a place where warm-hearted people live.

Once, while I was holding my phone casually, a citizen came up and warned me to be careful with my phone and to keep it in my bag — I was so grateful at that moment.There is a lot of risk of pickpocketing, but thanks to people who look out for you like that, I was able to get around safely. Before, I often thought and said that life is something you live alone~I came to realize deeply that this world is not about living alone but about living together.

# A gap year that became the nourishment for the seed called my youth

I started this gap year saying I would go find myself. But I still don''t fully know myself. However,through the gap year I learned what I like, when I feel happiness, and conversely what I don''t like.Meeting many new people made me realize even more how precious and thankful I should be for my family and those around me.

During the two months, which could be short or long, I experienced so many things and am returning to Korea. These many experiences will remain as good nourishment for me, so that the seed — which hasn''t sprouted yet, or may have already blossomed a little — in the future can grow healthy, strong, and properly...It is clear they will play an important role in helping it do so.

My gap year was..

Experience ★★★★★

Where else could I meet more diverse people and have so many experiences? My time in Paris will remain fond memories for a long time.

Learning★★★★☆

Because of the nature of the guesthouse, living and interacting closely with people, I feel I learned more than anything how to live together.

Environment★★★★☆

The place to sleep was comfortable and the shower pressure was amazing. Auntie''s cooking was so delicious, and because I devoured late-night snacks at nightly wine parties, I gained four kilos.(I deducted one point because I gained weight......)

Safety★★★☆☆

It was a month after a terrorist attack, but there were many soldiers and police around so I felt it was relatively safe. However, Paris has always been a city with many Roma and pickpockets. You must always be careful.

Leisure★★★☆☆

It''s a mistake to think you''ll have a lot of free time. Since you''re always with people, you don''t have much alone time, and surprisingly there''s a lot of time when you end up doing nothing and staying at the accommodation. For this part you need a positive attitude.

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