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#Greater mental maturity, broadened perspective, increased patriotism #Practice in becoming independent; encounters with diverse people #The exhilaration of achieving what I dreamed of every day; appreciation for the value of Korea
You won''t know the exhilaration of achieving what you''ve dreamed of every day until you experience it.Through this project, I''ve felt my thinking change a lot and I''ve become much brighter.While living abroad and going through various experiences, when a problem arises,I think more calmly than before, and my perspective has broadened.And I''ve come to enjoy talking with people. - Paris, France — Gap Year Stay / Im Seung-ju, gap-year participant ''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 idle because they have no dreams, and turnover within one year of employment has entered the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with college life, and more than 80% of workers report not feeling happy.Many people tell them to dream, but to solve this problem that lacks practical methods and support, we aim to bring the ''gap year'' to South Korea as well.
''Gap year (Gapyear)''refers to taking a break from or combining studies and work to engage in various activities such as volunteering, travel, internships, education, and startups,serving as a time to set the direction for the future — a culture encouraged in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and elsewhere.
# My major was a master''s; standing on my own..... Paris, which I left for to practice independence
After earning my master''s degree in Korea, I regretted never having traveled alone and felt that if not now, I might never go. I was also tired from five years of a busy life and felt I needed some new stimulation. Having seen the film ''Midnight in Paris,'' I had always wanted to go to Paris, and I happened to learn about the gap-year ''Paris, France — Gap Year Stay'' project. The idea of making a European trip special by staying in Paris for two months was so appealing that I applied for the project without hesitation.
After my participation was confirmed I was really excited, and I started preparing little by little for Paris by exercising and working part-time at a convenience store. The day to go to Paris drew closer,The day of departure approached and the journey began. As I went from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to my accommodation, many thoughts crossed my mind.
My goal in participating this time was to practice independence by making every decision on my own. Looking back on my past life,I realized that any decision I made had been influenced by others, and there were times when I wasn''t satisfied with myself.So I decided to take this opportunity in a new place to organize my thoughts about what I wanted to do, and to,hope to grow a little more.
Although my body and mind were exhausted from the long flight and many thoughts, the new beginning in Paris was enough to fill me with anticipation.
# The diverse people I met through 33 night tours
This photo was taken when I joined the night tour on my first day of arrival, and the emotions I felt then were overwhelmingly intense and beyond words. The Eiffel Tower was so magnificent that I thought, ''No wonder so many people come here.'' The activity I was assigned to was the night tour,Honestly, when I first began the night tour I was worried whether I could actually do this activity.
Leading and explaining was a burden at first, but after doing it once or twice it became increasingly fun, and I began to imagine how to explain things so the guests would enjoy them more. Once I cast off the pressure and it became enjoyable in itself, an amazing change occurred — I began to look forward to the tours. By moving beyond rote script explanations and adding things I had discovered in Paris and small bits of knowledge, I had much smoother, more vivid, and personal conversations with my guests.
It was true communication, not one-sided interaction.Perhaps because I worked so hard, time passed quickly. Time really seems relative: when you''re bored, even an hour feels long, but because I enjoyed the tour activities, the eight weeks flew by in the blink of an eye like flowing water.
Including reconnaissance and tours, I guided a total of 33 tours. Whenever I recall each one, I remember every small conversation and feeling with the people I was with and cannot forget them.Guests stayed for a few days.When it ended,they left for other places, but I exchanged contact information with people I became close to on the tours and we agreed to meet if we go to Korea, so we have kept in touch. Being able to become close quickly while meeting for a short time during travelwas an amazing and precious experience.Meeting so many people here and having those connections continue is an enormous asset to me and relationships I should cherish.
I tried writing down my daily feelings and impressions in a notebook every time I did a tour, and even after the Paris gap year stay project ended, when I look at that notebook the conversations and happy moments from that time come to mind, and I will have for a lifetime...happy memories, I believe.And above all,I met the older brothers, friends, and younger members I worked with as staff, and with themI was able to share many things and become close. We could rely on and support each other, so I was able to make it to the endI think.
What I liked most of all was that I stayed in Paris for a long time. Being able to take your time to see one city is really an experience you can''t easily have.And the emotion I felt when I went to see the Eiffel Tower''s night view for the first time is something I will never forget.Also, what I felt while staying in Paris wasthat, unlike the relaxed life in Paris, I had been living too fast when I was in Korea, so from now on I''ll reduce my impatience andtry to move forward step by step.
In Paris I mostly bought food and often went on picnics in parks. There were so many pleasant parks to relax in, which I liked.And on a holiday I visited Brussels and Bruges in Belgium; I want to recommend Bruges.The buildings are charming and you can see everything in a day, soit feels like taking a walk around a small countryside townand I think it would be nice to visit with that feeling.
After finishing the project, my travel route was Barcelona - Madrid - Lisbon - London. The theme of this trip, which I chose myself, was footballso I went to cities I really wanted to visit and was able to see unforgettable matches and stadiums, which was wonderful.You can''t know the exhilaration of achieving something you''ve dreamed of every day until you experience it.
# While in Paris I became a patriot without realizing it. Long live the Republic of Korea!
While working on the project I had many changes of heart, but my body changed a lot too. I lost as much as 8 kg after coming to Paris. Back in Korea,I had gained a lot of weight from greasy food and lack of exercise, but after I started the night-view tours in Paris, even if I ate two bowls of rice before going out I was still constantlyhungry. I was amazed that such a thing happened.
Auntie cooked the food so deliciously that the meals were truly the best! Most people returned having gained weight, but in my case, thanks to a well-balanced diet, I actually lost weight. AEating Korean food in Paris is also one of the unforgettable memories. Still,Now I think I''ll know how precious food is when I go to Korea. I managed with my aunt''s cooking here, but after coming to Paris, when I returned to KoreaAs I wrote a list of foods I wanted to eat one by one, it has really grown a lot now!!
And the thing I feel most since coming here is that I miss Korea. People say you become patriotic when you go abroad, and that seems to be true.When things that were taken for granted in Korea are not taken for granted here, that''s when I most wanted to go home. Especially the project I carried outBecause it was the 130th anniversary of Korea–France diplomatic relations, there was a Korean music and light show at the Eiffel Tower, and it really gave me goosebumps andI felt choked up for a moment.
And not long ago there was also a Korean street food festival, which was really amazing. It was fascinating just that foreigners were eating our food. Isn''t this Paris, the city of gourmets? Gourmets eating our country''s food! There were so many incredible things while I was here.
# Gap year — discovering my mental growth
The biggest improvement compared to before joining the project is that I have matured mentally. Living abroad and going through many things, when a problem arisesI think more calmly than before and my thinking has broadened.And I have come to enjoy talking with people.For the first time I felt like time flew by while talking, and I made really manyfriends and we still keep in touch, so it will be really fun to meet again when I return to Korea.
Through this project, I feel that my thoughts have changed a lot and I have become much brighter.I even hit ''Point Zero'', and now I think I might already be planning to come back once I return. Since I''ve made a reason to definitely return, I''m really excited.Now when I go back to Korea, whatever I do I can find enjoyment in it and carry it out with what I learned here. The future matters more, so I''ll cheer up and move forward!!
# Small tips for the next participants
For those who want to join this project: when working as staff, do your job properly, and when it''s break time, make good use of that time.Also, try to bring as little luggage as possible so you can fill things up here.If you bring too much, it will be hard to carry, and later you''ll have many souvenirs and other items from Paris, making packing difficult.
Also, learn in advance the terms needed for living in France, and because the pronunciation is difficult, it''s good to practice a lot. In Paris, Englishis hardly used, so it was sometimes difficult, but using a little basic French makes daily life not too challenging. Simpleexpressions and body language can convey your intentions, so you don''t need to be too afraid.
