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#Gained the courage to speak to foreigners first; began living life on my own terms #A variety of experiences; bonds formed with foreign friends #The importance of an open mind; lowering expectations about the environment
The ultimate reason I participated in a gap year was that I wanted to gain a lot of experience. I wanted to broaden my perspective and meet various people. So I applied and set off.
- Pleasant English education volunteer activity with foreign friends in Chiang Rai, Thailand /South America gap-year group gapper/8 weeks of gap year |
Currently, South Korea is,
60,000 middle and high school students drop out each year; 346,000 people in their twenties are idle because they lack dreams; the one-year job turnover rate has entered the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with campus life, and over 80% of workers say they do not feel happy.Although many people tell others to dream, to solve this problem that lacks practical methods and support, we want to introduce the ''gap year'' to South Korea as well.
''Gap year (Gapyear)''is a time to either combine studies and work or to pause temporarily and, through various activities such as volunteering, travel, internships, education, and starting a business,use it as a period to set the direction for the future; it is a culture encouraged in the United States, Europe, Japan, and elsewhere.
#I wanted to have a lot of experiences. To broaden my perspective and meet various people.
I used to often talk with a friend I was close to when I was young about volunteering abroad. Like, when we''re college students, we should go abroad once to volunteer a bit and travel a bit, right? It wasn''t exactly planned this time, but thatfriend and I decided to take a leave of absence together, and since that happened, we looked into it and found the gap year.
Actually we wanted to go to Europe, but being hungry college students we didn''t have money. Among the relatively affordable Southeast Asian options we considered Cambodia and Thailand, and we ultimately chose Thailand.What attracted me most was living together in a village with foreign friends.
The ultimate reason I participated in a gap year was that I wanted to gain a lot of experience. I wanted to broaden my perspective and meet various people. So I applied and set off.
#I think I was most worried when packing for the first time.
I was abroad for three months including travel after the gap year, and I think I was most worried when I packed for the first time. What should I bring and how much? ButI realized when I arrived in Thailand that it was truly a needless worry..Everything is available in Thailand.
I was also worried about getting sick. If you get ill away from home, it''s a huge problem! I didn''t really get traveler’s diarrhea, but during a weekend trip I fell off a bicycle and badly injured my knee; because the weather is humid, wounds don''t heal easily. Just in case, bring Medi-foam (medical dressing)! And at least while volunteering, the organization helps with illnesses — they give medicine, and if you still feel sick they''ll take you to the hospital. Hospital fees are at your own expense, though.
Other than that, I don''t think I had major worries. Actually I was going with a close friend, so my parents didn''t have to worry much. I myself also didn''t worry.
#Friends who were always together. There were Koreans and foreigners.
The Korean sisters had already been there for about a month when I arrived and they helped me a lot. When I first arrived and didn''t know what was what and had trouble speaking, they helped me know what to do. Since they were fellow Koreans, I relied on them a lot and was able to get close to them. Because our volunteer periods were different, we couldn''t stay together until the end, butwe keep in touch after returning to Korea, and we plan to meet again soon.
And other foreign friends.It makes you realize that foreigners are just people too.Although the language is different, peers think the same things, and what they like and how they play are similar, which was surprising. They''re friends I don''t just say ''let''s meet again'' to, but really want to see again. They don''t exclude or hang out separately because I''m Asian; if I don''t understand well they repeat more slowly and explain in detail. I really want to meet them again. Why is America so far?
Go with an open mind. Don''t have prejudices about foreign friends'' nationalities. It was really different from what I had heard. There are absolutely no bad people there. Even if you''re shy, if you speak first they''ll welcome you and I think you can easily make friends. I think approaching others first and meeting many friends is the most rewarding.
# My recommended travel spots!
Chiang Mai – It''s a 3-hour bus ride from Chiang Rai. There were many things to see, like Doi Suthep temple, the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon, and an elephant sanctuary.
Chiang Rai – There''s a hostel called ''mercy'' that''s close, cheap, and good. Seoul Restaurant (Korean restaurant) and Barab (Thai restaurant) are in the city center; they''re cheap and delicious, and I still remember their chicken salad.
# I met many friends who live admirable lives and wanted to learn from them.
What changed after my gap year is that I feel like I can approach foreigners first. I''m also more comfortable with English than before.Oh, and above all, I think I''ll live my life a little more on my own terms from now on. I met many friends who live cool lives and wanted to learn from them.
Let go of expectations about accommodations and daily life. It''s incredibly hot and rough lol. If you lower your expectations to the floor, you''ll think, ''It''s better than I thought.'' It''s not so much poor as just a bit uncomfortable. It''s really very different from the environment we lived in in Korea, butit''s still a place where people live, and you''ll be fine once you get used to it.
# My tips!
First of all,I think it''s good to learn at least a little of the country''s language beforehand. Not necessarily just for communication, but to approach the local people and children more easily and comfortably!Even if it''s not accurate, speaking Thai makes them very happy.
Because meals are basically provided, there don''t seem to be major problems at mealtimes compared to Western friends. Food is self-served on trays and may look modest. Actually, it is a bit modest. So I often ate two servings. There seems to be a lot of chicken, so chicken and eggs come out very often. But be aware that the food can be greasy or salty!
Sometimes dishes using strong spices like cilantro appear, but the flavor isn''t as strong as at restaurants. Since foreigners eat it, they seem to add a moderate amount.The fruit is really unbelievably delicious. It appears often and in large amounts, so eat a lot. It''s probably the best mango I''ve had in my 23 years.
As for luggage,you don''t need to prepare too much.Most daily necessities can be bought cheaply in Thailand. At the night market you''ll find lots of thin clothing, usually about 3,000 won. In downtown Chiang Rai there are several 7-Elevens comparable to Daiso, and there''s a Watsons. I bought hair dye at Watsons and did a touch-up, haha. Bringing aloe vera was helpful. The sun is strong so sensitive skin can get red, so Korean aloe is great for soothing your skin before bed.
If you want to bring Korean food, it''s fine, but I left mine behind. I didn''t particularly crave it, but many Koreans struggled because of the food. There''s also one decent Korean restaurant in Chiang Rai city (bibimbap about 4,000 won?). At the department store mart about a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from downtown they sell kimchi, ramen, canned goods — basically all kinds of Korean food. But bringing Korean food is nice because you can share it with foreign friends.
It''s good to bring some Korean items (simple things like postcards or small dolls) to give to friends later. Thai friends you live with and other foreigners are interested in Korea, and they really like receiving Korean-themed gifts.I met such great friends that I wanted to give them something, but I didn''t have much, so I gave the sheet masks I had brought.
* Photos taken during activities
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
You meet good people and have great experiences that are hard to have elsewhere.
Learning★★★☆☆
I got a bit closer to English, and above all I learned a lot about attitudes toward life from foreign friends. It''s quite different from Korea. There are many kinds of cultural exchange as well.
Environment★★☆☆☆
The environment is kind of iffy, hahaha. It was hard to adapt at first, but over time the accommodation becomes the most comfortable. It''s nature-friendly. There is no air conditioning, but since it''s quite far from the city center, it can get chilly at night.
Safety★★★★★
Is there anywhere safer than this! The heat is the biggest danger. Oh—mosquitoes?
Leisure★★★★★
Three weekend days are free! You can take short trips to nearby places. Even during the day, there is plenty of leisure time in the evenings.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
