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#Became more meticulous; increased motivation for the future #Diverse connections; glimpses of a life philosophy #Hopes for a society that respects individuality
Successfully carrying out a gap year project is alsoimportant, but through this opportunity you can learn how to have time to yourself, recharge, and about new culturesIf you can come having overcome your fears, wouldn''t this be the most successful gap year?
-Ola! A Beginner''s Spanish from My Bucket List! / Kim Geon, gap-year gapper / 4-week gap year |
Currently, South Korea is,
60,000 middle and high school students drop out annually, 346,000 people in their 20s are just idling because they have no dreams, and job turnover within one year of employment has entered the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with university life, and more than 80% of office workers say they do not feel happy.Many people tell them to dream, but to solve this problem where there are no practical methods or help, we aim to introduce the ''gap year'' to South Korea as well.
''Gapyear (Gapyear)''refers to taking a break from or combining studies and work and engaging in various activities such as volunteering, travel, internships, education, or starting a business,a time to set the direction for the future — a practice recommended in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and elsewhere.
#Since my re-enrollment is next year and life seemed like it would be hard, while planning a trip,I saw a project run by Gapyear and made a bold decision.
I was discharged from the Navy this April and am just an ordinary student on leave, resting endlessly.My major is English Education, and unusually, I enjoy foreign languages as a hobby.
At first it started with worrying about what I would do after discharge, and doing only part-time jobs endlessly felt...Since my re-enrollment is next year and life seemed like it would be hard, while planning a trip, I came across a project run by Gapyear.I saw the project and decided boldly. I don''t think there was much room for hesitation.
Not to boast, but I''ve traveled abroad so much that I wasn''t too worried.I think that wherever you go, it''s still a place where people live...
#A month is a short period to learn something thoroughly,I think, but while spending that time I was able to get some clues about my life philosophy.
I prepared for departure simply and clearly. I bought the plane ticket the day I decided, and I booked accommodation. After deciding on the gap year,I departed within a week, so the preparation period may have seemed tight, but as usual,I prepared as usual and deliberately went without researching the place.
I felt that learning by throwing myself into things directly is morefun. I packed in a few hours and only took the most basic items...I left.
Through my gap year, I wanted to at least learn some basic Spanish and to travel without a plan — not following a set script but on an impromptu trip.I wanted to try creating that. In the end I succeeded at both. I looked for the things I like and, moving around freely,I also intended to have some personal time,I think one month is too short to learn something thoroughly,but spending that time I was able to catch a clue about my life philosophy.
#While a single unified idea is important,I came to want to create a society where people can proudly show their strengths and individuality.
At the institute we woke up at 7 a.m., washed, packed our bags, and calmly headed to the academy. After four hours of lectures were over,we were free — we''d come home, do homework, and eat. That meant from about 3–4 p.m.I could comfortably spend personal time.If I just wanted to see the sea, I''d head to the sea, and if I craved a wide-open view,I''d go up to a high hill.
The best thing was that people didn''t pay much attention to others'' appearances, and individuals themselves were not constrained by others'' gazes.That was how it was.They wore unique hairstyles, tattoos, or strangely styled clothes that are not common in our country,and watching them, I often compared it with our country where, when dressing or styling hair, you have to care more about others'' tastes than your own.I compared the two a lot.
It''s not that I longed for that look, but even if someone looks different from you ordoesn''t behave in a conventional way, the culture respected and acknowledged that person''s individuality rather than scolding or criticizing them, whichI liked the most.
Not just superficially, but truly respecting each other''s cultures and individuality, and seeing diverse personalitiesharmoniously blended into one culture — these aspects made me think a lot that they might be things I should teach later in the profession as an education major.I thought about that a lot.While a single unified idea is important,I came to want to create a society where people can proudly show their strengths and individuality.
# My recommended travel destinations!
1. Every Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: Montjuïc Fountain Show (Plaça d''Espanya)
- This is the fountain show most Koreans visit in Barcelona. However, many people only look at the front of the fountainActually the area in front of the fountain is nice, but the view from the National Art Museum of Catalonia just behind it is even better. Andif you take the escalator through the arena (the Colosseum building) in front of Espanya station, you canaccess the rooftop for free.
The wide-open view is the main attraction, but many Koreans don''t know about it. I learned about it from localsand when I later showed it to Koreans I met, they liked it a lot.
2. Bunkers del Carmel (about a 20-minute walk from El Carmel station)
- This is the open area commonly known among Koreans as the ''Bunker.'' It was used as an air-raid shelter during the war, but now only the site/remainsremain, and many people gather there to see the night view. It has only recently become known in Korea, so nowyou can easily find Koreans there. A tip: if you want to enjoy the night view—one of Koreans'' favorites—with a beer,it''s best to buy the beer near the station and bring it with you, because there''s nothing there,
except for a restroom. The most beautiful night views are between 11 PM and 1 AM. I strongly recommend going on a Saturday,because the metro runs 24 hours on Saturdays.
3. Montserrat Monastery (about 1 hour by train from Espanya station)
- Montserrat Monastery, where you can hear the beautiful harmonies of the Escolania boys'' choir, one of the world''s three great choirs.When I was there, unfortunately the choir was on holiday, so I couldn''t see them.
However, even without the choir, the beautiful natural scenery and the monastery perched on the sheer cliffs are enough to make you keep saying ''beautiful.''From the statue of the Black Madonna to the soaring mountain ranges, it will give you an unforgettable day trip near Barcelona.
4. Filming location of the movie ''Perfume'' (the back alleys behind Barcelona Cathedral)
- It''s not very famous, but the filming location of the movie ''Perfume,'' which is highly praised among film fans,is in Barcelona. Although the film is set in Paris, I heard that one scene was shot in Barcelona.It''s the scene where Jean-Baptiste first murders the woman who sells plums, and those who were deeply moved by the filmwill recognize it immediately and think, ''Ah, that''s the place.''
It''s not a major tourist spot, but since I like the movie I recommend it. Also, in that alley there is one of only three handmade soap shops in the world.They''re cheap and of very good quality, so I bought a few as gifts; it''s a place many Koreans visit, so I mention it.. ^^#
I believe that not only the project I participated in but all other projects serve to provide opportunities to participants.Spending a five-week trip alone didn''t seem difficult at first, but after two weeks I started to feel very lonely.
By nature I''m extroverted and prefer creating things together, so I found companions through European travel sites and traveled with them.I would find companions and travel with them. I met many people and, although we parted ways, I still keep in touch with some of them,and even meet them in Korea to share a drink and connect.Thankfully, I gained the extra benefit of networking.
Comparing before and after my gap year, first of all I lost a lot of weight. Walking over 30,000 steps a day and spending money on drinks instead of meals...Before starting the gap year, I had just been discharged from the military, and maybe because I hadn’t completely shaken off military life, I was apathetic about everything.I spent each day without much thought. But while carrying out the gap year project,I realized I was spending a large sum that was hard for a 23-year-old to handle, so I had to get my act together and try to take away as much as I could.I found myself making the effort.
I became more meticulous, more observant, and more cautious. The parts of me that had been lackingwere noticeably different when I returned to Korea.meeting many people—by meeting them and understanding and accepting different perspectives, my motivation for the future grew.
I had studied with the aim of simply becoming a teacher, but my determination to be an educator who can teach not only academics but also experience and philosophybecame clear, and thanks to my family’s support and the very kind people I met in Spain,I was reminded of how happily I’m living my life and how much love I receive,and it made me realize that all over again.
I believe that not only the project I joined but all projects serve to provide participants with opportunities.In fact, the programs run during the project period aren’t things that occupy you all day long.They’re not.People often hesitate to travel abroad because they’re afraid to go alone or are intimidated by unfamiliar places, but a gap yeargives you a purpose, which in turn gives you the courage to set off confidently.
Also, in my case,I’m not sure how helpful it will be, but since they give a participation certificate, I thought that if I’m going anyway, I might as well go looking good.I thought that a lot. After finishing the day’s program, creating your own time in an unfamiliar place,—I hope you experience a lot of that joy. Succeeding in the gap year project is important, butif through this opportunity you learn how to have time to yourself, recharge, andovercome your fear of new cultures, wouldn’t that be the most successful gap year?
# My TIP
1. Honestly, Spanish is certainly a language that’s relatively easy to learn if you already know English. However, in SpainBecause of the nature of things, even if you know English you often don''t use it much, so it''s helpful to learn simple greetings and ways to express yourself in advance.I think it will increase the convenience of travel.For learning basic conversation, among smartphone apps there are offline...they work even when offline, so studying them little by little during spare time on flights can help.
2. One thing for sure is that cooking for yourself is cheaper and may suit your tastes better. However, due to the nature of overseas accommodations, the seasonings I want...are not always stocked, and bringing gochujang, soy sauce, etc. from Korea would take up a lot of luggage space.Many people use local Asian markets, but I sometimes got meals from the host locally...and although I mostly bought food outside, it is true that it can be a financial burden.Fortunately, since it''s expensive, the portions are large so...eating 1–2 meals a day was enough, so there were no physical strain or health problems at all.
3. Half-joking, but because I didn''t have dress shoes I couldn''t get into clubs on Fridays...Because of the dress code. I live more casually, so during the project period I didn''t really feel inconvenienced.
4. I think a hip bag (fanny pack) is essential. You can wear it in front, it''s not bulky, and it''s relatively safe from theft. Each day...you can carry only what you need, and it''s less sweaty than carrying a backpack.For women, it''s true that pickpocketing and muggings feel more threatening and the risk is higher, so anti-theft cables, etc...I think preparing them is one option. (They were all easy to find at Daiso.)
My gap year is
Experience★★★★☆
Because I had traveled overseas so much before and Spain itself has a strong resort-like feel, I felt there were no particularly novel experiences. However, facing the anxieties and worries you encounter everywhere and working through them on your own felt like a good experience. The biggest takeaway is that the more you travel like this, the more you can break the illusions you have about Europe or other foreign countries.
Learning★★★★☆
Basically, I was able to start learning a new language, and I could learn how people from other cultures live, and the ways they are similar to or different from us.
Environment★★★★☆
I always felt like there was nothing to do. Spending a long time in one city, it was natural that there would be less and less to do...and the environment didn''t support finding something new or things to enjoy. I think my personality, being far from someone who seeks rest andhealing, made me feel that even more. For those who want to fully enjoy rest and beautiful nature...I strongly recommend Barcelona.
Safety★★★☆☆
As for safety, I haven''t always been particularly careful. There are rumors about pickpockets and that it''s not safe at night.The streets too — after actually visiting, I felt that if individuals are a little cautious there''s unlikely to be trouble. A pickpocket...Someone once attached themselves to me and attempted to extort me, but fortunately I was able to catch them, and after that there wasn''t anything to be greatly concerned about.However, since many travelers do actually fall victim to pickpocketing, I''m not saying you should be completely at ease.
Leisure★★★★☆
Paradoxically, because there was so little to do, it was the perfect time to enjoy personal leisure. I read books and bought a used guitar...I spent time playing alone in a neighborhood park, could easily enjoy swimming at a nearby beach, and every day...Having a beer while looking at the beautiful night view every day was also a perfectly good way to spend leisure time.
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