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#Realized what was holding me back; broadened my perspective #New experiences; a sense of happiness #Developed a mindset of acceptance
I realized that what had been holding me back all this time was none other than myself. I don''t think it''s too late.When I started this project, my basic stance was acceptance. Let''s accept everything! Of course, I sometimes met an awkward or rigid version of myself, but through all those experiences I felt myself expanding.
-Montpellier with the dazzling Mediterranean. Learn French! / Park Hae-ryeon, gap-year tribe gapper / 4-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 idling because they have no dreams, and the job turnover rate within one year of employment has entered the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with college life, and over 80% of office workers say they do not feel happy.Many people tell others to dream, but to solve this problem that lacks practical methods and support, We want to bring the ''gap year'' to South Korea.
''Gapyear (Gap Year)''refers to taking a break from or combining studies and work to engage in various activities such as volunteering, traveling, internships, education, and starting a business,a time to set your direction moving forward; it is a culture encouraged in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other places.
# I realized that what had been binding me all this time was none other than myself.
I am just an ordinary office worker who has so many things I want to do that I forget my age. At some point, after a certain trigger—my first trip to Paris—everything changed. Do what you want now! Let''s live that way! So I resigned from my job and decided to start traveling in earnest.I realized that what had been holding me back all this time was none other than myself. I don''t think it''s too late.It''s always the quickest moment now, and I don''t worry about the future. I believe you just need to live the present well. If you look at it positively I''m optimistic; looked at negatively, am I an unfounded optimist?
The reason I chose the gap year project was that it seemed fun! That was the main reason.I happened to learn about it through a friend, and when I looked into it, the projects were completely for me—I was totally excited at the prospect of being able to have many different experiences through the gap year that would be hard to do alone.
Doing these things one by one, I thought I would gain more confidence and meet more of myself. After considering many options, what fits my time right now became the priority, and I want to try each of the remaining projects one by one.
When I started this project, my basic stance was acceptance. Let''s accept everything! Of course, I sometimes met an awkward or rigid version of myself, but through all those experiences I felt myself expanding.In a foreign country, meeting strangers with French as a common challenge, we became friends, and mutual interest, acceptance, and curiosity became the core that drove the process.
Within less than a week of being in the same class, I met a classmate who practices yoga. I told that friend—with my ridiculous English skills, French, and body language—that I wanted to do yoga together, and the next day when we met and did yoga in the park looking at the sky, it was sheer bliss. It was a freshness I felt for the first time! Of course, there were many new experiences afterward... but that was the beginning.
# There is a joy in experiencing unfamiliar, beautiful places directly within simplicity.
Classes were run in morning and afternoon sessions, so when I was in the morning class I could finish early and use the day, which was nice. But from the second week I had no choice and had the afternoon class, which was a bit inconvenient. Wake up, do any homework from the previous day, do a bit of exercise or take a walk, and if I''m diligent explore the neighborhood before class; after class, since it''s summer and the days are long, read a book in the park or hang out and have dinner with friends, then go home and rest.It may seem simple, but in that simplicity there is the pleasure of experiencing unfamiliar, beautiful places firsthand.
First of all, safety is the top priority if you''re a woman! We''re physically more vulnerable. The best thing was that some measure of safety was already guaranteed before starting. I could trust and rely on them.And I was moved by being able to have various experiences. I was impressed by the timely and appropriate guidance emails at needed moments. The replies weren''t formulaic and always showed consideration. I was touched. There is a new world out there; many products could derive from it. I learned and realized that life can be lived this enjoyably.
# I felt Montpellier''s air and temperature, the wind, the moonlight, and the starlight with my whole body, expanding myself.
Paris, which I visited by chance last spring, left such a deep impression on me. A profound resonance I couldn''t name washed over me. Now the place I should be is Paris! Paris! It seemed to echo from deep within me.The moment I first saw the Eiffel Tower I wanted to hug everyone, and I was so grateful to everyone who gave me this opportunity.
That''s how it was. Paris, to me,the country of France gave me such a deep resonance.After visiting France like that, many changes happened to me. As if hypnotized, I went around shouting, ''I''m going to live in France~.'' And life became more enjoyable, more than before~Every day was happy, and everything looked beautiful. Nothing in this world could break my sense of happiness.No one could harm me.
Thus I became more positive, happier, and more proactive than before. And little by little I nurtured my dream of Paris — dreaming of Paris but not being bound to it...As time passed, I felt I should quit the company and decided to leave. The company director accepted my decision. There was nothing left to stop me… So I booked a one‑month plane ticket to Paris starting from my resignation date. Without hesitation, with no plans, just immediately!!!
Only after buying the ticket did I start to think about what to do there and where and how I should stay.Should I do a bicycle tour following the Tour de France? Rent a car and go camping? Pack a light backpack and walk around France? With such vague thoughts I was crossing off the days.
Then one day a friend introduced me to gap year opportunities. What is this? Curious, I went to the site and the moment I did!It was a whole new world!Everything I wanted in terms of concept was there!Wow — French cultural heritage restoration projects? Trying out being a Parisian? Language study in France, studying interior design in Italy, farm stays in Chile, learning yoga in India, leisurely becoming a village teacher, volunteering in Uganda…
It all felt like it belonged to me.It seemed like a collection of everything I wanted to do.My heart raced!!!Ah! I calmed myself, and decided to prioritize what I could do — what suited me best right now — and slowly began to sort out my thoughts.At first I wondered if there might be something I could do while living in Paris for a few months.
Because I wanted to look for possibilities, I initially thought of Paris as the destination, but learning French in Montpellier in the south of France caught my eye. I hesitated a bit between doing it in Paris, but the path that was set for me was Montpellier.That''s it!As if it had been predetermined, Montpellier approached me that way and I chose that path.
The journey I had was just over a month, so I booked a four‑week language course in Montpellier. With each step I took, another layer of happiness was added.But just before leaving a slight fear washed over me. I hadn''t traveled abroad often — only once to Paris last spring with a companion — and my language skills weren''t fluent; could I do well?
My English was at a Konglish level and I hadn''t even opened my mouth to speak French; in a situation where I couldn''t understand, could I really manage?I was all happiness and confidence, but before I knew it a little fear had started to rise.Then suddenly, I thought, ''Yes! What will happen to me will happen! It''s the same wherever I am!''If something is going to happen, it''s something I have to accept. If it''s meant to happen, it will happen the same whether I''m anywhere or doing anything.Let''s accept it!That became the basic concept for this trip.Allow!Accept everything! Just as it is~After deciding that, I felt much more at ease!
First, I spent five days in Paris to warm up before going to Montpellier.In Paris I had booked individual accommodation; it was a dormitory run by a French person, not a Korean guesthouse.The moment I met the owner, went up the stairs, and entered the room, I was already in a state of panic.There were several bunk beds in an open space with two foreign men, and they were telling me to use the top bunk!Gasp!!! I was so flustered and angry. Should I demand a refund right away? But the owner hadn''t done anything wrong! I must have misunderstood. No — shouldn''t the owner have told me about this situation in advance? Or should I just run out?My head was spinning wildly like a tangled skein of yarn.The owner kept saying, ''Okay? Okay?'' waiting for my answer, but I couldn''t say anything. Not a single word came out! Then what came out of my mouth was
"I don''t speak English very well!!!"
(Looking back it was really funny, but at the time I was so flustered I didn''t even know what I was saying!)
It seemed like they were saying, ''Huh? What is she saying?''
Then a Spanish man, who had quickly grasped the situation, started saying something to the owner. I couldn''t hear a thing.I wondered if he was bringing up his own discomfort at that very moment.But after a moment the owner pointed to an inner room and asked, ''Okay?''Only then did I see there was another room inside. At least there was a door. Only then did I say okay.Then I went inside to compose myself, said I was sorry, closed the door, and sat there dazed.Sitting quietly and thinking, I realized that things that were completely natural to them were things my tense body and mind couldn''t properly accept.Lack of experience? Cultural differences? Because of things like that, my basic premise of ''acceptance'' for this trip took a full-on knockout punch and I started off shaken.
That''s how it started, but after spending five uneventful days at the accommodation, making friends and getting along, I finally took the train to Montpellier.From Paris to Montpellier it''s about three and a half hours by TGV.After about an hour the scenery outside changed. I thought, ''France really is such a wide plain.'' I was simply amazed and excited. Then, a little later, seeing a family cycling through the wide fields and grass, I had a feeling.
I knew I''d fall in love with this place again....Ah! The moment I arrived, I was already in love!It was a truly peaceful and beautiful town — a place you can''t help but love. Although it''s one of France''s eight major cities, to my eyes it was just a charming countryside town.I wanted to feel the very first impression intact, so I decided to walk from the station to the accommodation. Isn''t the feeling you get when you first meet something—the literal ''first impression''—something you can''t postpone?
I didn''t expect much since the French are known for being unreliable with appointments, and I had used a map to find the place, but in the distance I saw a man calling my name and waving. Oh my goodness! Even though I arrived much earlier than planned, he had come early and was waiting for me; he recognized me first and waved to call me over!Then he handed me a cold bottle of water as a gift! Ah! I couldn''t help but fall for him from the very start. It was pure emotion—so touching.So I began by receiving that touching gesture. Although the directions to the school, the map, and the Wi‑Fi password were all on the information sheet, he kindly guided me again and even checked that I could connect to the Wi‑Fi before he left.
The accommodation was also very satisfying. It was much better than the photos Gap Year had sent before I left. Usually places are worse than their photos, but this was an exception. It was spacious, clean, had a fully equipped kitchen, utilities like electricity and water were included, cleaning was done once a week, and they even refilled toilet paper and trash bags.You might think it would be more expensive because it''s arranged through the school, but considering the short stay and how much you need to prepare, it could cost more otherwise, so this was a very satisfactory choice.The school recommends homestay, but if I had come just for language study that might have been different; since my purpose was to have fun, I needed a comfortable personal space.
And so I opened the first door of my four‑week language course in Montpellier.Having spent three weeks and now approaching the fourth... I think it was truly a great choice—various experiences I couldn''t have had on a regular vacation: the school''s events, countless multinational friends, village festivals, picnics...I participated actively with the mindset of trying everything I could see, and in between, apart from the school, I joined alleyway tours and tram tours...I expanded myself by feeling Montpellier''s air, temperature, wind, moonlight, and starlight with my whole body.Grateful to all the connections that brought me here............
My recommended places
If you become friendly with locals you can get more information faster. Each tip comes from personal experience. With an active mindset you can make friends and get information easily. Most people are open.In Montpellier, a one‑day tram ticket costs about 4 euros and lets you get on and off the tram all day. Buses are linked as well, so you can take them too; it''s good to use it for a day to tour the whole city. You might discover unexpected sights or large markets selling what you need.
You can also see people''s daily lives and might encounter unexpected luck. Also, with the ''1€ train'' deal, if you book three weeks in advance you can take a train for 1 euro. There are many options to suit your preferences, so visit the tourism center to get various explanations and plan.
My tips
When you first arrive you may have no ingredients at all and feel at a loss—what will I cook? So it''s good to bring simple ingredients or instant foods for a day or two. If you arrive on a weekend, in Europe many shops or markets may be closed, so you could end up hungry. If there''s a seasoning you absolutely need, it''s often hard to find locally, so even if it''s heavy, bring it.
If you''re moving around a lot you should cut down luggage, but if you''re staying in one place for a long time, bringing even things you think ''do I really need this?'' will make you glad you did. An item you left behind can become something you desperately need. Sure, you might think you''ll buy it there, but that''s not always possible.Whatever choice you make, the moment you accept and recognize that it was the best choice, everything changes. Believe you made the best choice and just enjoy!
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
Ah! Every day I felt and was grateful that I had really made a good choice. I could have varied experiences I couldn''t on a regular trip. Within the framework of the school I could safely meet different people, experiences, and cultures, feel my own growth through them, and see another side of myself. For getting many experiences in a short time, I think it was truly the best choice.
Learning★★★★★
Actually, since travel was my priority I vowed I wouldn''t study hard...! But I couldn''t help it. You can''t help but give your best in the moment, which made it more fun, and even if it''s not academic, there''s an indescribable amount to learn.
Environment★★★★★
I had never heard of a city called Montpellier before, but after coming here I feel it''s hard to imagine a better place. Being in the south, wouldn''t it be hot? However, the humidity is low, the shade is really cool, and it''s bearable to the point that many homes don''t even have air conditioning.
If you get cold easily, bring long sleeves. It''s cool at night when sleeping. It couldn''t be more pleasant. A city that''s hot yet cool! ''Village'' suits it better — peaceful and quiet. You can meet warm-hearted people and feel an atmosphere different from that of a big city.
Safety★★★★★
It''s truly peaceful. After coming here I automatically realized how tense I had been in Paris.
Leisure★★★★★
There are many parks, and it''s fun to explore the alleys. The school''s curriculum includes day-trip courses, and there are various programs like music and film, so it''s ideal for spending leisure time. If there''s a book you want to read, be sure to bring it — reading in the park feels like being in heaven.
Capturing the growth journeys
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