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#Became more relaxed; had varied experiences #New pleasures; the charm of Jeju #Living in Jeju was enjoyable
I''ve visited many places so often on school trips that I thought I''d already been to Jeju Island, but perhaps Jeju is one of those places that remains enjoyable no matter how many times you go. The relaxed lifestyle, the wide-open sky above low buildings, and the beautiful natural scenery make you pack your bags and fly to Jeju. I have a feeling I might book a plane ticket to Jeju again soon.
-Jeju! I want to live there. Gap year stay / Gang Jin-seo gap-year tribe 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 idling 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 office workers report not feeling happy.Many people tell them to dream, but to solve this problem—where there are no practical methods or support— we aim to introduce the ''gap year'' to South Korea.
''Gap year (Gapyear)''is a time to either combine or temporarily pause studies or work and, through various activities such as volunteering, travel, internships, education, and entrepreneurship,set the direction for your future; it is a culture encouraged in the US, Europe, Japan, and elsewhere.
*Check out a variety of experiential opportunities on the gap year homepage! ▶Click◀
# The things I liked, the things that moved me, what I learned, and what I realized all seem to come together into one.That when your mind is at ease, anything you do is enjoyable.
I chose a Jeju gap year stay because I wanted rest in a new place—escaping the hamster-wheel routine of work and the economic and social pressures.
For me, the gap year was about resting comfortably and returning after enjoying new experiences. I started with the goal of also checking items off my bucket list.The biggest thing I felt through the gap year wasthat the things I liked, the things that moved me, what I learned, and what I realized all seem to converge into one.That when your mind is at ease, anything you do is enjoyable.
# I had such varied and enjoyable experiences that, if I set my mind to it, I could easily write ten pages.
I wondered whether the experience of spending a third of the summer of 2016 could be faithfully captured in a single page; I had such varied and enjoyable experiences that I could easily write ten pages. From taking care of food and lodging at a guesthouse to cleaning the accommodation and welcoming guests, even the basic parts of the program were first-time experiences for me,When I arrived in Jeju, everything from the smallest things was so fascinating that I busily looked around until I was dizzy and ended up exhausted.
Jeju is strange in that, even though it''s part of the same Korea, it feels like a different country—a different country that speaks the same language. How comfortable and charming that is.The dialect is so altered that you sometimes can''t even understand it, which actually makes it more charming.Until the day I left, I was already thinking only about the next time I''d come back, so Jeju must really be a perfect fit for me.
# If you think you can''t fully tour Jeju because of staff activities, that''s a big misconception.
If you think you can''t fully tour Jeju because of staff activities, that''s a big misconception.At first it may be hard, but once you adapt the workload can be finished quickly, and the activity hours aren''t many. Alternating one- or two-day breaks every other week may feel like too few, but if you use them well you can tour other regions for three or four days.
If you insert a day off between a morning workday and an afternoon workday, you can get away from Samdo 2-dong for three days. On days with staff activities, finish quickly, head down to Seogwipo to look around, find a place to stay nearby, and if the guesthouse has a party you can enjoy new encounters and spend the night; on your day off you can leisurely sightsee here and there, and since you have staff activities in the afternoon the next day anyway, you can play without worry and return in time.
Of course, at first I was so excited that whether it was a day off or not I ran around like crazy, but after a month I found myself staying in the lodging, saying that holidays are for resting. And it seems I''m not the only one. According to the owner, most of the staff run around for a month until they get tired, then spend the remaining month just resting at the lodging. Even though it''s natural to rest since you came to relax, I remember laughing at the thought, ''people are the same no matter where they go.''
Aunt made delicious meals, so when it was mealtime I went in on time. Unless you have a lot of money, it''s much better than wasting money eating out. Occasionally guests would bring food and start a conversation, and those treats were a pleasant bonus.
The food is tasty and they''re very hospitable, and they also know how to take you out, so if the timing is right you can go catch bomal (sea snails), go boat-fishing, or visit the five-day market. Most outings are with kids, so it''s hectic and annoying at times taking care of them, but when the unique bustle of the children is missing it can feel empty.
My own travel spot
Catching bomal at Seongsan beach — return to the guesthouse and boil the bomal to eat, make porridge, or cook them into kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup).
My TIP
You can meet new local people. The people you meet while living somewhere and those you meet while traveling can be different, and the experiences you have meeting them differ — that difference is pleasantly appealing.
(Language)
Even if foreign guests come, whether it''s Chinese or English, there''s a translator app so as long as the sentences come out clearly it''s fine. Actually, even if the sentences aren''t fluent, people who need to understand will understand anyway.
(Accommodation)
You live on a top bunk, but don''t worry about it creaking whenever the person on top moves — you won''t feel it at all on the bottom. The romance of the top bunk disappears in less than two days, so if you can use the bottom bunk, grab it quickly.
(Pro tip)
Don''t run around too much. You''ll get tired quickly.If you''re curious about something, don''t know, or need something, ask the owner. They know almost everything.Do your assigned work properly. That''s how the food will be delicious.
# You should visit Jeju in the summer.
You should visit Jeju in the summer. Despite the stifling heat and humid breeze, the crowds, and the inflated prices tagged as peak season, the reason Jeju''s summer is enjoyable is the island''s unique emerald-blue sea and the festivals that are held constantly.
Because they''re held everywhere all the time, festivals that even locals barely notice sometimes attract bands that play only on Jeju, teenagers who clumsily put on stages, and residents who come up to perform. On summer evenings, if you wander around aimlessly you''ll see clusters of people gathered and music playing. Mostly locals from nearby or passing tourists come.
That''s why it''s relaxed and leisurely while still lively. People of all ages drop by and groove however they like. Since most festivals hold flea markets as a prelude, you can browse miscellaneous goods and snack on street food, and when music starts you can enjoy the rhythm in your own way. Leaving is also casual: come during festival hours to play, and when it''s time to go just get up and leave. Jeju is a wide yet small island, so while enjoying festivals you may experience special moments like unexpected meetings with people you know.
I thought I''d been to Jeju since I''d visited many places on school trips, but Jeju might be the kind of place that''s enjoyable no matter how many times you go. The relaxed lifestyle, the wide-open sky above low buildings, and the beautiful natural scenery might be what make you pack your bags and fly to Jeju. I have a feeling I might book a plane ticket to Jeju again soon.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
I savored the familiar novelty of new places and encounters so much that it would feel odd not to have diverse experiences.
Learning ★★★★★
I directly experienced and learned about Jeju Island''s economy, environment, society, and culture.
Environment★★★★★
Although it''s part of the same South Korea, it makes you feel like you''re in a completely different environment, detached from reality.
Safety★★★☆☆
It''s dangerous for a woman to travel alone anywhere.
Leisure★★★★★
Isn''t it odd to say that I went to relax but couldn''t?
