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#Broader perspective, my own pace #Improved English communication skills, new experiences #Took time to reset and regroup
This project wasnot for résumé-building through TOEIC or TOEFL,but simply a necessary part of taking a gap year to gain a broader perspective. So I was able to study properly at my own pace. There was no need to compare myself to others.
-Study English without stress and enjoy it, that''s it! / Baek Seung-yeop Gapyear tribe ''Gapper'' / 12 weeks of gap year |
Currently, South Korea is,
each year seeing 60,000 middle and high school students drop out, 346,000 people in their 20s idling with no dreams, and a turnover rate within one year of employment entering the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with campus life, and more than 80% of 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 introduce the ''gap year'' to South Korea as well.
''Gap year (Gapyear)''refers to taking a break from or combining study and work to engage in various activities such as volunteering, travel, internships, education, and startups,as a time to set the direction for the future; it is a culture encouraged in the US, Europe, Japan, and other countries.
*Check the gap year website to see a variety of experiences!▶Click◀
#I worried about everything, but I thought that where people live is ultimately the same,I thought it was all the same and left.
I read books and think a lot to find answers in life. One day I read an explanation about gap years in a bookand learned that there was a gap year project in our country. So I immediately called Mr. An Si-junand asked for counseling about my life.The CEO said that to communicate and share with people from various countries,I should learn English, so he recommended language training abroad.
When I was a student, I didn''t study—I only played and focused on hobbies.So I had never studied English and was very worried about communication issues.Also, because it was my first time traveling abroad, I didn''t even know what to do at the airport.Everything worried me, but in the end I thought places where people live are the same,I thought it was all the same and left.
#Any enjoyable experience was new, so it was fun.
Everything that was enjoyable felt that way because it was a new experience. Being in an environment where I could use the English I was learning...It helped a lot as a learner and became a stepping stone for growth. Unpleasant experiences...I hadn''t learned a thing of English, you know? But at the academy they just told me to make sentences and give presentations...They told me to just create presentations, but how can I make them when I know nothing? So I said I came here to learn. I know nothing...When I said I didn''t know, they just told me to do it.. And maybe because the academy was a Sparta-style school, there were too many rules.At first I was really stressed.
But there was a reason. I thought I''d at least try doing as they told me...As I kept doing it, I came to understand why they had me do it and why there were so many rules.In my view, unpleasant experiences are...something that depends on a person''s mindset.I think so.When you go somewhere new, everyone is uncomfortable to some extent; how a person...adapts well or not makes the difference. One thing was that there was something I wanted to eat on weekdays, but since I couldn''t go out...not being able to buy it was inconvenient!
Class schedule in the Philippines
To briefly explain the class schedule: you wake up in the morning, have breakfast, take a vocabulary test, and immediately start classes.Classes are divided into morning and afternoon, and there are group classes and one-on-one classes.Group classes consist of four programs with students of the same level: speaking, listening, presentation, and grammar.Each is taught for an hour and includes presentations. The program system is well organized.
As I said, I hadn''t properly studied English...Since I had never done it properly, when I learned grammar that day I used it to make presentations, and for speaking I used the words I had memorized the previous day...I spoke using the words I had memorized, and for listening I just listened hard.In one-on-one classes, the focus was on review and preparation; I spoke in English with the Filipino teacher to correct my pronunciation and...We had one topic per day and I led the class rather than the teacher.
It wasn''t about what the teacher wanted to teach...but focused on what I wanted to learn.After finishing the day''s routine like this, there is a grammar test in the evening...I memorized grammar, finished the test by 9 o''clock, and during free time did vocabulary, grammar, presentations, homework, etc., ending the day...There is a level-up test once every four weeks, and on Saturdays and Sundays students use free time to go on trips.
In my case, during the weekend free time...I obtained a scuba diving license.If you have any further questions, please contact me.I completed a 12-week program, so I know the academy in detail.
# My travel TIP
For a language-study travel route, the Philippines has well-developed marine leisure sports.And it is relatively cheaper compared to many countries. You should definitely try a scuba diving experience.You can see a world different from the one on land.If you don''t have a diving license, be sure to try an island-hopping tour.
# My TIP
(Language)
If I have personal advice on using the language: everyone is good at different things—listening, writing, speaking—each person has strengths.And there are people who are especially good, but don''t compare yourself. Go at your own pace.And simply by diligently following what the academy assigns,you''ll do well. And if you feel you''re lacking, do more than others. I personally had trouble memorizing vocabulary.
Embarrassingly, I memorized vocabulary until midnight or 1 a.m., and woke at 4–5 a.m. to memorize again. That''s how I prepared for exams.Still, it was hard to keep up with others. By working hard at my own pace,I was able to complete overseas travel and extracurricular activities successfully without communication problems.
You go on a language-study trip intending to work hard, but it doesn''t go as well as you hope. Be sure toattend a Spartan (intensive) language academy during a gap year. Even if you try not to, you won''t be able to avoid studying!
Also, make sure you do the basics of vocabulary and grammar before you go. There you must learn grammar in English and vocabulary ismemorized throughout the weekdays; you''ll take tests and create presentations every day, which is extremely helpful!
(Accommodation)
For future language students, my accommodation advice is to bring comfortable clothes. If you eat indoors, ants will start appearing after a few days.They start to appear. You can buy all necessary items in the Philippines.
(Food)
If the food doesn''t suit you, people sometimes buy a lot of food on weekends. However,since Korean food is prepared and served, you won''t be greatly inconvenienced. In the evenings we sometimes order late-night snacks and study.
(Luggage)
Koreans tend to prepare thoroughly, so here''s a tip: just bring one power strip and buy the rest there. Perfect.
# Not for TOEIC or TOEFL to boost my résumé.It was simply a necessary part of taking a gap year to gain a broader perspective.
When participating in the gap year language program, my goal was, ''I should properly learn basic communication.'' In English.I had never had a conversation or studied [English], but I believed that such basic communication would greatly help later with volunteer work andoverseas travel, which is why I thought it would be a huge help.
Not for TOEIC or TOEFL to boost my résumé.It was simply a necessary part of taking a gap year to gain a broader perspective. So I was able to study properly at my own pace. There was no need to compare myself to others.
My gap year was
Experience★★★★★
Learning★★★★★
Environment★★★★★
Safety★★★★★
Leisure★★★★★
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
