Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Investing in myself; acting independently #Travel became a source of vitality in my life #I no longer hold back from spending money
I didn''t set any specific goals. Since I''d be staying abroad for a long time, I just hoped to adapt well. If I had to mention one thing, it was not to skimp on money and to spend it enjoyably for myself.When I was in Korea, it was really exhausting to cling to small amounts of money and be frugal. Now I...I no longer feel it''s a waste to pay as much as something is worth, and I think of these expenses not as consumption but as investments. If I don''t invest now, I think I''ll be left with regrets in the future, so I''m hiding my urge to save.
-Childcare volunteering in Cambodia / Park Eun-kyung, gap-year traveler / 8-week gap year |
#I did think I wanted to go somewhere, butI didn''t have a concrete idea of where to go.
Hello, I''m Park Eun-kyung, a 21-year-old on a leave of absence. While attending university, I impulsively took a leave because I felt, ''I really don''t want to do anything.'' I was really immature. By the way, I''m still immature. Because of that immature action, within about six months I ended up going to the Philippines, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It''s still amazing that I went to four countries in such a short yet long time.
It''s still surprising that I studied English in the Philippines for a short time, volunteered in Cambodia, and traveled in Vietnam and Taiwan. Through two gap-year trips I lost some things, but I gained a lot. I''m glad that 2016 has become a special year for me.
Before the gap-year consultation, I vaguely thought I wanted to go abroad once. After the gap-year consultation...I was advised to go to the Philippines and Cambodia. At first I wanted to go to places like the United States or Canada. But I was told I''d hold back my speech more if I went to the US or Canada, so I chose the Philippines and Cambodia.
At one point I felt like I wanted to stay abroad for a long time. So I chose without thinking deeply.I did think I wanted to go somewhere, but I didn''t have a concrete idea of where to go.
# Daily routine in Cambodia
At 8:30 I take a tuk-tuk to the volunteer organization. Then I arrive at 9. We shower the children and help them brush their teeth. We also help them get dressed. Then we teach the alphabet or numbers. At 11 we help the children eat lunch and then do the dishes and laundry. Around 12 we eat lunch and rest until 2. I mainly took naps. After sleeping until 2, we shower the children again and help them brush their teeth. After showering there''s snack time. At this time we prepare lessons. We prepare things like origami, blowing up balloons, coloring activities. We have class with the children until 4 and then leave work.I leave. The lessons are discretionary.
I didn''t set any specific goals. Since I''d be staying abroad for a long time, I just hoped to adapt well. If I had to say one thing, it was not to skimp on money and to spend it enjoyably for myself. When I was in Korea, obsessing over small amounts of money and being frugal was really tiring. Now I don''t feel it''s a waste to pay as much as something is worth, and I think of these expenses not as consumption but as investments. If I don''t invest now, I think I''ll be left with regrets in the future, so I''m hiding my urge to save.
#Above all, I was able to look back on myself. I''m trying to accept and live with both my positive and negative sides as ''me.''
Since I had been to the Philippines, I thought I''d handle Cambodia easily. But the environment was really different. It wasn''t an environment where you were understood even if you couldn''t speak English. Some people didn''t talk to me thinking I couldn''t speak English. I think this is partly my fault and partly others'' fault. I''m reflecting on my passive attitude. I feel like I should have used English with a bit more confidence then, but I won''t blame myself. It''s not entirely my fault.
In the Philippines I just followed the older guys and girls to the restaurants they suggested without thinking, but this time I tried to search and find places on my own. I also learned how to book hotels. I really learned a lot thanks to the women I volunteered with. Even though I returned to Korea earlier than planned, I don''t regret it. I think it''s better to act quickly when you feel it''s not right.
Also, while heading to Cambodia and stopping by Vietnam and Taiwan, it was nice to see friends I studied with in the Philippines again. Even though we''d known each other for only 4-5 months, they let me sleep at their place, gave me rides in cars and on motorcycles, and bought me food — I''m really grateful for that. Until then I had thought relationships were tiring and a hassle, but these friends changed my mind a lot. If I get the chance, I want to pay it forward.Above all, I was able to look back on myself. I''m trying to accept and live with both my positive and negative sides as ''me.''
I spent a lot of time with the women I volunteered with. I''d like to keep their names anonymous. They helped me a lot so I could adapt well to Cambodia. It would have been very hard without them. The restaurants they took me to were all really delicious and had a nice atmosphere. We got massages and enjoyed delicious desserts at cafes.
If I see them again in Korea I''d like to buy them a meal ^0^ And to the Vietnamese and Taiwanese friends I studied with in the Philippines: even though we traveled for a short time, thank you so very much for taking me to so many places. To the volunteer organization staff with whom I parted on bad terms at the end — they took care of me a lot in their own way, but I didn''t realize it and complained a lot. I feel sorry.
# My recommended travel spots!
Going to Sihanoukville was the best thing I did while in Cambodia. Sihanoukville was quiet and clean. Riding a tube and enjoying the waves on the beach made me feel like a 7-year-old kid.Sihanoukville - You can buy bus tickets at guesthouses. I think I paid about $7. From Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville takes about 5-6 hours. You can play on the beach with a tube. I recommend Mediterranean pizza, pasta, coconut curry, and shrimp! There''s also a Korean restaurant called Miso. If you crave Korean food, you can eat there.
(There are many hawkers at Southeast Asian resorts. Other than that, it''s fine.)
Vietnam - You can buy bus tickets from companies like Kumho or D&D. The price is really cheap. It''s $10. Koreans can stay in Vietnam visa-free for 15 days. As long as you take good care of your passport, there won''t be any problems. From Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh takes about 6–7 hours. There''s a rest stop in between. I recommend bringing snacks. The rest stop doesn''t particularly have foods Koreans would like.
For reference, I did a city tour in Ho Chi Minh and went to Mui Ne. In Mui Ne you can see the desert. I highly recommend sand sledding! The scenery is beautiful. The waves are strong for swimming, so I suggest booking a hotel with a good pool. I heard it’s a good place for surfing. It was nice to rest there.
Before going to Korea, I had a layover in Taiwan. I stayed for 3 nights and 4 days. After being in Phnom Penh, coming here felt great because the Wi‑Fi and facilities were like Korea. Jiufen and Pingxi were the most fun. Ximending was just like Myeongdong in Korea. I wouldn’t particularly recommend it. I saw a lot of Koreans. Also, I have a kid’s palate so Taiwanese food didn’t suit me that well. Still, it’s good to try one or two street foods. For reference, restaurants don’t provide water. I recommend buying Mimi crackers and pineapple cakes. Mimi crackers are especially good for mindless snacking while watching TV.
# My personal tips!
(Snacks)
Bring lots of instant noodles. Different kinds!! Also, the heat made me lose my appetite. When that happens, I recommend going to Blue Pumpkin (a shop that sells ice cream, iced tea, etc.). The watermelon juice is delicious. I sometimes miss it when I’m in Korea. The ice cream is also tasty. The prices aren’t exactly cheap. You can see many Koreans and Japanese there. (Watermelon juice - $4; ice cream price depends on scoop)
(Packing list)
I recommend buying cooling pants (often called "refrigerator pants") in Cambodia. Prices vary depending on bargaining. For reference, I bought two for $5. There was no air conditioning so I suffered from the heat countless times. I recommend bringing a portable fan. You can easily buy shampoo or conditioner in Cambodia. They have stores like Olive Young or Watsons there. You can buy Korean instant noodles at the supermarket, but I once saw dozens of ants inside a pack of noodles, and after that I was scared to buy them.
I didn’t prepare a visa because I planned to get one after arriving in Cambodia. I packed too many clothes for the Philippines, so for Cambodia I tried to cut down on clothing. I didn’t bring many study materials, only two books. I packed plenty of sunscreen.
(Tip)
If you withdraw money from an ATM, you have to pay a fee of $4–5. The maximum withdrawal is $250. It’s best to withdraw plenty of money in Korea. I heard there are many counterfeit bills. If you don’t bring lesson materials when you’re with the kids, you’ll be really bored. Things like origami or coloring books are great for passing the time. Also, the children had no shoes and their clothes were very worn, which looked pitiful.
I often thought it would be great to bring clothes that are too small to wear in Korea. Bringing clothes or shoes would probably be rewarding. There isn’t much to do in free time after volunteer hours, so one month seems the most appropriate duration.
#I’m really glad I can act independently without relying on others.
Before the project, I didn’t even know how to go on an overseas trip and only had vague ideas, but after this project ended I no longer fear going abroad. I was happy that I could book plane tickets and reserve hotels by myself.I’m really glad I can act independently without relying on others.
Also, I felt that I should invest in myself generously. Even if traveling costs a lot, I realized it can energize a boring daily life, and it changed my way of thinking a lot.
My gap year is
Experience★★★☆☆
It seems I really went through a lot. People said as soon as they saw me that I had lost a lot of weight. I hope I’m rewarded for the hardships. I found taking care of the little kids really not easy. I wonder whether I’ll do overseas volunteering again in the future; it feels like a volunteer experience that won’t happen again in my life. I think it’s a memory I’ll reflect on later.
Learning★★★★☆
Before traveling, I thought Korea was a hard place to live, but I came to think Korea is a pretty good place to live because it has well-established infrastructure, good Wi‑Fi, and family and friends.
Environment★★☆☆☆
It’s really bad. Needless to say, it’s bad.
Safety★★☆☆☆
When I was in Cambodia, crossing the street was really scary. Dozens of motorcycles would pass at once and there were no traffic lights, so it was frightening to cross the road. There were also many construction sites. I was afraid of being hit by something that might fall.
Leisure★★☆☆☆
There really was nowhere to hang out. My older sisters went to Korea first and I was left alone for about a week, and I was really bored. I lived relying on the Wi-Fi. There were Lotteria and Tous Les Jours — I went to those places a lot. And when I was volunteering, there were hardly any people, so I had no roommate and no one to talk to. It was hell for a week... To go out you had to take a tuk-tuk, and they said it was $1 per km. They were really trying to get money out of me by any means. I felt hurt.
▼View details of the project Park Eun-kyung participated in▼
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
