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#Breaking the mold and reorganizing myself #Gained understanding of diverse ways of life, alleviated anxiety #Took time for self-reflection
I didn''t have any thoughts like wanting to become something or wanting to get into a particular company, and I wasn''t good at anything. If I had something I was particularly good at, I would use it to think about the future, but I didn''t even have that. Feeling empty, I looked back on my college life for a moment and realized that I hadn''t really done anything. I went to classes, did assignments and exams, and because everyone else took it I took the TOEIC test. I...I was swept along by my environment and had confined myself within a certain framework.
-The place that holds a thousand years of history / Noh Seok-young Gap Year Tribe Gapper / 8-week gap year |
Currently in South Korea,
Each year 60,000 middle and high school students drop out of school; 346,000 people in their 20s are just idling because they have no dreams; and the one-year turnover rate after employment has entered the 40% range.Seventy-five percent of university students are not satisfied with college life, and more than 80% of office workers reportedly do not feel happy.Many people say "dream," but to address this problem—which lacks practical guidance and support— we aim to introduce the ''gap year'' to South Korea.
*What is a gap year?
A gap year refers to a period during which one suspends or balances studies while engaging in various activities such as travel, volunteering, internships, and education to discover one''s dreams and aptitudes.
(See more gap year stories and projects)
*What is a Gap Year Stay?
This is a project where participants pay a small fee to stay at a guesthouse, meet various people, and try out staff activities. The biggest advantage of this project is that participants can interact with diverse people and gain fresh inspiration.
# II was swept along by my environment and had confined myself within a certain framework.
As I was graduating university, I wanted to take time to reflect on myself. When I reached my final semester before graduation, I felt that during my four years of college I had only done what I had to do and had been tossed about by my surroundings, living in a hectic way.Suddenly I discovered that I didn''t even know one thing I liked or was good at, and I thought I couldn''t go on living like that. So I wanted to leave where I had been living and spend new time with new people. And I intended to use that process to reorganize myself.
I also wanted to take time to look back on that period. I felt crushed by daily life, dragged along by others, and so focused on the future that I''d neglected my present self. I wanted to sit quietly, read books, watch movies I''d wanted to see, and give myself a rest. And within that freedom...I wanted to seriously take time to consider what kind of person I had been up until now and what kind of person I am now.
All my friends were taking leave from school and preparing for exams, or preparing to get jobs before graduation. But I wasn''t doing anything and was just waiting for graduation. Because I had no idea what kind of work I wanted to do, I only vaguely wanted to graduate.
I didn''t have any thoughts like wanting to become something or wanting to get into a particular company, and I wasn''t good at anything. If I had something I was particularly good at, I would use it to think about the future, but I didn''t even have that. Feeling empty, I looked back on my college life for a moment and realized that I hadn''t really done anything.I went to classes, did assignments and exams, and because everyone else took it I took the TOEIC test. I...I was swept along by my environment and had confined myself within a certain framework.
So I decided to take on a new challenge to break out of that mold. Since I was about to graduate, I would have more time. Above all, I had a strong desire to leave the place where I had been living and try living somewhere else, and while looking for what to do I came across the Gap Year Stay.
# Watching people also gave me an opportunity to deeply think about how I was reflected to others.
When I first arrived at the guesthouse, everything was unfamiliar. The place to stay felt strange and the people I met were awkward. Above all, the tasks I had to do were very difficult. Looking back, it was only hard at first because they were things I''d never done before, but the first week was really tough. I didn''t want to be a nuisance at the guesthouse, so I made a checklist of the tasks I had to do and worked hard to avoid mistakes, and before long I was able to adapt to the work.
I put in my own effort, but the staff I worked with also helped me a lot. When I asked about things I didn''t know, they kindly explained, and when difficult situations arose they willingly helped resolve them together. Fortunately, my efforts to adapt quickly paid off: not long after I arrived the high season began and there were so many people that almost all the rooms were full. If I had been clumsy at my job it would have been much harder, but luckily I was able to get through it because there were many people after I had adjusted to some extent.
It was enjoyable to meet and talk with more people during the peak season, but sometimes there were strange people which made things difficult. Each time, with the help of the staff and the owner I worked with, most situations were resolved well, but encountering people who behaved incomprehensibly was really hard.
There were especially many people who were more pushy when I was working alone; perhaps because I was a woman alone, some people treated me lightly and behaved disrespectfully.That being said,I wasn''t particularly hurt or anything. Most situations passed smoothly and I tried not to dwell on them. But seeing those people made me think a lot.I wondered why they acted that way, but I also felt pity and a sense of sorrow for them.Still, seeing those people gave me an opportunity to deeply consider how I appear to others.
#I was able to greatly shake off the anxiety that I was living differently from my friends.
Since I participated in the program during peak season, I was able to meet a lot of people. During evening chimaek (chicken-and-beer) parties I talked with various guests and learned how others live and what they think. And in that process,I realized that people''s ways of living are truly diverse. I was able to greatly shake off the anxiety that I was living differently from my friends.
I also liked that I could learn how a guesthouse is managed. Although it wasn''t a guesthouse I run, I learned a lot by participating in the operation process. I was able to directly feel difficulties and benefits that differ from what you''d see on the surface.
And the staff I worked with were really great. We took good care of one another and had enjoyable times together. Because we helped each other solve difficulties, we grew very fond of each other in the process. The owner also cared for the staff a lot and helped as much as possible when there were difficulties.
Because Gyeongju''s night view was so beautiful,it was also nice to have time alone. Although the scorching heat persisted, when the sun set and night came a cool breeze would blow, and I often rode a bicycle to see the night views of the nearby Cheomseongdae and Donggung and Wolji. Walking slowly in the cool breeze and beautiful night scenery made those moments feel so beautiful and I often felt grateful to be alive.
The pleasures in Gyeongju are not limited to the night view. Gyeongju''s tranquil atmosphere is truly great for thinking.I sometimes felt anxious, thinking ''other friends must be preparing for employment,'' but to keep myself from wavering and to steady my mind I tried to talk to myself more every day. On days when no guests came into my room I would speak aloud to myself: what happened today, what was enjoyable, what I realized, what I''d like to fix. Saying these things in a disorganized way helped me organize my thoughts and made me feel better.
These moments of uninterrupted contemplation were a consolation and a driving force for me. Even now that I''ve returned to daily life, I often go out for night walks. Though it''s different from how I felt then, I''m quite satisfied to have found a new leisure activity in walking.
# My own Gyeongju travel spots!
Since Gyeongju isn''t very big, I often took impromptu trips to places that caught my interest without planning routes. I don''t have a specific route, but if I were to recommend a place, I''d recommend Yangdong Village. It''s not yet very famous, but the village is well preserved, quiet and tranquil, making it great for walks.
Bulguksa, Seokguram, Donggung and Wolji, museums, Cheomseongdae and other various sights are not far away, so you can comfortably visit them.
# My gap year TIP
(Language)
Most guests are Korean. During peak season there are about one or two foreign groups per week. Of course, sometimes more. You don''t need to be very fluent in English, but being able to say simple sentences is very helpful. Most foreigners can understand even very simple words. Use a few words if that''s all you can — don''t be embarrassed; it''s important to speak even if you''re clumsy.
(Luggage)
Rooms aren''t very spacious, so it''s best not to bring too much luggage. The busy area is right across the street, so you can get what you need as you go.
Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap, laundry detergent, washing machine, hangers, towels, hair dryer, straightener, etc. are provided here. You don''t need to pack these items when preparing your luggage.
(Meals)
They buy ingredients prepared for easy cooking, so you don''t need to worry much about meals. It''s good if you can make simple dishes like fried rice or curry.
(Pro tip)
If you expect too much of anything, the disappointment will be correspondingly large. It’s best not to have vague expectations that if you come here you’ll have many experiences and return with many things changed.Everything must be obtained through your own effort. I think it’s necessary to set clear goals before coming, and it’s good to adjust them as needed according to local conditions.
Also, don’t become so absorbed in what you want to do that you neglect your duties at the guesthouse. You can do what you want after finishing everything you have to do, so please set your priorities well.
#I plan to take on more challenges from now on. I gained the courage to know it’s okay to try more and the assurance that it’s okay to fail.
Before I went to Gyeongju, when I traveled I tended to rely on others. Most of the time I didn’t do anything and just followed where friends or family took me. But in Gyeongju I was alone, so that was impossible; I had to decide where to go and figure out how to get there. What to do after arriving was all up to me.
It’s really comfortable to follow others. Since there’s almost nothing for me to worry about or decide, I can just enjoy things without thinking. However, almost nothing stays in my memory. Only a shallow recollection like “it was fun” remains. Even after traveling abroad, I often remember only the country’s name and not exactly where I went.
But I realized that when I find routes and wander according to my own will, I can feel more. I also feel proud of myself and it stays better in my memory.In Gyeongju I decided everything. Sometimes I suffered from bad decisions, but it was still enjoyable. In this way I discovered the joy of traveling in Gyeongju.
With the confidence I gained from the trip to Gyeongju, I returned home and took my first solo trip abroad. I was very stressed before going, but once I went I had a really great time and learned a lot. AlsoI’m looking forward to where I’ll go next and what new things I’ll try. Doing something new is still not easy, but I’ve realized that more things are waiting for me beyond it.
My time in Gyeongju gave me the courage to challenge myself. I yearn for new things but I’m often afraid, so it’s difficult to take a step forward. Through this experience I learned that that small bit of courage brings a lot.I plan to take on more challenges from now on. I gained the courage to know it’s okay to try more and the assurance that it’s okay to fail.
It doesn’t have to be Gyeongju. Whether it becomes a good experience or a bad one, I’m sure that leaving the place where you normally live and staying elsewhere will help your life.
I hope more people will experience gap-year stay programs that help them grow.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★☆
I was able to experience various things I had never experienced before in my life.
Learning ★★★★☆
Through the process of working and spending leisure time, I was able to realize and feel many things. Simply leaving home and living alone taught me a lot.
Environment ★★★☆☆
What I missed most was the lack of personal space. I wanted time to calmly organize my thoughts, but it was difficult because I shared a room with guests. However, for those who want to meet more people and have conversations, it’s an excellent environment.
Safety ★★★★☆
Because most shops close before 10, the area quickly becomes dark. But it’s safe as long as you don’t go to dangerous places. Many people take walks after 10 as well, so there don’t seem to be major safety issues.
Leisure ★★★★☆
Gyeongju is a place with many mountains and trees, and you can encounter historical sites even while walking along the road. It''s a great place to spend leisure time. There''s a library within cycling distance, and famous historical sites such as Cheomseongdae and Donggung Palace with Wolji are also located there. However, if you don''t manage your stamina well, you may not be able to go out and enjoy yourself even during your time off and might end up just resting in bed, so be cautious.
