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#Confidence in 'I can do it'; a freer life #Communication with foreigners; new goals #Took time to reflect on myself
Right now I haven''t made concrete plans, but I''ve gained confidence that if I want to do something I can, and that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, so it feels like I might really go. This gap year seems like it will bring a huge, butterfly-effect-like change to my life.
- Let''s introduce my Seoul to foreign friends — Gap Year Stay Seoul! / Jo Eun-bi, gap-year family gapper / 8 weeks of gap year |
Currently, South Korea is,
Each year, 60,000 middle- and high-school students drop out, 346,000 people in their twenties are idle 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 say they do not feel happy. Many people tell them to dream, but to address this problem that lacks practical methods and support, we want to bring the ''gap year'' concept to South Korea as well.
*What is a gap year?
A gap year refers to a period during which one suspends or pauses their studies (or combines them) to discover one''s dreams and aptitudes through various activities such as travel, volunteering, internships, and education.
*What is Gap Year Stay?
This is a project where, for a modest fee, participants stay at a guesthouse and try out staff activities while meeting a variety of people. The biggest advantage of this project is that participants can interact with diverse people and gain new stimulation.
# I felt like I had found a treasure chest.
In early July, on a Korean gap year page I discovered through a friend''s recommendation, after getting a job with only a high school diploma To me, who felt stifled by a repetitive routine and a narrow world, it felt like I had found a treasure chest full of fascinating things. While browsing the website for a few days, what caught my eye were ''Gap Year Stay Seoul'' and ''Share House Seoul.'' I applied first for the ''Gap Year Stay Seoul'' project, which had a fixed two-month period and covered lodging and meals.
I had always longed for life in Seoul as I saw that cultural activities like restaurants, festivals, and performances posted on the internet and social media are concentrated there. To me, Seoul was in the same country but so far from Busan; apart from a one-night, two-day trip with friends and a school excursion during my student days, I had no experience or ties there, so it was a place I always wanted to go to but never dared.
# If I just keep worrying like this I''ll end up unable to do anything Thinking that, I stopped overthinking.
When I applied I was also working, so while applying I worried, ''What if it actually works out? What about my job? How will I persuade my parents?'' After worrying like that, I thought ''If I keep worrying, I''ll accomplish nothing,'' so I stopped overthinking, hastily submitted the application, and paid the deposit. Without really realizing ''I''ve applied,'' I continued my daily life, and then I was contacted by the Korean gap-year team and the guesthouse owner.
When asked when I could start, I quickly said I could begin in August. I received that call around mid-July, and after getting the confirmation I apologetically told my workplace I would only work until the end of the month. That made the start of my life in Seoul feel real.
I told my parents one week before I left. At first they thought I was going to Seoul with no plan and were firmly opposed and wouldn''t listen, but when I pleaded earnestly and even showed them the gap year page to persuade them, they finally reluctantly allowed me, saying, ''Just do it for two months and come back.'' So I worked at my job until July 30 and headed to Seoul on the 31st.
# I didn''t make any concrete plans, but I gained the confidence that if I want to do something I can do it — ''If I set my mind to it, I can accomplish anything.''
The guesthouse I arrived at with half excitement and half fear was warmly greeted by the owner who I had only been contacting by phone. And Yeongsim, whom I had only seen in photos.Yeongsim was a 4-month-old golden retriever puppy. I love dogs but couldn''t raise one because of my parents'' opposition, so I came up most excited about living with Yeongsim. As soon as I arrived and saw the adorable Yeongsim, I remember thinking I had already made the right choice coming here.
Of course, later there were many times I grew annoyed with Yeongsim (when she pooped in various places and chewed up trash, making a mess).After touring the guesthouse, unpacking, calling my parents, receiving a small welcome, and greeting the other staff, it was soon bedtime. I had worried I wouldn''t be able to sleep because I was nervous, but I crashed on the soft, wide bed. The next day another staff member told me I even snored. After sleeping soundly, the first task the owner gave me was to walk Yeongsim.
My task was to take Yeongsim for a walk and drop the comforter in the washing machine at the self-service laundromat. While walking around with Yeongsim, I was surprised.The restaurants, cafés, and bakeries I had only seen online were just visible as I walked by. That became the reason I developed the hobby of eating alone (honbap) in Seoul.Originally, eating alone at a restaurant was something I had never tried,but in Seoul, since no one knew me and there were relatively many people who ate or drank alone, I felt I could give it a try.
Because of the thought ''no one here knows me,'' my life in Seoul felt much freer and more enjoyable. I used to be very conscious of others, so doing things alonefelt unfamiliar and embarrassing, but now I have the courage to proudly do what I want my own way, so even in Busan I often eat alone and go to the movies by myself.
Of course, since no one knew me there I sometimes felt lonely, but thanks to friends from Busan who visited and the guesthouse staff and guests, I really enjoyed each day.
Especially the staff who came through the gap year program all seemed to have similar personalities, so we got along extremely well and were sometimes so lively that the owner was at a loss. Many guests liked us, and when it wasn''t working hours we sometimes went on outings in Seoul with guests.
There were many opportunities to go on outings with foreign guests. Communicating with my limited English was difficult, but even so,by saying one word at a time, unlike at first when I was too scared to make eye contact for fear a foreigner might speak to me, I can now joke and tease and be comfortable with foreigners.
Also, with guests who stayed for about three nights or more, the staff often became close. Because of that, we grew very attached and it was hard to say goodbye. Thanks to them, I even started using Facebook to keep in touch, and I made foreign friends I continue to contact and exchange news with. A guest who lives in Japan even invited our staff, and in November three staff members who finished their gap year decided to travel to Japan together — we''ve already booked our plane tickets.
Also, from the stories and recommendations of people I met during the gap year, I became interested in working holidays. I''m thinking of studying languages more so that next year I might go on a working holiday to Canada or Japan, or get an au pair visa to live in France. Right now,I haven''t made detailed plans, but since I''ve gained the confidence that if I want to do something I can do it — if I set my mind to it I can accomplish it — I think I''ll probably go. This gap year seems like it will bring a big, butterfly-effect change to my life.
My personal recommended Seoul spots
Yeonnam-dong, Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Old Croissant Factory, Aoi Tori, Kyo Bakery, Kim Young-mo Confectionery,Hongdae Walking Street, Yeouido, Naksan Park, Gyeongridan-gil
My gap year tips
(Language)
The guesthouse I stayed at was especially for foreigners, so there were really many international guests.When I was in Busan I never had a chance to talk to foreigners and didn''t feel the need for English,but staying at the guesthouse made conversations with foreigners less scary, and I wanted to communicate with them,so I became eager to learn not only English but also languages like Japanese, Chinese, and French.
(Sightseeing)
As befits one of the youngest and hottest neighborhoods in Korea, it was always full of interesting cultural activities.I especially remember the buskers who performed day and night.
(Staff activities)
First, it felt like the staff really enjoyed living together.Everyone was of similar age and our personalities matched well, so we had fun every day.
And the owner always took care of us like younger siblings while we were there.
(Pro tip)
It actually takes a lot of physical energy... come prepared!Be ready to help with a lot of housework.
#This gap-year experience is the...best gift I gave to myself.
This gap-year experience is the...best gift I gave to myself.Through this gap year I made my first TV appearance, had a chance encounter with the singer of a song I used to listen to, made foreign friends and heard many stories from them, shared joyful moments, ate delicious food, enjoyed various cultural activities like busking, performances, clubs, and walks, and—thanks to Yeongsim—experienced vicarious joy from raising a pet for the first time, planned my first overseas trip, and gained proficiency and knowledge about household chores. I gained so much.
Although there were certainly some tough moments during the gap year, looking back it seems only joyful and happy memories remain.Two months may be short, but for me it was a precious time in which I learned about my potential and how to live happily.Through this gap year I was able to discover sides of myself I didn''t know. I thought I liked being alone, but by socializing with many people during this gap year I came to feel the happiness of sharing enjoyable times with others.
I used to think travel was tiring, a waste of money, and a hassle, but seeing foreign guests visiting Korea changed my mind to ''I want to experience a broader world too.''
It was also an opportunity to gain the courage and drive that, if I set my mind to it, I can do it.I actually want to experience living in Seoul more, so after my November trip to Japan I plan to get a job in Seoul and enjoy Seoul life more. If I hadn''t experienced this Gap Year Stay Seoul, I would probably still be vaguely longing for Seoul life from Busan. I''m grateful to the friend who introduced me to the gap year, owner Dong-gil, Bokyung unni, Jaewon, Soyeon unni, Minhae unni, Sohyun, Juhyun oppa, and my parents—thank you all!!
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
I met more people in a short time than ever before in my life; I saw celebrities and was able to appear on a broadcast.
Learning★★★★☆
I learned a lot about household chores, my English improved somewhat, and my confidence in casually speaking to others increased enormously.
Environment★★★★★
The best environment to enjoy cultural life — I loved the many street buskers, the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail, and the guesthouse rooftop; they were really, really great.
Safety★★★★★
Maybe because it''s Hongdae, it''s always crowded, and Seoul seems to have good public safety.
Leisure★★☆☆☆
Personally, I was juggling a part-time job as well, so I didn''t have much free time.On days when I worked both at the guesthouse and my part-time job, I was exhausted and just slept. But the day before a day off or on my days off, I had so much fun.
▼See details: Gap Year Consulting — The first step to change myself▼
