Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Realized 'I am truly happy' #Expanded perspective, discovered a new self #Felt a sense of fulfillment through volunteering
Dealing with many different people every day was tiring, but, for someone like me who had never been thrown into such a situation, it was an excellent experience: I discovered a new self and reconsidered my place in society. It''s hard to express this in a single sentence, but,I think I can say that I became able to see the world and myself more broadly. -Gap year stay in Paris, France / Lee Do-kyung, gap-year participant / 8-week gap year |
Currently, South Korea is, seeing 60,000 middle and high school students drop out annually, 346,000 people in their twenties idling because they have no dreams, and a one-year job turnover rate entering the 40% range,75% of university students are dissatisfied with college life, and more than 80% of office workers report not feeling happy.Many people tell them to dream, but to address this problem that lacks practical methods and support, we aim to introduce the ''gap year'' to Korea.
*What is a gap year? A gap year refers to a period when one pauses or combines studies while engaging in various activities such as travel, volunteering, internships, and education to find one''s dreams and aptitudes. *What is a gap year stay? It is a project where, for a set fee, participants stay at a guesthouse and try staff activities while meeting various people. The greatest advantage is that participants can interact with diverse people and receive new stimulation. |
# ''How long can I live like this?'' ''Is this the life I wanted?''I was constantly preoccupied with such doubts.
At the time I applied for the gap year, my career and income level were not particularly lower than those of other friends with similar experience.However, I was always plagued by questions like ''How long can I keep living like this?'' and ''Is this the life I wanted?'' Thinking about living this way into my 40s and 50s and seeing myself grow old, I felt that continuing company life would not be the life for me. Even senior colleagues didn''t seem very satisfied with their lives.Looking at any adult, I couldn''t think, ''I want to grow old like that.''
Because you have to make a living, because you can''t waste your mother''s food, choosing a job and engaging in economic activities for those reasons, andbecause everyone else is doing the same and you should grit your teeth and get in, ignoring the pain in your heart — living like that was something I couldn''t accept.I used to be a confident person, so why was I becoming more withdrawn? People say they feel themselves shrinking—do I have to accept that and live? Why am I not happy? On the bus home when the sun has already set and the day is ending, why don''t I look forward to tomorrow?
Through the gap year, I wanted to find the part of me who used to have so much confidence for no reason,I wanted to.
# "I''m really happy"
Living here in France, many people were surprised when I said, ''I''m really happy.''Before coming,the saying I had heard was ''You won''t know how great Korea is until you go abroad,'' but I think you only realize what is truly good after stepping out. Whether it''s about getting older, asking ''why,'' applying for vacation while worrying about others, wearing the same clothes for several days, not wearing makeup, eating something on the street, or singing and dancing — I envy this country where you don''t have to worry about being judged.
I wish this culture and society were mine. I want to be able to look at adults in Korea and think, ''Oh, I want to grow old like that.'' I feel frustrated because I want my friends and younger siblings to be able to feel the same.
Working at the accommodation welcoming guests who come for tourism and working as a tour guide made me realize that there is definitely a difference between traveling and living somewhere. Although it is a country that is beautiful enough with tourist attractions and historical sites, by staying for a relatively long period I think I was able to observe more closely and practically how people here live, love, think, and age. Of course, you can feel this more if you actively go out during your time off from work.
I also became close with friends who had stayed long-term and other staff, so I traveled to nearby countries as well and it was really enjoyable.Also, as a guest,many of the people who came were from very diverse fields, so I could have a wide variety of conversations.
# My recommended travel destinations
If you work as tour staff you''ll naturally learn the routes to get around Paris. Besides that, I also went to Bruges in Belgium and Venice in Italy; I went for 2 nights and 3 days and it was nice.
# My gap year TIP
(Language)
It''s fine to use only Korean.
(Accommodation)
It''s comfortable; there''s nothing particularly inconvenient, it''s fine.
(Meals)
Staff here can also prepare lunch. Breakfast andthey said only dinner are provided, but you can just take side dishes from the fridge and freely have meals, and staff can cook as well, which was nice.
(What to bring)
Buying and bringing things like shampoo or body wash was unnecessarily heavy and troublesome.It was a hassle. Buy them here. They only cost about 2 euros each. Also, in summer it''s good to have mosquito repellent. There aren''t many mosquitoes, but sometimesyou might get bitten, and it would be a shame to buy repellent then. It''s also good to bring facial masks. Women should definitely bring an eyebrow razor — they don''t sell them. Sanitary pads are sold cheaply.
(Pro tip)
Study French a lot before coming and go out and have fun. Many people stay holed up in the accommodation, but going out and trying to meet French people as much as possible was really good.
# It was a really great experience that made me think once again about my place in society.
Personally, I really liked the role of a tour guide. In fact, I tend to dislike guided tours when I travel,but even so, I liked that seeing something with knowledge is definitely different from seeing it without knowledge, and that you can help guests who need it — it''s a rewarding job.
Although dealing with many and varied people every day was tiring,for someone like me who had never been thrown into such situations, it was a great experience that allowed me to discover a new self and to think again about my place in society.
It''s hard to express in a single sentence like this, but,I think I can say that I became able to see the world and myself more broadly.
My gap year is
experience ★★★★★
This was my first time working as staff at an accommodation and my first time acting as a tour guide, so it was a really great experience for me.
Learning★★★★★
I really liked that I had the opportunity to talk with many people.
Environment★★★★★
It was fairly easy to get around and pleasant even in central Paris.
Safety★★★★☆
If you are careful, there doesn''t seem to be much chance of being forced into anything.
Leisure★★★★☆
There are more duties to perform as staff than I expected.
