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The biggest change is that I’ve gained more time and ease in my life. I used to try to make everything fit perfectly and follow a strict order, but now I feel a sense of space, a wider view. It’s like stepping back and observing the moment without feeling pressured, and having a relaxed state of mind.
[Paris, France/One-Month Abroad Living] Bonjour! Living in Paris for One Month
Lee Yoorim, Korea GapYear Student (24, University Student) / One Month of Gap Year
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# A Month in Paris to Get to Know Myself Better Before Job Hunting
Mont Saint-Michel
Hello, I’m Lee Yoorim, a senior in the Department of Global Economics at Gachon University.
I haven’t decided on a career path yet and felt I needed some time for myself, so I joined the one-month living project in Paris, France.
In particular, I passed the winter school program, which allowed me to attend a university in the UK for a month. After finishing my month in the UK, I wanted to travel around Europe. At that time, I decided I needed a gap year to better understand myself before the job search process in my senior year.
Above all, I really enjoyed France and wanted to visit again, so I decided to take part in the one-month living experience in France.
A beautiful park in the heart of Paris
Actually, in the summer of 2014, when I was 20 years old, I went on a trip to Europe with my older sister. At the time, I wasn’t scared of anything, and I was just really excited. But now, at 24, I felt like a coward and everything scared me.
I kept thinking about things like, would I meet a pickpocket, would I get lost, and what would happen if I traveled alone? These thoughts stayed with me both before and during the trip. However, I tried to hold on to the joy of the moment, and by always having safety precautions and important numbers in hand, I felt a little less anxious.
Before leaving, the first thing I did was get travel insurance. Next, I studied the famous tourist spots and history of each country. On my first European trip, I wanted everything to be perfect, like accommodation, restaurants, and transportation, so it was a bit stressful at times.
Perhaps because of that, on this trip, I focused less on the daily itinerary and more on understanding the history and artistic origins of the countries. Also, when packing before the trip, I decided to pack light and thought I’d buy the rest, preparing with an excited mindset.
Eiffel Tower!!!
My goal in joining this gap year project was to 'let go of myself'. Just as I enjoyed traveling with packed schedules until now, I lived my life the same way.
Everything had to have an order, and even a small disruption would cause extreme stress, affecting my ability to control my emotions with others. I always hated this side of myself and wanted to change, but it didn’t work out as I hoped. So, I decided to go to France, a completely new place, to work on my weaknesses.
As a result, by meeting various people and learning to trust them, I was greatly influenced in a positive way.
# The goal and activity of the project was, as the title says, 'Living in France for a Month' – only that.
The goal and activity of the project was, as the title says, 'Living in France for a Month'. That was it.
The only fixed times were the meal times provided in the morning and evening. During other times, we were free to do as we pleased, and since there was no obligation during breakfast and dinner, I was able to have plenty of time alone. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the owner of the guesthouse personally led tours around Paris, so I had the chance to explore the city with the other guests.
Additionally, at this place, there was no lights-out time, and we could drink beer all night and use the living room, so unlike other guesthouses or hostels, I was able to live more freely.
# A place where travelers from diverse backgrounds meet with Paris as a common bond
Saint-Martin Canal! With my gap year friends :)
The best part of participating in the project was being able to communicate with people. The owner also quickly addressed any inconveniences and helped each individual with care, which made living there more comfortable.
One of the great things about this gap year experience was meeting travelers from diverse backgrounds who had Paris in common, and being able to spend time talking and bonding for a long time. Unlike the typical backpacking trip in Korea where you rush through multiple countries in a week, this experience allowed me to truly feel the local atmosphere and, with my gap year friends, to have deep conversations and live together, which was the best part of the month.
At the guesthouse, there were travelers such as a father and daughter, office workers, a 20-year-old student, a Paris exchange student, soldiers, and many others from all walks of life, and as a gap year participant, it was a great experience to witness it all.
So delicious! With my Gap Year friends, Pink Mamma>
During my gap year, the people I spent the most time with and became closest to were the five other gap year participants. Also, there was a friend who was traveling around the world and working as a staff member at the guesthouse, and the six of us spent the most time together at the guesthouse.
We went shopping together, traveled together, stayed up all night drinking beer, slept in late, went grocery shopping, and had late lunches together. We became very close. Although we each applied for the gap year for different reasons and sought time alone, we shared a common bond in Paris, so we always ended the day together.
I remember sharing our daily routines and new clothes. The faces we made while laughing in front of the mirror late at night are the most memorable. I'm so happy to have found new, genuine friends, especially since I once thought that friendships were hard due to school and work, and that relationships were full of prejudice!
So, the best part of spending a month in Paris was living together with other gap year participants, bumping into each other and sharing experiences. While having time alone is important, I believe sharing thoughts together is just as important. The time when we all gathered in the living room after a day's work to watch a movie is the most unforgettable and fun part.
# Try something you can only do now, not what you can do on any regular trip!
La La Land Jazz Bar
The biggest change after participating in the gap year project is that I gained more space in my life. I used to try to make everything fit into a certain order, trying to control things in my hands. But now I feel like I have more space, and my perspective has broadened. I don't feel pressured in the moment and can step back and observe with a calmer heart.
For those who will participate in the month-long stay in Paris, France, my advice is that gap year participants will stay in one place longer than other travelers. You might think you'll travel to many places, but in reality, it's harder to actually do than expected.
Because the more time you have, the lazier you become. Therefore, I recommend clearly deciding on the places you want to go before or at the start of the trip. Challenge yourself with things you can only do now, apart from the usual travel activities!
# My Gap Year Tip
(How to Get There)
Take the subway or bus (Route 351) from the airport or station, get off at Gallieni station on Line 3, and send a message to the guesthouse owner via KakaoTalk. They will send you detailed meeting points, so there's no need to worry, but since I arrived after 10 PM, I had to be cautious of my surroundings.
(Language)
I became familiar with French through French musicals. Although I wasn't fluent in conversational French, I could understand very simple conversations, and by making French friends in France, I became even closer to the language.
Making local friends is the most helpful ^^ If you go to pubs with a lot of young people, they will treat you kindly. However, it’s best to take the first step yourself!
(Accommodation)
The guesthouse is more conveniently accessed by bus, so it's a good idea to use the Navigo card. Also, since 8 people share a room, there may be limited storage space, so your belongings might end up piled on your bed.
A foldable travel bag that can be hung on a bunk bed is a must-have! It’s also a good idea to bring movies on your phone or a book to read in the park.
(Meals)
Breakfast and dinner are provided at set times. After staying for about a month, it might be difficult to buy lunch every day, so you can either buy food from nearby stores (the owner will tell you where) or bakeries and cook your own meals, which can be enjoyable!
Guesthouse interior photo
(Things to Bring)
Don't stress about trying to bring everything. If you forget or lose something, you can always buy it in Paris.
Paris is a place where people live, just like in Korea with large supermarkets like E-Mart or Homeplus near accommodations. You can buy interesting Parisian products at affordable prices, including cosmetics. Buy them for yourself, not just as gifts! Parisian cosmetics are the best.
Many people who have stayed in France recommend bringing books or hobbies with you. I personally wished I had brought more books, as the one I brought was not interesting... 😢
(Travel)
To shop, get off at the Louvre or Hotel de Ville station and walk straight. Mango, Zara, H&M, and other SPA brands are all there, and the prices are cheaper compared to Korea. Enjoy the big seasonal sales in winter and summer. For shopping, I recommend the Marais district, but it’s a bit more expensive and spread out, requiring a lot of walking. It's also a place only locals tend to know about. 😥
For French cosmetics, many people visit Monoprix pharmacies. However, all pharmacies have sales on different items at different times, so you can get better prices if you time it right. You don’t need to insist on going to Monoprix; the pharmacy in the Auchan (a large supermarket like in Korea) near the guesthouse offers cheaper options than Monoprix. Since I stayed in France for a long time, I visited frequently to compare prices.
French movies... If it says "VF", it means it's dubbed...
I recommend the Catacombs, the world's largest cemetery!
Inside the Catacombs
*Sharing recommendations for restaurants and places introduced by my French friend.
- Line 14, St. Emilion station: A small shopping center like an outlet, a bagel shop, and a movie theater.
- Opera station: A pretty Starbucks.
- Pialle station: A popular and beautiful Italian restaurant, Pink Mamma—amazing food!
- Bercy station: A park that's beautiful in the evening, and a movie museum is there too.
Also, just because you're staying in Paris, France doesn't mean you have to stay only here. You can easily visit nearby England or Spain. Flights are cheap, and you can also take a bus to Belgium and Germany at an even lower cost, so make good use of it!
On a beautiful day, strawberry tart and the park
My Gap Year
Experience ★★★★★
Adapting to a new place and doing everything on your own isn't easy. And doing it in Paris!
Learning ★★★★☆
It depends on the will and attitude of the person who wants to learn. A month may be a short time to learn French, but it's a great time to learn how to live with others and how to make all decisions on your own.
Environment ★★★★☆
The accommodation isn't located in the center of tourist attractions. However, because of that, you can meet more locals and enjoy the parks. The guesthouse environment is very cozy and warm.
Safety ★★★☆☆
Paris, France, is not as safe as Korea. However, just like anywhere else, as long as you stay alert and know how to handle a crisis, there's no major threat.
Leisure ★★★★★
The best part is being able to leisurely explore one tourist spot a day and have time for myself. In the artistic and romantic city of Paris, every place feels like a museum or gallery. You can watch movies or visit lesser-known galleries, which is also a great experience.
A rare snowfall in Paris
