Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Clarified life direction; boosted self-esteem #Gained diverse experiences; improved Chinese proficiency #Took time to reflect on myself
Not everything I do may be the right thing, but I felt there is no single correct answer in life.It was a gap year in which I really accumulated many great experiences.I will live without forgetting the resolutions I made in this moment.
- Time to reflect on myself while looking at the sea — Busan Gap Year Stay / Gonaeun, gap-year family gapper / 8-week gap year |
# I wanted to decide which direction to steer my life.
It seemed I had never once done what I wanted in my 23 years. I wanted to try doing something by my own will—whether travel or studying! SoI participated because I wanted to meet many people and have many experiences through a gap year.
Through this gap year I couldn''t definitely decide what work I''ll do in the future, but I wanted to determine which direction to lead my life.
# The gap year offered such diverse and important experiences that it''s not an exaggeration to call it a turning point in my life.
Before taking a gap year, my life had always been smooth. I just studied, entered an ordinary university according to my grades, got so-so marks, and prepared for civil service exams.
But one day,I started to wonder, is this really what I want to do? I began to think about what I truly want and what kind of life I really desire.I had never been abroad even once, nor had I ever lived away from my parents in another region. So I wanted to go abroad or to another region to find what I wanted to do.
But I was also scared of going abroad. However, Busan is the city I feel most attracted to, so I applied for the gap year to stay in Busan, travel a lot, and meet many people.
Although living in another region might seem easy and simple to others, for me it was such a big deal that it took some time to persuade my parents.
So I came to Busan. The moment I breathed Busan''s air, my heart pounded. I was so excited about what might happen to me. Whether good, hard, or sad, I was ready to experience anything.
# It was amazing that there was so much to learn and so much to feel even from people I only brushed past.
The reason I came to Haeundae, Busan was that I really like making foreign friends. I knew many foreigners are in Haeundae, Busan, so I chose Haeundae, and
The second reason is that I love the sea so much, and the guesthouse being five minutes from the sea felt like a big plus. During the two months, since the sea was right in front of me if I wanted, I think I went for a walk or exercise by the sea about every two days.
Also, besides cleaning the guesthouse, I worked three times a week at a café and attended Chinese language school every weekday morning. Chinese had been something I wanted to study for a long time, so I attended Chinese classes without missing a single one during the two months.
As a result, I gained the ability to introduce myself in Chinese and have simple conversations with Chinese friends, and I plan to continue studying. Also, working at the café I learned a lot about coffee.Like thisthe gap year isI think being able to make good use of leisure time is really great.
During the gap year project there were many good times, and many hard and sad times. To go to the Chinese academy in Seomyeon, I had to get up at 7 every morning and prepare — it was a torment for someone who loves sleep so much. But because it''s something I do because I like it, I''ve never once thought of quitting.
However, while working as a cleaning staff, sometimes guests checked out late, which delayed my cleaning time and caused some difficulties. Other than that, there weren''t many hard things about being a cleaning staff.
Also, because guesthouses themselves have many travelers, there weren''t many opportunities to become close. If I felt I had become a bit close through parties or conversations, they were soon people who had to leave, so farewells were common, and I never adapted well to goodbyes.
Each time, I thought maybe I was acting like this because I''m still young. But no matter how I thought about it, it seemed no one gets used to parting, and even when I''m a grandmother, farewells would always be regrettable and sad — at least for me.
Still, it was so surprising that there was so much to learn from people who passed through my life even briefly, and that I felt so much from them.
Although we were different in age, we were able to listen to each other''s concerns from our own interpretations, and even with different nationalities our worries weren''t all that different.
Before my gap year, I was always someone who felt stuck. I thought being stable, unshaken, and ordinary was the best. But...Now, even if I''m a bit unsteady or not stable, I want to do something that sets my heart ablaze.
The most precious connection I made through the gap year was the guesthouse manager sister. She took care of me a lot when I came alone from another place, and we got along so well that it was very sad when we parted. Also, the part-time boss, Myanmar friends, and so many others.
While traveling, I felt that the world is much bigger than I thought and that there are so many things I can do. Travel is always necessary, and to the point where one might say ''life is a journey,'' I thought travel is one of the important moments of life.
Two months — long if it''s long, short if it''s short — but through these two months I was able to reconsider the goals of my life, and above all...By trying the things I wanted to do, my self-esteem and confidence rose, and I was able to gain a lot of positive energy.
I don''t know about the future. Whether it''s really okay to do what I want to do. Honestly, I''m a little afraid. Still, nonetheless...I think it''s true that I should be doing something that really makes my heart race.
.png&w=1080&q=75)