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#Positive energy, a more regular lifestyle #Valuable relationships, comforting food, improved English skills #Took time for self-reflection
-Vietnam NGO internship to grow into an expert in educational development Kim Soyeon, gap-year participant/gapper — 4-week gap year
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# What I really like is that during weekdays you work hard, and on weekends you get plenty of rest.
I''m usually very active and like meeting new people, so I really hate spending each day bored. But,After graduating I didn''t get the grades I wanted and decided to reapply to university, and then I ended up spending my days resting and studying without clear goals or motivation.
Then I found Korean Gap Year. At first I thought about applying for volunteer work. A period of over a month felt very long to me, and volunteering seemed less binding and more free than an internship.
However, after consulting with the director and thinking a lot on my own, I chose the NGO internship because it required the English I had built up while studying in the UK and it was a project that could be of some help in the education field I want to study later.
And Vietnam — Hanoi! I''ve been to many countries with my family, more than ten, but I had never been to Vietnam. Also, my father often goes to Vietnam for work so I was curious about the place, and in many ways I was strongly drawn to it... I didn''t have a firm resolve, but half in doubt I decided to go to Vietnam with one month left until the week that included the Christmas holiday.
In Vietnam I found good people — precious connections, valuable memories, healing food, moments of fun, opportunities for diverse experiences, and with a little effort my English skills can improve. I learned to listen and empathize when people talk, and I liked that I came to lead a more regular life. What I really liked is that during weekdays you work hard and on weekends you get enough rest. Also, the food was so delicious that I was happy.
# I felt really good, like I had successfully blended into the local organization.
The moment I first set foot in Hanoi, my only firm thought was to get my visa, pick up my luggage, go out, and quickly meet the taxi driver.
Because during my time studying abroad I had repeatedly kept drivers waiting (…), I told myself I''d definitely go out on time this time and waited at the visa counter for my name to be called, but my name wasn''t called for an hour and I ended up being the very last one, holding a red receipt-like visa, and arrived at the accommodation an hour late by taxi.
The first thing I saw was a woman just entering the accommodation. I thought everyone would be asleep because it was late at night, but I wondered... and sure enough, she was Korean.At that time we greeted each other awkwardly and spoke formally for a while, but she turned out to be a friend the same age as me.
Inside I saw another Korean man and someone who looked like staff. The two of them helped me move my luggage, and on the first night the three of us — Koreans — got to know each other, talked about various things, and asked questions to break the awkwardness.Because of that it got later into the night, so when unpacking I was a bit anxious and careful not to wake my roommates.
The next morning, I woke up half-asleep to the bustling atmosphere of the room. Actually I could have slept longer since it was the first day, but I thought I should at least give my roommates a brief greeting. What I meant by ''brief''...I ended up doing self-introductions and asking various questions which woke me up, but I felt really good about having successfully integrated into the local organization. That day I rested after the local supporter''s orientation.
# The office had a family-like atmosphere, so I think it was much easier for me to adapt.
On Friday I visited the local organization office where I would be working.The Friday schedule ended relatively early, but the other volunteers were still working, so I took a nap alone and called my family to check in. As evening came, one by one they returned and I spent time getting closer with the volunteers by eating meat outside.
Saturday was the day for a city tour.It was. We visited must-see places in Hanoi with the guides, and I especially remember Cafe Giang''s egg coffee and Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter.
From Monday I formally greeted the staff at the local organization and received work. What really surprised me wasEveryone was so kind, and the office had a family-like atmosphere, so I think it was much easier for me to adapt.
There was one international volunteer at the local organization who used to come to work with me, and they walked to the office every day. Naturally I also walked the 35–40 minute commute to and from work, which was not only exercise but also let me see Hanoi''s changing street scenes little by little, so I walked eagerly without feeling it was hard.
Around the end of November I had the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts with students from a school supported by the local organization. It''s one of the country''s top museums, and even though the time was short, being able to be with Vietnamese students left a strong impression on me.
At first the students hesitated to speak to me, and since I didn''t know Vietnamese well I didn''t have the courage to approach them,but when I took the initiative they burst out asking me questions, greeted me in Korean, and as we talked I realized their English skills were quite good.
Later they even asked for my Facebook, and I left feeling energized by their youthful spirit. That day was also the first time I rode a motorcycle. A staff member who accompanied us kindly gave me a ride from my accommodation to the school. Although Hanoi''s air was bad, I felt refreshed and free the whole time I sat on the back of the bike.
Of course daily life is important, but I can''t leave food out of a review, right?For someone who loves cooking and food, Vietnam was an almost unimaginable hidden mecca. I can still taste that wonderful umami lingering on my lips.
#My recommended places to visit in Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake (Old Quarter) – You can think of it as Hanoi''s equivalent of Gangnam Station/Myeong-dong/Express Bus Terminal market.
- IPH (Indochina Plaza Hanoi) – a multi-plaza with restaurants, a cinema, cafes, shops, and a supermarket... it feels like a small COEX. I went there so often that it''s no exaggeration to say I spent two-thirds of my time in Hanoi at IPH. You can buy daily necessities there, and there are a few Korean restaurants, which is great. The other restaurants are really tasty too. Ah, I miss it..
Lotte Centre (Lotte Department Store + Lotte Mart)
Royal City
Good eats – try street bun cha and mien luon (Mien luon). And the Vietnamese restaurant Quan An Ngon''s banh xeo is truly delicious. Vietnamese food is awesome!!
#My gap year tips
#You get a lot of good vibes when you come to Hanoi.
After graduating high school in July and deciding not to go to university this year, I had no motivation and was personally experiencing a threefold combo of studying, an irregular routine, and freezing cold.
You get a lot of positive energy in Hanoi: good people—precious connections, valuable memories, healing food, moments of fun, opportunities for varied experiences, and your English can improve with a little effort.
Lastly, I''ll finish with photos filled with memories of cherished people. This trip, which helped me regain a healthy mindset and reminded me of the importance of relationships, I will keep in my memory album as days I will fondly miss.
I am truly grateful to Korea Gap Year, my family, and the local people for creating this opportunity.
Bye~
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