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#Gained enjoyment and confidence in English #The charm of the Philippines; precious connections #Regained zest for life
- If you study English enjoyably without stress, that''s it! Jo Minjeong, a gap-year-er (gapper) / 12-week gap year
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#How long can I keep living relying on my parents?
After my gap year I found my true self and am living a happy life full of dreams — I''m 26-year-old Jo Minjeong.
I worked very hard at school.I did a lot of extracurricular activities and worked hard to maintain my grades. I thought I was doing well, but I kept feeling like I couldn''t breathe, and sometimes while taking the bus, climbing stairs, or in moments alone, tears would suddenly fall. I didn''t know why; I felt so suffocated that as soon as my practicum ended I left alone without a plan.
(From my travel journal)
4 a.m. — I woke up to the chatter among the people who had come on the trip with friends. Thinking it was morning and about to get up, I checked the clock and was glad there was still some time left in the trip. I smiled as an image of teasing my friend came to mind.
Depending on how you look at it, you might be angry that your comfortable time to prepare for tomorrow was taken away, or even though you slept poorly you might be glad because you felt something else.
And a fleeting thought: which of the two feelings should I have? I realized that at some point I had developed a habit of not accepting the emotions I actually felt in a situation, but wondering which emotion I was supposed to feel.
I tormented myself with thoughts like ''I must do better'' and ''I must be perfect.'' I should find my own standards rather than living by others'' yardsticks.
I didn''t know where or how to start, and I worried about falling behind compared to friends who had jobs, but I felt I absolutely had to leave. After getting gap-year counseling I ended up participating in three projects.
#The single reason I chose language study in the Philippines was one thing: ''improving English skills''.
The reason I chose to study English in the Philippines was simply one thing: to improve my English.
I wanted to go to Thailand and teach English to children, and I also wanted to do an internship with dementia patients in Greece. Above all, rather than a trip that just checks off landmarks, I wanted to fully feel and immerse myself in the culture. I wanted to talk with many people,and because I thought being good at English would make the trip richer, I decided to start my gap year with language studyI decided.
Actually, since I was going to study abroad anyway, I wondered whether it would be better to go to Canada or the UK instead of the Philippines. However,As a timid person, rather than being among many students and barely speaking a few words in a one-hour class, the one-on-one class system in the Philippines was just right for me, so I went to the Philippines.
I''m very fearful and tend to imagine every scary situation. Even for a domestic 2-night, 3-day trip I would, until the day before, sift through blogs from people who went alone and ask local friends annoyingly, agonizing over whether to go. But once I actually went, it wasn''t a big deal! (I went into my accommodation at 7 p.m. on the first day... ^-^. hahahaha.)
I do this even in Korea where I can communicate, so how could going abroad alone not be scary?My parents opposed it strongly, so it took two or three months of persuading for me to go, but once it was decided I remember worrying so much I even considered not going because I was more scared.
But once I arrived, as long as you check the school''s sign you can get directions and go safely. There are many warnings that the Philippines is dangerous, but it''s okay if you go with friends. As everywhere, don''t wander around alone late at night!
# What I felt from participating directlySix appealing aspects of this project!
First, that studying English can become fun!
Except for the brief memory of enjoying English at a conversation academy when I was 21, English was associated with ''English-TOEIC-stress'' or ''English scores-good job,'' so I think I even felt a bit of aversion.
HoweverIn the Philippines, I had motivations like wanting to talk more with my teachers, wanting to communicate with friends from other countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and wanting to go into town and get closer with café staff, etc.I found motivation. Then English started to feel fun. It''s still amazing to me that English became enjoyable!
Second, I can do it!
There were Japanese and Vietnamese friends I always hung out with at the academy. Because we had to speak in English, which wasn''t our native language, our sentences weren''t perfect, but we strung words together, communicated with facial expressions, and used dictionaries and photos to talk to each other.
We shared deep stories like why we came to learn English, what we want to do in the future, what pains we''d had, and how we overcame them. It took twice as long, but we didn''t give up trying to converse in awkward English, and the exhilaration we felt when we finally understood each other is still vivid.
The reason foreigners sometimes answer poorly or avoid eye contact when asked for directions seems less because they can''t speak English and more because they''re afraid of being wrong or not understanding. Through conversations with friends I learned that simple sentences and words are enough, and I gained confidence.
Not only did I gain confidence from improving through frequent use, but I also developed an attitude of "So what if I''m not good? Isn''t it enough that we understand each other?" I gained the confidence that it''s okay to make mistakes and that I can do it.
Third, falling for the charm of the Philippines
Because I stayed in the Philippines for three months, I could learn much more than just English. Filipinos seemed to find joy and happiness in the little things. Seeing everyone so happy like children at Christmas, exchanging gifts and taking photos, I wondered when I''d ever enjoyed Christmas like that, and even watching them made me excited.
Just one song could turn a break into a dance party. And I remember how they would always say, "From now on, I''ll do it like this!"
Their ability to feel happiness in small things and to move toward their own happiness without dwelling on the past was a great example to me.
Fourth, people who were so wonderful they brought me to tears
My roommate who helped me so much and a dear friend were leaving around the same time. Of course I knew we would part and thought I would be okay, but when the day came I couldn''t stop crying. I cried all day and my eyes swelled. I had met such wonderful people, and even now thinking about them makes me feel happy and warm.
AndI''m still in contact with the teachers and friends I met. It''s hard to meet because of the distance, but instead we sometimes have two- or three-hour group voice calls. It''s really reassuring to have friends who support me from afar and give me strength. I think this might be the warmest advantage of taking a gap year.
Ah! This week a Japanese friend is coming, and we decided to go to the Han River together! ^^
Fifth, the driving force in life
You can meet all kinds of people: a couple who left for a working holiday and came back briefly to study English more, friends who came wanting to do working holidays in Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, a woman studying TOEIC to get promoted at her company, people who came impulsively because they were frustrated with work, a teenage girl preparing for university entrance in the U.S., elementary school kids who came with their moms for early English education, younger guys who came right after finishing military service, and even a Filipino teacher who liked K-pop and taught Apink dances.
Being exposed to each person''s lifestyle gave me a lot of inspiration and motivation; even now I get updates from them and think I should try things like that too, which brings energy to my life.
Sixth, challenges of youth
Was it because the moment of going somewhere new was itself an act of courage?
I think I did things I could never have imagined: kissing a snake, and despite having acrophobia and not being able to swim — I used to just splash near the sand — somehow I found the confidence to jump from an 11-meter sea cliff where even the men gave up, splash! (I probably won''t do that again — no, I won''t lol I thought I was having a heart attack...) Still, because of that I''m now pretty good at things like ziplining.
I traveled a lot with friends on weekends, and through trips like enjoying the Philippines'' stunning nature, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins and whale sharks, I made really great and unique memories.
#My own Philippine travel spots
First, Camotes Island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I recommend Camotes Island without hesitation! There''s an incredibly beautiful island, and because a close friend asked "Won''t you come with me?" I suddenly decided to go, and I''m sure I would have regretted it if I hadn''t.
I''m still grateful to that friend (Thanks Brian, ♥) My greatest challenges in life: 11-meter cliff diving, swimming inside a cave, kayaking — and the stars. If the stars you''ve seen up until now are like little candy, the ones I saw here were giant candy.
This was the accommodation I stayed at. Of course there may be nicer places, but it''s right next to the sea, and when I went in the morning there was someone who would take you to the nearby island in a small boat for 3,000 won. The facilities were average, but the pool facing the sea combined with the stunning natural surroundings makes it a truly unforgettable, beautiful place. Highly recommend!
Second, Top Hills!
Riding behind a motorcycle driver from Gaisano Mall, zipping along the roads, the delicious dishes at Lantao Restaurant, and the night view of Cebu below with the moonlight reflected on the sea behind it—nothing is missing; it''s a perfect place. Twice!!!!!!! Go three times!!!!!!!
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
