Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
나답게, 단단하게, 즐겁게
# My Gap Year Tips
The Philippines is hot so it''s easy to pack only summer clothes, but air conditioning is always on. Be sure to bring a thin outer layer like a cardigan or jacket.
Grammar isn''t everything, but it''s still good to study it to some extent before you go. All classes are taught in English, and grammar is explained in English, so even when you think you understand, it can feel like you don''t.
I learned by borrowing a grammar book from a Korean friend, but if you review it once or twice before you go it will really help! (The director told me to study before going — I only half-listened and regretted it, hehe. Good luck, everyone!)
# What I learned, felt, and put into practice
I started to notice more enjoyable things.
I had trouble making decisions on my own. Trying to do everything independently became endlessly difficult. So during 1:1 lessons I started to tell the teacher about my worries little by little, and it increased over time. Each time, the teacher would play Korean music and sing along with me, surprise me with Korean words they knew, and make me feel good.
The teacher thanked me for trusting them and sharing my worries, but comforted me, saying more worries will come and they were concerned it might keep me from studying in class.
It was the moment I realized I was missing important things because I was worrying, and I used it as an opportunity to learn how to reduce worries. I started writing down my worries and trying to solve those I could, and leaving alone the worries I couldn''t change.
At first it didn''t work well, but I gradually got used to it, and more enjoyable things began to appear.
I was able to enjoy the process itself.
I was in a lot of pain but didn''t want my gap year plans to be disrupted. So I kept enduring and overexerting myself and eventually couldn''t continue to Thailand and returned to Korea. Even then I hadn''t recovered but I rushed and got stressed... When Gap Year said that while goals are important, they hope you can fully enjoy the process as well, it was a wake-up call.
I realized I''d been forgetting something important: by focusing on the goal I hadn''t checked in on my own well-being. After that I tried to enjoy the process.
Even if I can''t reach the top of the mountain, even if I go halfway and come back down, I come down with the satisfaction of having seen flowers and exercised along the way. This made me gradually happier. What I do became more enjoyable, and reaching the goal was no longer the condition for happiness — the process of moving forward itself became enjoyable.
# Advice for people preparing for a gap year
First, I think I struggled because I tried to do too well from the start.
Instead, nerves might keep you from showing even half of your ability or keep you from starting... English is not our native language. You may be clumsy, fall behind others, or improve slowly. Accept your imperfect self and take it step by step. By the time you go back you''ll probably see yourself grown — not only in English but mentally as well.
And the most important thing! You didn''t leave to get good at English — you left on a gap year! Remember that whenever you forget! Five stars ***** !!!!!!!!
Second, I went in November and stayed until January, and thanks to that I could experience three of the Philippines'' biggest events.
Christmas, Sinulog Festival, New Year. It was a really special experience to directly experience Filipino local culture. If you''re thinking about going in November, don''t hesitate — go!
Third, I learned about it in the last week so couldn''t do it, but some friends had gotten scuba diving certifications in Mactan! If you have time try it! Enjoy not only the land of the Philippines but also under the sea S2S2S2
Fourth, during presentation time I initially complained ''what kind of presentation with skills like this,'' but looking back now I think this time was the most helpful.What I practiced then was used the most, and because I encountered and memorized various topics it was good to use them as conversation material!
Fifth, what I want to emphasize most is that health is the most important.Because I had weak stamina I kept overdoing it and eventually returned to Korea to receive treatment. If you''re struggling, say so and manage yourself well!!!!!! (determined)
Sixth, I guess I have so much I want to say^^... Maybe because I love my gap year so much! Finally, a tip!
I highly recommend the gap year missions.At first I thought the missions were really nothing. It was hard to adjust at the beginning, and because they kept telling me to do things I sometimes just put them off. Even so, when the mission coordinator kindly checked in on me, I wanted to try again, and I think I did them half-heartedly thinking they might help.
But as time went on they became really great. Small things like choosing my own pose and taking photos with three friends, asking a close friend to go for a walk, or finding my own special place—these were trivial, but they had a big impact!I think that’s why I was able to get closer to my friends. I liked those missions so much that I took screenshots and I still try them by myself now. You should definitely try them.
#I was able to become someone who is good to myself.
Before language study abroad, volunteering in Thailand, and an internship in Greece, my first gap year started with persuading my parents.
I think my gap year probably began around that time. “You should be studying for employment, and now you want to go abroad? No way!” was my parents’ first reaction when they heard my plan. Since I tended to always follow my parents, I didn’t know how to persuade them.
At first I threw tantrums like a child. Then we gradually started talking, I looked for solutions, I submitted a seven-page report, and I got their consent. When someone opposed me I used to wonder if my opinion was wrong and I lacked confidence in myself, but after doing this I realized it wasn’t wrong, just different. All of it was part of the process of moving forward.
I was really able to start making my own choices. Thanks to that, I was able to change from being someone who was only good to others into someone who is also good to myself.
# My Gap Year Tips
The Philippines is hot so it''s easy to pack only summer clothes, but air conditioning is always on. Be sure to bring a thin outer layer like a cardigan or jacket.
Grammar isn''t everything, but it''s still good to study it to some extent before you go. All classes are taught in English, and grammar is explained in English, so even when you think you understand, it can feel like you don''t.
I learned by borrowing a grammar book from a Korean friend, but if you review it once or twice before you go it will really help! (The director told me to study before going — I only half-listened and regretted it, hehe. Good luck, everyone!)
# What I learned, felt, and put into practice
I started to notice more enjoyable things.
I had trouble making decisions on my own. Trying to do everything independently became endlessly difficult. So during 1:1 lessons I started to tell the teacher about my worries little by little, and it increased over time. Each time, the teacher would play Korean music and sing along with me, surprise me with Korean words they knew, and make me feel good.
The teacher thanked me for trusting them and sharing my worries, but comforted me, saying more worries will come and they were concerned it might keep me from studying in class.
It was the moment I realized I was missing important things because I was worrying, and I used it as an opportunity to learn how to reduce worries. I started writing down my worries and trying to solve those I could, and leaving alone the worries I couldn''t change.
At first it didn''t work well, but I gradually got used to it, and more enjoyable things began to appear.
I was able to enjoy the process itself.
I was in a lot of pain but didn''t want my gap year plans to be disrupted. So I kept enduring and overexerting myself and eventually couldn''t continue to Thailand and returned to Korea. Even then I hadn''t recovered but I rushed and got stressed... When Gap Year said that while goals are important, they hope you can fully enjoy the process as well, it was a wake-up call.
I realized I''d been forgetting something important: by focusing on the goal I hadn''t checked in on my own well-being. After that I tried to enjoy the process.
Even if I can''t reach the top of the mountain, even if I go halfway and come back down, I come down with the satisfaction of having seen flowers and exercised along the way. This made me gradually happier. What I do became more enjoyable, and reaching the goal was no longer the condition for happiness — the process of moving forward itself became enjoyable.
# Advice for people preparing for a gap year
First, I think I struggled because I tried to do too well from the start.
Instead, nerves might keep you from showing even half of your ability or keep you from starting... English is not our native language. You may be clumsy, fall behind others, or improve slowly. Accept your imperfect self and take it step by step. By the time you go back you''ll probably see yourself grown — not only in English but mentally as well.
And the most important thing! You didn''t leave to get good at English — you left on a gap year! Remember that whenever you forget! Five stars ***** !!!!!!!!
Second, I went in November and stayed until January, and thanks to that I could experience three of the Philippines'' biggest events.
Christmas, Sinulog Festival, New Year. It was a really special experience to directly experience Filipino local culture. If you''re thinking about going in November, don''t hesitate — go!
Third, I learned about it in the last week so couldn''t do it, but some friends had gotten scuba diving certifications in Mactan! If you have time try it! Enjoy not only the land of the Philippines but also under the sea S2S2S2
Fourth, during presentation time I initially complained ''what kind of presentation with skills like this,'' but looking back now I think this time was the most helpful.What I practiced then was used the most, and because I encountered and memorized various topics it was good to use them as conversation material!
Fifth, what I want to emphasize most is that health is the most important.Because I had weak stamina I kept overdoing it and eventually returned to Korea to receive treatment. If you''re struggling, say so and manage yourself well!!!!!! (determined)
Sixth, I guess I have so much I want to say^^... Maybe because I love my gap year so much! Finally, a tip!
I highly recommend the gap year missions.At first I thought the missions were really nothing. It was hard to adjust at the beginning, and because they kept telling me to do things I sometimes just put them off. Even so, when the mission coordinator kindly checked in on me, I wanted to try again, and I think I did them half-heartedly thinking they might help.
But as time went on they became really great. Small things like choosing my own pose and taking photos with three friends, asking a close friend to go for a walk, or finding my own special place—these were trivial, but they had a big impact!I think that’s why I was able to get closer to my friends. I liked those missions so much that I took screenshots and I still try them by myself now. You should definitely try them.
#I was able to become someone who is good to myself.
Before language study abroad, volunteering in Thailand, and an internship in Greece, my first gap year started with persuading my parents.
I think my gap year probably began around that time. “You should be studying for employment, and now you want to go abroad? No way!” was my parents’ first reaction when they heard my plan. Since I tended to always follow my parents, I didn’t know how to persuade them.
At first I threw tantrums like a child. Then we gradually started talking, I looked for solutions, I submitted a seven-page report, and I got their consent. When someone opposed me I used to wonder if my opinion was wrong and I lacked confidence in myself, but after doing this I realized it wasn’t wrong, just different. All of it was part of the process of moving forward.
I was really able to start making my own choices. Thanks to that, I was able to change from being someone who was only good to others into someone who is also good to myself.
What makes this project special
