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#More peace of mind, improved health #Breaking free from a planned life; new experiences #Feeling completely mentally recharged
Now that the semester has started, I feel worried thinking about the upcoming assignments and exams, but I realize that my mental and physical health is the top priority. Participating in club activities was as fun as when I first started, and I noticed that I have become more relaxed in my attitude when attending classes and reading books.Through the gap year project, I was able to spend a proper vacation that helped me recover. - Busan Gap Year Stay / Kim Tae-yang, gap-year family gapper / 8-week gap year |
# Rather than being chased by a schedule, I chose making whatever I wanted to do the theme of the trip.
I first learned about it while I was in the military, and I thought it was a good program that I should definitely try at least once. During the semester I was hurried between major courses, assignments, and extracurricular activities, and during the break I wanted to do something special rather than study or rest, but I didn''t have enough money to travel.
At that time the gap year program came to mind, and because I often thought about wanting to get away while living a busy life during the semester, I decided to participate.
I didn''t set any big goals through the gap year. I joined simply because I wanted to rest a little, so I approached it with a relaxed mindset.Rather than being chased by a schedule, I made doing what I want the theme of the trip.
# I decided to follow where my heart led me.
Actually, the plan went off track from the very first day. Up until then I had lived by making plans for everything.My timetable, painstakingly pieced together by week and hour, drove me every day; it was my own method for handling all the assignments, major studies, and extracurricular activities.
The place I was initially assigned to was a guesthouse in Nampo. I looked up blog reviews and briefly checked what was nearby, but when I actually went, the place where I would do the gap year stay activities was a guesthouse in Seomyeon.
At first, in my usual style—I like being planned and consistent—I tried to follow a regular daily routine and a timetable divided by the hour. I took the city tour bus to see things quickly, but even though the bus only takes you to famous spots, the cold weather and fatigue made it difficult.
Then, while walking at the Ibagu Workshop, the last stop of the city tour, I wondered if I had to do it that way. I was tired and didn’t really feel like going, so I questioned whether I had to visit everything like that.From that point I decided to do whatever my heart wanted.
After that, whenever I thought "Shall I try this?" I would try it right away.I made various attempts, such as trying to talk with foreigners I occasionally met. Although language differences meant communication wasn''t always smooth, most of them could use English and none were hostile, so it became a new source of enjoyment.
Once I decided not to make plans, my body and mind began to relax. I spent some days doing nothing, and my alone time increased. Sometimes I even wondered if it was okay to live like that.
When I was bored I read books or went for walks. Preferring quiet to crowded, noisy places, I slowly walked around on my own and looked around. If I wanted to see the sea, I would go walk at Taejongdae, Haeundae, or Igidae, and on nice days I would take walks in Citizens Park.
As my mind relaxed, my body felt healthier and I started to gain some weight. During the semester I couldn''t sleep well—my eyebrows fell out, my skin became dry, and I kept losing weight so I didn’t look good—but it felt like returning to my childhood.Perhaps because I felt so at ease, every time I returned to the guesthouse it felt like going home.
# Watching the sunrise I had no thoughts; I just thought it was magnificent.
At first I mostly went around the Nampodong area. It was where I first arrived, and there were many sights and places to eat, so it wasn''t boring. Nampodong was also a place I had recommended to friends visiting from Jeonju.
Wandering around BIFF Street and Jagalchi Market—looking, eating, and having fun—time flew by. Gradually I started seeking out only scenic spots. Two things I liked were warming up in the sauna near Dalmaji-gil while watching the sun set, and seeing the sunrise at Yonggungsa.
I think I won''t forget those two things later on. I saw the sunset when I went to a bathhouse recommended by the guesthouse owner. One wall of the bathhouse was made of glass, and the sea seen from there was really beautiful. I went to the bathhouse a bit later than planned because something came up, but by chance it was just before sunset.
So I soaked in the hot water, first watching the blue sea, then the sea and sky slowly turning red, and when the sun fully set I could see the night view toward Haeundae The Bay 101 and the Gwangandaegyo bridge in the distance. After finishing the bath, I ate codfish soup, bought some bread at Ops bakery, had a cup of coffee, and went back.
I went to Yonggungsa because I wanted to see a temple built on the seaside cliffs. Looking at the map, I saw that Yonggungsa faces east, so I thought I might be able to see the sunrise. So I timed it for a day off during the week: I spent the night at Songjeong Beach the day before and set out for Yonggungsa at dawn.
Songjeong Beach is a place many people visit to surf. My coworker (an older colleague) and the guesthouse owner also surf, so I had heard about it. I arrived at Songjeong Beach in the evening, walked around once, stood at the octagonal pavilion at the end of the beach watching the sea, and then went in.
The next dawn I woke up and set out for Yonggungsa to see the sunrise. When I went, Yonggungsa was impressive even before the sunrise. The sight of waves breaking in the sea right below and the temple standing in front of it looked more striking than in pictures, and it was even more beautiful when the sun rose.
Others beside me were capturing the scene with their cameras, and there were people performing rituals.While watching the sunrise I had no particular thoughts; I think I just felt that it was beautiful.
# My gap year tips
(Language)
Even if you’re not confident in a language, if you try you can roughly communicate. Since both sides know they speak different languages, people are considerate if the conversation doesn’t go smoothly. Even if it’s a bit awkward,I think the start is to greet first and try to start a conversation.
(Accommodation)
I participated in winter, but the hot water worked very well and the heating was good, so I had no complaints about the lodging.
(Meals)
Meals are prepared together with the guesthouse staff and we all eat together. Sometimes when people were short I had to prepare alone, but since the people living together make simple food, even if it’s not great it tastes good ^^. Just don’t opt out too much by saying you can’t do it.
(What to bring)
Wi‑Fi works everywhere, and while doing gap year activities you may sometimes need to arrange accommodation outside. Only in those cases should you pack lightly; during the activity period it’s just like living in Busan, so I took simple luggage and had other items sent to me by parcel.
(Tips for future gappers)
Life here is something you create for yourself more than something dictated by the people around you, so it’s best to participate actively in everything.
# My Busan travel spots
* One night at Songjeong Beach — sunrise at Yonggungsa or sunrise at Songjeong Beach
I wanted to see the sunrise at Yonggungsa, but since the guesthouse was too far away I stayed one night at a guesthouse in Songjeong Beach and left for Yonggungsa at dawn. It was cold but it was the most impressive place.
* Haeundae night view, Gwangan Bridge
A friend came to Busan, and around dinnertime we went to a bathhouse near Dalmaji-gil and had a sauna. One side of the bathhouse was all glass, so we sat in the warm bath watching the sunset, then went out and ate cod soup, went to Gwangalli and walked while looking at Gwangan Bridge, then went into a sashimi center and had flatfish with soju. The night views were beautiful and the sashimi was tasty, so I did this course twice.
# Through the gap year project I was able to have a proper break that helped me recover.
The best part was meeting really good people, and it gave me a reason to go back there again. Maybe because I lived a more relaxed life, I was happy throughout my stay, and all the stress I had been carrying was released during the vacation.I feel mentally completely recharged.
Now that the project is over — as the saying goes, ''we do this to make a living'' — I realized it’s important not to push myself too hard and to take things step by step.
Now that classes have started, I worry about upcoming assignments and exams, but I feel that my mind and body’s health is the top priority. Club activities were as fun as when I first started, and I realized I now have a more relaxed attitude when attending classes and reading books.Through the gap year project, I was able to have a proper vacation that restored me.
My gap year
Experience★★★★☆
I couldn''t travel around Busan much, but the experience of meeting and talking with people I didn''t know was valuable.
Learning★★★★☆
Similar to when I served in the military, I learned that there are people like this too. In particular, I felt that the way people in the Busan area think is quite different from the way people in the Jeonbuk region where I lived think.
Environment★★★★★
Because it was the Seomyeon area, the downtown was right next to me; Seomyeon Station, where subway lines 1 and 2 overlap, was less than a 5-minute walk away. If I wanted a quick bite I could eat at Bujeon Market, and I sometimes took walks in Busan Citizens Park, which was a 10-minute walk away. I liked that everything I needed was within walking distance.
Safety★★★☆☆
Since it''s near the market, there are many older people who have been drinking at night, so it might be a bit dangerous for women. When a female coworker had to go out for work, I sometimes went out with her.
Leisure★★★★★
What I had most during my gap year was time. Having a lot of time brought me leisure, and with that leisure my body became healthier. During the semester I always lived watching the clock, but in Busan I could live by checking where the sun was, which I liked.
