Don''t worry and come to enjoy! I think you can fully enjoy studying. You''re learning a language, not a subject.Because you can study through conversation and sharing, you can really enjoy it.
-If you study English enjoyably without stress, that''s it! / Kim Seong-hwan, gap-year person / 8-week gap year |
#I wanted to spend money on experiences.
My name is Kim Seong-hwan. I''m 21 this year, I finished my third year of university and took a leave of absence. I''m a (fairly) sturdy guy(?) and I went on a language-study gap year in the Philippines from May to July.
I joined this gap year project because I wanted to get away from everyday life and try something new. As someone who has never spent money on experiences, through this I wanted not material things but...to spend money on experiences and meet people from other countries to gain those experiences.
Also, I chose it because I wanted to build many experiences in a foreign country rather than in Korea and develop a new perspective.And I also decided to do this to build confidence in English and conversation before going to Chiang Rai..
#What I wanted to change through this gap year was my attitude toward myself.
I think I prepared for departure calmly, taking my time step by step. However, it''s a pity that I didn''t look up much about the Philippines or Cebu. It would have been much better if I had bought and read a guidebook or brochure and gone with some information.
This What I wanted to change through this gap year was my attitude toward myself.I knew I didn''t trust myself well and that my confidence was somewhat lacking, so I participated in this gap year to fix that.And I wanted to get away from daily life and find out what I can do and what I like.
#A typical day in the Philippines
The daily routine differs quite a bit between weekdays and weekends. On weekdays I wake up around 7 to attend class. I took classes at 45-minute intervals and had two breaks in the afternoon. The course consisted of two big-group sessions, two small-group sessions, and four one-on-one lessons, and on Friday afternoons we had extracurricular activities like co-curricular events or English Day.
I participated in all activities except the last week. On weekends I traveled. I went to Oslob, Kawasan Falls, Camotes Island, Bohol Island, did a Cebu city tour, and visited Nalusuan Island, among other places. To make boat and transportation easier, I often woke up early at 3 or 4 a.m. I served as a leader two or three times and enjoyed weekends with at least 8 and up to 20 friends. There were quite a few times we went away for an overnight trip.
#Being able to meet teachers, talk with them, get close, and make memories.
What I liked was being able to meet new friends and teachers, talk with them, get close, and build memories.What moved me was seeing and enjoying natural sights I don''t usually see. The bright days and clean sea, swimming and playing there were very good memories.
Watching the sunset was also very nice. I realized that people from other countries truly have different values and different approaches. Because of that I experienced a bit of trouble, but now all misunderstandings are cleared up.
#Friends I spent time with in the Philippines
There are so many that it''s hard to write them all here. Hahaha. When I first started the project, my batchmates Chikashi and Saki, who were picked up together at the airport and taken to the academy, were with me. Opening up and talking with them really made a big difference, I think.
Thanks to that, I was able to strike up conversations with many Japanese friends and make friends. When I went during the first week there were some friends who had already graduated, so I regret not getting closer to them. Still, going to Oslob and Kawasan in the first week helped me get close to many people at once.
I met many people like Sho, Kazu, Hiroko, and Risa. From that starting point I began meeting people like a net spreading out. Of course, friends weren''t only other students. I got close with the teachers as well. I especially talked a lot with the teachers in Section D, and somehow...It felt like I had become a celebrity. I was able to build relationships with over 100 people, and...Those were such happy times.
#My gap year tips
(Language)
I think the attitude you take when you get there is more important than studying beforehand. If you make mistakes, say them anyway, and recognize that you came to learn, not to show off, so there''s no need to be embarrassed. If you make a mistake you can correct it later. I think it''s important to speak a lot and listen a lot.
(Accommodation)
The building is relatively old, and because the Philippines hasn''t reached the level of a developed country yet, it may feel a bit rundown. However, I was able to take that in stride.
(Meals)
The school''s food isn''t that tasty. This isn''t just me—my friends agree. Of course, it''s hard to judge without knowing the quality at other academies, but it''s best to go in thinking it won''t be very delicious. There are quite a few restaurants if you take a jeepney or taxi, so consider that. (There are restaurants not far away.)
(What to bring)
You actually don''t need many clothes. If necessary, you can buy cheap ones in the Philippines, or bring clothes you don''t mind throwing away—that makes packing easier. It''s good to have one or two shirts and pairs of pants.
#My gap year tips
I mainly traveled using travel agencies.
If you want to quickly enjoy the sea and island hopping in a day: Nalusuan Island.
If you want to swim with whale sharks: Oslob.
If you want to enjoy diving and swimming at a waterfall: Kawasan Falls.
If you want to go to an island and enjoy many activities: Bohol Island.
If you want to enjoy beautiful sea views and the sunset and stay overnight: Camotes Island.
#To prospective participants
Don''t worry and come to enjoy it! I think you can enjoy studying as well. Since you''re learning a language and not studying a subject,you can study through conversation and sharing, so you can definitely enjoy it.
Also, bring a good supply of basic medicine. Colds don''t go away easily. I also think you should bring long-sleeved pajamas or a cardigan. If you turn the air conditioning off it''s hot, and if you leave it on it''s cold, so it''s good to prepare for both.
Personally,before participating I was a bit worried about going abroad, but...I''m excited, wondering what awaits me now and who I might meet.Moreover, I no longer have any reluctance about traveling abroad.
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
If you''re determined, you can try many experiences. You can visit famous tourist spots in Cebu, make reservations, gather people, and do a lot of things. You can enjoy a classy bar at a low price (compared to Korea), and you can get massages without much burden.
Learning★★★★☆
I think it depends on what you learn. With only two months, it''s hard to properly learn English. It seems the basics are solid, though. The reason ''learning'' gets 4 points is because you learn from meeting and talking with people, not just from English.
I actually think my Japanese improved more than my English. It''s also nice to see how people from other countries think.
Safety★★★☆☆
Safety... it''s quite difficult for me to evaluate because I haven''t experienced any incidents or accidents. That may be partly due to the curfew time (school''s outside curfew), but I haven''t faced any danger. However, traffic lacks crosswalks and jaywalking is the default option, so that''s a bit dangerous. And according to the teachers, going out onto the streets at 1 or 2 a.m. is dangerous.
Leisure★★★★★
Because prices in the Philippines are cheap, you can enjoy yourself to the fullest! Whether you''re traveling to the sea, visiting islands, going hopping tours, or hunting for good restaurants, you can enjoy anything at an affordable price, making it ideal for leisure. The only downside is that if you want to enjoy the city, you have to take a taxi and go about 20 minutes.
