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#Overcame environmental challenges, understood differences in thinking #Bonds with foreigners, communication skills #Took time for self-reflection
"This project allows you to volunteer and socialize with foreigners, so you can make many foreign friends. Also, because it is a local Thai NGO, you can find out which areas the local hill-tribe people want help with and actually assist them, which I think is the appealing part."
Hands-on village building in Chiang Rai, Thailand with foreign friends Woo Daeheon — gap-year participant / 4-week gap year
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# I applied because I wanted to live with foreigners and try volunteering together with them.
Hello, I’m 26-year-old Woo Daeheon, and I did construction volunteer work in Chiang Rai, Thailand for 4 weeks from January 2 to 28, 2017.
Actually, this is my second overseas volunteer experience after volunteering at an orphanage in India. At first, I wanted to escape our country''s winter even if only for a short time...The idea of volunteering with foreigners made me want to live with them and volunteer together for four weeks, so I applied.
# Since it was work we all did together, I think we enjoyed doing it together.
First, we had breakfast at 8:00 AM, and at 8:30 in the dining hall they would explain the day''s schedule since the daily activities differ. And We did morning activities from about 9:00 to 11:30, had lunch, then did afternoon activities from 1:00 to 4:00 to finish the day''s schedule. After that, aside from dinner time, it was free time when you could do what you wanted.
The project''s tasks changed with the season; I did plowing, sowing seeds, painting murals, digging channels, making cement and paving roads, and so on. It was definitely hard on hot sunny days, but because it was a group effort, I think we enjoyed the work together.
On weekdays after volunteering, we sometimes visited local attractions, read books leisurely, or played badminton with friends. On weekends we went into Chiang Rai city with friends to get massages or visit pubs and the night market. Every other week we also toured Chiang Mai, which is near Chiang Rai.
# Since it was work we all did together, I think we enjoyed doing it together.
Through this project, I think I learned how to form good bonds by getting close to and interacting with foreign friends.
I believe I learned that. Also, by overcoming the inconvenient conditions of the NGO accommodation and the hill-tribe villages, I felt these were not really things to complain about, and I became grateful for good living conditions.
Also, meeting friends of many nationalities taught me a lot about differences in thinking. In Korea I always felt pressured about the future and stressed, but foreigners seemed much freer from such worries than we were.
The reason I volunteer is not just to go help a region, but because I want to learn how to communicate by working and socializing with the country and its people. Even if you can''t understand the language used by the hill-tribe people, there are many ways to communicate with them, like smiles and handshakes.
# My gap-year tips
(Language)
It''s great to study beforehand and continue studying while there. But ultimately, I think the personality of approaching them first and trying to get close is much more important.
(Accommodation)
If you have a bad back, the mattress is thin and may be uncomfortable. It''s good to know and prepare in advance. ^^
(Meals)
I have no complaints about the meals. But if they''re sometimes not great, there''s a small cafe nearby that you can use. ^^
(What to bring)
Bring plenty of socks, and if you''ll often be washing socks and underwear, bring a clothesline.
This project allows you to volunteer and socialize with foreigners, so you can make many foreign friends. Also, because it is a local Thai NGO, you can see what kinds of help the local hill tribe people want from us and actually provide assistance, which I find appealing.
I was grateful that Korean Gap Year provided care via email continuously before, during, and after the project.
To me, Gap Year is like a bridge that helped me comfortably do what I wanted to try. Thanks to it, I made good memories.
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
During the long yet short period of four weeks I gained a lot of experience. In particular, I had great times interacting with many friends.
Learning★★★★☆
Because we were doing the tasks that were needed at the time, there were occasions when we ended up doing work that was not closely related to construction.
Environment★★★☆☆
The accommodation isn''t dirty, but the beds aren''t very comfortable for sleeping. Also, connecting to the Wi-Fi is sometimes difficult.
Safety★★★★★
If you follow the usual precautions for that country, safety is not an issue since it''s a tourist area. For construction volunteering they provide boots; as long as you bring gloves, there''s no problem.
Leisure★★★★★
We go to Chiang Rai city and Chiang Mai on weekends. After the tasks finish at 4 PM, you can have your own free time.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
