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#Improved interpersonal and speaking abilities #Romance of Paris, precious connections #A satisfying time without regrets
I''m still only 21 years old.I''m so grateful to the gap year for letting me have this experience at such a young age.I think it''s a really great project.ReallyI really feel that I''ve changed a lot. My sociability has also improved significantly. - Paris Gap Year Stay / Jo Jangwon, GapYear family gapper / 8-week gap year |
# For me, a design major, the city of Paris was a dream city.
While traveling, I often thought I wanted to stay in one country for a long time. Then I happened to hear about the gap year...I heard about it from my sister.For me, a design major, the city of Paris was a dream city.
I thought about being able to see many museums and wanted to see the Parisians I''d only heard about in stories.
And when I traveled alone to Jeju Island, I became close with a staff member at the guesthouse and, after talking a lot,as a result of thinking several times that I wanted to try being a staff member too, I applied.
Through this gap year I wanted to develop my interpersonal and speaking skills and visit all the museums in Paris.
# I thought of it as a city of art and found it romantic.
When I first started working, partly due to jet lag, during the probationary period I couldn''t go out and worked from morning until dawn, so I was very tired. At first it didn''t feel like Paris and I often wanted to go back to Korea, but on the fourth day the owner took me along on a tour for my first outing.
I took the subway out; on the first day I was too dazed to really look, but seeing the subway again I thought it was really dirty.Watching people playing instruments and performing like a musical in the station, I truly thought it was a city of art and found it romantic.
The dirty-looking subway, covered with those things, made me feel that Paris is truly a romantic city. While thinking that, I arrived at the Opéra Garnier. The moment I exited the subway station I couldn''t help but admire it and really felt that I was in Paris.After that, the desire to go back to Korea disappeared.
I still remember that Paris had sales from mid-January to mid-February, so I always went shopping on my days off. I spent almost 800,000 won... Still, I remember feeling proud coming home with my hands full of clothes I liked.
There were so many guests I got close to while working that there are still guests I keep in touch with; once I met three friends my age, went to a restaurant, ate together, and spent two days hanging out.I felt sad when we parted, butI learned how to part ways, realizing it was unavoidable.
# The two months were definitely not wasted.
While working there as a staff member, there was a ''happy time'' from 9 PM to 12 AM when we drank wine.
At that time...By talking a lot with the guests and having various conversations, I gained a great deal of indirect experience. Listening to experiences that would be difficult for me to have firsthand also broadened my knowledge.
Because it''s a place where many people come, I met people with so many different jobs and a lot of experience. I encountered people such as a priest from Israel, someone volunteering in Africa, a soldier from France, and many others with extremely diverse occupations.
Some other staff said they were tired and didn''t like that time, but for me it was one of the happiest times—talking with the guests and watching and listening to them open up and share their stories.
Honestly, if I hadn''t had that time, life in Paris might have become so boring that I couldn''t have endured it. It was a Paris experience where I truly learned and felt a lot through work, so the two months didn''t feel wasted at all.
It was so good that if I were asked to go back, I think I would choose to return without a second''s hesitation.Looking back, it really feels like a life that was like a dream.Also, the owner and the hostess were so kind that I didn''t miss Korea very much.
# My gap year tip
(Language)
If you know the country''s greetings and have just basic English conversation skills, you can travel very comfortably and enjoyably.
When I used the local greeting, people seemed more friendly, and when I mixed in my clumsy English during conversations, I felt an unexpected sense of pride and was able to make new friends.
(Accommodation)
Don''t go expecting to be highly satisfied with the lodging. If you go expecting hotel-like accommodations, you could be very disappointed.
(Meals)
Breakfast and dinner are really delicious. However, you need to take care of lunch separately.
(What to bring)
If you go with high expectations about the gap year or only thinking of it as a trip, it can be difficult. Since it''s a working space and a shared living space, you should also let go of self-centered thinking.
Even if you''re not very sociable or not good at speaking, I hope you apply without worry. I received a lot of help, and after two months you''ll see a new version of yourself.
(To prospective participants)
I want you to know that if you go in with high expectations, the disappointment can be just as great. If you don''t have high expectations, you can truly find happiness in everything. In my case, I went with no expectations and was really satisfied with everything.
Also, since you can be in Europe for three months, I hope you use the remaining month to travel, whether before or after.You will really gain a lot.
# My recommended travel destinations
I definitely recommend visiting Spain and Switzerland. Watch a soccer match in Spain and be sure to try activities in Switzerland!
France -> Italy -> France -> Spain -> Switzerland -> Czech Republic -> France -> Korea
# I''m so grateful to the gap year program that allowed me to have this experience at a young age.
Because it''s a place where various guests come, I could indirectly hear many different experiences. While working, the owner, the hostess, and the staff treated me so well that I was deeply moved.I really spent time with so many people. I met friends my age as guests and spent three days hanging out with them; I kept in touch with the older guy I met when I first started working and we agreed to meet when I go back to Korea, and I formed many connections.
On the last day, after breakfast, I greeted everyone and while preparing to leave for Korea I bowed to the aunt one last time; she cried and my heart really hurt. She treated me so well and was so fond of me that my eyes turned red too.
I couldn''t bring myself to cry there because I thought the aunt would cry more, so I quickly said my goodbyes and left the accommodation with heavy steps. Once outside I really felt my chest ache and realized I had become very attached.I checked off a few items on my bucket list during the trip and made a new bucket list, and I feel like I also gained a lot of lessons.
Still being 21 years oldI''m very grateful to the gap year for allowing me to have this kind of experience at such a young age.It really seems like a great project.ReallyI really feel that I have changed a lot. My sociability has also improved considerably.My parents came to Italy on a package tour, and I went to meet them; the women there said I spoke well and...They complimented me, saying I''m kind and cheerful. In the past that would have been unthinkable for me.
If I get the chance later, I really want to do it again. I will definitely come back to Paris—three times, no, even five times.From the first day I arrived in Korea, I missed Paris. ^^
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
You can meet many people and hear stories indirectly, and you can also gain experience directly by traveling.
Learning★★★★☆
There was nothing difficult about the work and nothing to learn. They were really small, easy chores, so you don''t need to worry.
Instead, I think I learned a lot about how to deal with people.
Environment★★★☆☆
Because it''s an old house, the environment isn''t that great. Also, being in France there is a lot of crime.
Safety★★★☆☆
There was once a break-in, and because it''s near the Paris terminus it didn''t feel very safe. However, there were no major threats.
Leisure★★★★★
Leisure time depends on how you choose to enjoy it. If you schedule your time well and go out diligently, there was actually a lot of free time.
