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#Made me stronger #Met great staff and guests #Felt freedom and resilience
Often when friends I haven''t seen in a long time text me saying, ''What have you been up to? Have you been well?'', replying to that was the hardest thing. Thinking, ''Am I doing okay?'' ''What am I doing with my life?'' led me to quit my job and apply for a gap year. - France, Paris gap-year stay / Yu Hyejin, gap-year traveler / 8-week gap year |
Am I doing well? What am I doing?
I''m a professional who has worked as a kindergarten teacher for four years, having spent my early to mid-twenties working hard. I’ve always liked learning new things and often wondered how I could continue to grow, so I kept busy and before I knew it four years had passed.
Although I''m living quietly without change now, I began to worry that in three years, five years, or later I might be settling into this comfortably familiar life and merely treading water in a stagnant existence instead of moving forward.I started considering changes to move forward, and that’s when I encountered the idea of a gap year.
Often when friends I haven''t seen in a long time text me saying, ''What have you been up to? Have you been well?'', replying to that was the hardest thing. Thinking, ''Am I doing okay?'' ''What am I doing with my life?'' led me to quit my job and apply for a gap year.
Through this gap year I wanted to do a lot of different thinking. Not complicated this-and-that, but just thinking.
I wanted to often have time to think for myself.Not rushing to find something ''better'' because of time, but choosing what I like and choosing what I dislike.Perhaps I wanted to get to know myself better.And I wanted to make myself stronger.
I think this kind of mindset made me stronger.
I''ve long been interested in French culture and the French language, and I''ve wanted to spend an extended time in Paris. While staying in the guesthouse, simply being in Paris made me happy.There I met really great staff friends and lovely guests, which made my gap year shine even more.
I wasn''t the only one who quit their job — others also found work hard, life dull, and did a lot of overtime... it was the same for everyone. There were many women in their late twenties and many younger people. I listened to many people''s stories and sometimes felt grateful for my profession, spending thankful moments.
I used to be someone who wanted everyone to like me. But I learned that''s not the case — even if you show the same kindness, the thoughts and actions returned can differ. Even knowing that, negative feedback hurt me a lot.
But while working as staff, I realized that not everyone has to like me. I had been thinking of others first to earn everyone''s positive feedback, and that shifted to taking better care of myself first.This change has both positive and negative aspects, but I believe this mindset made me stronger.
Learning to care less about others'' opinions was also a big lesson for me.
Living in a new environment through the gap year itself was a very fresh transition for me. In particular, because of the guesthouse''s nature — meeting many people and hearing many stories — this was actually what I was most looking forward to before going on my gap year.Other people''s worries and travel stories were all fascinating to me.
But after a month, perhaps because I met and parted with many people, when guests I had shared many conversations with checked out I felt empty inside. We had heartfelt talks and shared our thoughts... Will the day come when I meet this person again, when I don''t even have their contact info? Faced with the reality of these becoming ''one-off encounters'', the door in my heart that had been opening gradually closed again.
After the gap year, by interacting with many people I learned that not everyone has to like me. Caring less about others'' opinions......was also a big lesson for me.
My personal gap-year tip(s)
(Language)
If you''re good at English, there won''t be any problems, but you may feel frustrated when you can''t express what you want. You can learn French after you arrive, so it''s good to prepare beforehand, but it''s okay if you don''t.
(Accommodation)
To be honest, I didn''t have high expectations, but there weren''t many inconveniences living as four women.
If you are considerate of each other and keep a positive attitude, dorm life will be fun.
There is no separate shower for staff, so it was difficult to shower comfortably.
(Meals)
The housekeeper makes the food very delicious.
I ate so well that I gained weight after coming to Paris. I went to the supermarket and bought lots of tasty snacks to share with the staff — that was also a fun memory. You don''t need to worry about meals.
(What to bring)
As everyone says, bring an empty suitcase. Or it''s good to send things by parcel.
Carrying things around will be very stressful. The cost of living felt similar to Korea, so it''s fine to buy daily necessities here.
(To prospective participants)
Just like when you first applied for the gap year, if you participate with a positive mindset you''ll actually be grateful for all the times and situations. Always return to that initial feeling — how you felt when you discovered the Paris gap year, the excitement when your participation was confirmed, when you bought the plane ticket — save those moments in your heart. (Write them in a small notebook or take photos/videos.) Later, when you look back at them they''ll give you great strength.
# My own Paris destinations
In Paris, whenever I had free time I almost always went out. I wanted to look into and enjoy Parisians'' everyday life rather than the tourist attractions. Even after dinner, if I had spare time I often walked along the Seine.
I was happy walking and watching the Eiffel Tower slowly light up at dusk. I often carved out moments to myself watching joggers, families, and couples nearby. So while the sights are of course great, since we had time I recommend places where you can see everyday life.
# I felt a lot of happiness, and the small joys inside me were filled, giving me a sense of ease.
Be thankful for everything: that I have somewhere to stay abroad, that I can eat delicious food, that I''m basking in the sun under a blue sky, that the Eiffel Tower is beside me, that I''m eating a sandwich with a like-minded friend by the Seine. Being grateful for meeting these people and this environment made my words and actions gentler.Feeling so much of that happiness filled the small joys within me and gave me a sense of ease.
After the gap year, I traveled for a month and felt that the two months in Paris were even more fulfilling.I was grateful for the safe accommodation and meals in Paris, and I missed the relaxed Parisian life a lot.Thinking about when I would again be able to spend a relaxed two months abroad, I walked a lot and saw many things each day.I hope future gap year participants also stay healthy and have a rewarding two months.
I''m especially left with regret that I couldn''t express my gratitude to the housekeeper more. Hanging laundry, setting out food, and doing light bathroom cleaning are things we can do. When we help, she always says thank you.I think if we live considerately toward each other, we''ll receive greater energy in return.
Lastly, I was grateful that the kind-hearted housekeeper cooked every day and took care of the staff.I couldn''t express my deep gratitude enough and always felt some guilt. Thank you, auntie!
And the staff friends: Yunhee, Yujin, Minji. They are younger, but I learned a lot and laughed a lot with them by my side. Thanks also to Hamin unni, Yeonggyeong, Eunseong, and Jangwon for their hard work handing things over, as well as Seogil, Seongjun oppa, Jiho, and the boss. Being with all these wonderful people made the two months memorable.
During the gap year, whenever incidents like the Champs-Élysées attack or small accidents occurred, the gap year team contacted us by email, which made me feel reassured. I was busy and couldn''t reply much, but I''m always grateful for their concern and care. Thank you ^-^
# A positive force within me has grown stronger and I have become more at ease.
I didn''t come expecting it to change me drastically. But a positive strength within me has grown and I have become more relaxed.
I have also become a bit more resilient. After my gap year, I went on a one-month trip and was curious about my limits,When things didn''t go as planned, I was curious about how I would overcome them on my own.
During the trip, experiencing good and bad things made me more resilient and broadened my range of experiences, giving me the ability to handle situations with composure.
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
Just applying and living abroad for two months was a very new experience.
Learning★★★★★
I met many people and, above all, gained good friends.
And it was a time when I could pay more attention to myself.
Environment★★★★☆
Although it''s on the outskirts, the guesthouse is close to the subway station, so the location is good.
That''s not a problem, but when I have free time I wish I could spend it wandering around on my own more.
The staff room facilities are not as good as expected.
Because of this, I became closer to the other staff.
Safety★★★★★
It''s safe. Still, always remember to keep an eye on your belongings and your personal safety.
Leisure★★★★★
If you want to take a day to travel, plan ahead and inform the manager.
Schedules can be adjusted, but for long trips that means adjusting the schedules of staff colleagues—so check with them first and prepare your travel plans accordingly.
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