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#Emotional analysis, organized thoughts #Personal time, leisure #Felt introspection and hope
Another important point is that before leaving for my gap year I was just being gloomy and lethargic and neglecting myself, but while in Vietnam...I was able to take time to focus more on and analyze what thoughts I have and what emotions I feel when I''m in a good mood and when I''m in a bad mood. -Recharging warm love with children in Hanoi, Vietnam / Jung Eunji Gap Year Gapper / 8-week gap year |
Read Jung Eunji''s Vietnam volunteer review Part 1 < Click
# My Gap Year Tips
(Language)
I had my own rule for keeping conversations going with foreign friends. If a question or curiosity came to mind, I would throw it out there right away so I wouldn''t miss it, and then I''d handle the follow-up about 30 seconds later.
This interesting experience worked especially well when I met people on day trips or 1-night-2-day trips and naturally started conversations.This method was quite effective for about a month? A month and a half? but
In the latter half of the project, I fell into a brief slump and spent more time alone, and I felt like my way of speaking English and my "translation brain" were somewhat neglected.
(Accommodation)
The bed was really... I missed my bed at home so much... lol But I liked that the room was more spacious, and living without shoes was nice. (Still, it''s good to have indoor slippers.)
Also, the water pressure and Wi‑Fi were fine! I thought it was basically at Korean standards. There was a water purifier so you don''t have to worry about water, but bottled water is cheap so you can buy it, or bring a bottle so you don''t have to buy one every time.
(Meals)
In Vietnam you get a balanced mix of side dishes like greens, vegetables, and meat, and sometimes they even provide foods like banh mi or bun cha — it''s really delicious!!! I didn''t particularly bring Korean food and I don''t like instant noodles much, so I didn''t eat them often. I guess local food really suited me lol.
You don''t need to prepare anything else; if you want to introduce Korean food to foreign friends, bring simple seasoning packets and you''ll easily be able to show off guaranteed-tasty cooking skills! (I only thought about it and didn''t bring tteokbokki, dakbokkeumtang, buldak spicy ramen, etc.)
(What to bring)
Maybe because volunteers come to Vietnam from various countries, some people just come with a big backpack, or if they bring a suitcase it''s about medium-sized. I embarrassingly brought a 28-inch because I almost brought all my stuff from the Philippines... lol
(Tip)
Break times in Vietnam (and overseas volunteer projects) are on another level. At first I just napped along with the kids'' nap time, but choosing a nearby cafe and drinking two or three drinks a day while organizing personal records or reading books in the original language was a great way to spend time.
One of the best things about coming to Vietnam!! There''s much more personal time and leisure, and drinks are super cheap!
# My Vietnam Destinations
I went to a lot of cafes and lakes in Vietnam. Condensed milk coffee and smoothies there cost less than a single cup in Korea even if you drink two a day... I love hanging out in cafes so I already miss it ㅜㅜ If the Old Quarter is getting tiring, try heading to the West Lake area!
West Lake has many quiet and pretty brunch cafes (I only got to go to one... ㅜ). Hanoi seems like a city of lakes, and besides the famous Hoan Kiem and West Lake there are many large and small lakes. I didn''t visit them all, but on a bonding day organized by the center we went to a park with artificial turf that was great for playing; there was a small zipline and it was nice to lie on the grass to avoid the sun.
I booked trips through a Korean travel agency via KakaoTalk during weekdays and went on 1-night-2-day or day trips. Halong Bay has been featured on Korean variety shows lately so I became interested; spending one night on a small cruise and going through the itinerary wasn''t exhausting and was fun.
It''s about a 4-hour one-way distance, so you might want to stay one night or two to see the surrounding area. I went to Tam Coc Ninh Binh in a day, but after doing three activities in one day (temple/boat/bike) I came back with a few days of body aches lol.
Vietnam has many tourist points listed as World Heritage sites, and many people even go to Sapa trekking through local travel agencies. If you sign up alone like me, there will be a tour group so you can use English and make friends, and other volunteers at the center also go out a lot, so going together can help you get closer — I think that''s even better!
# I guess it was a process of finding answers.
I want to say: thanks to the gap year, I can breathe again and I’ve come back!
I experienced how to enjoy life and gained courage, and I found many things I want to do (though now that I’m back in Korea it takes a lot of time to actually do them). Above all, while spending the gap year I often said and wrote that I’m doing well—that there seems to be this kind of change.
Actually, as I said things out loud, it felt like I was talking to myself. Unsorted emotions came back into my ears and eyes, and I realized, “Huh? I was thinking this way?” In that sense...The gap year missions and personal records were very helpful. I guess it was a process of finding answers, haha.
I didn’t completely achieve the goal of finding myself, but I think I had a lot of time to reflect. Much more in Vietnam than in the Philippines! I kept thinking, “I want to try this!” “I’ll start that when I go back to Korea!” — so many things I want to do came up.
Also, by practicing thinking in spare moments and writing it down, I left many records, and I learned how to continue a line of thought—not exactly the ‘ability to think’ on my own, but a method to keep the thought going. I wrote threads under various titles in a notes app and recorded many challenges and experiences on my blog, which makes rereading them enjoyable.Icollected a lot of my thoughts.
I considered extending a lot, but I ended without extending in the end, so I couldn’t deal with big things like my personal problems or setting medium- to long-term goals. However, I think I succeeded in living alone abroad and taking small trips. I was disappointed in myself for not changing quickly, but...If I don’t forget these experiences, I’m confident I can change based on these memories.
Another important point is that before leaving on the gap year I would just neglect myself by being constantly depressed and lethargic, but while in Vietnam...I was able to spend more time focusing on and analyzing what I think and what emotions I feel when I’m in a good mood and when I’m in a bad mood.
I still don’t handle emotional changes well, and I need to look more into how I should live, though.
My gap year was
experience★★★★★
If the Philippines is a time to prepare your English, Vietnam or the second program is a place where you can make use of everything. I could have prepared a volunteer activity where I’m the main organizer, and (as others may have already experienced) contacting travel agencies and traveling alone was fun.
Learning★★★★☆
Maybe because there was a lot of time to think, I had many personal realizations and a lot of organization. If you’re interested in volunteering, at the beginning you could interview the coordinator or staff and hear about how things are run.
If you want to learn more of the language while living there, you can ask a local supporter or staff to arrange a language exchange with Vietnamese university students.
Environment★★★★☆
The accommodation is some distance from tourist attractions and located in a quiet area, so it''s peaceful and good for resting. You can get to the Old Quarter or other neighborhoods within an hour. There are many facilities you can use, such as a kitchen, meeting room, and laundry. If you''re assigned a bunk bed it''s inconvenient, but if the volunteer on the lower bunk leaves you can ask to switch immediately.
Safety★★★★★
I heard so many warnings like ''the Philippines is very dangerous — don''t go alone'' that I didn''t get to explore much.I believed the stories that Vietnam is safe and enjoyed going out alone. Vietnam is a place where many backpackers travel solo, so it''s quite safe.
Leisure★★★★★
You have a lot of free time. At first I thought, ''Only about three hours of volunteer work a day? Is that it?'' but the long breaks and having only four days a week are great. You can use weekends and days off for same-day tours or even trips to central Vietnam, and it''s also fun to explore the Old Quarter or go on cafe tours nearby.
Another important point is that before leaving for my gap year I was just being gloomy and lethargic and neglecting myself, but while in Vietnam...I was able to take time to focus more on and analyze what thoughts I have and what emotions I feel when I''m in a good mood and when I''m in a bad mood. -Recharging warm love with children in Hanoi, Vietnam / Jung Eunji Gap Year Gapper / 8-week gap year |
Read Jung Eunji''s Vietnam volunteer review Part 1 < Click
# My Gap Year Tips
(Language)
I had my own rule for keeping conversations going with foreign friends. If a question or curiosity came to mind, I would throw it out there right away so I wouldn''t miss it, and then I''d handle the follow-up about 30 seconds later.
This interesting experience worked especially well when I met people on day trips or 1-night-2-day trips and naturally started conversations.This method was quite effective for about a month? A month and a half? but
In the latter half of the project, I fell into a brief slump and spent more time alone, and I felt like my way of speaking English and my "translation brain" were somewhat neglected.
(Accommodation)
The bed was really... I missed my bed at home so much... lol But I liked that the room was more spacious, and living without shoes was nice. (Still, it''s good to have indoor slippers.)
Also, the water pressure and Wi‑Fi were fine! I thought it was basically at Korean standards. There was a water purifier so you don''t have to worry about water, but bottled water is cheap so you can buy it, or bring a bottle so you don''t have to buy one every time.
(Meals)
In Vietnam you get a balanced mix of side dishes like greens, vegetables, and meat, and sometimes they even provide foods like banh mi or bun cha — it''s really delicious!!! I didn''t particularly bring Korean food and I don''t like instant noodles much, so I didn''t eat them often. I guess local food really suited me lol.
You don''t need to prepare anything else; if you want to introduce Korean food to foreign friends, bring simple seasoning packets and you''ll easily be able to show off guaranteed-tasty cooking skills! (I only thought about it and didn''t bring tteokbokki, dakbokkeumtang, buldak spicy ramen, etc.)
(What to bring)
Maybe because volunteers come to Vietnam from various countries, some people just come with a big backpack, or if they bring a suitcase it''s about medium-sized. I embarrassingly brought a 28-inch because I almost brought all my stuff from the Philippines... lol
(Tip)
Break times in Vietnam (and overseas volunteer projects) are on another level. At first I just napped along with the kids'' nap time, but choosing a nearby cafe and drinking two or three drinks a day while organizing personal records or reading books in the original language was a great way to spend time.
One of the best things about coming to Vietnam!! There''s much more personal time and leisure, and drinks are super cheap!
# My Vietnam Destinations
I went to a lot of cafes and lakes in Vietnam. Condensed milk coffee and smoothies there cost less than a single cup in Korea even if you drink two a day... I love hanging out in cafes so I already miss it ㅜㅜ If the Old Quarter is getting tiring, try heading to the West Lake area!
West Lake has many quiet and pretty brunch cafes (I only got to go to one... ㅜ). Hanoi seems like a city of lakes, and besides the famous Hoan Kiem and West Lake there are many large and small lakes. I didn''t visit them all, but on a bonding day organized by the center we went to a park with artificial turf that was great for playing; there was a small zipline and it was nice to lie on the grass to avoid the sun.
I booked trips through a Korean travel agency via KakaoTalk during weekdays and went on 1-night-2-day or day trips. Halong Bay has been featured on Korean variety shows lately so I became interested; spending one night on a small cruise and going through the itinerary wasn''t exhausting and was fun.
It''s about a 4-hour one-way distance, so you might want to stay one night or two to see the surrounding area. I went to Tam Coc Ninh Binh in a day, but after doing three activities in one day (temple/boat/bike) I came back with a few days of body aches lol.
Vietnam has many tourist points listed as World Heritage sites, and many people even go to Sapa trekking through local travel agencies. If you sign up alone like me, there will be a tour group so you can use English and make friends, and other volunteers at the center also go out a lot, so going together can help you get closer — I think that''s even better!
# I guess it was a process of finding answers.
I want to say: thanks to the gap year, I can breathe again and I’ve come back!
I experienced how to enjoy life and gained courage, and I found many things I want to do (though now that I’m back in Korea it takes a lot of time to actually do them). Above all, while spending the gap year I often said and wrote that I’m doing well—that there seems to be this kind of change.
Actually, as I said things out loud, it felt like I was talking to myself. Unsorted emotions came back into my ears and eyes, and I realized, “Huh? I was thinking this way?” In that sense...The gap year missions and personal records were very helpful. I guess it was a process of finding answers, haha.
I didn’t completely achieve the goal of finding myself, but I think I had a lot of time to reflect. Much more in Vietnam than in the Philippines! I kept thinking, “I want to try this!” “I’ll start that when I go back to Korea!” — so many things I want to do came up.
Also, by practicing thinking in spare moments and writing it down, I left many records, and I learned how to continue a line of thought—not exactly the ‘ability to think’ on my own, but a method to keep the thought going. I wrote threads under various titles in a notes app and recorded many challenges and experiences on my blog, which makes rereading them enjoyable.Icollected a lot of my thoughts.
I considered extending a lot, but I ended without extending in the end, so I couldn’t deal with big things like my personal problems or setting medium- to long-term goals. However, I think I succeeded in living alone abroad and taking small trips. I was disappointed in myself for not changing quickly, but...If I don’t forget these experiences, I’m confident I can change based on these memories.
Another important point is that before leaving on the gap year I would just neglect myself by being constantly depressed and lethargic, but while in Vietnam...I was able to spend more time focusing on and analyzing what I think and what emotions I feel when I’m in a good mood and when I’m in a bad mood.
I still don’t handle emotional changes well, and I need to look more into how I should live, though.
My gap year was
experience★★★★★
If the Philippines is a time to prepare your English, Vietnam or the second program is a place where you can make use of everything. I could have prepared a volunteer activity where I’m the main organizer, and (as others may have already experienced) contacting travel agencies and traveling alone was fun.
Learning★★★★☆
Maybe because there was a lot of time to think, I had many personal realizations and a lot of organization. If you’re interested in volunteering, at the beginning you could interview the coordinator or staff and hear about how things are run.
If you want to learn more of the language while living there, you can ask a local supporter or staff to arrange a language exchange with Vietnamese university students.
Environment★★★★☆
The accommodation is some distance from tourist attractions and located in a quiet area, so it''s peaceful and good for resting. You can get to the Old Quarter or other neighborhoods within an hour. There are many facilities you can use, such as a kitchen, meeting room, and laundry. If you''re assigned a bunk bed it''s inconvenient, but if the volunteer on the lower bunk leaves you can ask to switch immediately.
Safety★★★★★
I heard so many warnings like ''the Philippines is very dangerous — don''t go alone'' that I didn''t get to explore much.I believed the stories that Vietnam is safe and enjoyed going out alone. Vietnam is a place where many backpackers travel solo, so it''s quite safe.
Leisure★★★★★
You have a lot of free time. At first I thought, ''Only about three hours of volunteer work a day? Is that it?'' but the long breaks and having only four days a week are great. You can use weekends and days off for same-day tours or even trips to central Vietnam, and it''s also fun to explore the Old Quarter or go on cafe tours nearby.
What makes this project special
