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#Satisfied with what was given #Improved English skills of the Indian students #Grateful for having received more than I gave
I realized that I was wasting so much and not living content with what I have, and, as I did when I lived in India,I came to think that being satisfied with what is given, being grateful for it, and using it efficiently is also a good way to live, and I am trying to practice that in my daily life. -India Jaipur English teaching volunteer — growing together with the children / Anwon-do gapyear group gapper / 4-week gap year |
# It was much safer than expected and the people were nice.
I am a 57-year-old former female teacher who took early retirement in February 2017.
Even before retiring I was interested in volunteering and traveling, and while researching and preparing various programs I learned about Gap Year. Among the projects I saw the India Jaipur English education volunteer project, and since I could use English and had long been curious about India, I thought it was suitable to participate and chose it.
Before leaving I wasn''t too worried about being abroad for four weeks, but choosing India made me most concerned about safety. When I said I was going to India, people around me told me it was dangerous and to be careful.However, the place I went was much safer than expected and the people were nice.
One regret is that I hardly prepared before leaving. I didn''t read the materials Gap Year provided carefully, and only started reading them in detail after arriving in India. There was a lot of information in them. If possible, read, search, and study a lot before departure to reduce mistakes and make the project more convenient.
I took early retirement because I wanted to do something new, started another job, and was keeping myself fairly busy even after retirement. Then, when I happened to have some free time and wanted rest, travel, and new experiences, I learned about Gap Year projects.My goal for this gap year was to have new experiences through Gap Year.
# I was very satisfied with the planning itself.
The nature of the local project wasthat it was planned as a project combining cultural exchange and volunteering in India at the same time, and I was very satisfied with the planning itself.In the Teaching program there are two locations — regular schools and orphanages — with different schedules and target groups. Regular schools require volunteer work from about 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM or until around 4:30 PM, while orphanages involve taking care of after-school life once the children return from school, so volunteers usually work from about 3:00 to 6:00 PM; each has its own characteristics.
The regular school is helpful for people who have some prior knowledge of the curriculum and an interest in the education field, while the orphanage is a better program for those without much prior knowledge of India''s education system to gradually adapt and learn.
At first I chose the school program, but I found it difficult to adapt to the school program, where grades and classes changed daily, so I switched to the orphanage program and carried out teaching and volunteer work there.
# It was a precious and grateful encounter through which I learned how to live.
As a former teacher I am very interested in education and one of those who think providing high-quality education to children is one of the most important things our country should do. After participating in this project I realized the English ability and study methods of Indian students, which helped me understand why a considerable proportion of computer professionals in Silicon Valley are Indian.
I have learned and taught English for decades, but I couldn''t explain in English why King Sejong was a great ruler and what his achievements were. However, the orphanage children I met could clearly explain in English why Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, built the palace, why he is historically famous, and what his son did to him. Seeing that, I thought that for many children in our country to receive good education and grow to shine in the world, our educational methods and systems need to change.
The fellow volunteers from several countries (the United States, Spain, Italy, Finland, Germany) I met through this project, the staff of local Indian organizations, the teachers and students of the schools and orphanages I met there, and the guides, taxi drivers, and hotel staff I met while traveling — they sometimes made me uncomfortable, butit was a precious and grateful encounter through which I learned how to live.
# To prospective participants
There were American female students volunteering during their high school summer break, a German young man who re-enrolled in an Indian high school after graduating to learn Indian English, a Finnish professional interning at an Indian magazine to learn Indian-style English, Spanish couples who came for medical volunteer work, and an Italian graduate student studying comparative linguistics, etc.
Seeing the gap year activities of so many young people around the world, I want to advise that young people in our country also take such opportunities to experience more of the wider world and learn more so they can enrich their lives and the life of the nation.
# My personal gap year tips
(Language)
The Indian students'' English ability is far greater than I expected—perhaps close to native-speaker level. They can hear, understand, and express opinions according to what they know, so anyone intending to volunteer abroad should diligently practice listening, speaking their thoughts, and writing.
(Accommodation)
I didn''t have high expectations since it was communal living, but it was not at a satisfactory level. There was someone who cleaned, but without a vacuum cleaner they used a reed broom and stained towels; they only roughly cleaned the floors and the kitchen and bathroom didn''t seem to be well cleaned. Overall, the sense of cleanliness is different from our country and the facilities don''t seem to be very good.
(Meals)
There are many vegetarians, so the food is mainly vegetarian; some people even avoid root vegetables like onions and sweet potatoes. Meat is hard to come by, there are almost no nearby restaurants, and we ate "Indian food" (set meals), hamburgers, and sandwiches ordered from homes and delivered, but because of the distinctive Indian flavors and concerns about preparation and cleanliness, I found it difficult to adapt to the food in India. If you think of this as an opportunity to go on a diet, it may be easier to adapt.
(Supplies)
Read the packing list provided by Gap Year carefully and prepare accordingly; if you think something is missing, reading travel information online, travel guides about India, or related books is very helpful. Preparing as perfectly as possible will minimize inconveniences in local life.
# My India travel destinations
I stayed in Jaipur in northwestern India, and on weekends I traveled to Agra, Delhi, and Udaipur, which are nearby. I would recommend all four places, and next time I plan to visit Mumbai, Calcutta (Kolkata), Goa, and other regions of India.
If possible, I want to book hotels, guides, and cars myself and plan an itinerary by finding the places I want to visit on a map.
# My India travel destinations
At first, I went to India in the name of volunteering. However,After four weeks I felt that I hadn’t gone to do volunteer work but had been the one who received service.Through meeting Indians who are not yet fully ''modernized'' and through the many children in the orphanage, I was prompted to do a lot of thinking.
I realized I was wasting so much and living without being satisfied with what I had, and, as I lived in India,I began to think that being satisfied with and grateful for what is given and using it efficiently is also a good way of life, and I am trying to put that into practice in my daily life.
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