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#Overcame fear, improved adaptability #Rest; discovered my travel style #A refreshing experience of a new culture
As time passed and I adapted to local life, I walked the streets without thinking anything of it, spent happy times with them, and made many memories while traveling. I was able to go into restaurants and carry on conversations with strangers.
Bonjour! Living for a month in Paris, France Park Sujin — gap year gapper (24, university student) / 4-week gap year |
# I chose it because I felt there wouldn''t be another chance if I didn''t do it now.
Hello. I''m 24-year-old Park Sujin. Since I was young, I''ve wanted to stay in another country for a long time and live while traveling at a relaxed pace. Then I happened to learn about the ''One month living in Paris'' project from Korea Gap Year, and I chose it because I felt there wouldn''t be another chance if I didn''t do it now.
Paris was said to have many pickpockets and frequent terrorist incidents, so I was scared, and I was also worried about the long flight. I also wondered whether I could travel well for a month in a country where language didn''t work. But I applied blindly thinking that if I only worried I''d end up doing nothing. While staying in Paris I did not experience anything dangerous, and although language didn''t always work, I managed fine with just a little English.
* For Park Sujin, who wanted to regain a sense of ease, a customized 1:1 personal mission related to mental relaxation and new experiences was provided daily, and a Gap Year Note was also provided to reflect on herself and make plans.
# For a month I decided to play fully without worrying about the future at all.
Because my body and mind were exhausted, my biggest goal for this gap year was to rest.In that month in Paris, even if I spent every day eating and playing, there was no one to nag me. So I decided to play fully without worrying about the future for a month.Also, next time I travel or take a break, I wanted to find my own travel style and ways of resting so I could play well and rest well.
# It was new and fun to notice differences from our country and imitate them.
It was nice to have other gap year participants staying in Paris to spend the month with. Alone time was good, but being together seemed to create more memories.Although I returned from Paris, it was nice that the connections made then continued in Korea.
I was able to learn about various cultures and manners of France. In everyday situations like dining at a restaurant, taking the subway, or crossing a crosswalk,It was new and fun to notice differences from our country and imitate them.
Because I was afraid of traveling abroad alone, I applied for the project with a friend. My friend and I have traveled just the two of us before, but often we traveled with people we met at the accommodation. The accommodation attracted a variety of people, from those visiting Paris for a short trip to long-term residents including participants who came through the gap year.
# Actually, before and at the beginning of the gap year I had a lot of worries.
Actually, before and at the beginning of the gap year I had a lot of worries. Everything was scary: passing by large-bodied foreigners, ordering food in restaurants, walking around outside at night, traveling alone, approaching strangers, and so on.
However As time went by and I adapted to local life, I walked the streets without thinking anything of it, spent happy times with them, and made many memories while traveling.I could go into restaurants and carry on conversations with strangers.
# To prospective participants
I recommend studying basic conversational phrases and learning about French history, culture, and tourist sites. Usually, around tourist spots you can talk in English wherever you go. But there are definitely cases where English doesn''t work, and Using the local language can also be a meaningful experience, so I recommend studying even a little. You see as much as you know, and the more you study, the more meaningful your trip will be.
# My Gap Year TIP
- Language
Around tourist areas, simple English is enough to communicate. Still, it will be smoother if you study some basic French beforehand.
- Accommodation
The beds are bunk beds and shake a lot even with small movements. If you''re concerned about disturbing others, I recommend using the lower bunk. The building doesn''t have good soundproofing. It''s best not to make loud noises in the room and to be careful when handling your suitcase.
- Meals
Breakfast and dinner are provided every day. If you won''t be eating a meal, be sure to tell the staff in advance.
- What to bring
You don''t need to try to bring everything. Many items can be easily bought at local supermarkets, so don''t increase your luggage unnecessarily and come with the mindset of ''I''ll buy it in Paris.''
# My Paris Travel TIP
The Eiffel Tower is beautiful no matter when you see it. It''s pretty on clear days and the sparkling nighttime view is really lovely. You can see the ''white Eiffel'' at 1 a.m., so I recommend checking it out at least once.
In any park you''ll meet foreigners spreading picnic mats on the grass and relaxing. If you go to Paris, I recommend resting like a local — spread a mat to eat sandwiches, take a nap, etc. I also recommend visiting many nearby towns outside Paris. There are many beautiful towns with charms different from Paris, such as Versailles, Giverny, Mont Saint-Michel, and Strasbourg.
My gap year was
Experience ★★★★★
I met a variety of people, adapted to the country, and gained a lot of experience doing many different things.
Learning ★★★★☆
I was able to learn about French culture and manners.
Environment ★★★☆☆
At first there were inconveniences like difficulty finding restrooms and the smell of the subway, but I got used to them as I lived there.
Safety ★★★★☆
It''s not safer than Korea. However, the neighborhood around the accommodation was safer than I expected, and there weren''t that many pickpockets in Paris.
Leisure ★★★★★
I enjoyed a relaxed trip I had never experienced before. It was a month of rest I couldn''t enjoy anywhere else and likely won''t again.
