Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#My heart grew broader and deeper #Time for myself #Felt the intrinsic value of travel
Comparing myself before and after participating in the project, I don''t think I''ve completely changed, but I feel that my heart has grown a little broader and deeper. Living away from home and seeing and feeling many things seems to have widened my perspective a bit, and above all, I''m very grateful because it gave me an opportunity to try to find small happiness where I am now and to reflect on the direction of my life.
-Bonjour! Living in Paris, France for a month / Kim Nayoung gap-year family gapper / 4 weeks of gap year |
Currently in South Korea, each year 60,000 middle and high school students drop out, 346,000 people in their twenties are idle because they have no dreams, and the turnover rate within one year of employment has entered the 40% range,75% of university students are not satisfied with college life, and more than 80% of workers say they do not feel happy.Many people tell them to dream, but to solve this problem that lacks practical methods and support, we want to bring the ''gap year'' to South Korea.
*What is a gap year? A gap year refers to a period during which one suspends or combines studies while engaging in various activities such as travel, volunteering, internships, and education,to find one''s dreams and aptitudes. *What is ''living for a month''? No more rushed, sightseeing-focused trips! It''s a project to take a month and live leisurely in one area.A project perfect for you who are tired of work and stressed by various thingsTalk with the ''you'' inside and discover the romantic charms of Paris alley by alley~ |
#in Paris for amonthThe moment I saw the one-month living project in Paris, I thought, ''This is it!'' and immediately inquired and applied.
I am an elementary school teacher. After working in Incheon for three years, I was transferred to Seoul and was waiting as an appointee, and during that time I learned about the gap year and participated in the one-month stay in Paris project.Once I''m assigned back to a school, it will be difficult to take a long trip during pleasant seasons like spring and autumn, so I thought this was an ideal opportunity.Through that process I learned about the gap year and was able to spend an unforgettable month in Paris.
In April this year I went on a roughly 40-day trip through Western Europe, traveling to six countries: the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Italy. I stayed in Paris for a week, and even after returning to Korea I kept thinking about Paris and wanted to live there leisurely like a local at least once. While looking for accommodation to stay in Paris for a month, I happened to learn about Gap Year through a blog post, and the moment I saw the one-month living in Paris project I thought, ''This is it!'' and immediately inquired and applied.
At first I worried, not knowing any French at all, whether I could safely spend 30 days in Paris, which is not known for great safety. But once I lived there, I had no major difficulties or inconveniences, and I returned safely without any incidents.
At tourist attractions and shops in Paris, bag checks and body searches are conducted thoroughly. More police and soldiers have been deployed than before, so there were almost no situations that felt dangerous. However, in touristy areas with many visitors or in crowded subways, it''s wise to wear your bag in front and avoid putting items in your pockets.
#Through the gap year project I wanted to experience living in an unfamiliar place and take time by myself to reflect.
After the dates to participate in the gap year project were set, I looked up and booked a flight for those dates. I started preparing my luggage a week in advance and packed mainly the essentials. Since I was going in September, I had to consider weather from late summer to autumn and early winter, so I ended up bringing more clothes.
In fact, from early to mid-September I mostly wore summer clothes and shoes, and in the evenings or after mid-September I needed warmer clothes so I wore thicker items. Paris''s weather is very changeable, so rather than bringing several of the same kind of clothing, it''s better to bring a variety like short-sleeve shirts, cardigans, a trench coat, and a light padded jacket.
Because the one-month living-in-Paris project is more like independent travel, there isn''t a set daily schedule. While staying at the affiliated Korean guesthouse, you just need to follow the house rules,I liked that I could plan and decide all other activities by myself.
Some days I wandered through Paris''s alleys, other days I bought bread and fruit and sat in a park to leisurely picnic while listening to music. There were even days when I just rested at the accommodation all day.
I had a long time preparing for exams, and after university I passed the teacher certification exam and worked at a school for three years, so into my late twenties I had never gone backpacking. This year was my first trip to Europe; in the spring I traveled for 40 daysand after that trip I realized how enjoyable, happy, and valuable travel itself can be.
My first trip had trial-and-error and a busy schedule that left me no mental leisure, so on my second trip I wanted to take more time to relax and look around.Through the gap year project I wanted to experience living in an unfamiliar place and have time alone to reflect on myself.
#I believe you can gain many priceless experiences you would never have in your life.
What I liked was, First, it was that I could spend thirty days entirely for myself. I could be free from anyone''s disturbance, enjoy myself, think, feel many things, and live freely.
What moved me was, the sight of French people who always appeared relaxed and at ease.They didn''t live frantically and obsessively busy lives; they lived lives with evenings, sat with loved ones on café terraces enjoying the simple happiness of a cup of coffee, and lay in parks enjoying warm sunbathing—these scenes looked good and made me envious.
What I learned was,I was able to personally experience and feel the French way of life, language, and culture. It was nice to pick up some simple French, and by the time you leave France you''ll have the curious experience of feeling more comfortable with French than with English. ^^
What I realized was, that travel itself is valuable.The things you see and feel while traveling cannot be fully captured by photos or videos alone. Especially if, like me, it''s not a tourist-spot-focused trip butif you participate in a project that lets you enjoy local life, I think you''ll gain many priceless experiences you could never have otherwise.
First, I was able to spend the month in Paris comfortably and happily because I got to know the very kind guesthouse owner. What I liked most was that they always paid attention and showed warm consideration so participants could stay comfortably without difficulties. I also remember the nice younger people and friends I met at the guesthouse. Even if you''re not a gap year participant, it''s nice that you can meet and talk with various people at the Korean guesthouse. I hope those connections continue back in Korea. ^^
# My Paris spots
In the first week I went to nearby places like the Chartres Light Festival and Disneyland. In the second week I went with the guesthouse owner to Auvers-sur-Oise, famous as Van Gogh''s village, and I also toured Paris, spending relaxed time visiting places like Luxembourg Gardens, the Sorbonne, and the Vanves flea market.
In the third week, using a four-day Museum Pass I had purchased in Korea, I actively visited Paris attractions like the Louvre, Musée d''Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Pompidou Center. In the fourth week I revisited places that remained memorable in Paris and took time to wrap up the month''s memories.
# My gap year TIP
(Language)
Because French is widely used in France, it would be useful to learn simple phrases — morning and evening greetings, how to order food in a restaurant, phrases for buying things, expressions of thanks or apology, and phrases needed at tourist sites. Even using just greetings or simple expressions in French makes French people much more friendly and kind. ^^
(Accommodation)
In the Korean guesthouse dormitory, four people share a room. While some participants came for the one-month gap year in Paris, there are also regular guests who stay for a few days, so keep that in mind. Because it''s a dormitory, you should always keep your belongings and valuables secure and be careful not to behave in ways that might inconvenience others.
Living with others can be uncomfortable, but it was enjoyable to share travel stories, to accompany like-minded people, and to meet good people.
(Meals)
Meals were provided twice a day, breakfast and dinner, so I was able to save on food expenses during the month. Both meals were delicious Korean food, so I didn''t miss Korean food while away from home, and I even think I ate better than I usually do in Korea.
For lunch I sometimes visited famous dessert shops or bakeries in Paris to try croissants, macarons, éclairs, etc. There was a large supermarket near the accommodation where I bought fruit, vegetables, and cheese to make salads. Fruit and cheese in particular are very cheap, so it''s a good idea to eat plenty of them while in Paris.
(What to bring)
Items like scissors or tape can often be useful in daily life, so it''s good to bring them. If you put scissors in your handbag they''ll be taken at the security check, so don''t forget to put them in your suitcase.
You don''t need to bring an excessive amount of clothes. Even in expensive Paris, local brands can be cheaper or similar in price compared to Korea, so it''s fine to buy what you need there. Also, I had a lot of luggage so I didn''t bring Korean instant meals like Hetbahn or ramen, but since the accommodation provided two Korean meals a day, you don''t need to bring Korean food.
When packing, you often think you might need this and that and end up overstuffing your suitcase. Especially for women who often pack lots of clothes. I also filled my suitcase from the start and ended up shipping a package back to Korea later.
I regretted bringing clothes and shoes that I never wore. While Paris can be expensive, supermarket prices are relatively affordable, so you don''t need to bring everything to the point of excess.
(Currency exchange)
Exchanging money or withdrawing locally incurs fees, so if you can keep it safe I recommend exchanging in Korea before you go. For large amounts of cash or valuables, the accommodation owner may store them for you, so that''s an option. When moving with luggage, I recommend carrying items in a travel money belt rather than in a suitcase or handbag.
(Travel insurance)
I didn''t sign up because my total travel period exceeded 50 days. But since anything can happen—losing your phone or accidents—it''s better to take out insurance so you can travel with peace of mind.
#I''m very grateful as it gave me an opportunity to think about the direction of my life.
Comparing myself before and after participating in the project, I don''t think I''ve completely changed, but I feel my heart has become a bit broader and deeper. Living away from home and seeing and feeling many things seems to have widened my perspective.Above all, I''m grateful that it gave me a chance to try to find small happiness where I am now and to reflect on the direction of my life.
Paris is such a charming and lovely city! With famous sights, delicious desserts, streets full of things to see, and the pretty Eiffel Tower and Seine, the month will fly by and you''ll feel it''s a shame it''s over.
I hope you take part in a one-month living project and have precious time just for yourself.
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
It wasn''t just a simple trip; it was a valuable experience of getting to see the lifestyle, culture, and atmosphere of locals in Paris, France.
Learning★★★★★
I left not knowing any French, but after staying 30 days I picked up basic everyday conversation and increased my understanding of France.
Environment★★★★★
Because it’s a Korean guesthouse, there was a Korean owner and Korean guests, so I didn’t feel lonely. The accommodation was clean and tidy, so I didn’t experience any discomfort during my stay. It was also nice that there was a terrace and a shared living room where you could make use of the space.
Safety★★★★★
There were often times when I returned late after seeing the night view or going to nearby areas, but I never felt unsafe or scared while traveling from the station to the accommodation. However, accidents can happen in an instant, so you should always be mindful of your own safety.
Leisure★★★★★
Since it was literally “living in Paris for a month,” there was plenty of time to leisurely enjoy downtime and local life rather than sightseeing. Even doing nothing—just walking along the Seine or sitting in a park—felt restorative.
