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#Became more proactive and confident #Valuable relationships and diverse ways of thinking #Felt confident that I could do it
I think I gained a lot through this program. As someone who used to be timid, I always tried to be proactive, lively, and confident, and I adopted the mindset of ‘let’s just try it once, whether it works out or not.’ Those thoughts naturally affected me. I was able to get through the sudden crises that came up during the trip safely, and I met many people.
- France, Paris — Gap Year Stay / Song Ji‑soo, gap‑year traveler / 8‑week gap year |
I couldn’t believe I had come this far.
“France, Paris — Gap Year Stay” is a precious program that grandly wrapped up my final leave from school.
Through this programI felt many things, met many people, and changed a lot.
When I first left Korea for Paris I thought, “it’ll work out somehow,” but as soon as I arrived I ran into difficulties. Finding the bus stop for a direct bus to the accommodation was like finding a needle in a haystack. After wandering for about 30 minutes I barely caught a bus. Looking out the window at the unfamiliar Parisian scenery, it didn’t really sink in that I had come this far.
I thought that once I arrived safely at the accommodation everything would be fine. With that expectation I arrived at the guesthouse. The atmosphere was really unfamiliar. It was my first time traveling such a long distance and I had never stayed in a guesthouse before. Watching the older staff work very skillfully, I wondered whether I could really adapt here. For those few days I was quite tense.
Two months went by really fast.
It felt like I hadn’t even adjusted yet when a week, two weeks, a month flew by, and I realized there wasn’t much time left before the gap‑year stay ended. That made me look back on this time that was both short and long.
I think I truly gained a lot from this program. As someone who used to be timid, I always tried to appear proactive, lively, and confident,and I adopted the attitude of, ‘let’s try it once, whether it works out or not.’I came to have that mindset. Those kinds of thoughts naturally influenced me. I was able to get through the many sudden crises that came up while traveling, and I met countless people. Among those many people, I think I gained a lot of truly precious connections.
I had always been cautious, planning things and sticking to routines, but as I worked and met many people it felt like my mind opened up. I began to think more diversely and, by understanding others, I reflected on myself. AndI felt that I am still someone who can do a lot.. This program gave me a very big gift among them.
In fact, now that I’ve finished traveling and returned to Korea, my life isn’t dramatically different from the life I had before leaving. It hasn’t been many days, and I’m perhaps spending even more idle days. Still, I’m not as anxious and fearful as before. I want to be faithful to what I can do now and enjoy a life I can take pleasure in.
Life in Paris — life in Europe was truly like a dream to me. I was so happy and had so much fun. Even now, as I write this review, I really miss those times in Paris. If I have the chance I’d definitely like to go again. And I hope many people who want to take this program feel the same way I do.
