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#Reduced fear of speaking English #Friends from various countries #Realized the true meaning of volunteering
I think I tried focusing on myself rather than worrying about the group''s reaction, and being honest with my own feelings.I also think I realized several other things.
-Building a village in Chiang Rai, Thailand with foreign friends / Kim Seonghwan, Gap Year Tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
# I wanted to try volunteering, something I''d never done in my life.
My name is Kim Seonghwan, a college student who spent a gap year in 2017 and completed my second gap year project, ''Building a village in Chiang Rai.'' I am currently 21 years old and try to be outgoing, haha.
Reason for joining the projectI wanted to try volunteering, something I''d never done. Also, meeting friends from abroad and meeting people who travel were motivations.
Through this gap year,I wanted to gain confidence, find my career path, and have as many experiences as possible.
# A day in Thailand
As an outdoor program participant, the daily routine was to leave around 9 AM and return around 3 or 4 PM. Work was conducted from Tuesday to Friday. On Saturdays we sometimes worked in the morning, but often there was no work. The tasks were those needed by local people, mainly rice transplanting, farming, building structures, road construction, etc.
What I liked about the project was that I could meet people from various countries, especially many friends from Western countries — that was probably the biggest advantage. It also gave me a chance to practice my English. And while volunteering,I realized that true volunteering isn''t doing for others what I want to do, but doing what people actually need.
What moved me was being able to share experiences and talk with people. And being able to work and laugh together with local people — it was a small, touching experience. That''s how I felt.
There were a few things I realized from conversations with friends. First, you don''t have to like everyone or make everyone feel good. Second, you don''t need to feel sorry for not being able to participate in the group.I think I tried focusing on myself rather than worrying about the group''s reaction, and being honest with my own feelings.I also think I realized several other things.
Also, before joining I had an unconscious fear of using English, but being in an environment where I had to use it, my fear has greatly diminished — which I consider one of the things I learned.
# My gap year tips
(Language)
Unless you have actual experience, you''ll inevitably go through moments of overwhelm, so be prepared.
(Meals)
If you live there for an extended period, the menu becomes limited.
(Supplies)
The weather changes by season, so I recommend checking the weather before you go. Also, clothes don''t dry well, so be careful. It''s very humid.
(To prospective participants)
Fear is natural. However, adopt the mindset of facing that fear. You''re going to struggle anyway, and if you accept that hardship beforehand, the shock when you actually encounter it won''t be as great.
# My Chiang Rai travel spots
A pizza place in Chiang Rai city: Chef SaSa’s is a really delicious Italian pizza restaurant.
Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai: try an elephant tour.
Chiang Mai temples
Chiang Rai travel spots: Khun Kon Waterfall, White Temple, Black House, etc.
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
First, you can experience an English-speaking environment and meet many friends. Most importantly, you can directly experience volunteering.
Learning★★★★☆
I give it 4 points because you can see other people''s ways of thinking and how local people live.
Environment★★★☆☆
Since Chiang Rai is a very rural area and the local organization is located in the mountains, I think the environment will be quite challenging.
I think I tried focusing on myself rather than worrying about the group''s reaction, and being honest with my own feelings.I also think I realized several other things.
-Building a village in Chiang Rai, Thailand with foreign friends / Kim Seonghwan, Gap Year Tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
# I wanted to try volunteering, something I''d never done in my life.
My name is Kim Seonghwan, a college student who spent a gap year in 2017 and completed my second gap year project, ''Building a village in Chiang Rai.'' I am currently 21 years old and try to be outgoing, haha.
Reason for joining the projectI wanted to try volunteering, something I''d never done. Also, meeting friends from abroad and meeting people who travel were motivations.
Through this gap year,I wanted to gain confidence, find my career path, and have as many experiences as possible.
# A day in Thailand
As an outdoor program participant, the daily routine was to leave around 9 AM and return around 3 or 4 PM. Work was conducted from Tuesday to Friday. On Saturdays we sometimes worked in the morning, but often there was no work. The tasks were those needed by local people, mainly rice transplanting, farming, building structures, road construction, etc.
What I liked about the project was that I could meet people from various countries, especially many friends from Western countries — that was probably the biggest advantage. It also gave me a chance to practice my English. And while volunteering,I realized that true volunteering isn''t doing for others what I want to do, but doing what people actually need.
What moved me was being able to share experiences and talk with people. And being able to work and laugh together with local people — it was a small, touching experience. That''s how I felt.
There were a few things I realized from conversations with friends. First, you don''t have to like everyone or make everyone feel good. Second, you don''t need to feel sorry for not being able to participate in the group.I think I tried focusing on myself rather than worrying about the group''s reaction, and being honest with my own feelings.I also think I realized several other things.
Also, before joining I had an unconscious fear of using English, but being in an environment where I had to use it, my fear has greatly diminished — which I consider one of the things I learned.
# My gap year tips
(Language)
Unless you have actual experience, you''ll inevitably go through moments of overwhelm, so be prepared.
(Meals)
If you live there for an extended period, the menu becomes limited.
(Supplies)
The weather changes by season, so I recommend checking the weather before you go. Also, clothes don''t dry well, so be careful. It''s very humid.
(To prospective participants)
Fear is natural. However, adopt the mindset of facing that fear. You''re going to struggle anyway, and if you accept that hardship beforehand, the shock when you actually encounter it won''t be as great.
# My Chiang Rai travel spots
A pizza place in Chiang Rai city: Chef SaSa’s is a really delicious Italian pizza restaurant.
Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai: try an elephant tour.
Chiang Mai temples
Chiang Rai travel spots: Khun Kon Waterfall, White Temple, Black House, etc.
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
First, you can experience an English-speaking environment and meet many friends. Most importantly, you can directly experience volunteering.
Learning★★★★☆
I give it 4 points because you can see other people''s ways of thinking and how local people live.
Environment★★★☆☆
Since Chiang Rai is a very rural area and the local organization is located in the mountains, I think the environment will be quite challenging.
What makes this project special
