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#Peace of mind and a newfound goal #The joy of traveling alone #Felt mental purification and healing
Actually, although the current situation after returning hasn''t changed that much, my memories and mindset have definitely changed after the project. I gained mental space and found goals for the future. When busy life leaves you no time to yourself, when your life''s direction is wavering, or when you want to rest, I would recommend trying a gap year at least once. - Jeju Gap Year Stay / Jeong Eunrim gap-year family gapper / 4-week gap year |
At some point I felt like I wanted to break away.
I''ve always had the desire to travel, but I limited myself because I felt I didn''t have the time or means. As a result, there were many depressing and frustrating moments.At some point I felt like I wanted to break away.While searching for ways I could do given my situation, I came across gap year programs.
After resigning, I applied to the ''I Want to Live There, Jeju'' project, and fortunately the timing worked out so I was able to start the project right after applying.
Through this gap year, I wanted to change myself, who lacked confidence.Since it was my first time living alone, while living by myself, I would gain courage and confidence,and I wanted to live confidently even after the project ended and I returned.
There were no times when I couldn''t have time to myself.
I worked as a staff member at a guesthouse in Jeju. When I arrived, the owner greeted me kindly, took good care of my meals, asked where I was going, and told me the best ways to get there, for which I was grateful.They treated me warmly, so I was able to live at the guesthouse feeling at ease.
I worked as a staff in the mornings, and after my activities finished I had plenty of free time, so the staff work didn''t prevent me from having time to myself. It''s not that the work is light, but if you hurry a bit you can finish it in a fairly short time.
Days off were decided in consultation with the owner, and if it rained on a day off or something came up, adjustments were possible, so I could talk to the owner and change the dates.
The sea''s color was beautiful and it felt refreshing.
The guesthouse was well located, so there were many places to explore nearby.On days without plans, I recommend Hallasan Arboretum nearby — if you like walking, it''s nice to walk there. There was a large supermarket, a library, good restaurants, and a movie theater near the guesthouse, so living there was convenient. On days without plans I spent time borrowing books from the library or watching movies at the cinema.
I didn''t have a driver''s license, so I traveled on foot and by bus; although I wasn''t used to taking the bus and walking was tiring, it became an opportunity to meet good people. Meeting many people made me feel grateful and let me discover the joys of solo travel.
A favorite route was Handam Beach; the sea color was pretty and felt cleansing. There were tasty restaurants and famous cafes, so it was good for traveling. If you walk along the beach, it connects to Gwakji Beach, making it a two-for-one itinerary.
It was fun to visit various tourist spots and natural sights, but when I was there many festivals were happening, and some performances had free admission, so I went to see them. Jeju has many kinds of performances, so looking for shows when planning your schedule can be another fun activity.
It was nice to have relaxed, unhurried time.
The good thing was that I could have time alone; I could read many books I wanted to read and visit many nice places.I was glad to have the leisurely time that was hard to have in everyday life.
There were touching moments with people I met while traveling. I traveled by bus or on foot because I didn''t have a driver''s license. While you can travel by bus, there are places that are more convenient by car; once, a couple gave me a ride when I was walking because the bus stop was far, and I was grateful to them.
Traveling alone allowed me to concentrate more than when traveling with others, and it was a time to think about many things and gain a sense of direction for how I should live going forward.
There were people I met on the road while traveling: the couple who gave me a ride, office workers backpacking on vacation, foreigners asking for directions, and a woman traveling alone like me — we wandered together and then found our way together.
Before doing the project, I wasn''t someone who found it easy to talk to strangers.I was amazed at how naturally I could converse with the people I met while traveling,and because they were fellow travelers, there were many things we could relate to.I liked being able to meet people I wouldn''t have met when traveling with a friend.
# My gap year TIP
(Accommodation)
If it''s a less busy period they''ll give you a room to yourself; otherwise you have to share with the owner''s daughters.
The facilities are spacious, clean, and well-equipped,so there was no inconvenience living there. It''s in a busy area so it''s easy to buy things, and there''s a library nearby where you can borrow books when you have time.
(Meals)
The owner provided meals, so I always had my meals at the guesthouse. They cooked a lot of delicious food, so I never lacked anything when it came to meals.
(What to bring)
Since I enjoyed traveling alone, a tripod and a smartphone Bluetooth remote were really useful. Thanks to them I could take many pretty photos.
(To prospective participants)
I hope you fully enjoy your downtime.
# My Jeju travel spots
I like the sea, so I visited many beaches; Handam Beach was nice. It''s already been featured on many TV programs and is highly recommended, so it''s definitely worth visiting.
If you walk along Handam Beach Road it connects to Gwakji Beach, so you can see both Handam Beach and Gwakji Beach together. The Handam Beach area also has great restaurants and well-known cafes.
# The month I spent in Jeju was so wonderful and felt like a dream.
ParticipatingBeforeI had many regrets about things I hadn''t done, but now I won''t have those regrets going forward I will live joyfully and work hard in my daily life,and I developed the value of living without regrets and doing what I want to do.
The month I spent in Jeju was so wonderful and felt like a dream.I was disappointed that time passed too quickly.They were such wonderful times that I felt I would have wanted to stay longer if I had just a little more free time.
In fact, my situation now that I''ve returned hasn''t changed that much, but my memories and mindset have definitely changed after the project. I have found peace of mind and set goals for the future.
When you''re chased by a busy life and have no time to yourself, when your life''s direction wavers, or when you want to rest, I would recommend taking a gap year at least once.
