Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Organized my thoughts; set new goals #A new attitude toward painting #Felt a relaxed, peaceful way of life
I leave feeling that it''s important to have a more relaxed life and a less limited perspective.Also, the memories with the people I spent time with in Florence are precious to me. If I have the chance, I plan to visit Italy again personally.
-Italian art learned through Florence''s unique painting techniques / Lee Yujin, Gap Year Tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
# I went on a gap year to organize my thoughts.
Hello. After finishing graduate school and struggling with career decisions, I chose to take a gap year. I had been studying engineering for seven years, and during that time I had been thirsty for learning about art. I strongly wanted to change direction, but...I went on a gap year to sort out those thoughts.
I had planned to prepare for studying abroad after graduation, but the costs of study-abroad academies were considerable, and I also questioned whether choosing to study abroad was the right decision. So instead of choosing a study-abroad academy, I thought I would go abroad myself for a short period and looked for art-related projects intensively during the gap year. There were many projects, but I personally...I wanted to create something with my own hands, and I also loved oil painting, so I chose this project.
# Rather than change, my goal was to organize my thoughts.
My goal during this gap year was to organize my thoughts rather than seek a transformation.It was about objectively assessing my situation through action.I observed myself and wrote in a journal about my attitude toward painting, my skill level, and whether I had the will to make it my livelihood.
In the end I decided to enjoy it as a hobby, but a new goal also emerged, so I consider that a good outcome.
# It was my routine to always buy gelato.
I had morning classes, so I was at the academy from 9 to 12. Mostly indoor classes, but sometimes we found nice outdoor spots to paint. After class I''d walk to the city center for lunch and it was my routine to always buy gelato.
I wanted to visit every gelato shop in Florence at least once. Some days, after class I went straight home to cook. After eating I mostly spent time visiting art galleries and museums or just walking along the streets.There were many independently run shops, so I would stop by and look around each one — that''s mostly how I spent my time.
In the evenings, if I had plans I''d eat at a restaurant with others; otherwise I''d go home and have dinner with my accommodation friends and talk. Sometimes we''d go for a walk along the river at night, but after I injured my leg I never went again.
# The person I remember most
My academy teacher was very nice, but a grandmother from the United States who took classes with me helped me a lot.
Myfoot was injured on the day of a festival, and I ended up going to the hospital. The grandmother could speak Italian, so she waited with me the entire time at the hospital, took care of meals, and gave me medicine she had. The grandmother...She was very interested in volunteer work and said she was happy to be able to help me the whole time.I''m sorry we didn''t get to take a single photo together.
# While in Italy, I often felt relaxed and peaceful.
While in Italy, I often felt relaxed and peaceful.Seeing the morning sunlight, meeting friends at 4–5 p.m. for a beer, swimming in the sea, or at night people gathering and clinking dishes while eating and talking — these moments made me feel that way often.
I often wondered how I could feel this kind of leisure even after returning to Korea.Not forgetting the things I wanted to learn there, the places I preferred to visit, and the preciousness I felt when meeting people...I pledged to continue and put these into practice in Korea as well.
# For prospective participants
If you adopt a fixed view that this will be the turning point of your life, you may actually miss out on something better.It''s important to go, honestly feel what you feel, and record it so you won''t forget as time passes.
If you write down your honest thoughts, you''ll naturally come to know what you had forgotten, whether you were seeing things too one-dimensionally, and what truly brings you joy.Writing down in advance what I needed to achieve or what I wanted to know before going wasn''t particularly helpful for me.
# My gap year tip
(Language)
The teacher spoke English well, so communication wasn''t difficult, but there were times I couldn''t understand English. Even if you''re not good at English, by opening your heart and trying harder to express what you want to convey, you can understand each other well. Although the teacher spoke English well, during my stay I studied a bit of Italian and tried communicating in Italian as well. Using a little Italian for daily greetings and simple talk helped me get close with the local students.
(Accommodation)
My stay overlapped with the travel high season, so Korean guesthouses would have been more expensive, so I booked a guesthouse. I booked accommodation on Airbnb for over two months, and because they offer about a 50% discount if you book on a monthly basis, I found a good place.
It was quite a distance from the center, so I had to take the bus to the center every day, but because it was in a residential area it was quiet and I could better see how local people live rather than tourist spots. At the guesthouse I shared a flat with others and met three Italian students and two Taiwanese students. They respected the privacy of individual rooms, so I stayed without discomfort.
(Meals)
Because I like cooking, I mostly cooked for myself; when eating simply I bought panini, or if I was meeting someone special I went to a restaurant. Restaurant food in Italy is expensive, so eating out every time costs quite a lot. Also, ingredients in Italy are fresh and inexpensive, so buying and cooking them yourself is cheaper and lets you enjoy fresh ingredients.
(What to bring)
Most things can be bought in Italy, so there doesn''t seem to be anything special you need to bring.
# My Florence travel tips
When you arrive at Florence''s train station there''s an information center nearby. If you ask them for a one-month brochure about festivals, you can check all the festivals, performances, and exhibitions happening in Florence and the surrounding area. Many famous shows and exhibitions are held, so if you''re interested be sure to check them out.
Many people go to Michelangelo Hill to see Florence, but if you want a broader view of the city I also recommend the Fiesole hill.
Finally, in Florence the city-run museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, so it''s good to take advantage of that opportunity.
# I leave feeling that having a more relaxed life and an unrestricted perspective is important.
There wasn''t a major change. I didn''t completely resolve the things I was worrying about. Still,I had time to look back and consider whether I had been neglecting things that are more precious than these worries.
I leave feeling that having a more relaxed life and a broad, unconfined perspective is important.And the memories of the people I spent time with in Florence are precious to me. If I have the chance, I personally plan to visit Italy again.
I leave feeling that it''s important to have a more relaxed life and a less limited perspective.Also, the memories with the people I spent time with in Florence are precious to me. If I have the chance, I plan to visit Italy again personally.
-Italian art learned through Florence''s unique painting techniques / Lee Yujin, Gap Year Tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
# I went on a gap year to organize my thoughts.
Hello. After finishing graduate school and struggling with career decisions, I chose to take a gap year. I had been studying engineering for seven years, and during that time I had been thirsty for learning about art. I strongly wanted to change direction, but...I went on a gap year to sort out those thoughts.
I had planned to prepare for studying abroad after graduation, but the costs of study-abroad academies were considerable, and I also questioned whether choosing to study abroad was the right decision. So instead of choosing a study-abroad academy, I thought I would go abroad myself for a short period and looked for art-related projects intensively during the gap year. There were many projects, but I personally...I wanted to create something with my own hands, and I also loved oil painting, so I chose this project.
# Rather than change, my goal was to organize my thoughts.
My goal during this gap year was to organize my thoughts rather than seek a transformation.It was about objectively assessing my situation through action.I observed myself and wrote in a journal about my attitude toward painting, my skill level, and whether I had the will to make it my livelihood.
In the end I decided to enjoy it as a hobby, but a new goal also emerged, so I consider that a good outcome.
# It was my routine to always buy gelato.
I had morning classes, so I was at the academy from 9 to 12. Mostly indoor classes, but sometimes we found nice outdoor spots to paint. After class I''d walk to the city center for lunch and it was my routine to always buy gelato.
I wanted to visit every gelato shop in Florence at least once. Some days, after class I went straight home to cook. After eating I mostly spent time visiting art galleries and museums or just walking along the streets.There were many independently run shops, so I would stop by and look around each one — that''s mostly how I spent my time.
In the evenings, if I had plans I''d eat at a restaurant with others; otherwise I''d go home and have dinner with my accommodation friends and talk. Sometimes we''d go for a walk along the river at night, but after I injured my leg I never went again.
# The person I remember most
My academy teacher was very nice, but a grandmother from the United States who took classes with me helped me a lot.
Myfoot was injured on the day of a festival, and I ended up going to the hospital. The grandmother could speak Italian, so she waited with me the entire time at the hospital, took care of meals, and gave me medicine she had. The grandmother...She was very interested in volunteer work and said she was happy to be able to help me the whole time.I''m sorry we didn''t get to take a single photo together.
# While in Italy, I often felt relaxed and peaceful.
While in Italy, I often felt relaxed and peaceful.Seeing the morning sunlight, meeting friends at 4–5 p.m. for a beer, swimming in the sea, or at night people gathering and clinking dishes while eating and talking — these moments made me feel that way often.
I often wondered how I could feel this kind of leisure even after returning to Korea.Not forgetting the things I wanted to learn there, the places I preferred to visit, and the preciousness I felt when meeting people...I pledged to continue and put these into practice in Korea as well.
# For prospective participants
If you adopt a fixed view that this will be the turning point of your life, you may actually miss out on something better.It''s important to go, honestly feel what you feel, and record it so you won''t forget as time passes.
If you write down your honest thoughts, you''ll naturally come to know what you had forgotten, whether you were seeing things too one-dimensionally, and what truly brings you joy.Writing down in advance what I needed to achieve or what I wanted to know before going wasn''t particularly helpful for me.
# My gap year tip
(Language)
The teacher spoke English well, so communication wasn''t difficult, but there were times I couldn''t understand English. Even if you''re not good at English, by opening your heart and trying harder to express what you want to convey, you can understand each other well. Although the teacher spoke English well, during my stay I studied a bit of Italian and tried communicating in Italian as well. Using a little Italian for daily greetings and simple talk helped me get close with the local students.
(Accommodation)
My stay overlapped with the travel high season, so Korean guesthouses would have been more expensive, so I booked a guesthouse. I booked accommodation on Airbnb for over two months, and because they offer about a 50% discount if you book on a monthly basis, I found a good place.
It was quite a distance from the center, so I had to take the bus to the center every day, but because it was in a residential area it was quiet and I could better see how local people live rather than tourist spots. At the guesthouse I shared a flat with others and met three Italian students and two Taiwanese students. They respected the privacy of individual rooms, so I stayed without discomfort.
(Meals)
Because I like cooking, I mostly cooked for myself; when eating simply I bought panini, or if I was meeting someone special I went to a restaurant. Restaurant food in Italy is expensive, so eating out every time costs quite a lot. Also, ingredients in Italy are fresh and inexpensive, so buying and cooking them yourself is cheaper and lets you enjoy fresh ingredients.
(What to bring)
Most things can be bought in Italy, so there doesn''t seem to be anything special you need to bring.
# My Florence travel tips
When you arrive at Florence''s train station there''s an information center nearby. If you ask them for a one-month brochure about festivals, you can check all the festivals, performances, and exhibitions happening in Florence and the surrounding area. Many famous shows and exhibitions are held, so if you''re interested be sure to check them out.
Many people go to Michelangelo Hill to see Florence, but if you want a broader view of the city I also recommend the Fiesole hill.
Finally, in Florence the city-run museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, so it''s good to take advantage of that opportunity.
# I leave feeling that having a more relaxed life and an unrestricted perspective is important.
There wasn''t a major change. I didn''t completely resolve the things I was worrying about. Still,I had time to look back and consider whether I had been neglecting things that are more precious than these worries.
I leave feeling that having a more relaxed life and a broad, unconfined perspective is important.And the memories of the people I spent time with in Florence are precious to me. If I have the chance, I personally plan to visit Italy again.
What makes this project special
