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#Became more comfortable approaching foreigners #Gained international sensibility and a broader perspective #Felt resilience and confidence
Before participating(I)I wasn''t comfortable interacting with foreigners, but after completing the project I became able to approach them more easily. I didn''t have foreign friends, but now I do.I gained the resilience to handle any hard work going forward.Having many opportunities to meet people, I can overcome difficult situations when they arise.
- Seoul Gap Year Stay / Park Myung-sik — gapper from the gap-year family / 8-week gap year |
# ''What do I want to do and what do I like?''
During military service, based on the various people and experiences within the organization that I couldn''t encounter in civilian life, ''What do I want to do and what do I like?''I began to seriously ponder that question.
Through countless worries and thoughts, I came to have a clear direction and plan,
and I applied for a leave of absence from university at the same time I was discharged from the military.
Of course, during university one might think, ''I could just take a leave...,'' but
for me, who always felt pressed for time, it was an important choice and
the start of my gap year.
The gap year''s goals were to improve my international sensibility and to review my career path.
Since the career I had chosen was in an international field, I wanted to broaden related experience and knowledge,
and I wanted to go through a series of reviews about ''Is this the right career for me?''
Because my chosen career is in an international field,I wanted to broaden my perspective through contact with foreigners and become more confident dealing with many people.For leisure, I combined studying for certifications and improving my English, which made the gap year program more fulfilling.
# Most memorable people
Sarumae
As a long-term guest, there was one time when all the staff had finished work and gone out. Coincidentally, a Korean guest showed up and was wandering around, and Sarumae guided them. I most remember being grateful and eating ice cream together on the rooftop while talking.
Victor
He was also a long-term guest who had been staying before I joined the program. He was the foreign guest we saw off last before the Jeju group guests began their extended stay. I remember him because he was with us during the program—he played pranks on the staff and we had many conversations.
Gio
When the Jeju group guests stayed, Gio and I were the two staff members on duty. I clearly remember eating jokbal (braised pig''s trotters) and drinking beer while talking until dawn. It must have been hard for him to work as staff in Korea rather than his home country Mexico, but his quiet dedication was impressive.
# Practical tips for prospective participants
First of all, I think you probably have a lot of concerns before joining the project. The intensity of the work assigned to me when the project starts, my personal time, the facilities within the accommodation, communication with foreigners — many things will be considerations for participation. It''s only natural to worry. There are so many things an individual has to consider when living in an unfamiliar place. I, too, was once a prospective participant.
What I can share now that I have finished the project isthat if you have a goal in Seoul that surpasses those concerns, it''s fine to apply.However, if you''re applying without any goal and simply to enjoy youth culture in Hongdae, I would advise you to stop immediately.
The work intensity within the project is high, there are considerable inconveniences in the accommodation, and you need the ability to communicate with foreigners. Before I joined the project, it was somewhat difficult for me to grasp daily life and outward aspects as a staff member at the accommodation. So I want to offer a little help to those who are currently considering participating.
You work two days a week; on your workdays you stay at the guesthouse for a day (morning to evening) and must finish various accommodation tasks alone until the end of your shift. A total of 3–4 staff members work (*varies by period). Individual work days are set through coordination among staff. On workdays, besides guiding visiting guests, tasks include washing/drying/organizing bedding, cleaning the accommodation, and SNS promotion duties.
As you carry out these tasks, you will personally realize that there are quite a lot of things you must do. To give one example from my experience: it was my second shift after the handover. The previous day there had been a party at the accommodation and, naturally, the guests had been drinking. The moment I entered a room to clean the bedding and the room while on duty, a strong smell hit my nose.
They had vomited and checked out. Future participants should consider even such unexpected situations. Due to the nature of the accommodation, parties happen often,and we are not in the position of enjoying them but of cleaning up and finishing things.
There is certainly something to be gained after hardships.
Living with the dog raised at the accommodation (Golden Retriever: Yeongsim) isn''t just a pleasant fantasy—there are many work-related aspects. You have to feed Yeongsim, clean up after her, and walk her twice a day, morning and evening. Of course, those walks are included in the weekly work hours, but walks taken outside of your workdays often infringe on personal leisure time.
Of course, time adjustments among staff are possible, but there are limits. Additionally, Yeongsim lives on the rooftop. Since parties at the accommodation are also held on the rooftop, Yeongsim is moved inside the building.As a result, Yeongsim sometimes barks and causes considerable noise until the party ends.
There are many other incidental tasks that can make things difficult for future participants.Nevertheless, if you have a goal that allows you to carry out the project, I would recommend it. Before I lived in Hongdae, I also had goals I wanted to achieve in Seoul, so I was able to spend my leisure time meaningfully, and moreover, because of the nature of the accommodation,I gained wider perspectives and confidence through opportunities to interact with foreigners I wouldn''t normally meet.
I learned how to deal with people, and I personally felt what efforts were necessary for someone like me who used to just enjoy leisurely travel. If it was hard,the reason I now think it was the right choice despite the difficult work is that I can see my improved self.
I became a bit stronger and gained the energy to move forward a little more. Each of these experiences and assets led to another, and now I''m having new experiences outside of this program. I want to tell you about the side of myself I couldn''t see before.There is certainly something to be gained at the end of hardship. Don''t be afraid to challenge and act—try confronting it.I, too, was just one participant who had many thoughts and worries like you.
My personal gap-year tips
(Language)
Even if you only learn simple conversational phrases used at the accommodation, you can later use them as a basis to significantly improve your English speaking skills through conversations with foreigners.
(Accommodation)
Due to the nature of the guesthouse, men and women have many opportunities to cross paths. There are mixed rooms, but most rooms are separated by gender.
Staff naturally use gender-separated rooms. But remember that sharing rooms with foreign guests happens frequently.
(Meals)
You are given 20,000 won per person per week for food. Within that 20,000 won you buy your ingredients and cook in the accommodation. Therefore, consider bringing a cookbook or extra food money.
(What to Bring)
Because the guesthouse is located in Hongdae, it''s best to bring only the minimum and plan to buy the rest after you arrive. Towels, shampoo, and body wash are provided as communal items shared with guests; if this is uncomfortable, you may bring your own. These items can also be easily purchased in Hongdae. Put the rest of the necessary items in your personal luggage.
Empty suitcases can be stored in a separate staff area within the guesthouse.
(For prospective participants)
There are many opportunities to communicate with foreigners, so basic conversational skills alone may not be sufficient.But you can overcome it. If you learn the simple work-related phrases used at the accommodation before joining the program, you can gain confidence through basic conversations based on that. That doesn''t mean English conversation isn''t needed at all.The better your communication skills, the more opportunities you''ll have to interact with foreigners.
# My own Seoul travel spots
Samcheong-dong – Hanok Village – Insadong – Cheonggyecheon (The Jung-gu area has many cultural properties and sights to see.)
Yeouido Hangang Park (Bamdokkaebi Night Market) – Mapo Bridge (Walking along the Han River and Mapo Bridge at night is superb.)
# I''ve gained the resilience to handle any hard work in the future.
Before participating(topic marker ''neun'')I couldn''t interact comfortably with foreigners before, but after finishing the project I became able to approach foreigners easily. I didn''t have foreign friends before, but now I have foreign friends.I''ve gained the resilience to handle any difficult task in the future.Having many opportunities to meet people means you can overcome even somewhat difficult situations.
