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#A more positive life; a new source of motivation #Experience of foreign culture #Felt a sense of liberation
During my time in Seoul, each day was new, exciting, and full of anticipation.After spending the vacation that way, when I returned to Gwangju I tried to keep that mindset and live more enjoyably. It was really fun.
-Seoul gap-year stay / Godoin gap-year tribe gapper / 8-week gap year |
# I hope to live positively and not be disappointed by reality.
I was feeling bored with everyday life and had always wanted to live in Seoul. My gap year goal isto discover things I want to do and to live positively without being disappointed by my current reality—I participated with that thought.
Through the gap year, I talked with many people, went to new places, and was able to take on new challenges. Accomplishing so many things in a short time made me want to do things when I went home. The time I had been loafing around began to feel regrettable. Still, the biggest realization was that it’s okay for me to still be clumsy, and that I still have a lot to learn.
# I wasn’t as nervous about new variables as I was at the beginning.
At first I was busy learning the job. All the staff were new, so everything felt fresh; when we faced new problems we scrambled but solved them one by one by putting our heads together.
In the beginning I thought physical work was easier and that managing reservations and guests was difficult. But as days passed, I grew more familiar with the work andI wasn’t as nervous about new variables as I was at the beginning.As I got used to the work and the awkwardness with the staff faded, I wanted to get closer to the guests.
# I realized I had been a frog in a well.
But I’m not particularly good at English, so I didn’t know how to start conversations or become close. Fortunately, a staff member like me mustered the courage to speak to the guests first, and because of that,we were able to make foreign friends.
It was my first time making foreign friends, and I learned about foreign cultures then. The cultures I learned at school were mostly related to the U.S. and didn’t really resonate. By spending time with these friends I could feel French, German, and American cultures, which made every day feel new. And meeting those friends made me trulyrealize how much I had been a frog in a well.
In Gwangju, I thought my English wasn’t that bad. It didn’t affect my work much, but when I actually tried to talk with them, I regretted that I hadn’t studied English harder. I thought I would understand 90% when talking with foreign friends, but in reality I understood about 40% and relied on cues for the other 60%, so honestly it was hard to have lively conversations.
So some days I disliked speaking English so much that I avoided those friends. I often thought that I should have studied a bit more English in Gwangju before coming to Seoul. So,after returning home, I plan to study hard to make up for the regrets I had in Seoul.
# I want to travel to every region in Korea.
Looking back, with one act of courage I was able to make great memories with those foreign friends, and my friends and I could have a more enjoyable time in Seoul. Every time a foreign friend we had grown close to left one by one, I felt very regretful.
I was also a fellow traveler in Seoul and had only been there a few days, so I didn’t know much about Seoul and couldn’t show them many good places. But since we were all travelers, we would just go anywhere and make fun memories.
Because of the guesthouse nature, you inevitably meet many people, so you meet new people every day and become somewhat close with long-term guests.In the early days of work, there was someone from Gwangju like me, so I became close to them, and by befriending people from other places we planned trips to those regions. Meeting people from various regions made me realize that Korea has many great places, and I want totravel to every region in Korea.
# My personal gap-year tip
(Language)
Honestly, I regret not studying English enough. It didn''t interfere with my work, but if you want to get closer to foreign friends, it''s better to study English thoroughly. I also thought I had studied English through TOEIC preparation, but TOEIC or other exam-focused English study seems a bit different from studying conversational English. So it would be good to focus on English conversation study.
(Meals)
Cooking your own meals is meaningful and nice in its own way, but since you''re traveling to a new place it''s also good to look for famous restaurants and try foods you don''t usually eat. I sometimes cooked because of the food budget, but I think I ate out more often.
(What to bring)
While living in Seoul I bought so many things. So bring a roomy suitcase! And when packing, think carefully and don''t bring unnecessary items. There are more things in Seoul than you might expect.
(To prospective participants)
I experienced how a single act of courage can really change everything. Because of that I made many great memories. And although one mistake can ruin a lot, if you hesitate you might end up only working, eating, and then leaving.
# My personal Seoul travel spots
Hongdae has many shops and a lot of traffic. But if you go a little beyond Hongdae you''ll find Mangwon Hangang Park. It''s more beautiful to see with your own eyes than in photos. Daytime is nice, but it''s especially wonderful at sunset. On drizzly days Seoul Forest is also nice — it has a pleasant atmosphere and isn''t very crowded, so sitting quietly there makes you feel good.
# I was always looking forward to tomorrow and was happy.
There is so much to see in Seoul that I made plans every day: which museum to visit today, which famous restaurant to try, which cafe to go to. And every time I passed down an alley and saw a pretty shop or cafe, I''d remember it to visit later; if I found a shop I wanted to go to while walking, I''d note it and come back. SoI was always looking forward to tomorrow and was happy.
Even after coming to Gwangju, I started to look around carefully like I did in Seoul, and I realized that Gwangju, too, has many pretty cafes and great restaurants just like Seoul. Because of the habits I formed in Seoul, I''m gradually realizing that Gwangju is a cool city as well.
I feel like I learned a lot from this Seoul stay.Having lived in one area for a long time, life wasn''t very fun and I spent a lot of time watching TV at home, but this opportunity gave me things I want to do, and now I have so many that sometimes I feel 24 hours in a day isn''t enough and that sleeping almost feels like a waste.
While in Seoul, each day was new, exciting, and full of anticipation for me.Having spent my break that way, when I returned to Gwangju I tried to keep that mindset and live more enjoyably. It was really fun.
