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[Paris Gap Year Stay] It was a decision I could make because I had grown.

#Courage for new challenges #A valuable and precious time #Felt a sense of ease

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    During the two months that were short in some ways and long in others, I am extremely grateful for and treasure all the many people I met.The feelings I experienced and the times I spent thinking — though they may be hard to define — I believe will become a great source of strength in my life as I go on.I am grateful that I was able to finish safely.   


    - France Paris Gap Year Stay / Jeon Hee-won, gap-year family, gapper / 8-week gap year

     

     

    # I took a sabbatical year for myself.

     

     

     

     

    Hello. I was taking a sabbatical on my own, and the gap year program and timing that I had been watching while preparing for the trip fit so well that I decided to participate. 

    I wanted to stay in another country for more than a month and travel, but through the gap year stayI was really able to stay at leisure and travel, so I had a very satisfying time.


     

    # Rather than traveling, I think I spent my time really leisurely, almost as if I were living there.


     


     

    Time passed really quickly.While carrying out the two-month project, I feel I gained a very valuable and precious time and I am very happy about that. Looking back, the initial 10-day probationary/training period really seemed to pass slowly. I was learning the workand was overwhelmed at times, but after that I felt time flew by very quickly.

    During my gap year stay in Paris I wanted to leisurely explore Paris and go to the outskirts. Time was more limited than I expected. I realized I had to make my own plans and be diligent.Since it was more of a stay than a trip, I really felt like I was living there and taking things easy.

    In fact, I had plans midway, and thanks to the owner''s consideration in adjusting my vacation, I was able to take a week-long trip to Morocco. It was really nice to be able to travel around Europe here and there according to my schedule.

    In my case, on the three days a week when I worked I would rest or stay at the accommodation according to the work. Each time people told me to go out and have fun, butI enjoyed talking with the guests and the owner at the accommodation outside of work, and resting was very pleasant.However, if you stay there, you can live in Paris in a way that doesn''t feel like Paris, so while it''s nice to feel a bit of Korea, it''s also a little disappointing.

    Unless you make an effort, you''ll need diligence to feel and get to know Paris more. I became lazier and spent a lot of time at home, but I thought the other staff who went out diligently were amazing. 

     


    # I thought their attitude might be what makes Paris a romantic city.


     


     

    While staying in Paris I could experience the Eiffel Tower from many different angles. I wondered why Paris is called the city of romance. Could a single iron tower make a city romantic?What I felt while living in Paris was that the city''s citizens create that atmosphere.

    Of course it''s a city with many tourists, but seeing people with a glass of wine on the Seine, and otherleisurely scenes of Parisians made me reflect a lot about my future life.Since I had quit my job and was spending a sabbatical year, I envied their leisure so much. Their way of approaching life, which is so different from Korea,I thought their attitude might be what makes Paris a romantic city.

    And I really enjoyed the time I spent with many customers while working. I could see people who came after working hard at their own jobs, students who saved up money by working part-time, and others living various kinds of lives,It was a time that made me reflect a lot.




    # While on my Paris gap-year stay, I also grew, so I think it was a decision I could make.


     


     

    Spending a gap year became the foundation that gave me the courage to take on another challenge.Lately my desire to stay longer in Europe kept growing, and because I also want to study English, I''m thinking of staying in another country longer.
     

    Although the schedule changed, I will try to take on the challenge with confidence in the choice I made. I felt I had to do it now, so I sometimes made a bold decision, butI think it was a decision I could make because I, too, grew while on the Paris gap-year stay.  



    # I''m glad I got to experience the relaxed pace of Paris.


     


     

    Lastly, to the staff I did the gap-year stay with, the aunt, and the owner and his wife: thanks to them, I had such a wonderful time in Paris,I''m grateful. It seems I''ve found a reason to visit Paris again. If I go back to Korea later, I''ll miss the aunt and the owner and his wife.

    I also enjoyed meeting a variety of other guests. The moments when I listened to their stories and talked together with them remain very memorable. Being able to talk with wonderful people who work hard in their own places is a very good memory for me. I''m glad I got to experience the relaxed pace of Paris. 



    # My own Paris destinations


     


     

    I really liked seeing the Eiffel Tower from various angles. Even just sitting by the Seine, my heart was overwhelmed. 



    # I think it will become a great source of strength in my life.



    During the two months that were short in some ways and long in others, I''m very grateful for and treasure the many connections I made.All the emotions I felt and the times I reflected on will, in ways I can''t even predict, become a great strength in my life.I''m thankful that I was able to complete it safely.   



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