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#Became more proactive in approaching others #Realization that sincerity gets through #Gained friends by being courageous
What I learned hereHow to better enjoy a gap yearis to not wait for someone to approach you,open your heart,It''s that I should take the initiative. People seem to be the same. If you want to get close to someone, it''s a good idea to be proactive—express yourself first or try sharing a meal together.
-Don''t stress about English anymore! Learn English while having fun in Cebu! / Jihyojin Gap Year Tribe Gapper / 12-week gap year |
# Can I really do it?
When I first applied for the gap year I wasn''t very nervous, but on the day I left I was really shaken—alone at the airport and on the plane to the Philippines. I had never traveled alone before, so I worried a lot about whether I could do it, but when I arrived I think I handled things calmly.
Of course I was also very worried about the language at first. Butwhen I actually spent time with friends, because I sincerely approached them, greeted them first, and treated them kindly, they understood my feelings even if our words didn''t match well, and we were able to talk naturally. Therewhile I was there, communicating with teachers and friends, I realized that you don''t have to be good at English to communicate.First, I learned from this experience that if you go up to someone and start a conversation, sincerity will surely be conveyed. Sodon''t be shy—have the courage to try saying anything!Then you''ll be able to make good friends there.
# Open your heart and take the initiative
What I learned hereHow to better enjoy a gap yearis to not wait for someone to approach you,open your heart,and take the initiative yourself. People seem to be the same. If you want to get close to someone, it''s good to be proactive—express yourself first or try sharing a meal together.
A fun memory was when I went to Kawasan, a place in Cebu famous for its waterfalls.There was a course where you dive from a cliff into the water,and the 12 friends who went with me, even though they were scared, none of them gave up—they all jumped.Ihave a fear of heights, but seeing those friends jump,I wanted to try it too.So I decided to try diving for the first time. Of course, I hesitated because I was so scared until the moment I had to jump, but I felt like if I came all the way here and couldn''t jump I would be letting myself down, so I closed my eyes and jumped. I''ll never forget that feeling. After jumping I felt like it wasn''t such a big deal.
# Although our words didn''t match well at first, as time passed we came to understand each other''s feelings, which made it even better.
What I remember most are the memories with the teachers. We didn''t communicate very well at first, but as time passed we came to understand each other more, and it became much better.The teachers, to someone who couldn''t communicate well,treated me patiently and sincerely.I am truly grateful for that. They even saw me off on the last day and told me to be sure to text or video-call to study English after I went to Seoul.
The most touching thingwas when a teacher personally brought a packed lunch and we ate lunch together in the teacher''s room. There weren''t many side dishes, but I remember enjoying it very much. I had once said that I was tired of the food at the academy and didn''t eat breakfast often, and the teacher remembered and invited me to eat together, shyly taking out the rice and side dishes they had packed from home — I can''t forget that. I recall it being the most delicious and enjoyable lunchtime during the three months I was there.Even now, after the gap year ended, I still keep in touch with the teachers.
My personal gap-year tip
(Language)
It''s good to know more phrases needed for everyday conversation before you go. That way, communicating will be a bit less awkward.
(Accommodation)
Sharing a room with people of different nationalities seems to require a lot of patience. If you just think of it as cultural or lifestyle differences, it shouldn''t be a big problem.
(Meals)
Meals are well provided so there''s no particular problem, but because the same food was served every week it got a little tiresome.
(What to bring)
Be sure to bring a mirror, tissues, towels, etc.
(For prospective participants)
Looking back, I slightly regret not studying a bit harder, but the biggest thing I felt during the three months of my gap year was that people live similarly wherever you go, and that if I...If you don''t try to change, nothing will change.That''s what I mean.
So when you''re spending a gap year, if you don''t have goals and don''t know what to do, don''t just stand still — at least think of one thing you want to gain, find a way to put it into practice, and act on it.
Of course, the reason for taking a gap year might be that you don''t know what to do, but whatever it is, set a goal and spend your gap-year time in a way that lets you achieve that goal.Even if you take a gap year to change your personality, if you don''t actually try to change, your before-and-after won''t be much different.It won''t be much different.
My detailed recommended sightseeing spots
If you want scuba diving, I would recommend Malapascua (Malapascua)I recommend it. A 1-night, 2-day trip is good, and if you ask the teachers at the Philippine language school about routes they''ll recommend many good places, so I suggest going with friends.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
