#Gained calmness and became less anxious and impatient #Connection with elderly people with dementia #A simple but clear view of happiness
The center not assigning me responsible tasks and because I didn''t put pressure on myself to accomplish more than that, I was able to be at ease.Before taking actionI had an inner conversation with myself‘whether what I''m doing is truly something I want to do, free from external judgment and pressure’I reaffirmed it and acted..
-Targeting the emerging silver industry: Greece Senior Welfare Care Internship / Kang Su-hyun, gapper / 12-week gap year |
# I was wandering because I didn''t know which career path suited my aptitude.

Hello, I''m Kang Su-hyun, who participated in the Greece Senior Welfare Care Internship gap year project.Even during the trip I took after leaving my job, I couldn''t find relaxation or stability,I was wandering, unsure what career path suited my aptitudes.
Then I learned about the gap year andone-on-one consulting(object particle ''eul'') threeEspecially Greece. Gap yearThe consultant told me the goal was to heal attachment/emotional deficiency through the gap year project,,I set my own personal goals, such as finding a sense of ease, developing proactive habits, and being able to handle a long commute well..
What I liked about participating in the Greece internship gap year project wasa relaxed scheduleIt was. During the remaining time, there were many things I wanted to do, andI had many things I wanted to do, and even when there was nothing in particular to do, I enjoyed zoning out.. While participating in the project,It was most touching when elderly people with dementia remembered my name..
Among the people I met there, I especially remember Seonmin, who did gapper activities with me, and Joy, a local Greek intern who arrived later.Having participated in the project for three months rather than one, I thought I would have been lonely if I had been on my own.Joy isOctobera local intern who joined from October,,still20Although she is still young at 20, we were able to build a bond by sharing difficulties and moments of confusion together during activities.
Since the tasks I was responsible for were not ones that carried heavy responsibility,,the pressure and stress I had experienced in my previous jobbecame something I could greatly relieve.became..Putting too much effort into everything,excessively,I often told myself that there was absolutely no need to be so self-conscious and overdo things to the point my heart couldn''t bear it..Until a few months ago, I thought I didn''t yet have the confidence to accomplish anything,,but now it''s changed to an attitude of ''I might as well just do it.''.Also,,I found my own simple but clear view of happiness: that I am happiest when enjoying delicious food in a sunny place..
# I was able to find some breathing room here.

The fact that the center did not assign me responsible tasks and and because I didn''t put pressure on myself to achieve more, I was able to relax.Before taking actionI checked in with myself,‘Is this really something I''m doing because I want to, without being swayed by others'' scrutiny or pressure?’I reconfirmed that and then moved forward..
In that way, I proceeded with several small personal missions of my own,,I haven''t yet found a more constructive future or answer, but my mind feels much lighter than before.. Maybe for me,wasn''t this kind of time what I neededI think.. The impatience to solve everything within a tight schedule made even the months of travel I took before leaving my gap year not feel like rest,,and I realized that in the end it made me tired again..
All the environments and conditions of participating in this project100%were not 100% satisfactory, but,in the end I''m going my own way,and I''m happily doing well within it.. Whatever it may be A time to meaningfully accept everything that happens to me, That seems like a real gap year.
# My gap year tip

(Language)
Since the people you''ll actually be interacting with are elderly Greeks,,Learning basic Greek helps. There isn''t much time for deep conversations with the staff, so you''ll use English at the center less often than you might expect. Download a Greek learning app and learn useful words as you go — you''ll memorize them faster.
(Accommodation)
Accommodation in Athens isn''t cheap, so compare options carefully(discounts for monthly payments).Instead,,Avoid the cheapest Omonia area; it''s far from the center and considered a dangerous neighborhood.If your program participation period is2months or longer, I recommend living in a different area each month.
(Meals)
Breakfast,You take care of dinner yourself,,but lunch during activity periods is provided by the center.However,, Lunch time in Greece is on average 3o''clock, and actually at the center 3:30 meals are served around. Considering Koreans'' meal times 3it''s hard to last until 3 o''clock, so it''s a good idea to bring snacks to eat in between.. Be aware that you may feel intimidated by the Greek mealtime discussion atmosphere — it''s hard to tell whether they''re arguing or just talking — so keep this in mind..
(What to bring)
1) Tumbler - Since the only place to get hot water inside the center is the coffee-selling cafeteria, from autumn you''ll face the inconvenience of having to buy warm tea every time.. A personal cup or tumbler is needed.
2) Greek learning app - There aren''t many Greek textbooks, and apps are convenient because you can carry them and learn on the go. You can learn many words and sentences.
3) ID photo - 1An ID photo is required when purchasing a transport pass for more than one month.
4) Smartphone(Something that can access the internet) - Any item that can use Google Maps is fine.
5) Miscellaneous - 1If it''s for a month, you probably won''t need many things.If you''re a gap-year participant attending during a change of season, clothing and necessary items will differ, so I recommend buying locally or minimizing your luggage. (Actually, since prices for clothing and such are similar to Korea, it''s a shame to buy them just to throw them away)
# For prospective participants

If you''re alone, short-term(1month)would be best..If you speak Greek, that''s an exception.The local teachers look very busy, so there isn''t much time for small talk or getting close. (They''re busy with work, and calls come frequently, so the flow is always interrupted) Overcoming a lack of affection or Big goals like self-reflection are good, but be sure to have personal small goals as well.
# Recommended tourist destinations

유럽, 특히 그리스는 OctoberFrom mid-month it enters the off-season and the range of travel options narrows. Starting with the number of ship sailings, restaurants and hotels at tourist attractions that close, Because many tours are canceled, it''s best to visit before then. I am sharing my travel itinerary for reference.
1~2weeks: 1day cruise trip, Athens city tour (All arranged through a travel agency)
3weeks: Santorini weekend trip
5Week : Weekend trip to another European country(to meet acquaintances)
6Week : Trip to nearby areas (e.g., Corinth)
After that : City sightseeing
The center not assigning me responsible tasks and because I didn''t put pressure on myself to accomplish more than that, I was able to be at ease.Before taking actionI had an inner conversation with myself‘whether what I''m doing is truly something I want to do, free from external judgment and pressure’I reaffirmed it and acted..
-Targeting the emerging silver industry: Greece Senior Welfare Care Internship / Kang Su-hyun, gapper / 12-week gap year |
# I was wandering because I didn''t know which career path suited my aptitude.

Hello, I''m Kang Su-hyun, who participated in the Greece Senior Welfare Care Internship gap year project.Even during the trip I took after leaving my job, I couldn''t find relaxation or stability,I was wandering, unsure what career path suited my aptitudes.
Then I learned about the gap year andone-on-one consulting(object particle ''eul'') threeEspecially Greece. Gap yearThe consultant told me the goal was to heal attachment/emotional deficiency through the gap year project,,I set my own personal goals, such as finding a sense of ease, developing proactive habits, and being able to handle a long commute well..
What I liked about participating in the Greece internship gap year project wasa relaxed scheduleIt was. During the remaining time, there were many things I wanted to do, andI had many things I wanted to do, and even when there was nothing in particular to do, I enjoyed zoning out.. While participating in the project,It was most touching when elderly people with dementia remembered my name..
Among the people I met there, I especially remember Seonmin, who did gapper activities with me, and Joy, a local Greek intern who arrived later.Having participated in the project for three months rather than one, I thought I would have been lonely if I had been on my own.Joy isOctobera local intern who joined from October,,still20Although she is still young at 20, we were able to build a bond by sharing difficulties and moments of confusion together during activities.
Since the tasks I was responsible for were not ones that carried heavy responsibility,,the pressure and stress I had experienced in my previous jobbecame something I could greatly relieve.became..Putting too much effort into everything,excessively,I often told myself that there was absolutely no need to be so self-conscious and overdo things to the point my heart couldn''t bear it..Until a few months ago, I thought I didn''t yet have the confidence to accomplish anything,,but now it''s changed to an attitude of ''I might as well just do it.''.Also,,I found my own simple but clear view of happiness: that I am happiest when enjoying delicious food in a sunny place..
# I was able to find some breathing room here.

The fact that the center did not assign me responsible tasks and and because I didn''t put pressure on myself to achieve more, I was able to relax.Before taking actionI checked in with myself,‘Is this really something I''m doing because I want to, without being swayed by others'' scrutiny or pressure?’I reconfirmed that and then moved forward..
In that way, I proceeded with several small personal missions of my own,,I haven''t yet found a more constructive future or answer, but my mind feels much lighter than before.. Maybe for me,wasn''t this kind of time what I neededI think.. The impatience to solve everything within a tight schedule made even the months of travel I took before leaving my gap year not feel like rest,,and I realized that in the end it made me tired again..
All the environments and conditions of participating in this project100%were not 100% satisfactory, but,in the end I''m going my own way,and I''m happily doing well within it.. Whatever it may be A time to meaningfully accept everything that happens to me, That seems like a real gap year.
# My gap year tip

(Language)
Since the people you''ll actually be interacting with are elderly Greeks,,Learning basic Greek helps. There isn''t much time for deep conversations with the staff, so you''ll use English at the center less often than you might expect. Download a Greek learning app and learn useful words as you go — you''ll memorize them faster.
(Accommodation)
Accommodation in Athens isn''t cheap, so compare options carefully(discounts for monthly payments).Instead,,Avoid the cheapest Omonia area; it''s far from the center and considered a dangerous neighborhood.If your program participation period is2months or longer, I recommend living in a different area each month.
(Meals)
Breakfast,You take care of dinner yourself,,but lunch during activity periods is provided by the center.However,, Lunch time in Greece is on average 3o''clock, and actually at the center 3:30 meals are served around. Considering Koreans'' meal times 3it''s hard to last until 3 o''clock, so it''s a good idea to bring snacks to eat in between.. Be aware that you may feel intimidated by the Greek mealtime discussion atmosphere — it''s hard to tell whether they''re arguing or just talking — so keep this in mind..
(What to bring)
1) Tumbler - Since the only place to get hot water inside the center is the coffee-selling cafeteria, from autumn you''ll face the inconvenience of having to buy warm tea every time.. A personal cup or tumbler is needed.
2) Greek learning app - There aren''t many Greek textbooks, and apps are convenient because you can carry them and learn on the go. You can learn many words and sentences.
3) ID photo - 1An ID photo is required when purchasing a transport pass for more than one month.
4) Smartphone(Something that can access the internet) - Any item that can use Google Maps is fine.
5) Miscellaneous - 1If it''s for a month, you probably won''t need many things.If you''re a gap-year participant attending during a change of season, clothing and necessary items will differ, so I recommend buying locally or minimizing your luggage. (Actually, since prices for clothing and such are similar to Korea, it''s a shame to buy them just to throw them away)
# For prospective participants

If you''re alone, short-term(1month)would be best..If you speak Greek, that''s an exception.The local teachers look very busy, so there isn''t much time for small talk or getting close. (They''re busy with work, and calls come frequently, so the flow is always interrupted) Overcoming a lack of affection or Big goals like self-reflection are good, but be sure to have personal small goals as well.
# Recommended tourist destinations

유럽, 특히 그리스는 OctoberFrom mid-month it enters the off-season and the range of travel options narrows. Starting with the number of ship sailings, restaurants and hotels at tourist attractions that close, Because many tours are canceled, it''s best to visit before then. I am sharing my travel itinerary for reference.
1~2weeks: 1day cruise trip, Athens city tour (All arranged through a travel agency)
3weeks: Santorini weekend trip
5Week : Weekend trip to another European country(to meet acquaintances)
6Week : Trip to nearby areas (e.g., Corinth)
After that : City sightseeing
What makes this project special