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#I began to solve problems more positively #The strength to stand on my own #Happiness is a matter of perspective
It was a period when I could take a step closer to what I want to do. As I finished a truly meaningful two-month gap year in my life, I think I was able to sort out my scattered and tangled feelings.
I want to become someone who can steadily build on the thoughts I''ve organized and further grow the values I discovered.
A simple everyday wild life — volunteering to care for abandoned animals in Tokushima, Japan / Yoo Hyowon gap-year participant / 8-week gap year. |
Check out Yoo Hyowon''s Gap Year Review Part 1 first.< Click
# Whenever small problems came up, I could see myself solving them a bit more positively and in different ways than before.
Thinking about not being able to speak Japanese and having no one who understood me felt empty, and I also wanted to quickly return to Korea where people would understand me. But I decided to treat roughly two months of rest as a gift to myself—after 23 years of rushing without knowing what I wanted—and resolved to enjoy this time.
At first, traces of living in an achievement- and result-oriented society were plainly reflected in my personality. I felt pressure that, having spent time and money to come here, I had to take away something visible.So at first I think I worried a lot about what I could learn here. Also, when I felt that I wasn''t changing at all and wasn''t gaining anything, bouts of depression would come.But I realized that was a foolish thought. Looking back, I had been growing little by little at every moment and becoming stronger.
Whenever various small problems arose, I could see myself resolving them more positively and in different ways than before.I used to be afraid to sleep alone in an empty house, but I slept fine without issue; I couldn''t get around well without navigation, but I found my way by myself; I used to vent and lean on someone to ease my heavy feelings, but I learned how to overcome and resolve them on my own. I also learned how to shake off endless depression, realized I should do what I love, developed perseverance, and my courage to take on challenges kept growing.
Korea and Japan have similar social customs and cultures, many words share pronunciation and meaning, and facial features are similar, so sometimes I felt that apart from the language there wasn''t much difference. Normally I wanted to break away from the sentiment in Korea that you must follow elders'' words whether they are right or not and the culture of having to be constantly mindful at work. But Japan had all of those things just the same.
When I felt that, I thought I should have gone to another country for my gap year, but I decided to set aside regret because I need to become someone who can accept that culture and handle it wisely. One of the people working there was Canadian, perhaps for that reason I met people who were changing those customs in a positive way or applying different methods, and being able to learn ways to overcome them made the experience more meaningful.
# I feel like I''ve taken one step closer to being someone who can stand tall entirely on my own.
As eight weeks passed, I was able to face my changed self. The old me always felt anxious when happiness came. I always thought I was an unlucky, unhappy child, so I believed misfortune would come in proportion to the happiness I felt. Now I think that''s such a foolish thought. I''m living today; it''s too short a youth to miss today''s happiness because of the unknown misfortunes of tomorrow.I used to think that happiness is an emotion that comes when you''re with others.
''This person makes me happy. I''m happy when I''m with this person.'' I was highly dependent on that thought and had very little independence. But through this program I realized that happiness is up to me, and the happy feelings I experience when I''m alone...I realized they come from the things I truly love. In that way, I feel like I...have taken one step closer to being able to stand tall on my own.
The reason this gap year was so good is that, although there was a lot to learn from the volunteer work,it was that I felt and experienced a lot during my time alone.To carry out the missions, I always needed time to think by myself.During that time I could talk with myself, sort through various thoughts, and I feel I was able to become stronger and grow.The coziest spot in my room— sitting at the kotatsu and opening the curtains wide, warm sunlight would stream in so much that it was hard to believe it was snowing in Korea.
SnowI could momentarily ignore the dazzling, worrisome sunlight and UV, and the freckles that might appear all over my cheeks, and...I was able to savor a peaceful time.''How will others see me?'' no longer at the center—''How is my heart right now?'' became the most important question for me.Meeting many people made me think, "There are people like this! You can think like this too!" Spending time alone, I realized I had this side of myself and that I like these things.
It was also a period when I could take a step closer to what I want to do. As I finished a truly meaningful two-month gap year, I feel like I was able to sort out my scattered, tangled feelings.
I want to become someone who steadily builds on these organized thoughts and continues to grow the values I discovered.
# My personal gap year TIP
(Language)
The two coordinators could use both Japanese and English, so there was no problem communicating in English. However, other staff and local volunteers didn''t speak English at all, so communication was difficult. It didn''t interfere with volunteering, but it was a shame we couldn''t have more conversations, so other gappers should study everyday Japanese conversation if possible before coming.
(Accommodation)
Men and women share the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen as common areas, so it can be somewhat uncomfortable. Also, because the accommodation is provided by the laboratory, if there''s a lab meeting or other event you might walk into the kitchen unprepared and find many people having a meeting, which can be embarrassing. But the house is spacious and clean, so as long as you keep it tidy you''ll be able to stay without major problems.
(Meals)
I can''t cook at all, so I was surprised to have to prepare all three meals myself. Also, I couldn''t use Korean seasonings like gochujang or kimchi, which limited what I could cook. Bringing ingredients like gochujang, kimchi, or canned goods makes meal preparation a bit easier!
(Things to bring)
My laptop was a good friend to stave off boredom. And an international driver''s license is so important that I wonder how I would have managed without it. The house is in a remote area, and it can take 30 minutes or more by car to get to the center, the supermarket, or the city, so being able to drive makes getting around convenient. There are buses, but the round-trip fare to Tokushima Station is about 15,000 won, which is burdensome, so I recommend preparing in advance.
# For prospective participants
I thought volunteering with dogs couldn''t be that hard. But the work was harder than I expected and it''s done more in a natural environment than I thought.Therefore, it''s good to bring clothes that can get dirty, comfortable clothes, and warm clothes depending on the season. Also, bringing books to read or Japanese study materials for your free time will help you spend your spare time more usefully.
# For prospective participants
All my friends live in Yokohama, so I went to Tokyo twice. But I wouldn''t particularly recommend that. You have to take a 10-hour overnight bus, and it''s a bit tight to go on a three-day holiday. But Kobe or Osaka can be visited by bus in three hours, and Tokushima in Shikoku has more things to travel to and is actually a more suitable place to feel the real Japan. If you speak Japanese a little better, Shikoku Prefecture travelI definitely recommend it!
Also, there''s a ramen shop a 2-minute walk from Tokushima Station. They serve a special ramen that''s prepared in a way unique to the Tokushima area, so I highly recommend trying it at least once!
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
