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#Let go of perfectionism and found a sense of ease #Realization of the true meaning of a gap year #A catalyst for my growth
-in the world the most beautiful area, Portugal at a resort spending special volunteer work Lee Ju-ho gap-year family gapper/10day-long gap year
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# This gap year shattered what I thought and expected.
I was browsing the internet when something caught my eye, and I thought it was the right moment to join... haha. In fact, when I first decided to start the gap year I was full of confidence. Rather than feeling overwhelmed or worried, I thought the timing—right before graduating from university and entering military service—was appropriate and really...I prepared with the thought that if not now, the opportunity would never come again.
I thought a true gap year was about submitting the application in a little over a month, preparing as perfectly as possible under tight time constraints, and leaving with a calm mind.
Before leaving, I started with a vague expectation of how meaningfully I would spend the short week and that volunteering would be a new experience.I wanted to feel what real time for myself is during this gap year, and I also wanted to reflect on my tendency to do everything perfectly and quickly.
To conclude,this gap year broke my expectations.At the same time, I didn’t know the true meaning of a gap year, but after returning I seem to have found my own true meaning.
# Even after returning, I feel that the person who used to rush everything has changed a little.
In my 23 years of life, though not long, I was someone far from cooking. Someone like me...I spent six hours a day for a week preparing food for others.It was harder and more difficult than I had thought.
I couldn’t chop the ingredients well, and everything in that large kitchen felt awkward and clumsy, so I was always cautious. From this I realized that sometimes, rather than finishing tasks quickly, working slowly and taking time to look back can reduce mistakes, and...Even after returning, I feel that the person who used to rush through everything has changed a bit.
There was more work than I expected, and almost every day after volunteering I was physically exhausted. However...What ultimately energized me was the activity itself.
When we made new meals from ingredients discarded by restaurants and distributed them to people living hard lives in poverty, those ingredients—though discarded by others—were used in a place that saves lives. In the same way, those who eat the food can, by eating, not give up on themselves and gain the foundation to start a new life, ...The thought that I wanted to give them hope became a great source of strength for me.
Also, the Austrian volunteer friend named Leoni, who worked tirelessly and never lost her smile while volunteering, left an unforgettable impression on me.
# In a short time I reflected on many things and it motivated me for my future life.
I really enjoyed the time with the international volunteers. After the orientation on the first day we did a city tour, took photos, and—though our English was clumsy—we communicated and got to know each other a bit. Canada, Austria, Turkey, Korea, etc.When we ate dinner outside with volunteers from other countries, walking long distances together and admiring Lisbon’s beautiful scenery was a great chance to form mutual understandingIt was.
We played games and joked while eating, and seeing everyone enjoy jokes that felt very similar to Korean ones helped us get closer and made communication easier, which I liked.
The week passed quickly. Although I couldn''t do some of the things I had planned and really wanted to try, perhaps because it was such a small city, I felt proud to have seen most of the sights I wanted to visit.
Afterwards, in a short time I visited the center of Madrid, the capital of neighboring Spain, and Porto, Portugal’s second city, I reflected on many things in a short time, which motivated me for my future life.
# Memorable experiences
First, Portugal didn’t seem to be among the wealthier countries in Europe, so many volunteers came because such activities don’t exist in their own countries. Still,I enjoyed going around with volunteers of diverse nationalities and learning a little about their thoughts and cultures..
While volunteering at the free meal service, someone who works at 911 also helped, I was moved by volunteers who came from poorer African countries, and the Korean volunteer who worked with me that week remains memorable.
The happiest moments were when, while giving meals to the local poor, someone told me they knew a lot about Korea and were very grateful.
# My gap year tips
(Language)
Basic conversational skills, especially listening, seem important. Also, to get along well with international volunteers it’s good to be able to speak well.
(Accommodation)
Personally, I recommend bringing your own blanket. It was colder than I expected. :(
(Meals)
You have to cook or buy breakfast and dinner yourself, so it’s good to bring supplies. Bringing ramen or Korean food to share with other volunteers might also be nice.
(Packing tips)
1. Small-pack disposable toiletries (?). They weren’t sold at the supermarket and weren’t provided at the accommodation :(
2. A hairdryer (another volunteer bought one locally, but I think it’s better to bring one :()
* Lastly, it’s more convenient than you might think to bring gap year materials and local information, or travel-related materials!
# My Portugal destinations
I’m most disappointed that I couldn’t visit Cabo da Roca, Cascais, and Sintra near Lisbon, but after finishing a week of activities I traveled to Porto and Madrid for three days. I liked that the main tourist spots in the two cities weren’t far from each other. It’s a good idea to decide in advance which places you must visit and prioritize them.
# ''I can truly discover myself better through completely different activities in a brand-new environment''
It was a short 10-day period of volunteering and travel, but every moment felt like time for myself.It was.
Both in hard times and in good times, looking back I see they ultimately helped me grow. ''I can really discover myself better through completely different activities in a truly new environment.''I came to think that, and rather than trying to plan my gap year carefully, I realized an important point: I had to let go of something inside me in order for it to be filled with something new. That was my gap year.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
