Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Became certain about pursuing graduate school and developed deeper thinking #Interaction with people from other cultures #Positively overcame failure
|
A friend from France said he had failed to get into graduate school and came to Cambodia to take a one-year gap year,Seeing him positively pull himself out of the pit of failure, I realized that this is another way to cope.
- Seoyoungrok, gap-year ''gapper'' / 4-week gap year |
# I joined a gap year because I needed time to check whether graduate school was right for me.
Hello, I am a male university senior. CurrentlyI had been studying with the goal of going to graduate school, and I wanted to do activities unrelated to studying during this final vacation, which motivated me to participate, andI joined a gap year because I needed time to reassess whether graduate school suited me.
In conclusion, after returning I feel I have become more certain about going to graduate school.
# A day in Cambodia
To get accustomed to local life, upon arrival the first day is orientation, the second day is a city tour, and from the third day you start regular work and volunteer. In my case it was a kindergarten: I arrived by 8:30 and volunteered until 4:30 p.m. From 8:30 to 10:00 I played with the children, and from 10:00 to 11:30 I took classes together with a Cambodian teacher, participating as the Cambodian teacher''s assistant.
From 11:30 to 2:00 is lunch and nap time; after lunch I watch over the children so they can sleep, and once they fall asleep I also take a nap. From 2:00 to 4:30 I participate in classes in the same way and supervise the children.
# I got to know their culture more deeply.
I caught the flu badly and arrived in Cambodia two weeks after the scheduled start date to carry out the volunteer schedule,From the first day the environment was so well set up that I felt the two weeks I lost to the flu were such a waste.
Also, having language-study experience and a lot of travel experience, I did not have significant discomfort talking with people from other cultures, butSince it was my first time volunteering together and living in the same accommodation, I got to know their culture more deeply, and by having deep conversations with the Cambodian teachers I met at the volunteer site, I learned more deeply about Cambodia.
Also, traveling together with the friends I volunteered with, I learned their culture more deeply, andI once again reflected on the skills needed to converse with someone you meet for the first time.
# I also felt that my thinking became deeper.
I was the only Asian among the other volunteers staying in the accommodation, so I had more opportunities to be exposed to Western cultures than during my language study two years ago, which I liked, andIt was nice to volunteer on weekdays and be able to travel with other volunteers on weekends.
Personally, I became particularly close with friends from Portugal and France and the three of us traveled together. As I socialized and talked with people from different culturesI could feel my thinking becoming deeper.
# My gap-year tips
(Language)
If you are unable to hold everyday conversations in English, you may experience some discomfort because you''ll need to have times when you speak English to communicate with the kindergarten children or to help Cambodian teachers who are not yet comfortable with English get used to it.
However, if you are not familiar with English, the coordinators will probably arrange the schedule so you can focus only on communicating with the children. When I participated there were no other Asian volunteers in the accommodation, and English was somewhat necessary to spend time with the other volunteers. If you are not interested in travel or leisure activities (with other volunteers) outside of volunteering, you probably don''t need a very high level of English.
(Accommodation)
As I mentioned earlier, I was the only Asian at the accommodation, and when going on trips with roommates or other volunteers during free time or on weekends, some English is necessary. Also, at the kindergarten where we volunteer, getting close with the teachers and having dinner together, etc., all communication is in English, so if you''re interested in spending time like that, it would be good to study conversational English before you go.
(Meals)
Meals are provided at accommodation used only by foreign volunteers, so you don''t need to worry — the food is varied and includes Western-style dishes rather than being mainly local cuisine.
(What to bring)
There are many mosquitoes, so buying mosquito repellent is essential; however, it can be easily purchased locally, so if you have a lot of luggage you don''t necessarily need to buy it beforehand. Also, the sun is very strong, so bring sunscreen. While you can buy this locally as well, it may not be as effective as Korean products, so I recommend buying it in Korea and bringing it with you.
# Positively emerging from the pit of failure
There are many topics to talk about, and I realized that I don''t have the ability to lead broad conversations about current affairs as much as I thought. I felt the need to watch news or current affairs programs more often.
Also, a friend from France said he had failed to get into graduate school and came to Cambodia to take a one-year gap year.Seeing him positively emerge from the pit of failure, I realized that this is another way to cope.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
