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#Reflected on myself and realized my shortcomings and limitations #Valuable experience; reassessed work and language abilities #Confidence to travel abroad alone
"I feel I had a valuable experience through Gap Year. Overall, this internship was one in which I felt more than I learned. It allowed me to reflect on aspects of myself I didn''t know, and it was an opportunity to self-check the work skills and language abilities I need to develop to work in a Southeast Asia office."
Microfinance, the key that empowers the people of Cambodia! Participant Hwang Jae-min (26, graduate student) / 6-week participant
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# An opportunity to apply my experience in the financial sector and my Southeast Asian knowledge from university
I was an ordinary office worker, but I quit my job and unexpectedly transferred to university to major in Southeast Asian studies. It was because I wanted to increase my personal value and become someone who shines more, and I wanted to take a path fewer people choose and get ahead of others.
And as I studied Southeast Asia for a semester or two, questions began to arise.''What role can I play in Southeast Asia?''And I thought I wanted to work for Southeast Asia using my experience and abilities.
By chance I came across Gap Year and learned about a program suited to my intentions and goals called ''Microfinance: the Key to Empowering Cambodian People.'' It was an opportunity to fully apply my experience in finance and the language, history, and cultural knowledge of Southeast Asia that I learned at university.
I wanted to broaden my worldview through Gap Year and gain the ability to think more deeply than others and see different perspectives. Also, as someone majoring in Southeast Asia with the goal of working in finance, I wanted to find the role I could play there.
So I resolved to participate and prepared by taking classes in the Cambodian language. After submitting the required documents such as an English resume and receiving confirmation, I left for Cambodia on the scheduled date. Since it was my first time going abroad alone and for an internship rather than travel, I was even more nervous. Although I gathered a lot of information beforehand, I was afraid of doing things for the first time, but I managed well.
# Some of the projects I proposed in my business plan were actually implemented
The day after arriving at the accommodation, we had an orientation about living there and then took a city tour to learn about Cambodia''s history. During the tour, I feel I came to understand Cambodia''s painful history more deeply.
The next day I took a tuk-tuk to work, and the company I would be working at was located in a nicer building than I had expected and had an outdoor cafe on the first floor. I met the boss for the first time, we got to know each other, and he explained my role during this internship.
This organization isa financial NGO that provides loans to young people who cannot continue their studies due to difficult family circumstances so they can continue their education, and offers consulting and loans when they propose business plans.It operates like a bank-deposit system where many people invest in the organization and receive monthly returns as interest.
My role was to support the business development direction of the outdoor specialty coffee shop that the organization invests in and consults for.That was my role. Since I couldn''t speak Khmer fluently and I wasn''t an expert in finance, they likely judged that my direct participation in finance tasks would be somewhat difficult.
However, participating in the cafe''s management was also a significant role for me, so I promised to do my best. But I knew nothing about coffee nor cafe management and processes. I first modeled Korean coffee shops, picking out the strengths of various cafe brands one by one, and through my own visits to cafes I wanted to create a plan suited to life in Cambodia.
So I prepared a questionnaire and handed it out to customers who visited the cafe, and I proposed a business plan that contained not only my opinions but also customers'' opinions and satisfaction levels. Because communication in Khmer was not possible, I couldn''t conduct interviews, but they were pleased with the business plan that reflected customers'' satisfaction and opinions,and they accepted my suggestions so several projects were actually implemented. It was the first business plan I had ever written, and since I had to present it in English I was very nervous, but I believe I managed it without major problems.
# Thank you for the comfortable atmosphere and the friendly staff at the organization and cafe!
After that, I was asked to research side work and Korean coffee festivals, and I was informed about famous events. During that time an Italian colleague joined. He was kind and well-mannered, and I often worked with him.My next task was researching packaging from Italy and Korea.
Because the cafe wanted to export its drip coffee overseas and produce appropriate coffee packaging, I researched what designs and information brands from other countries include, made a list, and decided to apply the overlapping elements to the cafe''s coffee packaging. As I researched each one, I realized that making packaging consumes a lot of time, and by reading product descriptions I began to understand coffee types and flavor intensity.
After that, I worked on the actual design based on the images and information about the coffee provided by the café.I tried it. Since I couldn''t use design programs, I only mimicked them temporarily, but with continuous feedback and revisions the sample reached a near-complete stage.
Also, the organization invited various instructors on Saturdays for topics like finance and accounting to provide financial lectures for Cambodians. I also went to work every Saturday to perform assistant tasks andthey arranged a time to introduce me, so in front of many attendees I, though inexperienced, gave a short self-introduction in Khmer.
Although the lectures were in Khmer so I couldn''t understand the content, I could see the passion of many people who came to the lectures early on Saturday mornings and the organization''s weekly efforts for Cambodian residents. Thanks to the comfortable atmosphere and the friendly staff of the organization and café, I was able to complete the short internship safely.
Also, the Japanese person Shiori, whom I pestered every evening to teach me Japanese — I don''t remember many details now — we had enjoyable leisure time, and there was a Korean named Seonghoe whom I probably relied on more than anyone since we were both Korean. The Italian Filippo I mentioned earlier also worked the same tasks and was close to me, and thanks to helping each other with work we were able to finish the gap year safely; I want to express my thanks.
# Overall, an internship in which I felt more than I learned. Thank you, Gap Year!
Through the Gap Year project, I liked being able to participate in real work and be of help.And I realized that when working abroad, while work skills are important, smooth communication is essential.
To those who will participate in the Gap Year project in the future, I would say: the better your English, the more you can participate and offer opinions, and if you can use Khmer, work and daily life will be easier. I also recommend having some document-processing skills when you participate.
I think I had a valuable experience through the Gap Year. Overall, it was an internship in which I felt more than I learned.It gave me the chance to reflect on aspects of myself I didn''t know and to self-check the work and language skills I need to develop in order to work at a Southeast Asia office.It was such an opportunity. I was able to understand Cambodia more and realized many of my weaknesses and limitations.
Above all, I had never traveled alone before, but through this opportunity I gained the confidence to travel anywhere abroad by myself. Thank you, Gap Year!
# My Gap Year Tips
(Accommodation)
I used the gender-separated accommodation provided by the organization. The room was fairly clean and there were fewer insects than I expected, so I was generally satisfied.
(Meals)
The meals provided by the organization were also decent. There was a large supermarket nearby where I could buy anything I needed.
(What to bring)
Bring things as you would for a typical Southeast Asian trip. It''s better to have plenty of money. Bring a personal computer, books for leisure, and if you exercise, bring workout equipment. Prepare plenty of shampoo, soap, and body wash if possible, and for tuk-tuks the PassApp is the best. For men, a hairdryer is optional.
(Travel)
A riverside cruise tour costs only $5 for one hour.
I also registered at a gym that had an outdoor swimming pool, which was very enjoyable.
My Gap Year was
an experience★★★★★
Working abroad, especially in Cambodia, was itself an interesting and rewarding experience.
Learning★★★☆☆
The office seems similar to Korea. There was more to feel and experience than to learn.
Environment★★★★☆
I was satisfied with the environment, perhaps because I had already adapted to Southeast Asia.
Safety★★★★☆
Before I left, I heard many people say Cambodia was dangerous, but in my own experience it wasn''t.
Leisure★★★★☆
I could even visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, at a low cost and enjoy high-quality leisure activities for a low price.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
