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#Overcame English anxiety, became more cheerful #Foreign friends, the joy of communicating in English #Freed from daily boredom
"I was satisfied because I could interact and hang out with foreign friends and focus solely on English. It was a bit of a financial burden, but I think it was a really good experience. If I hadn''t come here, I might have kept spending my days feeling listless."
[Philippine language study/Cebu language study] Study English while enjoying it without stress — that''s it! Participant Kang Min-seong (30, gap year after resigning) / 12-week gap year
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# Overwhelming and repetitive daily life — is the work I''m doing now really what I want?
Life feels overwhelming and repetitive; is the work I''m doing now what I truly want?I had a vague desire to change my life, and by chance I stopped by a bookstore and saw a book written by CEO An Si-jun.The more I read, the more I wanted to try something new, so I impulsively applied for a consultation and went.
I was very surprised by how practical the advice was. In fact, I had been about to give up before the project started, but after hearing CEO An Si-jun''s advice I pulled myself together, hurriedly prepared, and came to the Philippines. I wondered, "Can I do well?" and I was excited since it would be my first time going abroad.
# Katsuya, the Japanese roommate with a kind, genial demeanor
After arriving in the Philippines, I collected my luggage and went outside to find a Korean staff member holding a sign. There was awkward silence during the drive, and I mustered the courage to speak. After hearing various information, we arrived at the school, and it was already past 1 a.m. When I was shown to my room and went in, no one was there.
I didn''t expect much, but the facilities couldn''t be compared to Korea. I took a shower and lay down. Even though it was late and I couldn''t sleep at first, I eventually fell asleep, and around 3 a.m. my roommate arrived. His name was Katsuya, a Japanese man. He had a kind appearance and a genial smile and apologized.
I said I was fine. I went back to sleep, woke up, and went to take the level test together with Katsuya. After the level test, while going to another classroom and listening to other explanations, I heard Korean and greeted them. They were one or two years younger than me, so it wasn''t too awkward.
In the afternoon I went to the mart to exchange money and buy what I needed, returned to the school, changed my SIM card, registered, listened to the rules explanations, and finished the first day without issue.After that day I got close with these guys, and Katsuya and a Taiwanese friend named Kakei joined our group, so we always hung out together.
A younger guy named Ming-geun knew someone in Cebu, so through that introduction...We went scuba diving and bowling, and on weekends we went out drinking and visited other areas.
# Days spent wrestling with English — but now I can at least say simple things with friends!
On weekdays I battled with English. I couldn''t understand the teachers'' speech, so I had to preview the lessons the day before just to barely catch on. So I changed teachers and courses because it was impossible to keep up.
Wanting to improve my English, I took online classes, but the internet here wasn''t good so streaming was difficult. I searched YouTube and other resources and signed up for other classes, but again I couldn''t listen smoothly. After two months passed like that, I accidentally found what I wanted and have been studying hard.
I''m still lacking in many ways, but I can at least have simple conversations with friends, and I''ve made close foreign friends. I don''t understand everything, but now I can guess meanings from facial expressions and gestures — more or less?
Afterwards For those who want to participate in a Philippine language study programLanguage study that wasn''t working suddenly English make (you) won''t do for you I want to tell you that it doesn''t. I like In my caseEnglish that suits meStudy method Only findingalmost twomonths I regretted that it took up so much time, To get the most out of it here,how to study in advance plan plan wellI recommend coming with a well-made plan.
# Let''s laugh — I should smile. If I hadn''t come here, I would have been spending day after day in boredom.
During the two months I was stressed and unsettled, but in hindsight I realized it wasn''t necessary.I intend to keep at it steadily. And I plan to seek out experiences and challenges as well. It was a bit of a financial burden for me, but I think it was truly a good experience.If I hadn''t come here, I might have continued spending my days in boredom.
I still have too many thoughts, but lately I feel more and more that they were all pointless. I didn''t realize it, but even foreigners said my expression looked serious.
I realized once again how serious my expression was. I should smile. Some kids even said they were happy to see me smile and laughed — I reflect on that.
# A satisfying time — I could interact with foreign friends and focus solely on English.
Through this project,I was satisfied because I could interact and hang out with foreign friends and focus only on English.
There was a touching moment in the Philippines: when I wasn''t feeling well and was resting in my room, the younger members who were with me worried about me, bought food, and came to my room — I was very moved. What I learned was that friends I met in the Philippines don''t worry too much about others'' opinions and really know how to enjoy themselves when having fun.
A realization: Even in streets with houses falling apart, the kids are always smiling and having fun.Perhaps because outsiders are interesting to them, they greeted me first. Seeing them live happily even in such difficult circumstances made me reflect a lot.
My gap year is
experience★★★★☆
Making friends with people from various countries and learning about their cultures was a good experience.
Learning★★★★☆
It''s not just about English — it really made me reflect on my life.
Environment★★☆☆☆
The environment is different from Korea, so I guess you just have to adapt.
Safety★★★☆☆
It''s a bit unclear, but it''s safe if you avoid dangerous areas and don''t walk around alone late at night.
Leisure★★★★☆
There were so many holidays after I came here that I had plenty of free time. It''s fun to go to karaoke with friends on weekends.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
