"I didn’t come expecting things to change dramatically. But a positive strength grew within me and I became more at ease.Also, I became more resilient. Experiencing good and bad things during the trip made me stronger and broadened my experiences, giving me the ability to handle situations with more composure." Bonjour! Living in Paris, France for a month |
# Am I doing well? What am I doing?
I am a working professional who has been a kindergarten teacher for four years, having lived my early to mid-twenties diligently. I always liked learning new things and often thought, “How can I keep improving?” So I led busy days, and before I knew it, four years had passed.
Now I live quietly like this without changes, but I began to worry that in 3 years, 5 years, or later I might be complacent in this familiar routine instead of moving forward. Wanting change and progress, I contemplated making a change and encountered the idea of a gap year.
Sometimes when friends I hadn''t seen for a while texted, “What have you been up to? Have you been well?” replying felt the hardest. Thinking, “Am I doing okay? What am I doing?” I ended up quitting my job and applying for a gap yearso I applied.
Through this gap year I wanted to do a lot of different thinking—not complicated this-and-that, but just thinking.
I wanted to frequently have time to think for myself. Not rushing to find something better, butchoosing what I like and choosing what I dislike. Maybe I wanted to know myself better. And I wanted to make myself stronger.
# I think this mindset made me stronger.
I had long wanted to come to Paris for an extended stay because I was very interested in French culture and the French language.While staying at the guesthouse, simply being in Paris made me happy. There I met really great staff friends and lovely guests, which made my gap year shine even more.
I wasn''t the only one who had quit their job—other people also had difficult work, boring lives, lots of overtime... it was all the same. There were many women in their late twenties and many younger people. I listened to many people''s stories and at times felt gratitude for my own job, spending thankful times.
I used to be the kind of person who wanted everyone to like me. But that’s not the case; even if I show the same kindness, the thoughts and reactions returned can be different. Even knowing this, I was hurt a lot by negative feedback.
But it’s okay if not everyone likes me. I used to put others first to get everyone’s positive feedback, but that changed—I began to take better care of myself first.This change is both positive and negative, but I believe this mindset made me stronger.
# Learning to care less about others’ opinions was also a big lesson for me.
Simply living in a new environment during the gap year was a very new transition for me.Especially the guesthouse’s nature of meeting many people and hearing many stories—this was actually the part I looked forward to most before going on the gap year.Through this, other people''s worries and travel stories were all fascinating.
But after a month, perhaps because of meeting and parting with many people, when guests I had shared many conversations with checked out I felt empty inside. We had spoken sincerely and shared thoughts... Will there be a day when I meet this person whose contact info I don''t even have again? The reality of ''one-off encounters'' caused the door of my heart that had been opening to slowly close again.
After the gap year, dealing with many people taught me that it’s okay if not everyone likes me. Learning to care less about others'' views was a big lesson for me.
# My gap year tips
(Language)
If you’re good at English, there won’t be problems, but you may feel frustrated at not being able to express what you need. You can learn French after you arrive, so it’s good to prepare in advance, but it’s okay if you don’t.
(Accommodation)
Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations, but there weren’t many inconveniences in daily life.
If we are considerate of each other and think positively, it will be an enjoyable experience.
(Meals)
The hostess (aunt) prepares very delicious food.
You can eat so well that I gained a lot of weight after coming to Paris. I went to the supermarket and bought lots of tasty snacks to share with friends, which was also a fun memory. You probably don''t need to worry about meals.
(What to bring)
As everyone says, bring an empty suitcase. Alternatively, it''s good to send things by courier.
Carrying them around would be very stressful for you. I felt that the cost of living is similar to Korea, so it''s fine to buy daily necessities here.
(Travel)
In Paris, whenever I had free time I almost always went out. I wanted to look into the everyday lives of Parisians rather than the tourist attractions and enjoy that as well. Even after dinner, if I had time I often walked along the Seine.
I felt happy walking while watching the Eiffel Tower gradually light up at sunset. Seeing people jogging, families, and couples around, I often made time for myself. SoOf course attractions are nice, but since we had leisure time, I recommend places where you can observe daily life.I recommend them.
(To prospective participants)
If you participate with a positive mindset, like when you first applied for the gap year, you''ll actually be grateful for all the moments and situations.Always return to your initial feelings — the feeling when you discovered the Paris gap year, the excitement when your participation was confirmed, when you bought the plane ticket — store those moments well in your heart.(Whether written in a small notebook, photos, or videos) later, when you look at them they will be a great source of strength.
# I felt a lot of happiness, and the small joys inside me were filled, giving me a sense of ease.
Be grateful for everything.Having a place to stay abroad, being able to eat delicious meals, basking in the sun under a blue sky, having the Eiffel Tower by my side, eating a sandwich by the Seine with a like-minded friend, being able to meet and talk with many people,Being grateful for this environment and the people I met and treating others accordingly softened my words and actions. Feeling that happiness a lot filled the small joys inside me and gave me a sense of ease.
After the gap year, while traveling for a month I felt that the two months in Paris were even more fulfilling. I was grateful for safe accommodation and meals in Paris, and I missed the relaxed Parisian life a lot. Wondering when I would again have such a relaxed two months abroad, I walked a lot and saw many things every day. I hope future gap year participants stay healthy and have a rewarding experience.
During the gap year, whenever incidents like the Champs-Élysées attack or small accidents occurred,I felt reassured when the gap year team contacted me by email. Honestly, I was busy and couldn''t reply often, but I was always grateful for your concern and care.Thank you ^-^
# My inner positive strength grew and I became more relaxed.
I didn''t come expecting major changes. However, my inner positive strength grew and I became more at ease.I also became stronger. While traveling for a month after the gap year, I was curious about my limits andI wondered how I would overcome things on my own when things didn''t go as I planned.
By experiencing good and bad things during the trip, I became stronger and broadened my range of experiences, which gave me the ability to handle situations more calmly.
My gap year was
Experience★★★★★
Applying and then living abroad for two months was a very new experience.
Learning★★★★★
I got to know many people and made some great friends.
And it was a time when I could pay more attention to myself.
Environment★★★★☆
Although the guesthouse is on the outskirts, it''s close to the subway station, so the location is good.
That''s not a problem, but when I have free time I''d like to wander around by myself more.
Safety★★★★★
It''s safe. Still, always keep an eye on your belongings and personal safety.
Leisure★★★★★
