"Over the three-month program I met many people who were different from me and began to see life from much more diverse perspectives than before. I realized a lot about myself, so I definitely want to recommend this program to others. Also, communication with Gap Year was consistently good, and I was very satisfied with the overall program." Studying English affordably in Toronto while receiving room and board as a demi-pair in Canada Park Sojin — Gap Year gapper (25, university student) / 12-week gap year |
A choice so good it became a turning point in my life: Canadian demi-pair!
I am a student who took a leave of absence after the first semester of my senior year. I really like traveling to other countries and learning new things there, so I applied to the program andI think this choice turned out to be so good that it became a turning point in my life.
After taking a leave of absence, I went to the Philippines for language study. I studied English hard there and wanted to practice the English I had learned in everyday life. I was planning to do volunteer work, but due to the time limitations of winter, I chose to be a demi-pair.
Actually, I had helped take care of children at home before and I naturally like children, so I applied to the program.I was actually a year older than others, so I had many concerns about taking a leave of absence, but I participated with the mindset of ''let''s do it when a good opportunity comes.''
When preparing for this program, I had an exam coming up in the Philippines so I couldn''t focus fully, but I tried to prepare whenever I had time, and once I decided to go ahead with the program I studied English more diligently. Also, before going to Canada I carefully checked online what I would need and familiarized myself with public transportation and how to use a cell phone.
The first thing I wanted to change through my gap year was my English ability.That was it. Based on what I studied in the Philippines,I wanted to converse and live with locals to learn by doing, and meet various people to learn about different cultures.Also, by working as a demi-pair and directly caring for and raising children, I wanted to experience the difficulties and the rewarding feelings of raising kids.
In the mornings I attended English classes at a language school, and in the afternoons I did demi-pair activities according to the children''s schedules!
The daily routine varied each day depending on the children''s schedules. Generally, I woke up at 7:30, got ready, commuted for an hour, and had language school classes from 9:30 to 1:00.That was my class schedule.
MondayThere was a swimming lesson for the older child, so after school I picked the child up at 3 PM, took them to the pool, waited about 30 minutes, then brought them home and made dinner.
TuesdayAfter studying at the library until 5:30 PM, I picked up the older child at 6 and took them to the gym. I waited there for about two hours and then brought them home.
WednesdayI picked up both children around 3 PM after school, brought them home, made an early dinner, had them take piano lessons, and prepared them for the next activities.
ThursdayAfter school I picked up the older child, took them to a math academy, and then to the gym.
Our host familygave Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as days off,and occasionally asked me to look after the children on Friday nights or Saturday mornings.
During my gap year activities I considered the demi-pair work my top priority, so I didn''t travel to other cities separately,but during the program I went skiing at Blue Mountain for a 2-night, 3-day trip with the family.Personally, after the project ended I traveled to New York for about nine days and then entered the country.
# I made many unforgettable memories and met great people from various countries!
Through this project I made many unforgettable memories and met good people.I met friends from various countries such as Spain, Switzerland, France, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil, and I also met several Canadians at a party with the families.
Among them I met my four closest friends, who were from Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and Spain. Although we came from different cultures, we were good friends who listened to and understood each other''s concerns.
Also, the most memorable experience was that my stay overlapped with Christmas, so I was able to experience the hospitable way Canadians celebrate Christmas.
I learned a lot through the project, but to mention a few things,First, while taking care of children I felt most strongly the weight and hardship of being a mother during difficult times, and I learned the host family''s new approach to education.Actually, until then I thought it might be necessary to be somewhat forceful when children didn''t listen, but this family never did that and respected the children''s thoughts and opinions.
Of course these aspects were sometimes difficult (for example, when a child cries without giving in or insists on having something bought), but when they explained that they want to raise children who don''t feel diminished and can express their own thoughts, I tried to do the same and reconsidered my own educational philosophy.
# I met many people different from me and started seeing life from much more diverse perspectives!
Before joining Gap Year, I simply wanted to improve my English skills, butDuring the three-month program I met many people who were different from me and began to view life from much more diverse perspectives than before. I realized a lot about myself, so I definitely want to recommend this program to others.
And communication with Gap Year was consistently good, and I was very satisfied with the overall program.
In my case, since my main goal with Gap Year was English, I avoided contact with Koreans as much as possible and made only about one close friend so we could talk when things were hard and get through difficulties. Because of that I was able to make more foreign friends and learn more.
Also, because these things had a big influence on my values,I strongly recommend that future participants interact with many foreigners, engage in serious conversations with them, and create enjoyable memories togetherI recommend it.
# My Gap Year Tips
(Flights)
I bought round-trip tickets with China Eastern Airlines for about 800,000 won, and the itinerary included a stop in Shanghai before going to Toronto.
(Language)
It helped that I had done language study in the Philippines beforehand, but everyday expressions and words are a bit different, so talking with various local people and learning the expressions they commonly use was the most helpful.
(Accommodation)
I met several demi-pair students, and since every house has different characteristics it''s hard to give specific advice, butIf you get close to your homestay family, you''ll have opportunities to do things that are hard to do alone and to experience genuine Canadian daily life from real Canadian families, which is different from the typical experience of foreigners living in Canada.You can have these opportunities.
(Meals)
I joined knowing absolutely nothing about cooking, but it would have been better to be a bit better at cooking, because it creates more opportunities to talk while sharing Korean food or homemade dishes with the kids, family, and friends.
(What to bring)
I went during the winter season and, thinking it would be cold, I didn''t pack many nice clothes, but there were more opportunities to wear them than I expected, so I regretted it a lot. I brought a Bluetooth speaker and it turned out to be more useful than I thought.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
I''ve been to many countries abroad, butI don''t think I''ve ever had as many different experiences as with this program. I met people from many different cultures and learned many things I didn''t know.
Learning ★★★★★
The level of the academy connected to the program was quite high and the quality of education was good. Also, I learned a great deal while spending time with friends and families in the suburbs.
Environment ★★★★☆
Actually, I have some regrets because I went during the winter. The winter was just too cold.
Safety ★★★★★
It seemed very safe.
Leisure ★★★★☆
Because I had to work as a demipair, there were times I couldn''t hang out when I wanted to, but for the most part things went smoothly after discussing them with the families.
