Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Began preparing for employment with a positive attitude #Meeting diverse people #Had an opportunity to reflect on myself
During the two weeks—long if you think so, short if you think otherwise—I met many people with diverse perspectives. Living with them, I learned a lot and it was a good opportunity to reflect on myself.
Excitedly volunteering for environmental conservation in New Zealand''s nature with friends from abroad Lee Hae-in, gap year participant (gapper) (26, university student) / 2-week gap year
|
# A gap year trip taken to refresh before seriously starting job hunting
Hello, I''m 26-year-old Lee Hae-in, who participated in the ''Environmental Volunteering in New Zealand'' project for two weeks starting February 2, 2018.
I usually like to travel to places with outstanding natural scenery, and New Zealand was one of the destinations I wanted to visit. After finishing all my senior year classes,I decided to travel to refresh myself before seriously starting job hunting.Having made up my mind, I learned about the gap year program and found out that there were environmental volunteer activities available in New Zealand. Rather than justthinking I''d travel alone for a month, I thought staying with other friends for two weeks would create more meaningful memories, so I appliedI applied.
Before participating, I wasn''t worried about the two weeks of volunteering. I would be staying with other friends and the organization provided accommodation and meals. I was more worried about the roughly one-week period of traveling alone. New Zealand''s attractions are so popular that after the volunteer period I had trouble finding a place to stay. During the volunteer period, the team leader guides well and it''s safe, so you don''t need to worry much.
Regarding preparations before departure,I carefully read the materials provided by GapYear and packed the necessary items.I printed the provided bus tickets and necessary documents and bought plane tickets to match the provided bus schedule. Also, if there''s something you don''t know, you can email the volunteer organization directly to ask.
# An unforgettable experience staying in accommodation surrounded by nature with friends from many countries
On the Friday the project starts, new friends arrive, so we only volunteer in the morning. After volunteering, we go to the supermarket to buy toiletries and food needed for the week, then pick up the new friends and return to the accommodation. Since Friday afternoon through the weekend is free time, we sometimes hiked along nearby scenic beaches or famous trekking tracks.
On weekdays the team leader comes to the accommodation at 8 to pick up volunteers. Before then, you should have breakfast and prepare your own lunch. The activity location changes daily. One day you might plant trees, another you might pick berries. Usually activities end around 4, and we cook dinner together at the accommodation. After that it''s free time.
The best part of doing the project wasthat I was participating in activities to preserve New Zealand''s beautiful environment. Also, if I learned anything, it''s that there are truly many different kinds of people in the world, and it was a good opportunity to think again about the environment by comparing New Zealand''s blue sky with Korea''s fine dust.that was it.
Also,I really enjoyed being able to stay in accommodation surrounded by nature with friends from many different countries.The Christchurch volunteer project took place in Punakaiki, quite far from the city center, and because I could enjoy New Zealand''s natural scenery as it is, I was quite satisfied. I remember taking turns with friends to prepare dinner.
During the project I became close with many volunteers, and I especially remember a Singaporean friend who could speak Chinese and English. Since I could speak Chinese, I had many conversations with that friend.
# I can prepare for job hunting with a more positive attitude than before!
I applied for this gap year project to refresh myself because once I start job hunting in earnest I felt I would have no time and that my youth would be over. What I hoped to gain from the gap year wasn''t anything grand like finding a dream or improving my English, butit was to give myself time to think about my future, and also an opportunity to directly experience how people from various countries live and what they think.That was the reason.
During the two weeks—long or short depending on how you see it—I met many people with diverse perspectives. Living with them, I learned a lot and it was a good opportunity to think about myself.After returning from the gap year, I was able to prepare for job hunting with a more positive attitude than before, so I can say the gap year program was a success. ☺
If there are people who join later, I want to tell them that they just need to carefully read and prepare the documents provided by the gap year program. And for supplies, refer to the details written below. Sunscreen is a must!!
My gap year tip
(How to get there)
If you take the bus provided from Christchurch Airport and get off at the GREYMOUTH stop, the team leader will be waiting.
(Language)
If you memorize basic greetings and important phrases, it will be much easier to communicate with friends. Because it''s volunteer work, aiming to improve your English skills here might not be entirely appropriate.
If you''re good at English, you''ll get more out of the program. There were no problems with daily life, but it''s a bit disappointing that although they explained in English what the volunteer work was for and how it would be carried out, I couldn''t understand it well.
(Accommodation)
Because the volunteer location changes every week, the accommodation seems to change as well. The accommodation in the Punakaiki area where I stayed was very clean and comfortable, and there were no inconveniences. In New Zealand there are sandflies, so be careful not to get bitten when at the beach or trekking. If bitten they are very itchy soI recommend buying a sandfly-specific productI recommend it.
(Meals)
It might be good to know one or two Korean recipes to cook for friends.
We took turns cooking each dinner, and simple dishes like bibimbap are liked.
.jpg "wp_nv2 (1).jpg")
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
