Because I rested deeply without any worries and did the things I enjoy, I returned to Korea with more smiles than before joining the gap year project, a calmer demeanor, and a sense of mental ease. It became an opportunity to discover and confirm what I like and when I feel happy.
[One-month living abroad] Bonjour! Living for a month in Paris, France Wi Ji-young — gapper from the GapYear group (24, university student) / 4-week gap year |
# Fulfilling my dream of going to a city in another country and living there for a month!
Hello :) I participated in the ''One-month in Paris'' program run by GapYear from March to April.
I learned about GapYear when I was a university student about to graduate, with about a year before starting work and wondering what to do. I don''t like package tours that only skim the highlights, so even on independent trips I tended to stay in at least one city for four days or more.
Since I was 20 I had aimed to go to a city in another country and live there for a month. There were other cities available in the program, but because Paris is a country''s capital with much to see and seemed easy to travel around, I decided to join the one-month-in-Paris project.
I hurriedly researched and applied one month before leaving Korea, and the process went through faster than expected, so I want to thank all the GapYear staff who helped me depart without problems.
I decided to participate in one day and, after committing the reckless act of buying a plane ticket the very next day, I slowly started packing. Because I''m a worrier, I also bought the most expensive premium travel insurance (fortunately I didn''t need to use it!) and began organizing the items I needed into categories in Excel as I packed.
Because I used Air France, notorious for lost baggage, I prepared methods to prevent losing my luggage, ways to find it if it was lost, compensation procedures, emergency contacts, the location and number of the Korean embassy, how to buy transport tickets at the airport, and organized all transportation options from the airport to the accommodation by route, etc.I didn''t plan my schedule after arriving in Paris, but I prepared thoroughly for getting to the accommodation.
On the way to the airport, negative thoughts kept popping up: ''Why did I apply?'', ''I don''t speak French / they say English doesn''t work well there — can I manage for a month?'', ''What if I get pickpocketed or robbed?'', ''Did I say yes for no reason?''
But on the flight to Paris I ended up traveling with athletes who had participated in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and watching the captain and cabin crew''s various in-flight events put me in a cheerful mood. I was surprised that English didn''t work as well as expected when buying transport tickets at the airport and taking the bus to the accommodation, but it made me think I should learn French quickly.
# From the moment the clear-skied Paris welcomed me, I began to like Paris
Unlike Korea''s hazy sky filled with fine dust, it was abnormally cold due to the cold spell butthe clear Parisian sky greeted me, and I forgot all my worries up to that point and began to like Paris.
I was often taken aback by the smell and dirt of the subway, but I could directly feel the French people''s thoughtfulness that reflects a developed country, and the convenience of accessing transportation. Unlike Korea, where a meal is just a part of the day, I felt that a meal is an important time to enjoy the taste of food while conversing with companions. Compared to Korea, work processes were slow and frustrating, and it was hard to find places open at night, which was inconvenient, but I also thought such things might support their more leisurely way of life.
I had a good impression of the French people who even used translation apps to show me directions, noticed my hanbok and complimented how stylish it was, took care to ensure I wasn''t uncomfortable dining alone, and happily continued conversations when I used a bit of French. Of course there were also many unfriendly and racist people, but I thought that would be the same anywhere in the world.
# The peace of mind and leisure that come from long-term travel — things I wouldn''t have experienced if I had come to Paris for a short time
Living in Paris for a month, I appreciated the value of sunny clear days, and though it might not be entirely proper, seeing in person the works of many artists I had only encountered indirectly through media overwhelmed me with happiness from being surrounded by paintings and sculptures.
I wandered the streets aimlessly, visited favorite museums three more times, sat for over an hour staring endlessly at my favorite work, and enjoyed leisurely time reading on a park bench. These are experiences I wouldn''t have had if I''d only planned to travel in Paris for about a week, and I wouldn''t have felt the peace and leisure that come from them.I experienced them.
Toward the end of the project, locals even asked me for directions in French; of course now I have forgotten most of it, but I was able to have simple conversations in French. You may worry that English won''t work, but if you greet people in French and then speak in English, everyone will accept it gladly, so don''t worry :)
Maybe because I openly carried anti-theft wire rings or because I didn''t dress like a tourist, I never felt threatened by scams or pickpockets even once. Of course I was probably lucky, but if you prepare thoroughly and pay attention, I don''t think you need to worry.
# ''If you''re unsure whether to do it, do it and regret it later'' — make bold decisions!
Because I rested deeply without any worries and did the things I enjoy,I returned to Korea with more smiles than before participating in the GapYear project; I became much gentler and gained mental ease. It gave me an opportunity to discover and confirm what I like and when I feel happiness.
They say most of the things you worry about won''t happen. Even if you''re afraid, I think you can embark on a journey to find yourself in a place where no one knows you.As the saying goes, ''if you''re unsure whether to do it, do it and regret it later,'' so if time, circumstances, and your surroundings allow, decide boldly!
# My personal GapYear tips
(How to get there)
Depending on which airline you use, you may arrive at different terminals, and buying transit tickets and getting to your accommodation can be difficult. Especially with a large, heavy suitcase, using the Paris metro—which only occasionally has escalators and elevators—seems hard.
(Language)
I learned the alphabet and how to read through free online lectures beforehand, and I wrote down useful phrases divided by situation—entering attractions, when problems arise, ordering at restaurants, buying things—so I could use them.
(Accommodation)
If it''s a Korean guesthouse, finding someone to go out with is a good option. Especially for long-term stays like living for a month, it''s good to have a companion for nearby trips, picnics on nice days, or if you need to go to risky areas.
(Meals)
Most Korean guesthouses in Paris provide breakfast and dinner, so if you miss Korea it''s okay to bring cup noodles. Since eating out every day for a month is expensive, I shopped at nearby markets or bought bread from bakeries and ate that occasionally.
It''s probably hard to find restaurants that perfectly match Korean tastes, and you''ll be disappointed if your expectations are too high, so it''s better to try things with low expectations and an adventurous spirit.
(What to bring)
Items that were useful were emergency medicine and nail clippersThey were useful. I lent them to people who hadn''t brought their own, and I could trim nails before they became uncomfortably long, keeping them hygienic.
Also,anti-theft wiring is also highly recommended!Every Korean traveler might have one, but I really carried my wallet, phone, camera, passport, etc., with me at all times and never once felt threatened by pickpockets.
Since you''ll be staying for a long time, don''t overpack clothes and jewelry—bring only what''s necessary, and be sure to thoroughly pack emergency medicine and personal hygiene items.
(Safety)
It wasn''t as bad as Austria, but Paris also had serious racism. Think of those people as less mature and just walk on.
In particular, with things like thrown filth, someone might pretend to clean it and steal your belongings, so it''s good to carry something simple to remove stains—a stain-removing stick, wet wipes, or tissues. I moved away immediately and wiped it off with a wet wipe when it got on my clothes. It felt bad, of course, but it''s best to think of them as uncivilized people and forget it quickly.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
I feel like I did everything I could on my own.
Learning ★★★★☆
I think I learned especially a lot at museums and art galleries.
Environment ★★★☆☆
For those who are somewhat tidy, Paris can be hard to tolerate. The old metro, the homeless inside it, and the mysteriously stained seat covers... I still can''t forget the smell of the subway. There are trash bins on the streets so it''s not that bad, but since most people travel by subway it was a bit difficult.
Safety★★★★☆
Most people were back before dinner, and many carried anti-theft cable locks hanging around, so it didn''t feel dangerous. Since the terrorist attacks, armed police and soldiers are stationed in many places, so I think public security is fairly safe.
However, late on weekend nights in the metro or at popular spots (the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre hill), people drink straight from bottles and become very drunk, and some openly possess marijuana or powdered drugs, openly use them, or offer them. If someone is under the influence, it''s best to notice quickly and avoid them.
Leisure★★★★★
You don''t have to rush to just the set sights; when the weather is nice you can go to a park, lie on a picnic mat and feel the breeze, stroll along the Seine, and relax, which I liked.
