Projects
|
FAQ
|
Announcements
#Increased confidence, gained strength for daily life #Interaction with locals, deep affection #Satisfaction; it was a meaningful time
If I had traveled alone, I probably wouldn''t have been able to get to know Portugal like this. Having safely completed my gap year, I gained a bit more confidence in myself and it gave me the strength to carry on with everyday life after returning to Korea.
[European Volunteering/Overseas Volunteering] A special volunteer trip in Lisbon, Portugal — one of the most beautiful regions in the world Yoon Jin-sol, gapper (34, took a gap year after quitting her job) / 4-week gap year (volunteering + travel) |
# A relaxed life that gave me meaningful time after deciding to quit my job
Hello, I''m 34-year-old Yoon Jin-sol, who quit her job and took on a gap year.I first learned about gap years when an acquaintance mentioned programs abroad where you could do things like dolphin watching.
At the time I just thought, “It would be great to go somewhere like that and live leisurely.” While working at a company, it''s hard to take more than a week off, so it was just a pipe dream.
A few years later, after deciding to quit my job, I wanted to travel, but I wanted to spend time doing something more meaningful than my usual trips. I remembered what my acquaintance said and went to the gap year website, and on the homepage I saw this project. I wanted to go to Portugal so much that I chose this program without hesitation!
The reason I decided to go to Portugal was that after watching the film ''Night Train to Lisbon,'' I liked Lisbon''s atmosphere — its once-glorious past now slightly melancholic.
I also like the Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa; his book ''The Book of Disquiet'' is so long and difficult that even after buying it years ago I still haven''t finished it, but it''s a book and author I love nonetheless. For these reasons, Portugal was a country I absolutely wanted to visit and one that felt familiar even before I went.
# Volunteering with various projects and friends from different countries
My first impression upon arriving in Lisbon was that the driving felt rough on the way from the airport to the accommodation. That gave me a sense of familiarity, as if it reminded me of Seoul.Because my flight was delayed by a day, I attended the orientation as soon as I arrived at the accommodation, and I was able to hear various explanations about Portugal and the local organization.
Because there were various projects, I was able to stay with more than 30 volunteers from many different countries.Among them, the friends who worked with me at the same local organization were Stephanie and Vanessa from Hong Kong; they were students studying to become doctors.They were curious, proactive, and cheerful friends, so it was enjoyable working with them.
# Volunteering with various projects and friends from different countries
The neighborhood around the accommodation was Estrela, a bit away from the city center tourist spots.
There was a beautiful park nearby, so it was nice for walks and I liked the calm atmosphere. The cafe next to the accommodation had great brunch and coffee, so I went there often!
Transportation was convenient. To get from the accommodation to the activity site, you could follow Lisbon''s famous Tram 28 route, so I used buses and trams, and on leisurely days I often walked.
I often took less crowded buses on the way home, and taking a bus with almost no tourists at sunset felt like I was living in Lisbon and commuting home from work.I was able to actually feel the things I had vaguely imagined about what it would be like to live abroad.
On the final day of the project especially, the organization''s staff member Mariana recommended the walking route from the accommodation to the volunteer center, and I remember the alleys being very beautiful.So I walked back to the accommodation the same way, and I can''t forget the sunset I saw that day. It would have been a scene I wouldn''t have seen if I hadn''t had the leisure to do so.
# Unforgettable experiences in Portugal that I grew to love!
The project was called ''Volunteer work in Portugal''s resorts — one of the most beautiful regions in the world,'' and it lived up to the name; there were many beautiful places nearby, like Cascais and Sintra.On the first Thursday, the organization took us volunteers to Arrábida beach near Lisbon, and the white sand and dazzlingly blue sea were truly beautiful.
Rita, who founded the project organization, told me that after volunteering in Cambodia she thought that volunteering was the best way to travel the country, so she started this organization.As Rita said,in person on site,by doing volunteer travel and actually interacting with and meeting the people who live here, my affection for the country grew deeper.
One person who especially stood out was Anna, the Wednesday volunteer leader. Even though she was over 60, Anna went to university and kept studying new things, and she gave off a young, bright energy.When we parted,I remember her saying, “Try everything while you’re young.”It may sound like a cliché, but coming sincerely from someone who has lived much more of life than I have, it resonated with me in a special way.
Also, although the project’s rule is for people to pick up their food in person, there was one person who had to have meals delivered on Mondays due to health reasons. The building where they used to live was converted into a hostel; while other tenants moved out, this person couldn’t, and by a court decision the building was changed into a hostel except for their room.I thought the court that made such a decision was remarkable, and I felt bitter realizing that, as this place became a famous tourist spot, original residents were being pushed out here as well.
Another memorable thing was that a close friend’s wedding overlapped with the project period, and I kept feeling bad that I couldn’t go to celebrate in person with a friend I really wanted to congratulate. The day before the wedding I thought that instead of a text message it would be better to speak in a video message.
That evening I explained the situation to the friends who were still at the restaurant and asked them to say “Congratulation” after my part; they gladly helped, and some even asked what “congratulation” is in Korean.
If I had been in Korea, it probably wouldn’t have been easy to ask such a favor of friends I hadn’t seen often. But since I’d come this far, I decided not to be shy and to give it a try; I gathered my courage and my friends actively helped, which I was really grateful for. The friend who received the video was very thankful, which made me happy.
Gap year that gave me the strength to get through everyday life
After the two-week activity period ended, I planned to travel to other regions of Portugal for the remaining two weeks. Mariana, a staff member, actively helped plan the route for my trip, and thanks to her I was able to safely travel through various parts of Portugal: from the southern beaches of the Algarve region to small, beautiful towns in the center, little seaside towns loved by surfers, and up to Porto in the north.
This project really feels like one where you can experience 100% of Portugal’s charm. The activity area itself is in a beautiful place where you can feel Lisbon’s charm. You can also get to know friendly Portuguese people. If you ask the staff, they always proactively give local knowledge and help you enjoy Lisbon and Portugal to the fullest.
I also received a lot of help during my two-week personal trip after the project, and I got to see Portugal’s beautiful sea a lot — I fell in love with beach tanning.If I had traveled alone, I probably wouldn’t have been able to learn so much about Portugal. Completing the gap year safely gave me a bit more confidence in myself and gave me the strength to get through daily life even after returning to Korea.
My personal gap year tips
- How to get there
There wasn’t much difficulty because the meeting point was specific and clear.
- Language
Most Portuguese people speak English well, so as long as I could understand them, there wasn’t a big problem.
However, some local volunteers couldn’t speak English. In those cases you can communicate with body language or very simple English, and it’s useful to know numbers and food categories (soup, meat, dessert, rice, etc.) in Portuguese. You don’t necessarily have to study this in advance; if you learn by asking the local volunteers they seem to like it. It can become a conversation topic and help you get closer.
- Accommodation
Accommodation is separated by gender and more than eight people share a room. Because people with different routines live together, even though I’m not sensitive about sleeping, the earplugs and eye mask I got on the plane were useful.
- Meals
Meals are provided, so there wasn’t much difficulty eating.
- What to bring
Lisbon is a city, so I didn''t really have any trouble with supplies. You can get whatever you need within the city.Most Portuguese people also speak English well, so as long as I understood them, I didn''t have any major difficulties. ^^;
My gap year
Experience★★★★☆
I was able to meet a variety of people and do plenty of sightseeing around the city.
Learning★★★☆☆
This gap year project itself was meaningful and offered many learning opportunities.
Environment★★★★☆
I was satisfied with both the worksite environment and the accommodation.
Safety★★★★★
I felt that safety wasn''t a major issue, as long as you are cautious about pickpockets and similar threats in tourist areas.
Leisure★★★★☆
You get plenty of personal/free time alongside the volunteer activities.
If I had traveled alone, I probably wouldn''t have been able to get to know Portugal like this. Having safely completed my gap year, I gained a bit more confidence in myself and it gave me the strength to carry on with everyday life after returning to Korea.
[European Volunteering/Overseas Volunteering] A special volunteer trip in Lisbon, Portugal — one of the most beautiful regions in the world Yoon Jin-sol, gapper (34, took a gap year after quitting her job) / 4-week gap year (volunteering + travel) |
# A relaxed life that gave me meaningful time after deciding to quit my job
Hello, I''m 34-year-old Yoon Jin-sol, who quit her job and took on a gap year.I first learned about gap years when an acquaintance mentioned programs abroad where you could do things like dolphin watching.
At the time I just thought, “It would be great to go somewhere like that and live leisurely.” While working at a company, it''s hard to take more than a week off, so it was just a pipe dream.
A few years later, after deciding to quit my job, I wanted to travel, but I wanted to spend time doing something more meaningful than my usual trips. I remembered what my acquaintance said and went to the gap year website, and on the homepage I saw this project. I wanted to go to Portugal so much that I chose this program without hesitation!
The reason I decided to go to Portugal was that after watching the film ''Night Train to Lisbon,'' I liked Lisbon''s atmosphere — its once-glorious past now slightly melancholic.
I also like the Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa; his book ''The Book of Disquiet'' is so long and difficult that even after buying it years ago I still haven''t finished it, but it''s a book and author I love nonetheless. For these reasons, Portugal was a country I absolutely wanted to visit and one that felt familiar even before I went.
# Volunteering with various projects and friends from different countries
My first impression upon arriving in Lisbon was that the driving felt rough on the way from the airport to the accommodation. That gave me a sense of familiarity, as if it reminded me of Seoul.Because my flight was delayed by a day, I attended the orientation as soon as I arrived at the accommodation, and I was able to hear various explanations about Portugal and the local organization.
Because there were various projects, I was able to stay with more than 30 volunteers from many different countries.Among them, the friends who worked with me at the same local organization were Stephanie and Vanessa from Hong Kong; they were students studying to become doctors.They were curious, proactive, and cheerful friends, so it was enjoyable working with them.
# Volunteering with various projects and friends from different countries
The neighborhood around the accommodation was Estrela, a bit away from the city center tourist spots.
There was a beautiful park nearby, so it was nice for walks and I liked the calm atmosphere. The cafe next to the accommodation had great brunch and coffee, so I went there often!
Transportation was convenient. To get from the accommodation to the activity site, you could follow Lisbon''s famous Tram 28 route, so I used buses and trams, and on leisurely days I often walked.
I often took less crowded buses on the way home, and taking a bus with almost no tourists at sunset felt like I was living in Lisbon and commuting home from work.I was able to actually feel the things I had vaguely imagined about what it would be like to live abroad.
On the final day of the project especially, the organization''s staff member Mariana recommended the walking route from the accommodation to the volunteer center, and I remember the alleys being very beautiful.So I walked back to the accommodation the same way, and I can''t forget the sunset I saw that day. It would have been a scene I wouldn''t have seen if I hadn''t had the leisure to do so.
# Unforgettable experiences in Portugal that I grew to love!
The project was called ''Volunteer work in Portugal''s resorts — one of the most beautiful regions in the world,'' and it lived up to the name; there were many beautiful places nearby, like Cascais and Sintra.On the first Thursday, the organization took us volunteers to Arrábida beach near Lisbon, and the white sand and dazzlingly blue sea were truly beautiful.
Rita, who founded the project organization, told me that after volunteering in Cambodia she thought that volunteering was the best way to travel the country, so she started this organization.As Rita said,in person on site,by doing volunteer travel and actually interacting with and meeting the people who live here, my affection for the country grew deeper.
One person who especially stood out was Anna, the Wednesday volunteer leader. Even though she was over 60, Anna went to university and kept studying new things, and she gave off a young, bright energy.When we parted,I remember her saying, “Try everything while you’re young.”It may sound like a cliché, but coming sincerely from someone who has lived much more of life than I have, it resonated with me in a special way.
Also, although the project’s rule is for people to pick up their food in person, there was one person who had to have meals delivered on Mondays due to health reasons. The building where they used to live was converted into a hostel; while other tenants moved out, this person couldn’t, and by a court decision the building was changed into a hostel except for their room.I thought the court that made such a decision was remarkable, and I felt bitter realizing that, as this place became a famous tourist spot, original residents were being pushed out here as well.
Another memorable thing was that a close friend’s wedding overlapped with the project period, and I kept feeling bad that I couldn’t go to celebrate in person with a friend I really wanted to congratulate. The day before the wedding I thought that instead of a text message it would be better to speak in a video message.
That evening I explained the situation to the friends who were still at the restaurant and asked them to say “Congratulation” after my part; they gladly helped, and some even asked what “congratulation” is in Korean.
If I had been in Korea, it probably wouldn’t have been easy to ask such a favor of friends I hadn’t seen often. But since I’d come this far, I decided not to be shy and to give it a try; I gathered my courage and my friends actively helped, which I was really grateful for. The friend who received the video was very thankful, which made me happy.
Gap year that gave me the strength to get through everyday life
After the two-week activity period ended, I planned to travel to other regions of Portugal for the remaining two weeks. Mariana, a staff member, actively helped plan the route for my trip, and thanks to her I was able to safely travel through various parts of Portugal: from the southern beaches of the Algarve region to small, beautiful towns in the center, little seaside towns loved by surfers, and up to Porto in the north.
This project really feels like one where you can experience 100% of Portugal’s charm. The activity area itself is in a beautiful place where you can feel Lisbon’s charm. You can also get to know friendly Portuguese people. If you ask the staff, they always proactively give local knowledge and help you enjoy Lisbon and Portugal to the fullest.
I also received a lot of help during my two-week personal trip after the project, and I got to see Portugal’s beautiful sea a lot — I fell in love with beach tanning.If I had traveled alone, I probably wouldn’t have been able to learn so much about Portugal. Completing the gap year safely gave me a bit more confidence in myself and gave me the strength to get through daily life even after returning to Korea.
My personal gap year tips
- How to get there
There wasn’t much difficulty because the meeting point was specific and clear.
- Language
Most Portuguese people speak English well, so as long as I could understand them, there wasn’t a big problem.
However, some local volunteers couldn’t speak English. In those cases you can communicate with body language or very simple English, and it’s useful to know numbers and food categories (soup, meat, dessert, rice, etc.) in Portuguese. You don’t necessarily have to study this in advance; if you learn by asking the local volunteers they seem to like it. It can become a conversation topic and help you get closer.
- Accommodation
Accommodation is separated by gender and more than eight people share a room. Because people with different routines live together, even though I’m not sensitive about sleeping, the earplugs and eye mask I got on the plane were useful.
- Meals
Meals are provided, so there wasn’t much difficulty eating.
- What to bring
Lisbon is a city, so I didn''t really have any trouble with supplies. You can get whatever you need within the city.Most Portuguese people also speak English well, so as long as I understood them, I didn''t have any major difficulties. ^^;
My gap year
Experience★★★★☆
I was able to meet a variety of people and do plenty of sightseeing around the city.
Learning★★★☆☆
This gap year project itself was meaningful and offered many learning opportunities.
Environment★★★★☆
I was satisfied with both the worksite environment and the accommodation.
Safety★★★★★
I felt that safety wasn''t a major issue, as long as you are cautious about pickpockets and similar threats in tourist areas.
Leisure★★★★☆
You get plenty of personal/free time alongside the volunteer activities.
What makes this project special
