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#A realistic reflection on agriculture and family life #Improved Japanese proficiency #Precious time, unforgettable memories
The unusually cool summer of 2018,From June to July it was an unforgettable memory and a precious time that changed me in many ways.
And this experience became another driving force to ensure it wouldn''t be limited to just a ''year.'' Diving into green charm! A gap-year stay at a farm in Hokkaido, Japan Yoo Junsang, gap-year-er (Gapper) (26, university student) / 6-week gap year |
# What I gained in six weeks was far more than just Japanese—it was more than I could have imagined.
It began simply because I wanted to study Japanese for a long time, cheaply, and gain practical conversational experience in Japan.But what I gained during the six weeks living with the homestay family was much more than just Japanese—more than I could imagine.
First, the basic goal—Japanese—has reached a level where I can hold everyday conversations, even with native speakers, if I ask for their understanding. Before starting the farm stay, I had virtually no real conversational experience. My only experience speaking Japanese was in classes with Japanese teachers on set topics. But after six weeks of intensive practice, I feel I have some grasp of how real Japanese people speak.
The awkward Japanese I learned at the language school became a bit more natural after three or four weeks, and I became able to distinguish the various exclamations, suffixes, and conjunctions unique to Japanese—different from the consistent words used in books. I still have a lot to study, butmy interest in Japanese continued, and I even became interested in goals like exams beyond just conversation.
* For Yoo Junsang, who had a strong desire to change himself, personalized 1:1 missions related to self-reflection, personal growth, and post-gap-year career direction were provided daily, and a gap-year notebook to reflect and plan was also provided.
# I changed completely from the awkward mindset I had before the farm stay.
Next, I was able to think realistically about agriculture, a field I had no interest in at all.Until actually experiencing it firsthand, agriculture seemed entirely unrelated to me, and I thought that moving to the countryside to farm was merely a trend or unrealistic.
However, living with a family who had successfully relocated to the countryside and seeing their happiness made me think differently. The local project coordinator explained that, contrary to my prejudice, they did not establish their farm solely out of romantic notions about returning to the land.They chose to move to the countryside after thorough study and research of the given circumstances and future changes, such as their family''s future, the future of agriculture, and government support.
As a result, they could choose their own schedule and their family''s schedule and have more time with family. Of course, I don''t seriously consider moving to the countryside yet, butI changed completely from the awkward mindset I had before the farm stay.
# Through the farm stay experience, I began to think about happy families.
Lastly, these are thoughts I did not expect at all from this farm stay.Through the homestay experience, I began to contemplate what a happy family is.In fact, until then I, like a typical member of the ''N-po generation'', had considerable doubts about getting married or starting a family and didn''t feel the need for it yet. ButAs a member of the homestay family, observing the happy homestay household up close was even moving.
In my case, I had no prior experience being close to children, so at first living with a six-year-old was unfamiliar and not easy. But as time passed and I became immersed in the family''s life, new relationships formed and the resulting emotions were a new experience.
One of the most memorable moments during the farm stay was when Nonoka, on the last night, asked me to help her brush her teeth—something she had never asked before. Our relationship, which had been awkward because I didn''t know how to help and communication was poor,on the last day felt regretful as we parted, and I could feel Nonoka''s feelings.
# It was an unforgettable memory and a precious time that changed me in many ways.
I''m not sure whether the time I spent can really be called a gap year.Of course, the new thoughts I gained and the new experiences I accumulated are reviews fitting for a gap year.
However, the pursuit of new experiences and challenges is something I''ve been doing all along, and things I''ve also done in previous travels and ways of living. In fact, it''s just that I heard the term for the first time, so I sometimes thought that perhaps the way I''ve lived has been in the spirit of a ''gap'' after all. So maybe I''m denying that term as much as possible because I don''t like limiting it to just one year.
The unusually cool summer of 2018,From June to July it was an unforgettable memory and a precious time that changed me in many ways.
And this experience became another driving force to make sure it isn''t limited to a ''year''.
To prospective participants
They are really kind and warm people, so you can go there without worry. I lost mine on the way, but since Japan has an omiyage culture, it''s good to keep that in mind.
*Omiyage culture: In Japan, bringing a gift when visiting someone''s home is so common that arriving empty-handed can be considered rude. When giving gifts, people usually choose inexpensive, practical items and pay a lot of attention to the packaging.
[Source: Naver Encyclopedia]
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
An agricultural experience in Hokkaido, Japan''s breadbasket. You can live alongside Japanese culture and feel it firsthand on the front lines.
Learning ★★★☆☆
What I learned was mostly Japanese language, but of course there was no one teaching me. I studied hard on my own by asking questions. It''s definitely an environment where you can learn a lot.
Environment ★★★★★
The rooms are spacious and comfortable. Of course, all the clothing and equipment used for work are provided.
Safety ★★★★★
It''s safe. Wild animals might appear, but they''re hard to encounter in the areas where gappers work.
Leisure ★★★★★
There aren''t many places to go nearby, but thinking back, they took good care of us on weekends so we explored many places. For example, we followed lectures at Hokkaido University and traveled around together, drank with a local professor, or went together to Japan''s largest agricultural machinery expo and enjoyed the trip.
