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#Became more committed to giving my best to the relationships around me #Learned how to receive help from others #Tender affection; grateful for cherished memories
I started to feel that every encounter around me might inevitably involve a farewell.
So after returning to Korea, I think I began to put my best into every moment that I had at times found tedious. The biggest change seems to be that I now try my best with all the people in my life more than before. A Greek village community internship full of leisure and joy Lee Ji-yoon, gap year participant (gapper), 24 years old, university student / 4-week gap year |
# Living in an eco-friendly space and sharing community life with others really resonated with me.
Hello, I''m Lee Ji-yoon, a 24-year-old university student with one semester left. I was so busy that people around me would tell me, "Please take a break!" I was attending school while working at a company, and I squeezed in extracurricular activities and short-term part-time jobs.
I lived believing all of that would greatly help my future, but at some point I realized I was very exhausted.Only after my sleep patterns became distorted and unexplained hives appeared on my body did I think I needed to rest.
With a vague idea of needing to go far away and rest, I looked into various activities and learned about Korean gap year options, and discovered a Greek village community internship project.Living in a community with people in an eco-friendly space appealed to me. Somehow I felt that the experience thereI also felt an inexplicable attraction, as if it could greatly change my rigid and sensitive self.
If I had worries before leaving, they weren''t much about daily life since I''d be living in a village community. I was a bit worried about potential conflicts with other people there or about experiencing racism.But looking back, they all seem to have been worries I didn''t need to have.
* For Lee Ji-yoon, who had a strong desire to have diverse experiences, a personalized 1:1 daily mission was provided to give her mental space and allow her to reflect on her relationships, and a gap year notebook was also provided so she could look back on herself and make plans.
>> Participation fee 100 won! Go to the Gap Year Mission
# I really didn''t want to do anything.
Preparing to depart was so hard. Because I was attending school, I only had the week between the end of term and my departure to properly prepare. From packing luggage to getting insurance and a phone SIM—having to take responsibility for everything, from trivial to major things, by myself was a big burden.
Even when referring to European travel forums or blogs, there were difficult parts, so I asked my family and friends for a lot of help. And being pressed for time made me scatterbrained, so I organized everything—packing list, schedule, tasks—into an Excel file. I felt a bit obsessive documenting every little thing in files, but thanks to that I was able to finish my gap year without missing or lacking anything.
Honestly, I don''t think I had any grand goals for this gap year. There were just two things.First, because I hated my life so, so, so much; second, I really didn''t want to do anything.Some might laugh and call those pathetic and utterly lethargic reasons, butI was really exhausted before taking a gap year.
My goal was simply to leave Korea and have downtime to rest. At first I felt anxious, thinking, ''Am I being too impulsive and simplistic by leaving like this?'' butRather, because it was simple and my desires were clear, I think it was easier to enjoy the gap year.The thought ''Anyway, as long as I enjoy and rest through anything new!'' always brought me relaxation and joy.
# A daily routine in Greece
First, breakfast is at 8:30 AM. If you want, you can get up earlier and participate in meditation or a yoga program at 7 AM. After finishing the meal, I took part in the Morning Circle with volunteers and staff.In the Morning Circle, we held hands and meditated, shared our feelings, had a brief meeting, and then assigned tasks.
There was no coercive atmosphere, so if you didn''t want to speak you could remain silent, and if there was a task you didn''t want to do, you could freely express that you didn''t want to.After the Circle ended, I worked on my assigned tasks until lunch. Most of the chores were household tasks like laundry, cleaning, sewing, and garden maintenance.
When lunchtime came, we stopped what we were doing, ate, and then had beach time.We rode the village car down to the beach and enjoyed free time for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, either swimming or reading. Volos has many beautiful beaches, so it was enjoyable to go to a different beach each time.
Sometimes we also walked to visit the waterfall. Thanks to that, I was able to see many corners of Volos. After beach time ended, we returned to the village to finish any remaining work or took a short rest before having dinner. After dinner, we could join singing classes, meditation programs, and community games run by other volunteers or workshop participants, and sometimes we gathered at the village café with people late into the night, drinking and chatting.
We also went to other villages to see plays or concerts. Although it wasn''t an organization for Greeks, the local organization seemed to make a strong effort to engage organically with Greek culture. Thanks to that, we went to watch the village festival, andwe learned traditional Greek dances from a Greek dance teacher who came every week, which allowed us to get closer to Greek culture.
# When I expressed my discomfort, everyone respected that feeling.
There were so many enjoyable experiences! It was fun to sing with people in the singing class that took place about once a week, the village festival was fun, and learning Greek dance every Thursday was also enjoyable.
Above all, the most enjoyable moments were probably the evenings when I drank and laughed with people in the village. There was only one unpleasant experience, but it didn''t even take half a day to resolve.
There were always people around who would listen to me, and when I talked about my discomfort, everyone respected that feeling.It was just that it was difficult to summon the courage to open up about those feelings,If you ask for help and express yourself, there are always people around who will talk about the problem with you and help find a solution.
# The biggest thing I learned was how to accept help from others.
The month I spent in the Greek village community was a very precious and tender time for me.I was moved, I had many realizations, and I learned a lot. Among them, the biggest thing I learned was how to accept help from others.
Looking back, even the preparations I had to make before going to Greece and the 10 days I traveled around Greece alone after leaving the community village all felt like processes of learning how to receive help from others. There are so many things in the world you can''t do alone.
In particular, the village volunteers and staff, and the participants who visited briefly for workshops, helped me a great deal. For someone like me who felt unfamiliar with the new environment, they kindly explained not only the village rules but alsothey kindly shared little life tips and always approached me first to start conversations.
At first,I thought, ''Am I bothering those people?'' so it was very difficult to ask for help or ask questions, but gradually I realized that those things are natural and healthy.And when I naturally accepted those things and felt gratitude rather than apology toward them, I felt that I was united with the people of the village as one community.
It was surprising to feel that way from people who were from different cultural backgrounds and of different ages than me in my twenties.I think sometimes that sense of connection was felt just from a warm smile without having to have a long conversation, and sometimes from making eye contact from a distance.
# I could feel without a doubt, ''I am being greatly loved right now!''
Andwhile living in the village community, I could feel without doubt, ''I am being greatly loved right now.''I''m the kind of person who often thinks, ''What if that person dislikes me?''
It was surprising that I, such a person, didn''t doubt the love others gave me and naturally felt grateful for it. I also loved the people who were in the village very much.
To be able to sincerely feel affection for others without any conditions and to live with the people I felt affection for was truly a great experience and happiness.Also, because I knew that that time couldn''t last forever and would be hard to repeat,I tried to do my best each and every day.
I tried to spend each day in the village community without regrets, but when it was time to leave I couldn''t help but feel tears and a sense of loss. Still, I don''t think I was completely swallowed by sadness. The small village I stayed in and the precious people I met there, and I was certain that the countless conversations and emotions I shared with them would remain for a long time.
That there is a space in my heart left with kind people and beautiful memories, and that I have precious memories I can pull out whenever I''m tired.That feels like a valuable gift gained through the gap year project.
# People I met in Greece
The volunteers and staff I spent the month with are what I remember most. A, who helped me adapt quickly with their unique cheerfulness and friendliness.
A was a veteran who had worked at the center for nearly ten years and knew a lot about the local culture and the city of Volos. Sometimes leading people to a waterfall, sometimes to a theater, sometimes to a small jazz club, A enriched life at the center. I still vividly remember the first day we arrived in Volos, shopping at the supermarket with A and exploring every corner of Volos.
Volunteer D, who arrived at the center the same day as me, was full of laughter and brightened the atmosphere. They were also the person who helped me the most at the center. Thanks to D, who looked after me like a mother, it wasn''t hard to adapt to life at the center.
C, who shared a room with me for a week, had a knack for making everyone laugh with cheerful jokes. Behind the playful demeanor there was always warmth. D and C spoke with me without reservation despite my being much younger than them, and they were the people who spent the most time with me.
P, the kitchen keeper, always cooked delicious meals for people. P enjoyed teasing me mischievously, but I think they had a warmer heart, thoughtfulness, and affection than anyone. On the day I left the center, P woke up early to make breakfast and packed a lunchbox for me who was leaving at 7 AM; I felt great gratitude toward P.
I, who was my roommate and drinking buddy for two weeks, could make funny jokes even with clumsy English. Because I talked a lot and was playful, thanks to them I could enjoy myself even in the remote Greek mountains.
Al, who was affectionate like a teacher, and the taciturn Pe were an elderly couple who had spent a long time at the center. Although Al had mobility difficulties, they helped a lot with center tasks and showed the greatest interest in my life in Korea and the travels I would begin after the community life ended.
Stoic and taciturn Pe reminded me of my late grandfather. Pe usually didn''t speak much. But when singing, Pe sang more enthusiastically and loudly than anyone, enjoyed chocolate cake every evening in a way that made observers feel satisfied, and occasionally told a joke that cracked everyone up. At first Pe was hard to approach, but Pe looked at me with the most affectionate gaze and quietly took care of me, and before long became one of the most beloved people at the center. I still miss Pe very much.
From cooking and sewing to tending the garden—G, the all-around entertainer who could do everything, became a good teacher to me.
Thanks to G I became good at sewing, something I had never tried before, and I was able to make Greek-style food. G also gave me a lot of help and guidance in staying true to my own emotions.
Gr was more affectionate and reliable than anyone and took care of the center''s big and small tasks. We didn''t have many conversations, but I remember always communicating with Gr through looks and smiles.
S, nicknamed the ''garden fairy,'' tended the center''s garden full of hydrangeas and sunflowers. S always had a gentle smile, and when D and C left the center and I cried a lot, S comforted me by giving me a calming flower oil—someone I''m very grateful to.
Besides them, the workshop participants who came to and left the village community each week, and the villagers and other center people I met briefly, are also precious connections I met through the gap year project. I miss them all a lot.
# The biggest change is that I put more effort into all the relationships around me than before.
All the encounters I experienced at the center were based on farewells. The center only operates until September, and because many people visit for short workshops or vacations, the time to be together was strictly limited.So those encounters felt very precious to me.
I naturally tried to do my best for everyone, and tried to spend time together more often. But when I thought about it, not only the Greek center, but also my parents and friends in Korea and the casual people I meet—the thought came that perhaps every encounter around me is premised on parting.
So after returning to Korea, I started to do my best in every moment that I previously sometimes found tedious. The biggest change seems to be that I try harder with all the people around me than before.
# For prospective participants
Just have fun and enjoy it! Personally, around the second week my energy ran out so I couldn''t go down to the beach much and didn''t go out often. So conserve your energy early on, and If you participate in all the events and walks provided, your gap year at the center will be even more enjoyable.
# My own gap year TIP
- Language
Perhaps because I had experience living abroad, I had no difficulty using the language. However, Even if someone isn''t fluent in English, everyone at the center understands speech perfectly and listens attentively to others, so language shouldn''t be a major issue.
Personally, I think that even if your language skills are poor, taking the initiative to speak to people and constantly trying to speak English is more important than language ability. Also, because there are many British people at the center, learning some British English expressions will make communication smoother.
- Accommodation
There are several rooms inside the center. Most people live with roommates; in my case I stayed three weeks in a female dormitory for four people. (Although it''s a four-person room, only up to three people ever stayed in the room.) To be honest, I was quite taken aback when I first entered the room I was assigned.
Ants crawled in the bathroom and spiders were in the corners. Since I really dislike bugs, I briefly wondered, ''Can I live well here?'' However, the center regularly treats for ants and provides other maintenance, so I was able to live comfortably without major problems.
Hot water flowed abundantly, and since it''s located in the mountains it''s very cool even in midsummer. If you give up expecting the center accommodation to be like a hotel, you can be satisfied with it. Unlike typical Western houses, the center''s rule is to take off your shoes before entering, so the floors were clean and it felt very comfortable.
Sometimes, though rarely, you may have to change rooms depending on the number of workshop guests. There are also rooms located in the semi-basement, which are very damp. If you have to stay in such a room, bringing a heater from the storage and turning it on occasionally can help somewhat prevent the room from getting damp.
- Meals
There was a meal duty roster responsible for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. I usually participated as a cook/meal duty about two to three times a week. The meals were entirely vegetarian, and on Tuesday evenings—Taverna Night—we could go to the village restaurant and eat meat dishes.
Being vegetarian didn''t mean we ate salads all the time. Since people came from many countries, we could try various national cuisines and occasionally taste Greek dishes. I had various tasty dishes like couscous, pie, pasta, Thai curry and noodles, and because I could prepare meals while laughing with people, meal times at the center were always enjoyable.
- What to bring
The center provides almost all basic daily necessities (except toiletries. Bring toiletries from Korea, and it''s better to buy heavier items like shampoo and conditioner at a local supermarket). Towels and beach towels are also provided, so aside from one spare towel, there was no need to bring other towels.
I was most worried about laundry, but the center had a washing machine, eco-friendly detergent, and everything related to laundry, so the paper detergent I brought from Korea was just extra baggage (there is a volunteer in charge of laundry at the center, and personal laundry costs 2 euros per wash. Interns and volunteers had free laundry).
There were plenty of hangers at the center, so you don''t need to bring them. Personally, items you should definitely bring are skin protection products and insect repellent! The sun is very strong and you go to the beach daily, so sunscreen and a hat are essential. Also, since there are many insects including mosquitoes at the center, it''s good to bring several mosquito sprays or patches.
Also, when eating vegetarian or Western-style food you will surely crave something spicy, so if you have space in your bag it might be useful to bring one or two instant meals. Additionally, there is more time than expected to read, so it''s a good idea to bring plenty of books you''d like to read.
# My personal Greece travel TIP
We had one day off each week, and each time I would walk down to the beach. The path down to the beach is really beautiful and shaded, so it''s not hot and the walk is enjoyable. I also often went to the waterfall near the center. The small waterfall 30 minutes on foot is pretty, but if you go further up there''s another truly majestic and large waterfall. The path up is very rough and somewhat dangerous, but I still can''t forget the majestic waterfall seen from above and the cool valley water.
After leaving the center I traveled around Greece alone, and Greece really seems like a country with many places to visit. Not only the pretty islands, but museums and ruins—I was so absorbed in traveling I barely ate and lost track of time. I traveled to Mykonos, Naxos, Crete, Meteora, and Athens. Among them, Meteora became my favorite place, so I definitely recommend visiting it to anyone going to Greece.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
I had a precious experience becoming close with people without barriers and feeling that we were connected to each other.
Learning ★★★★★
I was able to learn a lot not only about the cultures of various countries but also about community life.
Environment ★★★★★
Since it was in the mountains, I was able to fully enjoy the beautiful nature, and there were many pretty beaches nearby.
Safety★★★★★
Because many things were open, I actually felt safe.
Leisure★★★★☆
Because we lived in a group setting, I didn''t have much free time.
I started to feel that every encounter around me might inevitably involve a farewell.
So after returning to Korea, I think I began to put my best into every moment that I had at times found tedious. The biggest change seems to be that I now try my best with all the people in my life more than before. A Greek village community internship full of leisure and joy Lee Ji-yoon, gap year participant (gapper), 24 years old, university student / 4-week gap year |
# Living in an eco-friendly space and sharing community life with others really resonated with me.
Hello, I''m Lee Ji-yoon, a 24-year-old university student with one semester left. I was so busy that people around me would tell me, "Please take a break!" I was attending school while working at a company, and I squeezed in extracurricular activities and short-term part-time jobs.
I lived believing all of that would greatly help my future, but at some point I realized I was very exhausted.Only after my sleep patterns became distorted and unexplained hives appeared on my body did I think I needed to rest.
With a vague idea of needing to go far away and rest, I looked into various activities and learned about Korean gap year options, and discovered a Greek village community internship project.Living in a community with people in an eco-friendly space appealed to me. Somehow I felt that the experience thereI also felt an inexplicable attraction, as if it could greatly change my rigid and sensitive self.
If I had worries before leaving, they weren''t much about daily life since I''d be living in a village community. I was a bit worried about potential conflicts with other people there or about experiencing racism.But looking back, they all seem to have been worries I didn''t need to have.
* For Lee Ji-yoon, who had a strong desire to have diverse experiences, a personalized 1:1 daily mission was provided to give her mental space and allow her to reflect on her relationships, and a gap year notebook was also provided so she could look back on herself and make plans.
>> Participation fee 100 won! Go to the Gap Year Mission
# I really didn''t want to do anything.
Preparing to depart was so hard. Because I was attending school, I only had the week between the end of term and my departure to properly prepare. From packing luggage to getting insurance and a phone SIM—having to take responsibility for everything, from trivial to major things, by myself was a big burden.
Even when referring to European travel forums or blogs, there were difficult parts, so I asked my family and friends for a lot of help. And being pressed for time made me scatterbrained, so I organized everything—packing list, schedule, tasks—into an Excel file. I felt a bit obsessive documenting every little thing in files, but thanks to that I was able to finish my gap year without missing or lacking anything.
Honestly, I don''t think I had any grand goals for this gap year. There were just two things.First, because I hated my life so, so, so much; second, I really didn''t want to do anything.Some might laugh and call those pathetic and utterly lethargic reasons, butI was really exhausted before taking a gap year.
My goal was simply to leave Korea and have downtime to rest. At first I felt anxious, thinking, ''Am I being too impulsive and simplistic by leaving like this?'' butRather, because it was simple and my desires were clear, I think it was easier to enjoy the gap year.The thought ''Anyway, as long as I enjoy and rest through anything new!'' always brought me relaxation and joy.
# A daily routine in Greece
First, breakfast is at 8:30 AM. If you want, you can get up earlier and participate in meditation or a yoga program at 7 AM. After finishing the meal, I took part in the Morning Circle with volunteers and staff.In the Morning Circle, we held hands and meditated, shared our feelings, had a brief meeting, and then assigned tasks.
There was no coercive atmosphere, so if you didn''t want to speak you could remain silent, and if there was a task you didn''t want to do, you could freely express that you didn''t want to.After the Circle ended, I worked on my assigned tasks until lunch. Most of the chores were household tasks like laundry, cleaning, sewing, and garden maintenance.
When lunchtime came, we stopped what we were doing, ate, and then had beach time.We rode the village car down to the beach and enjoyed free time for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, either swimming or reading. Volos has many beautiful beaches, so it was enjoyable to go to a different beach each time.
Sometimes we also walked to visit the waterfall. Thanks to that, I was able to see many corners of Volos. After beach time ended, we returned to the village to finish any remaining work or took a short rest before having dinner. After dinner, we could join singing classes, meditation programs, and community games run by other volunteers or workshop participants, and sometimes we gathered at the village café with people late into the night, drinking and chatting.
We also went to other villages to see plays or concerts. Although it wasn''t an organization for Greeks, the local organization seemed to make a strong effort to engage organically with Greek culture. Thanks to that, we went to watch the village festival, andwe learned traditional Greek dances from a Greek dance teacher who came every week, which allowed us to get closer to Greek culture.
# When I expressed my discomfort, everyone respected that feeling.
There were so many enjoyable experiences! It was fun to sing with people in the singing class that took place about once a week, the village festival was fun, and learning Greek dance every Thursday was also enjoyable.
Above all, the most enjoyable moments were probably the evenings when I drank and laughed with people in the village. There was only one unpleasant experience, but it didn''t even take half a day to resolve.
There were always people around who would listen to me, and when I talked about my discomfort, everyone respected that feeling.It was just that it was difficult to summon the courage to open up about those feelings,If you ask for help and express yourself, there are always people around who will talk about the problem with you and help find a solution.
# The biggest thing I learned was how to accept help from others.
The month I spent in the Greek village community was a very precious and tender time for me.I was moved, I had many realizations, and I learned a lot. Among them, the biggest thing I learned was how to accept help from others.
Looking back, even the preparations I had to make before going to Greece and the 10 days I traveled around Greece alone after leaving the community village all felt like processes of learning how to receive help from others. There are so many things in the world you can''t do alone.
In particular, the village volunteers and staff, and the participants who visited briefly for workshops, helped me a great deal. For someone like me who felt unfamiliar with the new environment, they kindly explained not only the village rules but alsothey kindly shared little life tips and always approached me first to start conversations.
At first,I thought, ''Am I bothering those people?'' so it was very difficult to ask for help or ask questions, but gradually I realized that those things are natural and healthy.And when I naturally accepted those things and felt gratitude rather than apology toward them, I felt that I was united with the people of the village as one community.
It was surprising to feel that way from people who were from different cultural backgrounds and of different ages than me in my twenties.I think sometimes that sense of connection was felt just from a warm smile without having to have a long conversation, and sometimes from making eye contact from a distance.
# I could feel without a doubt, ''I am being greatly loved right now!''
Andwhile living in the village community, I could feel without doubt, ''I am being greatly loved right now.''I''m the kind of person who often thinks, ''What if that person dislikes me?''
It was surprising that I, such a person, didn''t doubt the love others gave me and naturally felt grateful for it. I also loved the people who were in the village very much.
To be able to sincerely feel affection for others without any conditions and to live with the people I felt affection for was truly a great experience and happiness.Also, because I knew that that time couldn''t last forever and would be hard to repeat,I tried to do my best each and every day.
I tried to spend each day in the village community without regrets, but when it was time to leave I couldn''t help but feel tears and a sense of loss. Still, I don''t think I was completely swallowed by sadness. The small village I stayed in and the precious people I met there, and I was certain that the countless conversations and emotions I shared with them would remain for a long time.
That there is a space in my heart left with kind people and beautiful memories, and that I have precious memories I can pull out whenever I''m tired.That feels like a valuable gift gained through the gap year project.
# People I met in Greece
The volunteers and staff I spent the month with are what I remember most. A, who helped me adapt quickly with their unique cheerfulness and friendliness.
A was a veteran who had worked at the center for nearly ten years and knew a lot about the local culture and the city of Volos. Sometimes leading people to a waterfall, sometimes to a theater, sometimes to a small jazz club, A enriched life at the center. I still vividly remember the first day we arrived in Volos, shopping at the supermarket with A and exploring every corner of Volos.
Volunteer D, who arrived at the center the same day as me, was full of laughter and brightened the atmosphere. They were also the person who helped me the most at the center. Thanks to D, who looked after me like a mother, it wasn''t hard to adapt to life at the center.
C, who shared a room with me for a week, had a knack for making everyone laugh with cheerful jokes. Behind the playful demeanor there was always warmth. D and C spoke with me without reservation despite my being much younger than them, and they were the people who spent the most time with me.
P, the kitchen keeper, always cooked delicious meals for people. P enjoyed teasing me mischievously, but I think they had a warmer heart, thoughtfulness, and affection than anyone. On the day I left the center, P woke up early to make breakfast and packed a lunchbox for me who was leaving at 7 AM; I felt great gratitude toward P.
I, who was my roommate and drinking buddy for two weeks, could make funny jokes even with clumsy English. Because I talked a lot and was playful, thanks to them I could enjoy myself even in the remote Greek mountains.
Al, who was affectionate like a teacher, and the taciturn Pe were an elderly couple who had spent a long time at the center. Although Al had mobility difficulties, they helped a lot with center tasks and showed the greatest interest in my life in Korea and the travels I would begin after the community life ended.
Stoic and taciturn Pe reminded me of my late grandfather. Pe usually didn''t speak much. But when singing, Pe sang more enthusiastically and loudly than anyone, enjoyed chocolate cake every evening in a way that made observers feel satisfied, and occasionally told a joke that cracked everyone up. At first Pe was hard to approach, but Pe looked at me with the most affectionate gaze and quietly took care of me, and before long became one of the most beloved people at the center. I still miss Pe very much.
From cooking and sewing to tending the garden—G, the all-around entertainer who could do everything, became a good teacher to me.
Thanks to G I became good at sewing, something I had never tried before, and I was able to make Greek-style food. G also gave me a lot of help and guidance in staying true to my own emotions.
Gr was more affectionate and reliable than anyone and took care of the center''s big and small tasks. We didn''t have many conversations, but I remember always communicating with Gr through looks and smiles.
S, nicknamed the ''garden fairy,'' tended the center''s garden full of hydrangeas and sunflowers. S always had a gentle smile, and when D and C left the center and I cried a lot, S comforted me by giving me a calming flower oil—someone I''m very grateful to.
Besides them, the workshop participants who came to and left the village community each week, and the villagers and other center people I met briefly, are also precious connections I met through the gap year project. I miss them all a lot.
# The biggest change is that I put more effort into all the relationships around me than before.
All the encounters I experienced at the center were based on farewells. The center only operates until September, and because many people visit for short workshops or vacations, the time to be together was strictly limited.So those encounters felt very precious to me.
I naturally tried to do my best for everyone, and tried to spend time together more often. But when I thought about it, not only the Greek center, but also my parents and friends in Korea and the casual people I meet—the thought came that perhaps every encounter around me is premised on parting.
So after returning to Korea, I started to do my best in every moment that I previously sometimes found tedious. The biggest change seems to be that I try harder with all the people around me than before.
# For prospective participants
Just have fun and enjoy it! Personally, around the second week my energy ran out so I couldn''t go down to the beach much and didn''t go out often. So conserve your energy early on, and If you participate in all the events and walks provided, your gap year at the center will be even more enjoyable.
# My own gap year TIP
- Language
Perhaps because I had experience living abroad, I had no difficulty using the language. However, Even if someone isn''t fluent in English, everyone at the center understands speech perfectly and listens attentively to others, so language shouldn''t be a major issue.
Personally, I think that even if your language skills are poor, taking the initiative to speak to people and constantly trying to speak English is more important than language ability. Also, because there are many British people at the center, learning some British English expressions will make communication smoother.
- Accommodation
There are several rooms inside the center. Most people live with roommates; in my case I stayed three weeks in a female dormitory for four people. (Although it''s a four-person room, only up to three people ever stayed in the room.) To be honest, I was quite taken aback when I first entered the room I was assigned.
Ants crawled in the bathroom and spiders were in the corners. Since I really dislike bugs, I briefly wondered, ''Can I live well here?'' However, the center regularly treats for ants and provides other maintenance, so I was able to live comfortably without major problems.
Hot water flowed abundantly, and since it''s located in the mountains it''s very cool even in midsummer. If you give up expecting the center accommodation to be like a hotel, you can be satisfied with it. Unlike typical Western houses, the center''s rule is to take off your shoes before entering, so the floors were clean and it felt very comfortable.
Sometimes, though rarely, you may have to change rooms depending on the number of workshop guests. There are also rooms located in the semi-basement, which are very damp. If you have to stay in such a room, bringing a heater from the storage and turning it on occasionally can help somewhat prevent the room from getting damp.
- Meals
There was a meal duty roster responsible for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. I usually participated as a cook/meal duty about two to three times a week. The meals were entirely vegetarian, and on Tuesday evenings—Taverna Night—we could go to the village restaurant and eat meat dishes.
Being vegetarian didn''t mean we ate salads all the time. Since people came from many countries, we could try various national cuisines and occasionally taste Greek dishes. I had various tasty dishes like couscous, pie, pasta, Thai curry and noodles, and because I could prepare meals while laughing with people, meal times at the center were always enjoyable.
- What to bring
The center provides almost all basic daily necessities (except toiletries. Bring toiletries from Korea, and it''s better to buy heavier items like shampoo and conditioner at a local supermarket). Towels and beach towels are also provided, so aside from one spare towel, there was no need to bring other towels.
I was most worried about laundry, but the center had a washing machine, eco-friendly detergent, and everything related to laundry, so the paper detergent I brought from Korea was just extra baggage (there is a volunteer in charge of laundry at the center, and personal laundry costs 2 euros per wash. Interns and volunteers had free laundry).
There were plenty of hangers at the center, so you don''t need to bring them. Personally, items you should definitely bring are skin protection products and insect repellent! The sun is very strong and you go to the beach daily, so sunscreen and a hat are essential. Also, since there are many insects including mosquitoes at the center, it''s good to bring several mosquito sprays or patches.
Also, when eating vegetarian or Western-style food you will surely crave something spicy, so if you have space in your bag it might be useful to bring one or two instant meals. Additionally, there is more time than expected to read, so it''s a good idea to bring plenty of books you''d like to read.
# My personal Greece travel TIP
We had one day off each week, and each time I would walk down to the beach. The path down to the beach is really beautiful and shaded, so it''s not hot and the walk is enjoyable. I also often went to the waterfall near the center. The small waterfall 30 minutes on foot is pretty, but if you go further up there''s another truly majestic and large waterfall. The path up is very rough and somewhat dangerous, but I still can''t forget the majestic waterfall seen from above and the cool valley water.
After leaving the center I traveled around Greece alone, and Greece really seems like a country with many places to visit. Not only the pretty islands, but museums and ruins—I was so absorbed in traveling I barely ate and lost track of time. I traveled to Mykonos, Naxos, Crete, Meteora, and Athens. Among them, Meteora became my favorite place, so I definitely recommend visiting it to anyone going to Greece.
My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
I had a precious experience becoming close with people without barriers and feeling that we were connected to each other.
Learning ★★★★★
I was able to learn a lot not only about the cultures of various countries but also about community life.
Environment ★★★★★
Since it was in the mountains, I was able to fully enjoy the beautiful nature, and there were many pretty beaches nearby.
Safety★★★★★
Because many things were open, I actually felt safe.
Leisure★★★★☆
Because we lived in a group setting, I didn''t have much free time.
What makes this project special
