#Increased self-esteem; developed good habits #A sense of accomplishment from planning my own trip #Pride; grateful for the great people I met

I felt proud because I had accomplished it by myself, and I was also able to strengthen the bond with the friends who went with me. I also think I met some unexpectedly good people.
Because of that, I met a lot of really good people in the Philippines.
Study English without stress and enjoy it — that''s all! Park Gyuri, gap-year participant (gapper) (21, university student) / 6-week gap year |
# I always wanted to try new challenges but lacked the courage to start.

Hello. I''m Park Gyuri. After finishing gap-year consulting, I went to Cebu for a two-month language study. I''m currently a university student and went during my summer vacation.
Before starting my gap year I always wanted to take on new challenges but didn''t have the courage to start.
Also, I was always worried because the gap between the ideal me and the real me was large.So, I wanted to take time to reflect on and get to know myself more in a new environment, so I joined the project.
* For Park Gyuri, who had a strong desire to change herself, customized 1:1 personal missions for self-reflection, new experiences, and challenges were provided daily, and a gap-year notebook to reflect and make plans was also provided.
# I brought things I needed to help me reflect while I was there.

I prepared before leaving according to the email materials the staff sent.
Honestly, I went in a bit of a hurry, but I wasn''t particularly rushed.Also, because I went to deeply reflect on myself, I brought things I needed to help me think while I was there.Books, notebooks, a diary, materials, and a laptop, things like that.
For this gap year, my goals were
1. Understand myself
2. Have new experiences
3. Take on challenges.
I set out with these goals in mind.
# A day in the Philippines

You can have breakfast starting at 7:20 after waking up. After eating, class start times vary by schedule, but I had class from 8:50, starting with the second period. Classes are 45 minutes with 5-minute breaks in between. At 12 you have lunch and rest a bit, then classes resume from 1 PM.
I had one break in the middle and classes ended at 5 PM. On Wednesdays there is a Zumba dance event at school after 5; otherwise you can have dinner at 5:30. On Fridays there is a graduation ceremony. After that, the time is free.
# I felt proud because I accomplished it myself.

There were so many memorable moments in Cebu, but the most memorable thing was traveling on my own with friends rather than taking a tour.It was the time — from preparing and submitting the overnight leave form by 2 PM on Friday, planning the trip, getting up early to haggle with taxi drivers, to heading to new places in a new country.
By preparing and traveling like this, I was able to feel and experience the local life more. Also, I felt proud because I accomplished it myself,I was able to strengthen the bond with the friends who went with me. I also met some unexpectedly good people.
Because of that, I met many really good people in the Philippines.Including my roommates, friends, teachers, the guards, and the locals I met outside.
# Taking on many challenges raised my self-esteem compared to before.

After my gap year, I was able to organize my thoughts and gained good experiences and habits.
Things like the habit of writing a diary, keeping a household ledger, and having a regular routine such as wake-up times.I was able to view what I had originally felt from a new perspective, and by taking on many challenges my self-esteem increased more than before.
Above all, I practiced expressing my thoughts a lot, so I became somewhat accustomed to it.
# To prospective participants

I think it''s important to feel the life there, decide what you want to do, and try to improve things.I believe an attitude of wanting to develop yourself is important.
Don''t be afraid to take on challenges, break the mental framework you used to have, and approach things proactively — I think you''ll naturally gain a lot.
Also, it would be good to get into the habit of writing down what you did each day and how you felt. I started in the middle, but it helped me organize my thoughts and naturally gave me time for reflection.
# My gap year tips

- Language
If you talk a lot with your roommate, your English will inevitably improve. Try to use expressions learned in class and new knowledge in everyday life.
- Accommodation
Bring cockroach repellent. Always put money in your suitcase and lock it.
- Meals
Overall it''s edible. Instant cup noodles can be bought locally.
- What to bring
About a week before leaving, slowly prepare the items I habitually use.
# My recommended destinations in the Philippines

Danasan Eco Park – a place with many activities.
Mactan Newtown Beach – close to accommodations where you can enjoy water sports.
Biga Pit – a place where a lake was created in an abandoned mine area.
Osmeña Peak – similar to Bohol''s Chocolate Hills. It''s the highest point in Cebu.
Cart Zone – a place in Cebu city where you can ride go-karts.
Mount Pinatubo – I haven''t been, but it''s worth visiting if you want to experience vast nature. It''s near Manila and there are hot springs at the foot of the mountain.

My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
You can have many new experiences.
Learning ★★★★★
I was able to learn and grow through new experiences.
Environment ★★★★☆
It may not be perfectly clean, but I enjoyed living in the dorm with the kids.
Safety ★★★★☆
Traffic rules aren''t strictly enforced, so be careful when crossing at traffic lights. (People may walk while signaling drivers to stop with their hands)
Leisure ★★★★☆
It''s a place for studying, but you can enjoy leisure on weekends. There are also many school programs like Zumba dance.

I felt proud because I had accomplished it by myself, and I was also able to strengthen the bond with the friends who went with me. I also think I met some unexpectedly good people.
Because of that, I met a lot of really good people in the Philippines.
Study English without stress and enjoy it — that''s all! Park Gyuri, gap-year participant (gapper) (21, university student) / 6-week gap year |
# I always wanted to try new challenges but lacked the courage to start.

Hello. I''m Park Gyuri. After finishing gap-year consulting, I went to Cebu for a two-month language study. I''m currently a university student and went during my summer vacation.
Before starting my gap year I always wanted to take on new challenges but didn''t have the courage to start.
Also, I was always worried because the gap between the ideal me and the real me was large.So, I wanted to take time to reflect on and get to know myself more in a new environment, so I joined the project.
* For Park Gyuri, who had a strong desire to change herself, customized 1:1 personal missions for self-reflection, new experiences, and challenges were provided daily, and a gap-year notebook to reflect and make plans was also provided.
# I brought things I needed to help me reflect while I was there.

I prepared before leaving according to the email materials the staff sent.
Honestly, I went in a bit of a hurry, but I wasn''t particularly rushed.Also, because I went to deeply reflect on myself, I brought things I needed to help me think while I was there.Books, notebooks, a diary, materials, and a laptop, things like that.
For this gap year, my goals were
1. Understand myself
2. Have new experiences
3. Take on challenges.
I set out with these goals in mind.
# A day in the Philippines

You can have breakfast starting at 7:20 after waking up. After eating, class start times vary by schedule, but I had class from 8:50, starting with the second period. Classes are 45 minutes with 5-minute breaks in between. At 12 you have lunch and rest a bit, then classes resume from 1 PM.
I had one break in the middle and classes ended at 5 PM. On Wednesdays there is a Zumba dance event at school after 5; otherwise you can have dinner at 5:30. On Fridays there is a graduation ceremony. After that, the time is free.
# I felt proud because I accomplished it myself.

There were so many memorable moments in Cebu, but the most memorable thing was traveling on my own with friends rather than taking a tour.It was the time — from preparing and submitting the overnight leave form by 2 PM on Friday, planning the trip, getting up early to haggle with taxi drivers, to heading to new places in a new country.
By preparing and traveling like this, I was able to feel and experience the local life more. Also, I felt proud because I accomplished it myself,I was able to strengthen the bond with the friends who went with me. I also met some unexpectedly good people.
Because of that, I met many really good people in the Philippines.Including my roommates, friends, teachers, the guards, and the locals I met outside.
# Taking on many challenges raised my self-esteem compared to before.

After my gap year, I was able to organize my thoughts and gained good experiences and habits.
Things like the habit of writing a diary, keeping a household ledger, and having a regular routine such as wake-up times.I was able to view what I had originally felt from a new perspective, and by taking on many challenges my self-esteem increased more than before.
Above all, I practiced expressing my thoughts a lot, so I became somewhat accustomed to it.
# To prospective participants

I think it''s important to feel the life there, decide what you want to do, and try to improve things.I believe an attitude of wanting to develop yourself is important.
Don''t be afraid to take on challenges, break the mental framework you used to have, and approach things proactively — I think you''ll naturally gain a lot.
Also, it would be good to get into the habit of writing down what you did each day and how you felt. I started in the middle, but it helped me organize my thoughts and naturally gave me time for reflection.
# My gap year tips

- Language
If you talk a lot with your roommate, your English will inevitably improve. Try to use expressions learned in class and new knowledge in everyday life.
- Accommodation
Bring cockroach repellent. Always put money in your suitcase and lock it.
- Meals
Overall it''s edible. Instant cup noodles can be bought locally.
- What to bring
About a week before leaving, slowly prepare the items I habitually use.
# My recommended destinations in the Philippines

Danasan Eco Park – a place with many activities.
Mactan Newtown Beach – close to accommodations where you can enjoy water sports.
Biga Pit – a place where a lake was created in an abandoned mine area.
Osmeña Peak – similar to Bohol''s Chocolate Hills. It''s the highest point in Cebu.
Cart Zone – a place in Cebu city where you can ride go-karts.
Mount Pinatubo – I haven''t been, but it''s worth visiting if you want to experience vast nature. It''s near Manila and there are hot springs at the foot of the mountain.

My gap year is
Experience ★★★★★
You can have many new experiences.
Learning ★★★★★
I was able to learn and grow through new experiences.
Environment ★★★★☆
It may not be perfectly clean, but I enjoyed living in the dorm with the kids.
Safety ★★★★☆
Traffic rules aren''t strictly enforced, so be careful when crossing at traffic lights. (People may walk while signaling drivers to stop with their hands)
Leisure ★★★★☆
It''s a place for studying, but you can enjoy leisure on weekends. There are also many school programs like Zumba dance.
What makes this project special