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#A more positive mindset and an attitude of gratitude #NGO internship experience; exploration of career aptitude #Satisfaction, growth, gratitude
Rather than staying at the accommodation all the time, going out and visiting various places... It helps a lot in adapting.After participating in this project, I think I became more positive and developed an attitude of gratitude. Vietnam NGO internship for growing into a professional in education development Lee Ji-won, Gap Year participant (22, university student) / 6-week gap year |
# I wanted to ask myself whether I was the kind of person who could work at an NGO.
Hello. I''m Lee Ji-won. I am currently majoring in psychology at university. I am also studying education as a minor. The reason I decided to participate in this project is...I applied because I thought it was an opportunity to try working at an education-related NGO.I thought it would be a good opportunity to consider whether work in this field suits me.
For pre-departure preparations, Gap Year held the orientation via Skype, and the Gap Year team helped well with the preparation process.
Through this project, I...I wanted to ask myself whether I was someone who could work at an NGO. That was probably my goal.
* For Lee Ji-won, who was worried about career choices, daily personalized 1:1 missions for exploring aptitudes and new challenges were provided, and a Gap Year notebook was also given to reflect on oneself and make plans.
# A day in Vietnam
You can have breakfast freely until 10 AM. They provide bread, fruit, milk, cereal, etc.
However, I prefer sleeping, so I rarely had breakfast. I woke up around 8, left the accommodation at 8:30, and arrived at the office by 9. I worked until after noon, and then went out with office colleagues to a nearby local restaurant for lunch.
Work ended at 4 PM, and I think I got back to the accommodation around 4:40. (If you take a Grab taxi, it takes about 20 minutes.) If I didn''t have evening plans, I rested at the accommodation, ate dinner, showered, and spent personal time.
# I was glad to learn how to work through this project.
The most impressive thing in Vietnam was riding a scooter with three or more people. I had never thought I would ride a scooter in my life, but unexpectedly I rode one often. The best part was riding a scooter and going to eat local food with the staff.
While I was there, the staff were kind, and the timing was such that I was able to participate in preparing for the NGO''s largest annual event, which I really enjoyed.Also, I was glad to be able to learn through this project.
# People I met locally
During this project, I became really close with the staff working at the local organization. We still keep in touch. Foreign friends who shared the same room and those who worked with me in the office also keep in contact. And I also became close with Korean friends who came to Vietnam at the same time.
It was nice to be able to travel a lot while staying in Vietnam, and it was also nice that family and friends came to visit Vietnam and we had enjoyable trips together. I was also impressed by the fun times I had with local intern friends.
# For prospective participants
You may be more surprised by unfamiliar environments than you expect. But each time, the local organization''s staff always help. Rather than staying at the accommodation, going out and visiting various places helps much more in adapting.
After participating in this project, I think I became more positive and developed an attitude of gratitude.
# My Gap Year Tips
- Language
I think you need the mindset to approach others first with confidence.
- Accommodation
It''s best to leave laundry at a laundromat near the accommodation. It''s very cheap (1,000 won per kg) and much more convenient than using the washing machine in the lodging.
There are convenience stores around the accommodation, making it easy to buy things. Grab taxi fares are really cheap, so I recommend using taxis! Indochina Mall is near the accommodation; there are places to eat and a Starbucks. There''s a Koreatown called ''My Dinh'' where there are many Korean restaurants—I recommend it.
Also, they deliver from My Dinh to the accommodation! It''s good to explore the area around the lodging (nice cafes, clothing stores, laundromats, etc.). I also recommend traveling while doing the internship. Since people usually have days off from Friday to Sunday, friends often travel during that time.
- Meals
There is a chart/board where you can check whether you''ll eat a meal that day. Breakfast is prepared automatically. For lunch and dinner, you just mark on the board (the date and time for lunch or dinner) with your name or a circle.
Some friends buy meals, some cook for themselves, and sometimes people go out to eat a lot, so just check for the meal times. Koreatown is about a 15-minute taxi ride away, and Hanoi city center is about 30 minutes, so friends can go eat a lot of delicious food together.
- Things to bring
Be sure to bring well-drying, sturdy slippers and a personal water bottle. Also, it''s good to bring sneakers, a backpack, and disinfectant.
# My Vietnam travel spots
When going to Halong Bay, don''t take a day trip; I recommend a 1-night, 2-day cruise trip. It''s much more relaxing and I highly recommend it.
For Ninh Binh, I recommend a day trip.
My gap year
Experience ★★★★☆
Every moment I spent in Vietnam was a new experience and challenge. From adapting to a new environment to new food, new people, a new atmosphere, and the streets—everything was always fresh.
Learning ★★★★☆
I think I learned how to get along with various people. I became more proactive and actively socialized with others. Also, through the internship, it was a good opportunity to think about whether I fit this line of work.
Environment ★★★★★
It''s a bit far from Hanoi''s tourist center, but that''s why it''s quieter. Koreatown is nearby, and if you find restaurants or cafes you like, you can have an even more fun gap year.
Safety ★★★★★
The neighborhood was very safe. The office where I did my internship was also located in a very clean and safe place, so it was great.
Leisure ★★★★★
Since days off are from Friday, it''s good for leisure activities. You can travel, and if you want to extend by a day or two, you can usually do so if you first obtain permission or understanding.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
