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#Greater empathy toward others, reduced prejudice #Bonding with the children, connections with local staff #Heartache, reflection, gratitude
They were so innocent and radiant that it made my heart ache a little. Seeing those children made me reflect as an adult and think a lot. Also, while staying there the local staff were very, very kind and gave off a kind of pure feeling. They treated us so well that...They seemed to have made the Gap Year project a fond memory. The moment my presence shines — sharing happiness with children in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Ryu Ha-eun, Gap Year participant (21, university student) / 2-week gap year |
# I thought I should spend a lot of time with the children and show them lots of affection.
Hello. I am Ryu Ha-eun, a student majoring in early childhood education.
The reason I joined the project was that a friend suggested going on a volunteer trip abroad during vacation and sent me a link to this project. My friend also likes children and knew I was studying early childhood education, so I think they sent me this project and probably...Even if I had looked it up myself, I think I would have chosen a project related to children.
I had experience staying abroad for a month, so I wasn''t particularly scared before joining the project, but that trip was organized by my school and there were guardians. This gap year involved only my friend and me going abroad, so we were a little worried whether we''d be okay on our own.
Gap Year took great care of the preparations before departure, so I read the information they provided carefully and prepared. Through this gap year, I thought I should spend a lot of time with the children and dote on them.
* For Ryu Ha-eun, who wanted new experiences and stimulation, a tailored one-on-one personal mission for self-reflection, new challenges, and new perspectives was provided daily, and a Gap Year notebook was also provided to reflect on oneself and make plans.
# A day in Vietnam
Then the volunteer schedule is over; we have dinner and free time.
# They were so innocent and radiant that it made my heart ache a little.
First, I like children, so I was very happy to be able to be with them, and I thought they were children with wounds, but...They were so innocent and radiant that it made my heart ache a little. Seeing those children made me reflect as an adult and think a lot.
Also, while staying there the local staff were very, very kind and gave off a kind of pure feeling. They treated us so well that...They seemed to have made the Gap Year project a fond memory.
# After the gap year
My impression of Vietnam seems to have improved.
I didn''t know much about Vietnam, but through the gap year, going to the country and spending time with people gave me a good impression of it. I had been afraid of making friends with various people, but that fear seems to have diminished somewhat.
# For prospective participants
Volunteers from various countries gather to volunteer and share accommodations, but personally I regretted not spending much time with them. So...I recommend that future participants spend lots of time with the other volunteers.I would like to say (this).
# My own Gap Year TIP
- Language
I think it''s good to study just a few sentences that you''ll likely need in everyday life.
- Meals
Some of the food suited my taste, but there were many cases where it didn''t, so it would be nice to bring side dishes or things like instant noodles to share.
- What to bring
I should bring all the items I think I''ll need in daily life so living there won''t be inconvenient.
# My recommended places in Ho Chi Minh
If you take the bus to the activity site (I don''t remember the route number) and ride it to the last stop, you can get to De Tham Street.
There are lots of food options and it''s great. I especially recommend Cong Cafe!
My gap year is
Experience★★★★★
Learning★★★★☆
Environment★★★☆☆
Safety★★★★☆
Leisure★★★★★
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
