#Developed the belief that no job is inferior or superior #Australian bartending school; interactions with various people #Gratitude, realization
Through this project I learned that there are many different kinds of people and that no job is inherently superior to another.I am someone from another region, but they didn''t treat me like an outsider and were helpful when I didn''t know something, so I was grateful. Bartending school! Four secrets to their popularity in Australia. Namgung Yoonji, gap-year participant (22, university student) / 4-week gap year |
I happened to find out about a gap year and it led me to carry out this project.
Originally I was living in Korea preparing for university transfer. I love traveling, and by meeting new people and experiencing new things while traveling I broadened my horizons.
I kept losing track of what I should do, so I moved up my plan to go abroad to do what I wanted.I happened to find out about a gap year and it led me to carry out this project.I wanted to go to Australia, and I had always been interested in beverages like coffee and alcohol.
* For Namgung Yoonji, who wanted new experiences and career exploration,daily customized 1:1 missions that broke existing ways of thinking and offered new experiences and challenges were provided, and a gap-year notebook to reflect on oneself and make plans was also provided.
I wanted to figure out what I would do with my life through this gap year.
For language preparation before leaving I attended an English conversation academy and used YouTube and conversation books to become more comfortable with English. I also made a checklist to check and prepare necessary items.
I wanted to figure out what I would do with my life through this gap year.I had traveled more than my friends, which broadened my view of the world and made me fairly open-minded. So during this gap year I recognized that no job is inherently superior to another and...I wanted to pursue and find what I wanted to do.I cancelled my original plan to prepare for a university transfer and came here.
The training room was set up very similarly to a real environment and didn''t feel awkward, so I could participate actively.

1. Hygiene education/practice about food safety
2. Barista
3. Bartending
4. Waiting
I learned these four things at a professional institution over four weeks.You can also obtain the licenses required for work. It wasn''t language study per se, but I think it was an opportunity to learn the language in an unexpected way.
First we listened to the theory, and the rest was practical work which we did and then organized together.The practice room was set up very similarly to a real environment, so it didn''t feel awkward and I was able to participate actively.
Through this project I realized there are many different people, and I also learned that no job is inherently better or worse.I''m an outsider from another region, but they didn''t treat me like an outsider and kindly helped me with things I didn''t know, which I appreciated.
My personal gap year tip

- Language
Not only the language, but learning about the country''s culture as well makes communicating much easier.
- Accommodation
I came partly on a working holiday, so I stayed in a backpackers for the first three days and then lived in a share house.
- Meals
Even if you stay in a backpackers, many places have cooking facilities, so I recommend buying groceries at a nearby market and usually cooking for yourself.There are many Korean or Asian markets nearby, and some supermarkets even sell instant noodles, so buying and eating those is fine too.Dining out occasionally...
- What to bring
- Items I lacked that were problematic / items that were useful: I assumed it would always be hot and packed mostly summer clothes, but it was cold so I had some trouble.
- Useful / problematic items: An adapter — it''s essential in Australia.
- My personal advice to future participants about what to bring
For those who, unlike me, will not be living there and are going only for the project (including travelers), pack as lightly as possible.
To prospective participants

If you want to do it, don''t hesitate — I hope you participate.
It''s an unconventional and great way to see a broader world.
My Melbourne travel spots

I didn''t actually get around much — I stayed only within the city. Still, the city was so different from where I lived that I loved seeing it every day, so I kept walking everywhere.
There is a free tram, so when you’re tired use it, and by train you can reach the sea in about 20–30 minutes, so be sure to visit the beach.Visit the Yarra River and the markets, and use a site called Time Out to find things to do—make sure to enjoy your trip.
My gap year was
Experience★★★★★
It was a good experience; the environment was different from Korea and I took classes with a diverse group of friends.
Learning★★★★☆
The relaxed atmosphere and good instructors allowed me to learn professional terminology as well.
Environment★★★★☆
Everyone actively participated in class, and the instructors were very knowledgeable in their fields, so it was good for learning.
Safety★★★★★
It was centrally located near the station and there were no dangers at all.
Leisure★★★★★
With four classes a week, there was plenty of free time; there was enough time to enjoy travel or other activities.
Through this project I learned that there are many different kinds of people and that no job is inherently superior to another.I am someone from another region, but they didn''t treat me like an outsider and were helpful when I didn''t know something, so I was grateful. Bartending school! Four secrets to their popularity in Australia. Namgung Yoonji, gap-year participant (22, university student) / 4-week gap year |
I happened to find out about a gap year and it led me to carry out this project.
Originally I was living in Korea preparing for university transfer. I love traveling, and by meeting new people and experiencing new things while traveling I broadened my horizons.
I kept losing track of what I should do, so I moved up my plan to go abroad to do what I wanted.I happened to find out about a gap year and it led me to carry out this project.I wanted to go to Australia, and I had always been interested in beverages like coffee and alcohol.
* For Namgung Yoonji, who wanted new experiences and career exploration,daily customized 1:1 missions that broke existing ways of thinking and offered new experiences and challenges were provided, and a gap-year notebook to reflect on oneself and make plans was also provided.
I wanted to figure out what I would do with my life through this gap year.
For language preparation before leaving I attended an English conversation academy and used YouTube and conversation books to become more comfortable with English. I also made a checklist to check and prepare necessary items.
I wanted to figure out what I would do with my life through this gap year.I had traveled more than my friends, which broadened my view of the world and made me fairly open-minded. So during this gap year I recognized that no job is inherently superior to another and...I wanted to pursue and find what I wanted to do.I cancelled my original plan to prepare for a university transfer and came here.
The training room was set up very similarly to a real environment and didn''t feel awkward, so I could participate actively.

1. Hygiene education/practice about food safety
2. Barista
3. Bartending
4. Waiting
I learned these four things at a professional institution over four weeks.You can also obtain the licenses required for work. It wasn''t language study per se, but I think it was an opportunity to learn the language in an unexpected way.
First we listened to the theory, and the rest was practical work which we did and then organized together.The practice room was set up very similarly to a real environment, so it didn''t feel awkward and I was able to participate actively.
Through this project I realized there are many different people, and I also learned that no job is inherently better or worse.I''m an outsider from another region, but they didn''t treat me like an outsider and kindly helped me with things I didn''t know, which I appreciated.
My personal gap year tip

- Language
Not only the language, but learning about the country''s culture as well makes communicating much easier.
- Accommodation
I came partly on a working holiday, so I stayed in a backpackers for the first three days and then lived in a share house.
- Meals
Even if you stay in a backpackers, many places have cooking facilities, so I recommend buying groceries at a nearby market and usually cooking for yourself.There are many Korean or Asian markets nearby, and some supermarkets even sell instant noodles, so buying and eating those is fine too.Dining out occasionally...
- What to bring
- Items I lacked that were problematic / items that were useful: I assumed it would always be hot and packed mostly summer clothes, but it was cold so I had some trouble.
- Useful / problematic items: An adapter — it''s essential in Australia.
- My personal advice to future participants about what to bring
For those who, unlike me, will not be living there and are going only for the project (including travelers), pack as lightly as possible.
To prospective participants

If you want to do it, don''t hesitate — I hope you participate.
It''s an unconventional and great way to see a broader world.
My Melbourne travel spots

I didn''t actually get around much — I stayed only within the city. Still, the city was so different from where I lived that I loved seeing it every day, so I kept walking everywhere.
There is a free tram, so when you’re tired use it, and by train you can reach the sea in about 20–30 minutes, so be sure to visit the beach.Visit the Yarra River and the markets, and use a site called Time Out to find things to do—make sure to enjoy your trip.
My gap year was
Experience★★★★★
It was a good experience; the environment was different from Korea and I took classes with a diverse group of friends.
Learning★★★★☆
The relaxed atmosphere and good instructors allowed me to learn professional terminology as well.
Environment★★★★☆
Everyone actively participated in class, and the instructors were very knowledgeable in their fields, so it was good for learning.
Safety★★★★★
It was centrally located near the station and there were no dangers at all.
Leisure★★★★★
With four classes a week, there was plenty of free time; there was enough time to enjoy travel or other activities.
What makes this project special