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#Increased initiative and confidence; enhanced connection with animals #Singapore wildlife volunteering; efforts to communicate in English #Fulfillment, happiness, gratitude
Before participating, I was passive and hesitant to step forward. However, by genuinely connecting with the animals and talking with local people, I gradually gained confidence, and it seems to have helped my shy personality to some extent.I want to sincerely thank GapYear for giving me this experience. There is so much I want to say and so many feelings I had, but I regret that I can''t put them all into words.
Volunteering to rescue rare wild animals injured in body and mind in Singapore Kwon Sunjae, GapYear gaper (21, university student) / 2-week GapYear |
# I usually like and am interested in animals.
For pre-departure preparation, I visited the GapYear website to read reviews and prepared by reading the pre-departure checklist and materials sent by GapYear one by one. I watched YouTube videos to get familiar with Singapore and studied basic English conversation and important aspects of Singaporean culture (especially rules to follow).
* For Mr. Kwon Sunjae, who wanted to find his career path and future direction,daily missions for career exploration, tailored 1:1 personal missions for self-exploration and new challenges were provided, and a GapYear Note was also provided to reflect on oneself and make plans.
# I wanted to change my previously passive personality to be at least a little more active.
The goal of this project was that before going on the volunteer trip, I had been spending meaningless days without any goals and living without clear objectives or triggers,I wanted to set personal commitments and goals through overseas volunteering, and to learn more and become more fluent in my imperfect English.
Also, by talking and adapting with people from various countries,I aimed to change my passive personality to be at least a little more proactive.
# My first impression of Singapore was ''beauty''.
At first I worried a lot about whether I could do well, and I was afraid I might not be able to adapt to the unfamiliar language and culture. However, my thoughts changed as soon as I arrived at the airport. Although my body and mind were exhausted from the long waiting time and long flight,my first impression of Singapore was ''beauty''.The airport blended with plants, and seeing how well it was kept made me feel comfortable.
The sky and weather happened to be very clear that day, so I looked forward to all the activities in Singapore and gained confidence that I could work hard. When we arrived at the local organization, the staff called our names and welcomed us to Singapore. They showed us the organization''s office, dining area, restrooms, and accommodation, and told us to rest well on the Monday we arrived.
On the first night I couldn''t sleep well from excitement and anticipation. Thoughts like ''what kind of work will it be, can I do well?'' made me fall asleep late.
# A day in Singapore
First, we had a simple breakfast at 9, and the day’s work began at 9:30. We had lunch from 1, and then resumed work at 2. After preparing food to give to the animals, we distributed the prepared food at 4, cleaned up, and the workday ended at 5.
Right next to the accommodation, if you open the barred gate and go in, there''s a kitchen where food for the animals is prepared, and after passing the kitchen the treatment room is at the front. If you go through another barred gate toward the back, snakes, iguanas, monkeys, and pig-nosed turtles were being kept under protection. It was made of cement and felt relatively clean.
I felt that they were an organization that truly loves and genuinely protects animals.
Because the local organization is an animal protection group, they follow a vegetarian diet.Therefore all the food was vegetarian. There were side dishes that looked like meat, but they explained that they were made from soy.
At first I ate something like a flour pancake filled with sweet potato or kabocha (pumpkin) mousse, which you dip into curry.
It was really delicious. Surprisingly, Singaporean dishes don''t have strong spice aromas and are generally quite tasty. Because I ate vegetarian food often I started to get used to it, and thinking it was making me healthier, I found it really delicious later.
I cleaned and decorated the iguana enclosure, and a local staff member told me that iguanas won''t eat if their enclosure isn''t planted with grass or isn''t attractive! When you leave the work area there is a place behind or across from the kitchen that''s overgrown with plants. We would take scissors, cut plants from there, and use them to decorate the iguana enclosure.
Watching the local organization prepare everything individually according to the animals'' preferences,I felt that they were an organization that truly loves and genuinely protects animals.
Now that I think about it, it really flew by.
What was good about this project was realizing that there are more injured wild animals than I had thought, and that many animals are being traded illegally. Because of this, I was able to approach the animals we protect more sincerely, andeven when things were hard or difficult, I could feel rewarded and happy.
The person who stood out to me during the project was one of the staff, Yujin. Yujin always greeted us with a smiling face, and whenever we were doing something for the first time or didn''t understand a situation, she would always demonstrate first and treat us very kindly.She also explained Singapore to us in detail, step by step, when she saw us struggling in an unfamiliar land.
Contrary to my worries like ''What will I do for two weeks? Can I be overseas for such a long time?'',Now that I think about it, it really flew by.
Reflecting on each day was truly joyful, and now that I think about it I really miss Singapore.Living with an animal-loving organization, even for a little while, seemed to transform both my body and mind toward actions that care for animals..It was a volunteer experience that gave me a lot, and I think I gained special experiences while enjoying myself and smiling.
Before participating I was passive and hesitant to step forward. But by genuinely connecting with the animals and talking with the local people, I gradually gained confidence, and it seems to have helped my reserved personality a bit.
I want to say thank you to Gap Year for giving me this experience. I have so much I want to say and many feelings, but it''s a pity I can''t put them all into words. Thank you again, and I hope to create another special activity through Gap Year next time! Thank you!!
# My Gap Year TIP
First, be sure to bring Korean food! You may get used to things later, but you''ll still miss Korean food a lot. Bringing simple side dishes like kimchi or canned tuna to eat with you will help a lot.
- Language
If you don''t know how to say something, you should force yourself to speak. Even using your hands and body, it''s important to try to say a bit more English.
- Meals
Since the food may not suit your taste, it''s good to bring kimchi or gochujang to eat with it. Also, since it''s vegetarian there, if you find it difficult you might want to bring a little ham or some sausages.
# My Singapore Travel TIP
First, there are shuttle buses until 7 PM, so it''s never inconvenient. The best route I traveled was: the center → Arab Street (Sultan Mosque) → Marina Bay Sands → watch the Marina Bay Sands fountain → Supertree Show → back to the center.
My gap year
Experience★★★★★
I don''t think you could ever experience this in Korea or other countries. Even in poor conditions, if you have a heart for the animals you can get through it, and it will be a special experience.
Learning★★★★☆
Because there is more physical work than language-related work, language wasn''t a big part and I didn''t have many opportunities to use English. However, I gained many realizations about the animals'' situations and realities, and I had plenty of time to reflect on myself.
Safety★★★★★
Even at work, tasks like cutting fruit, retrieving food, and cleaning the turtles'' enclosure aren''t difficult. Also, outside of work, as befits Singapore''s reputation, it feels really safe. The streets are very clean and people were very friendly. I felt there was nothing to be afraid of even when traveling alone.
Leisure★★★★☆
On weekdays you are free from 5 PM, and on weekends you have all your time free, so I think you can fully enjoy leisure activities.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
