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Learn English with friends from around the world in the beautiful city of Vancouver, Canada, a place I definitely want to live in.

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    The biggest change is that my inner self has matured more than before.
    It wasn't an easy maturity to obtain, but it was a necessary time and opportunity for me, so it was meaningful.
    After going through a period of accepting myself, I definitely felt that I became stronger, and now I try not to avoid acknowledging my shortcomings.

     

    A beautiful city I definitely want to live in, learning English with friends from all over the world in Vancouver, Canada

    A review from Korea GapYear participant, Cheon Ji-Yeon

     

     

     

    # Hello! I’m back as a professional, upgraded with solid English skills and a stronger inner self.

     

    Hello, I’m Cheon Ji-Yeon, and I’ve grown both in my English ability and personally through the gap year experience.:)
    While working, I discovered that I was losing myself more and more, and I realized I needed a break just for me.

     

    I believe that for positive change in my current situation, the right combination of people, environment, and time is necessary. However, I found it difficult to achieve all three simultaneously in Korea. Also, while taking time for change, I also wanted to improve my inadequate English skills that I had noticed during my work.

     

    Considering the change of environment outside of Korea, rest, and the opportunity to improve my English skills, I sought consulting and decided that Vancouver would be one of my gap year destinations, as it offered many new experiences while also allowing me to learn English in a structured way.

     

    *For 천지연, who was feeling very exhausted due to work life, taking time to rest and having a positive surrounding environment were essential. To bring about effective change for 천지연, we recommended a customized gap year plan through consulting :) If you're wondering where and how to start making changes, and want a personalized plan, I highly recommend a one-on-one consultation with a gap year expert!

    Gap Year 1:1 Consultation - A Sure Way to Change Your Life

     

     

     

    # Express, Relax, Experience, and Fill Yourself Up. You Did It Right :)

     

    During the gap year, I wanted to express myself as much as possible! I had been feeling a lot of anxiety, but instead of focusing on that, I tried to feel more relaxed, and worked on increasing the intensity and frequency of that relaxation. Lastly, I aimed to rediscover myself through various and new experiences :)

     

    Through this process, my confidence definitely grew. I had to properly recover the part of myself that was fading and weakening during the gap year. My efforts really paid off!

     

     

     

    # A Fresh Approach to English, and My Skills Improved Drastically!

     

    One of the reasons I chose a gap year was that it gave me a great opportunity to really learn English. In the past, I learned English through a method focused solely on memorization and getting the right answers. In Vancouver, I learned English by focusing on the process of finding answers, through discussions and debates, which helped me learn English more accurately. I became interested and passionate, enjoying learning it so much. Haha

     

    The people I met were amazing too. As much as I worked hard on my English studies, I am grateful for the teachers who taught me with a tough but clear approach, for foreign friends who shared their goals with me and worked hard toward them, and for all the wonderful memories with my host family that helped me grow in so many ways. All these moments remain precious to me.

     

     

    Of course, there were parts I didn’t expect, but I think I found my own solutions and managed to get through them. For example, there was the homestay. Since I was living with people from different environments and cultures, it was a learning experience. From my own experience, I can say that having honest conversations with the host family and aligning our frequencies with each other worked best for me. It's like how the same temperature might feel comfortable to one person but cold to another. We all feel things differently. By communicating to live well together, you eventually find a comfortable point for everyone.

     

    Another factor was the weather. I visited Vancouver in the winter. At first, I didn’t know that it’s called “Raincouver” during the winter! Thanks to that, I studied English diligently indoors and definitely improved my skills. Haha

     

    By the way, the school I attended had a relatively low number of Koreans, but since Vancouver is so popular among Koreans, it’s easier to speak Korean here compared to other foreign cities. So, if you want to learn and use English, it's up to your own effort. I made an effort to speak English as much as possible with my classmates, native-speaking teachers, and host family. I’m proud of how much my skills have improved with the effort I put in!

     

     

     

    # As I was able to look at myself properly, my inner self became stronger.

     

    The biggest change is that my inner self has matured compared to before. It’s not maturity that came easily, but it was a time and opportunity I really needed, and it was meaningful.

     

    During my gap year, I got to escape from the busy life and spent a lot of time alone. In that time, I finally faced the real me. Facing parts of myself I had ignored before was shocking, and I couldn’t hide anywhere like I used to. Complex emotions came up every moment, and I didn’t know what to do. It took quite some time to accept everything as it was.

     

    However, after spending time accepting myself, I definitely feel that I've become stronger, and I've started to face my shortcomings and try not to avoid them anymore.

     

     

     

    # What’s a day in a language course in Vancouver, Canada like?

     

    I attended English classes from 8:45 AM to 1:50 PM, and after school, I either hung out with friends near the school or spent time alone at home. Every Friday, I had class until 12:30 PM, then I went to friends’ graduation ceremonies to celebrate with them or went to places I wanted to visit with friends.

     

    Vancouver is a great place for learning English in the winter while staying indoors and focusing, and in the summer, you can enjoy outdoor activities in nature, make friends, and keep studying English. There are so many parks and hiking trails, so it’s great to visit them one by one like a stamp rally!

     

     

     

     

    # My own tip for preparing for a language course in Vancouver, Canada!

     

    I'm a super planner, a power J, so I studied all the materials sent by Gap Year a month before departure and prepared everything step by step.

    The consultant was worried because I prepared everything so perfectly, but this process was a time I was excited about, as it was preparing for my own transformation! ☺

     

    Since it was my first time living abroad, and the duration wasn’t short, I turned on my worry mode in real-time and worried a lot. At first, I spent a lot of energy adjusting after arriving in Vancouver, but surprisingly, I overcame it cheerfully and grew even more! ☺ I think if you worry less and prepare the necessary things step by step, you’ll be just fine!

     

     

     

    # My Vancouver Language Study Gap Year!

     

    Experience ★★★★

    I met many different people, built new relationships, learned about their cultures, and had many unforgettable experiences while being immersed in their environment. :) Due to the weather, I spent most of my gap year doing indoor activities and took plenty of time to relax.

     

    Learning ★★★★★

    I was able to learn English in a systematic and proper way!!

     

    Environment ★★★

    If you are someone who cares about the weather, make sure to check the weather in Vancouver during the time you plan to visit! I highly recommend visiting in the summer for those who enjoy active activities.

     

    Safety ★★★

    I was surrounded by people who took care of me and worried about me, so I felt comfortable like I was at home. I could feel that the streets of Vancouver are different from those in Korea.

     

    Leisure ★★★★

    I had plenty of alone time and indoor activities. I spent time watching movies at home with my host family, and also learned how to enjoy my alone time. :)

     

     

    If you're interested in more information about Cheon Ji Yeon's Canada Vancouver Language Study Program, click below!

    Click the banner below!

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