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Korea GapYear

Korea GapYear Impact

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Korea GapYear Social Impact

Korea GapYear’s mission is to create meaningful life changes for each individual.
We focus on each participant and design education meticulously and thoughtfully.
The reasons to live and the exciting changes you will encounter on your GapYear journey
are the core direction and purpose of Korea GapYear.

  • 갭이어
  • 한달살기
  • 사회적기업
  • 위이어
  • 살아가야 할 이유를 찾고 즐겁게 변화하기
  • 삶을 위한 진로 변화
  • 봉사여행
  • 시니어 갭이어
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한국에 갭이어 문화가 필요합니다.

 
청년들은 자신들이 좋아하는 꿈과 진로를 찾을 시간적 여유도 없이, 좋은 성적을 받고 뛰어난 대학에 진학해야 한다는 것을 삶의 목표로 삼게 됩니다. 대학 진학 후엔 자격증과 시험을 통해 대기업과 공기업, 공무원 등에 일률적으로 취업하기를 강요받습니다. 청년 개인에게 가장 필요한 삶의 방향성, 진로와 행복은 무시된 채 삶을 살아갑니다. 청년의 삶과 청년 문제는 단순히 개인이 노력해서 해결해야 하는 문제로 여겨졌습니다. 대학 전공 미스매칭 72.7%, 꿈이 없어 그냥 노는 20대 74만명, 대학 졸업생 취업률 44.5%, 취업 후 1년 내 이직률 40% 등 청년 문제는 점점 심각해져 왔으며, 청년 문제는 이제 개인의 문제가 아닌 함께 해결해야 하는 공공의 문제가 되었습니다.

 

이러한 청년 문제의 해결책을 갭이어라 생각합니다.


한국갭이어는 갭이어 문화를 만들기 위해 2010년에 출범하여 다양한 노력을 하고 있습니다. 갭이어의 한국어 정의를 만들고, 
2011년 청와대 정책 자문 위원단으로 ‘갭이어’ 제도를 정책화할 것을 제안하였습니다. 또한 사회적 문제를 해결하는 사회적기업의 형태로 ‘한국갭이어’를 설립하여, 국무총리 표창, 외교부 장관상 2회, 보건복지부 장관상, 국가생산성대상 사회적경제 부문 수상,
우수 사회적경제 기업 어워드를 수상하기도 하였습니다. 


또한 갭이어 문화 확산을 위해 다양한 노력을 해왔습니다. EBS, KBS, MBC, SBS 등 방송국 및 언론사와 함께 갭이어에 관해 이야기하고, 
다양한 캠페인과 프로젝트 진행을 통해 갭이어 문화를 활성화하고 있습니다. 삼성, 현대자동차, 한화 등과 같은 대기업부터 카이스트, 포항공대 등 대학교까지 여러 단체와 함께 교육을 만들고 진행함으로써 교육을 통한 문화 만들기를 실천하고 있습니다.

 

현재는 세계 51개국에서 봉사/인턴/여행/한 달 살기/전문가 과정/어학연수 등 800여 개 프로젝트를 운영하고 있으며 연간 2,000여 명의 프로그램 참여자분들과 함께 자신의 성장 및 방향성 설계와 함께 좋아하는 진로와 꿈을 찾기 위해 새롭고 다양한 도전들을 하고 있습니다. 한국갭이어는 모든 청년들이 자신의 재능과 성향에 맞는 진로와 꿈을 찾고 자신의 삶을 살아갈 수 있도록 계속해서 다양한 프로그램을 
제공하고 지속적으로 제도적· 행정적 지원을 하여 갭이어 문화를 제대로 정착시키고자 합니다.

Path of GapYear

2022.09

Winner of the 2nd Outstanding Social Economy Enterprise Award
(Amazon AWS·Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency)

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2020

Globally Accredited as a
Quality English Authorized Agency

2020.12

Selected as an Outstanding Enterprise at the 'Social Design Demo Day' (Hosted by the Ministry of Trade and the Korea Institute of Design Promotion)

2012.06

Selected as an Outstanding Company in the Youth and Social Entrepreneur Cultivation Program

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2020.11

Winner of the National Productivity Awards 「Hidden Champions of Productivity – Social Economy Sector」 (Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Organized by the Korea Productivity Center)

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2016.07

Consecutively Selected as a Key Annual Trend: ‘Gap Year’
Recognized as a Major Travel and Youth Keyword by Trend Korea and Expedia Korea

2011

Korea GapYear Established

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2021.07

Government Commendation for
「Contribution to Vitalizing the Social Economy」
Recipient of the Prime Minister's Citation (Ministry of Economy and Finance)

2019.12

Certified as a Creative & Innovative Social Enterprise (Ministry of Employment and Labor)

2018

Official Internship Institution Certification under the Netherlands Vocational Education & Labor Market Cooperationimpact-image

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    Michael Punke

    Vice President of Global Public Policy, Amazon Web Services
    I know that challenges may arise in your life.
    Even if difficulties arise, I hope you keep moving forward.
    I truly believe in your potential to succeed. Stay strong, and I look forward to seeing you achieve great things. I’m rooting for you.
  • Na Young Seok, PD

    Leading TV Producer, South Korea
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    Travel is the best way to learn about life.
    In unpredictable moments, you develop confidence,
    a sense of responsibility, and essential life skills.
    Take this opportunity to explore possibilities you wouldn’t encounter in your everyday life.
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    Gwedo

    Science Communicator
    I have sincerely supported Korea GapYear for a long time as they build Gap Year culture in Korea.
    I truly hope that Korean youth can achieve their diverse dreams and experience more of the world through Gap Year.
  • Shin Jiyai

    World-Class Professional Golfer
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    When I saw Korea Gap Year, I felt like I had stepped into a wonderful restaurant. It feels like there are diverse menus here,
    inviting you to enjoy them to your heart's content. It’s as if someone is holding your hand and giving you a gentle push forward. Let’s take courage together.
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    Rita Marques

    CEO of a Portuguese Social Enterprise
    Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for our ongoing collaboration with Korea GapYear.
    We have built a truly fruitful partnership over the many years of working together.
    We are very proud of the amazing experiences provided to participants and the many other achievements we have shared.
    We wholeheartedly recommend Korea GapYear to those who have not yet experienced it and look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future.
  • Virginie COURAU

    CEO of a French Professional Education Institution
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    I have always been grateful for many things while working with Korea GapYear over the years. They provide students with high-quality care and
    recommend programs tailored to each student, guiding them toward self-development. These qualities are impressive,
    and Korea GapYear’s professional and efficient system ensures highly effective outcomes in every collaboration.
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    Youjin Jeong

    Manager of a Maltese Professional Education Institution
    Korea GapYear provides guidance so that participants can engage in activities within a structured system,
    and most participants come well-prepared with a strong understanding of the local environment.
    We are grateful for Korea Gap Year’s dedicated efforts and wish them continued success and growth.

GapYear Trademarks

“갭이어” and “GAPYEAR” are registered trademarks of Korea GapYear.
They must not be used without Korea Gapyear's permission. Unauthorized use constitutes trademark infringement and may result in civil liability and criminal penalties.
Korea Gap Year will take strict legal action against any trademark infringement.

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Certificate of Service Mark Registration.

    [Korea Gapyear] Registration No. 41-0303872 / Class 41
    [Korea Gapyear] Registration No. 41-0308341 / Class 35
    [Korea Gapyear] Registration No. 41-0329918 / Class 39
    [한국갭이어] Registration No. 41-0303873 / Class 41
    [한국갭이어] Registration No. 41-0308340 / Class 35
    [한국갭이어] Registration No. 41-0329916 / Class 39

Certificate of Trademark Registration

    [갭이어, GAPYEAR] No. 40-1325440 / Class 41
    [갭이어, GAPYEAR] No. 40-1325441 / Class 39
    [갭위크, GAPWEEK] No. 40-1324953 / Class 41
    [갭위크, GAPWEEK] No. 40-1325439 / Class 39
    [갭데이, GAPDAY] No. 40-1324949 / Class 41
    [갭데이, GAPDAY] No. 40-1324948 / Class 39
    [위이어, We Year] No. 40-1812743 / Classes 14, 18, 25, 41, 44
    [Peak Year] No. 40-1877161 / Classes 14, 18, 25, 41, 44
    [핔이어] No. 40-1877162 / Classes 14, 18, 25, 41, 44
    [픽이어] No. 40-1909743 / Classes 14, 18, 25, 41, 44

KoreaGapYear Partners

Government Agencies
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    Seoul Metropolitan Government
    Yongsan District Office
    Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
    Gwangju Metropolitan City
    Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
    Hwasun County Office
    Siheung City Hall
    Seoul Social Economy Center
    Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency
    Korea Institute of Design Promotion
    Korea Tourism Organization
Foundations / Corporations
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    Samsung Dream Scholarship Foundation
    GKL Social Contribution Foundation
    Working Together Foundation
    Seoul Welfare Foundation
    SK Happiness Sharing Foundation
    Merry Year Foundation
    Artists Welfare Foundation
    Incheon International Airport Corporation
    K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation)
    Yeongdeungpo Youth Architecture School
    Alba Heaven
    Association of Families of School Violence Victims
    Naver Happy Bean
    Korea Scout Association
    Korea Agricultural Education Association
    Korea Deaf University Students Association
    One Music Foundation
    Yuhan-Kimberly
    Seoul SR Center
    MG Community Credit Cooperative
    Yongsan Education & Welfare Center
    WeYear Social Cooperative
    Haemil School
Educational Institutions
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    Sungkonghoe University
    Korea University of Foreign Studies
    Shin Ansan University
    Yuhan University
    Hangaram High School
    University of Hong Kong
    Hanyang University
    Konkuk University
    The University of Hong Kong
    University of the Arts London
    Florence University of the Arts
    Hong Kong Baptist University
    Fudan University
    Thammasat University
    Mediacollege Amsterdam
    Quality English
    StudyTravel Network
    ICEF
    ROC van Amsterdam
    Nimeto