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A Cheerful and Special Volunteer Activity with Foreign Friends at a Cambodian Convent

#Learned to find happiness in small things #Gained understanding of other cultures and a broader perspective #The joy of regaining vitality in a difficult life

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    The volunteer work in Cambodia that I went on when university life was overwhelming and difficult taught me a lot.

    Seeing the Cambodian people''s always bright, smiling faces taught me to also feel happiness in small things,

    and living and talking with friends of various nationalities broadened my perspective on other cultures!

     

    A cheerful and special volunteer experience at a Cambodian convent with foreign friends!

    Eunhye Lee, gap year participant (21)

     

     

     

     

    # When university life and studying were overwhelming and difficult, I joined a gap-year overseas volunteer program on a friend''s recommendation!




    Hello. I''m Eunhye Lee, an ordinary college student majoring in nursing.

    University life was overwhelming and studying was difficult, and a friend suggested that before the semester started I visit another country and participate in an overseas volunteer program, introducing me to a place called Korea Gap Year. I browsed the Korea Gap Year website without much thought and, thinking it would be a good life experience, decided to join a project. Among the many gap year projects, since I like children I looked for volunteer work with kids and chose an overseas volunteer project that cares for children in Cambodia.

    *For Eunhye, who wanted enough rest and time to think about her future and grow,a relaxed schedule of activities and a tailored one-on-one personal mission every day to consider life''s direction were provided, and a Gap Year Note to reflect on herself and make plans was also supplied.




    # Preparations before departing for Cambodia!

     


     

    Before departing for Cambodia for the overseas volunteer program, the Gap Year coordinator frequently sent preparation items by email and checked with me, so preparing according to that made things much easier than doing it alone.

     

    And to prepare for any unforeseen situations, I carefully arranged travel insurance and emergency medicine!

     

     

     

    # Seeing the Cambodians'' always bright, smiling faces, I learned from them that they find happiness in small things.

     



    Through my time in Cambodia, first of all,I wanted to brighten the life that had been worn down by difficult university life, and another goal was to experience making someone else happy through my help.

     

    In Cambodia, where I normally wouldn''t have a chance to meet friends from other countries, I liked living in the same accommodation, eating together, and talking about various topics through the overseas gap year volunteer program.




     


    Also, seeing the Cambodians'' always bright, smiling faces made me realize they find joy in small things, and I tried to emulate that,and on the last day, saying goodbye to the children was very sad, but seeing them made me realize anew that I should not complain about my life going forward.

     

    At first, because it was an overseas volunteer program, I often hesitated to tell my friends that I wasn''t good at English, but gradually,as time passed, I started saying what I wanted to say first and gradually narrowed my fears.In our country we don''t say ''thank you'' that often, but while doing the Gap Year project I found myself saying ''thank you'' for everything, and it seemed to make my mindset more positive :)

     





    # Daily routine in Cambodia and my personal travel recommendations!

     


    Usually I''d get up and be ready by around 8:45, take a tuk-tuk to the convent, do morning volunteer work until 11, then because lunch break is long I''d return to the accommodation to rest, take a tuk-tuk again at 2:45 for afternoon volunteer work, come back around 5, and then spend the rest of the time freely.

    There''s a Starbucks two minutes from the accommodation provided by the local Cambodian volunteer organization, and I recommend visiting the Russian Market, which is about a 10-minute walk away,and what I most recommend is Pyongyang naengmyeon. You must try it.And unfortunately my friend was sick so I couldn''t visit Angkor Wat, but people say it''s definitely worth a visit. Even if it''s far, you won''t regret going.






    # My Cambodia volunteer gap year TIP!



    - Language
    : Of course, if you can speak English fluently you''ll be able to communicate more comfortably with the friends volunteering with you, but even if your English isn''t fluent you can get by with body language, so you don''t need to worry too much!

    - Accommodation & Meals
    : The accommodation is fairly clean and decent, but the weather can be hot so I recommend bringing a small personal hand fan! The food was generally okay, but you might miss Korean food, so bring ramen or instant meals.

    - What to Bring
    : I prepared travel insurance and packed extra emergency medicine!



    My gap year!

    Experience★★★★★
    : When I was a college student it was double the benefit — I could experience the culture of a new country and volunteer at the same time!


    Learning★★★★
    : Living with French and Japanese roommates helped me understand and accept different cultures, and through the children I met at the convent I feel like I learned how to be happier.


    Environment/Leisure★★★



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Why This Project

What makes this project special

#Rest & Recovery#Self-Esteem & Confidence#Inner Peace & Fulfillment#Growth Through Love#Transforming a Child's Life#Change in Life Attitude#Improved Communication#Real Project#Convent Volunteering#Saving Lives#Creating Love in the Heart#Educational Planning#Practical English Use#Expressing Myself#Regaining Confidence#Being Loved#Healing Emotional Wounds#Discovering a New Me#Growing#Recovering Self-Esteem

Take just one brave step.
GapYear will take care of the rest.