I resigned last December, went to Cambodia in January for two months of volunteer work, then went to India to learn yoga for two months. I was tired of corporate life and I like traveling, so I decided to quit and take a gap year.
I was getting counseling from another organization and the counselor recommended a gap year, so I decided. Through one consultation with the director I was recommended childcare volunteering in Cambodia, and I chose India because I wanted to go there.
I planned to become a yoga and pilates instructor rather than continue corporate life, so I went to India.
The reason I chose this project is,Learning yoga in India sounded cool. Especially as someone considering becoming a yoga instructor, it was attractive to go to India, the birthplace of yoga, and train there for two months.
At first I took on the challenge with that thought, but as time passed I felt that even just traveling combined with self-reflection was more meaningful than pursuing a career, and thanks to that mindset I was able to focus more on cultivating my inner self than on physical yoga. I chose it for external and internal discipline, but I also wanted some healing.
Above all, I just wanted to enjoy myself... to compensate for my past corporate life, for healing, for travel, and so on.
I wasn''t worried at all about staying abroad for an extended period. I''d done it a lot before, and I thought you need about two months to gain some insight. I didn''t think it would be particularly difficult.
My parents weren''t especially worried, but when my friends heard it was India they were quite concerned and tried to talk me out of it. Still...Rishikesh is considered one of the safer areas in India, so I wasn''t too worried.
Before departing for India, I completed my visa and flight preparations in January. Actually, because I spent busy days volunteering in Cambodia before going to India, I wasn''t really in a position to prepare much. I mainly prepared myself mentally.
After arriving I adapted and learned things as I went by encountering various situations. Regarding my fitness, before going to Cambodia I did two months of yoga and pilates, so I was somewhat familiar with yoga poses.
The project''s daily schedule starts with the first class at 6:30–7:00 AM.We have a meditation class and practice yoga for about an hour and a half before eating. After breakfast and a short rest, various theory classesare attended.
After lunch we rest for about 2–3 hours,attend theory classes, and before dinner we practice yoga again for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. After dinner, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays there is mantra timewhich is held. We all sing and meditate together. After that we each go to our rooms, shower, study for exams, or have personal time.
Above all, there are a few friends who remained especially memorable during the project.They were precious friends whose hearts truly connected, not just surface-level relationships.
There was a day when I botched the yoga exam and cried a lot. I''m the sort of person whose feelings are all shown on my face, so that person probably read my emotions right after the exam. As soon as the exam ended I ran out of the classroom, but that evening they quietly approached me and said, ''You did really well earlier,'' and I really started to cry. They''re a friend I spent 500 hours with; even if not everyone, that person is someone I want to see again and again. I can''t list all the conversations and things we shared, but they were someone I learned a lot from and I''m grateful to them.
My second roommate Jasmine was also really nice and memorable, and I got along very well with the Korean gapper as well.
# Times when I focused on myself and really tried to direct energy inward
What I liked about participating in the project was that, compared to our country, India is so underprivileged that my gratitude for being born and raised in Korea really grew. I returned feeling like a patriot. There were many things I had to give up and compromises to make, so I developed more patience and definitely became less sensitive.
Rather than trying to socialize with others, I focused on myself and made a strong effort to direct my energy inward. It was a time that, through many people and many experiences, helped me realize what I should ultimately focus on.It was.
Comparing before and after participating in the gap year, my impatience disappeared and I really felt the importance of my country and family. I became less sensitive, more patient, and somewhat... more relaxed. AndI came to love myself more. Now when someone compliments me, instead of waving it off and saying no, I can say, ''Yeah, thank you.''
A word to prospective participants: ''Come without pressure, but come prepared.''
If you''re coming for healing and travel, come without pressure, but you should still come prepared. Because the meals and surroundings are very poor.It is.
This is definitely one of the top 3 schools in Rishikesh. It has skilled teachers and a good curriculum. But it''s really overwhelming and it''s really hard to keep up with the classes. In particular, I was preparing to become a yoga instructor and chose the 500-hour intensive course, but as someone whose English isn''t perfect, it was very difficult. I couldn''t properly follow the yoga poses and would barely mimic by watching the person next to me every day. If you do yoga by glancing sideways instead of following the teacher''s instructions, you could get injured...
Also, we had an exam in the first month; it''s not a life-defining exam, but not only I but everyone was very stressed. Because of studying for the exam, nobody really got to rest properly on weekends... everyone.
But I''m proud of myself for overcoming those processes and making it through. I can say that now, but at the time it was really, really hard.If I had at least previewed yoga anatomy, philosophy, and poses in English a bit beforehand, I think I would have been able to follow the classes better.
My gap year tip
(How to get there)
No problems. The pickup driver was waiting with a name sign. A note: as soon as you come out of the gate, several pickup drivers gather, and I looked around there for a while and couldn''t find mine. When I went out once more, he was there and I got in and left fine.
(Language)
If you really plan to choose yoga teaching as a profession and want to learn properly, be sure to prepare/study in advance. Of course, in English.
(Accommodation)
Separate accommodations for men and women were provided, and they were just ordinary.
(Meals)
Because you can''t use a separate kitchen, be sure to bring as many cup noodles as you can. There''s no microwave... I somehow managed to eat during the first month, but in the second month I ate out all the time.
(What to bring)
The schedule was tighter than I expected, so I didn''t even have time to touch my laptop, and the weather was dry and hot so I didn''t need a hair dryer. Clothespins would be useful, and since the yoga mats provided by the school are not great, you can buy one locally but it''s not a bad idea to bring one.
Most things are available locally so you can buy them there, but for women I recommend bringing plenty of sanitary pads from Korea. Also, even if you can''t bring rupees, be sure to bring USD... You may need to buy various things as soon as you arrive at the accommodation (personally toothbrush/toothpaste), but withdrawing money from an ATM is harder than picking stars from the sky. You have to walk at least 20-30 minutes to an ATM and even then it''s often closed... I didn''t see it open even once in two months. Even if you go to town to withdraw cash, there are basically no functioning ATMs. So you might end up paying huge fees and using a jewelry shop to buy cash with a card.
Fortunately I had USD (you''d have to walk at least 40 minutes to exchange), and the yoga teacher changed money with his own funds so I barely managed... At first I couldn''t go to town alone, anyway...It''s best to exchange into rupees before coming, or at least be sure to bring USD.
(Travel)
I stayed only in Rishikesh for two months. Lying down on the riverside beach makes you feel good. If you go to the Royal Café, you can feel the real India while viewing the Himalayas and the Ganges. If you drive a bit, you can go trekking in the Himalayas and see waterfalls.
I didn''t travel to other cities, but the closest city is Agra (where the Taj Mahal is). However, it''s very difficult to travel there with the schedule and it''s physically demanding.
My gap year was
an experience★★★★★
Learning ★★★★☆
Environment ★★☆☆☆
Safety ★★☆☆☆
Leisure ★★☆☆☆
