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The best part was that I was able to live as a local in a foreign city that I had always wanted to experience for a longer period. Since I wasn’t just a passing traveler, I was able to really appreciate the small details much more.
- Florence, Italy
Lee So-young, Korea GapYear Participant
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Language
What was my level of English before participating? Basic daily conversation
During the participation No issues
- My personal tip for learning a language?!
Learn some basic Italian before you go~ Locals really appreciate it, and you can quickly become friends.
Preparation
Things I had trouble with due to lack of preparation: Oil! It’s very dry, even in the summer, so my heels cracked.
Convenient item to have: Over-the-counter medication
- My own tip for packing?!
Shampoo, conditioner, cosmetics, etc., can be easily found locally, so you don't need to bring them.
Q. What did you like about the gap year program you participated in?
The best part was that I got to stay as a local in a foreign city that I had always wanted to live in for a long time.
Since I wasn’t just a fleeting traveler, I was able to experience and feel many little things that I wouldn't have otherwise. Also, while staying there, I met a variety of people and learned a lot from them. Through conversations with people from different fields and backgrounds, I was able to reflect on myself through their stories.
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Q. Is there anyone memorable among the people you met during your gap year?
I met a friend at a famous cafe in Florence, and we became close. I was able to learn Italian from them and experience Florence's culture, history, and local lifestyle. Additionally, I went on trips to nearby areas with customers I met while working at a café. Even after returning to Korea, I've kept in touch with those people, and they have become another important connection in my life.
Q. Tips for future participants
The "Want to Live There" program involves helping with guesthouse work in exchange for accommodation and meals. However, I've heard that many gap year participants think, "I'm providing labor, and this is all I get in return?" If you align your opinions with the business owner and show consideration, it can be a win-win situation. But if you have the attitude mentioned earlier, it will only lead to discomfort. For two months, you will be living with the business owner. I believe you'll become closer than friends. By showing more consideration and respect, you could form a crucial relationship in your life.
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Q. How would you compare the time before and after participating in the Gap Year program?
Traveling abroad alone? Could I really do it? I was really scared to travel alone, even within the country. But after spending a few months abroad, traveling alone became no big deal. Even when I ate by myself, I didn't care much about other people's gazes. In fact, I think being alone is an opportunity because people tend to approach me first, talk to me, and I can meet new friends.
Q. Can you share your personal favorite spots in Florence that you discovered during your Gap Year?
Since Florence is the center of the Tuscany region, I traveled a lot around the nearby areas.
In Arezzo, Vinci, Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi, Spello, Bologna, and many other places, you can easily enjoy a full day if you set your mind to it.
In addition, Verona could be enjoyed in a day along with the opera festival, and I also recommend taking about three days to leisurely explore Venice, Rome, and other southern areas.
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Q. Please share your gap year experience in Florence.
I left a stable job after a little over a year. There were many people around me who questioned why I quit such a stable job, but I thought that before getting any older, I should do what I truly want. In the process, I came across the concept of a gap year, and the 'Live There' program perfectly matched my situation. It was a program that would refresh me. Even while traveling, I didn’t want to just pass by the famous spots. I wanted to stay in one place for a long time, become part of that city, and live as a local.
Helping out at the guesthouse wasn’t an easy task. After working hard in the morning, I found myself constantly appreciating the value of my mom, who stays at home. "I’ve only helped for two short months, but she’s been doing this for decades." Thinking about that made it easier to finish the work. The thought that once the job was done, I could do what I wanted and go where I wanted gave me a boost of motivation. On the days when I finished the work perfectly and received compliments, the satisfaction was even greater. ^^
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Italy is an incredibly beautiful place. Florence, in particular, is full of things to see, as it is the heart of Renaissance culture. You can find the red lily symbol everywhere, which represents Florence, as well as the purple color of the Florence football team's uniforms. The beautiful paintings in the Uffizi Gallery, one of the top three art museums in the world, need no further description. The Duomo, made famous by the movie 'Between Calmness and Passion,' is also one of the reasons to visit Florence. However, the most wonderful place for me was the Arno River, with the Ponte Vecchio Bridge as its centerpiece. Watching the sunset from the bridge, the sunlight reflecting on the river, the streetlights that light up as it gets darker, and the musicians singing on the Ponte Vecchio... Florence truly lives up to its reputation as the 'City of Love.'
During my time there, I had the chance to experience many festivals and cultural events, including Pitti Uomo, Notte Bianca, and the largest public holiday in Florence. On each occasion, there were numerous events near the Ponte Vecchio. The huge fireworks display that lasted over an hour, and the water performance on the Arno River, were some of the highlights. Although it was difficult to see everything in the large crowds, it still became a cherished memory.
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On my days off, I traveled a lot around the nearby areas. I spent three days in southern Italy, experiencing the beautiful harbor of Naples, the stunning Mediterranean in Capri, and driving along the beautiful coastal road connecting Positano and Amalfi. I also listened to a beautiful song sung by a gondolier in Venice, and felt an overwhelming sense of emotion at the Verona Arena, known as the stage of dreams. I sent blessings to couples having outdoor weddings in Siena and San Gimignano, and found peace of mind while staying at the Assisi convent. In Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci's hometown, I searched for traces of him, and in Spello, the city of flowers, I enjoyed the world-famous Infiorata flower carpet festival. It truly was my own unique Italy experience. I leisurely enjoyed all the famous and must-see places in Italy that I wanted to experience.
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When traveling, you meet so many people. The sense of familiarity and affection that arises when you randomly run into someone on the street just because they're Korean is so strong. We talk about our travels and offer advice over meals, and sometimes share stories about our lives. If our schedules align, we might plan to visit the same places and spend a day or two together. There are so many connections made through spending a few hours together in joy. Looking back, I remember having meals with people whose names I didn't even know. While it's not possible to stay in contact with everyone you meet while traveling, there are a few people with whom you can build truly valuable connections.
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The end always leaves a sense of longing. That’s why I think it’s possible to look forward to the next time. On the last day in Florence, I revisited the places I had been to and captured them in photos. The gelato shop I often visited, Café Gilli, restaurants, bars, and of course, the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. Every alley, every shop, felt so familiar. The market where I went to buy ingredients, and the Arno River path I jogged along in the evenings. None of these will be forgotten. The Italians I met there, the ones I greeted, and the sense of ease I felt from them. I will remember it all for a long time.
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Coming back to Korea and reflecting on those times, it feels like a distant story. It's as if it were just a dream. But I will definitely go back again. Through an acquaintance, I decided to learn Italian. They say that language is a doorway to another world. Once I become fluent in Italian, I’m sure an opportunity will come for me to go back there. When that time comes, I want to be the one to start conversations and have deep talks with them. I hope that day will come soon, and as soon as possible. ciao ciao.
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