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Protecting Nature with My Own Hands! Iceland Environmental Protection Volunteering

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    I loved how interacting with friends from different countries made it okay not to know things in certain situations. It felt liberating because, let’s face it, when you meet people of various nationalities, with different cultures, races, and backgrounds, it’s natural to encounter things you don’t know. Not knowing wasn’t a big deal—it was just natural, and that made me feel at ease. Plus, there were many people better at things I struggled with, and I learned so much from them.

     

    Protecting nature with my own hands! Iceland Environmental Protection Volunteer Program

    A review from Jeong Jiyu, Korea GapYear Participant

     

     

    Hello! I'm a university student who just fulfilled a long-time bucket list in Iceland.

     

    Hello! I’m a university student who volunteered in Iceland this May through Korea Gap Year.

     

    There were two main reasons why I decided to join a volunteer program in Iceland. First, the fact that the volunteer site wasn’t in a developing country but in ‘Iceland.’ I used to think volunteering was something done only in underdeveloped countries. However, the fact that this program was set in the highly developed ‘Nordic region’ and specifically in ‘Iceland’ piqued my curiosity.

    Second, it reminded me of my long-held wish to participate in a beach cleanup. Back in elementary school, I saw news about the oil spill off the coast of Taean. I remember watching citizens band together to clean the beaches, and it left a lasting impression. Since then, I’ve wanted to take part in a similar volunteer activity when I grew up.

    The Gap Year program allowed me to explore Iceland and fulfill my childhood dream of participating in meaningful volunteer work.

     

    *Jeong Jiyu joined a personalized environmental volunteer project in the beautiful aurora country of Iceland after confirming her preferred country and activities! Want a custom project tailored just for you? We highly recommend a 1:1 consultation with a Gap Year specialist!

    A Sure Way to Transform Your Life: Gap Year 1:1 Consulting

     

     

     

    # Instead of Watching from Afar, I Chose to Actively Participate – My Goal!

     

    Normally, I tend to observe situations as an 'audience' or from a 'third-person perspective.' During this gap year program, I wanted to break away from my usual self and take an active role in conversations and situations.

     

     

     

    # I Met Many Multinational Friends Who Made Me Feel at Ease :)

     

    Working with multinational friends made it easier not to feel embarrassed, even when facing situations I wasn’t familiar with. It makes sense, doesn’t it? We came from various nationalities, cultures, and races, so naturally, there were things I didn’t know. Not knowing wasn’t a big deal—it was natural. That made me feel comfortable. Plus, there were many people who excelled in areas where I was lacking, so I could learn from them.

     

    During my stay, there were many friends from France and Germany, mostly in their late teens to early twenties. This made every moment there even more enjoyable. :)

     

     

    However, not being able to know or adjust my weekly schedule in advance was a bit challenging. Plans often changed dynamically depending on factors like wave heights, the weather, and the amount of debris washed ashore.

    Since I chose to volunteer in an environment shaped by nature, I decided to enjoy the unplanned moments it brought. After about a week of adjusting, I felt much more comfortable the following week.

     

     

     

    # Now, I make decisions more comfortably by observing the surroundings.

     

    I feel that it's become easier to calmly assess my surroundings and make decisions :) Perhaps this is because I actively engage in situations and enjoy unplanned moments!

    If you're considering a gap year, don’t hesitate—go for it!!

     

     

     

    # Volunteer Work in Iceland: Here's my daily routine!

     

    During weekdays, we followed a set program. Here's a rough outline of how my day typically went!

    (*Schedules may vary depending on the season, weather, etc.)

    9:00~12:00 Beach cleanup

    12:00~13:00 Break

    13:00~14:30 Lunch & cleanup

    14:30~15:00 Short break

    15:00~17:30 Sorting trash / Planting vegetables in the garden

    17:30~19:00 Relaxation (Watched movies or played games with friends in the program!)

    19:00~20:30 Dinner

    20:30~ Free time (We gathered to play games or chat together.)

     

    On weekends, we had free time. Based on my experience, I recommend visiting the waterfalls near the volunteer site. There are three waterfalls, and the smallest one is absolutely stunning—highly recommended! :) Everyone participating in the program usually visits the waterfalls at least once on the weekends, so I suggest going with someone who knows the way!

     

     

     

    # My Tips for Preparing for a Gap Year Volunteering in Iceland!

     

    I wasn’t afraid of staying abroad for an extended period. Instead, I paid extra attention to packing clothes suitable for Iceland's unpredictable weather, as I was reminded several times by Gap Year about its variability during my trip.

     

     

     

    # My Gap Year Volunteering in Iceland!

     

    Experience ★★★★

    : I kept thinking, "When will I ever have a chance like this again?"

     

    Learning ★★★

    : It was a time to learn more about myself. I realized, "I can be wrong, and there are things I do well and things I don’t." This made me feel more at ease.

     

    Environment ★★★★★

    : I gained a deep appreciation for the environment I live in. I wondered, "Could the trash I threw away have ended up here?" This made me reflect on my consumption habits. What a wake-up call!

     

     

    If you want to know more about the Iceland Volunteering Project that Jung Ji-Yu participated in,

    click the banner below!

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