#in Paris for amonthThe moment I saw the one-month living project in Paris, I thought, ''This is it!'' and immediately inquired and applied.

I am an elementary school teacher. After working in Incheon for three years, I was transferred to Seoul and was waiting as an appointee, and during that time I learned about the gap year and participated in the one-month stay in Paris project.Once I''m assigned back to a school, it will be difficult to take a long trip during pleasant seasons like spring and autumn, so I thought this was an ideal opportunity.Through that process I learned about the gap year and was able to spend an unforgettable month in Paris.

In April this year I went on a roughly 40-day trip through Western Europe, traveling to six countries: the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Italy. I stayed in Paris for a week, and even after returning to Korea I kept thinking about Paris and wanted to live there leisurely like a local at least once. While looking for accommodation to stay in Paris for a month, I happened to learn about Gap Year through a blog post, and the moment I saw the one-month living in Paris project I thought, ''This is it!'' and immediately inquired and applied.

At first I worried, not knowing any French at all, whether I could safely spend 30 days in Paris, which is not known for great safety. But once I lived there, I had no major difficulties or inconveniences, and I returned safely without any incidents.

At tourist attractions and shops in Paris, bag checks and body searches are conducted thoroughly. More police and soldiers have been deployed than before, so there were almost no situations that felt dangerous. However, in touristy areas with many visitors or in crowded subways, it''s wise to wear your bag in front and avoid putting items in your pockets.

#Through the gap year project I wanted to experience living in an unfamiliar place and take time by myself to reflect.

After the dates to participate in the gap year project were set, I looked up and booked a flight for those dates. I started preparing my luggage a week in advance and packed mainly the essentials. Since I was going in September, I had to consider weather from late summer to autumn and early winter, so I ended up bringing more clothes.

In fact, from early to mid-September I mostly wore summer clothes and shoes, and in the evenings or after mid-September I needed warmer clothes so I wore thicker items. Paris''s weather is very changeable, so rather than bringing several of the same kind of clothing, it''s better to bring a variety like short-sleeve shirts, cardigans, a trench coat, and a light padded jacket.

Because the one-month living-in-Paris project is more like independent travel, there isn''t a set daily schedule. While staying at the affiliated Korean guesthouse, you just need to follow the house rules,I liked that I could plan and decide all other activities by myself.

Some days I wandered through Paris''s alleys, other days I bought bread and fruit and sat in a park to leisurely picnic while listening to music. There were even days when I just rested at the accommodation all day.

I had a long time preparing for exams, and after university I passed the teacher certification exam and worked at a school for three years, so into my late twenties I had never gone backpacking. This year was my first trip to Europe; in the spring I traveled for 40 daysand after that trip I realized how enjoyable, happy, and valuable travel itself can be.

My first trip had trial-and-error and a busy schedule that left me no mental leisure, so on my second trip I wanted to take more time to relax and look around.Through the gap year project I wanted to experience living in an unfamiliar place and have time alone to reflect on myself.

#I believe you can gain many priceless experiences you would never have in your life.

What I liked was, First, it was that I could spend thirty days entirely for myself. I could be free from anyone''s disturbance, enjoy myself, think, feel many things, and live freely.

What moved me was, the sight of French people who always appeared relaxed and at ease.They didn''t live frantically and obsessively busy lives; they lived lives with evenings, sat with loved ones on café terraces enjoying the simple happiness of a cup of coffee, and lay in parks enjoying warm sunbathing—these scenes looked good and made me envious.

What I learned was,I was able to personally experience and feel the French way of life, language, and culture. It was nice to pick up some simple French, and by the time you leave France you''ll have the curious experience of feeling more comfortable with French than with English. ^^

What I realized was, that travel itself is valuable.The things you see and feel while traveling cannot be fully captured by photos or videos alone. Especially if, like me, it''s not a tourist-spot-focused trip butif you participate in a project that lets you enjoy local life, I think you''ll gain many priceless experiences you could never have otherwise.

首先，我能够在巴黎舒适而愉快地度过一个月，这要归功于我认识了非常和善的民宿主人。最让我喜欢的是，他们总是细心关注大家，给予温暖的关照，让参与者能够安心入住，不必为各种事情烦心。我也记得在民宿认识的那些友善的年轻人和朋友。即使你不是间隔年项目的参与者，也很开心能在韩国民宿结识并与形形色色的人交谈。希望这些缘分回到韩国后也能延续。^^

# 我的巴黎去处

第一周，我去了附近的景点，比如沙特尔灯光节和迪士尼乐园。第二周，我和民宿主人一起去了以梵高故乡闻名的瓦兹河畔奥维尔，也在巴黎四处游览，悠闲地逛了卢森堡公园、索邦大学和万塞讷跳蚤市场等地方。

第三周，我用在韩国买的四日博物馆通票，积极游览了卢浮宫、奥赛博物馆、凯旋门和蓬皮杜中心等巴黎景点。第四周，我重访了在巴黎留下深刻印象的地方，并留出时间回味这一个月的点点滴滴。

# 我的间隔年小贴士

（语言）

由于法语在法国广泛使用，学一些简单的表达会很有帮助，比如早晚问候语、在餐厅点餐的说法、购物用语、表达感谢或道歉的话，以及游览景点时会用到的短语。即使只是用法语说问候语或简单的表达，也会让法国人变得亲切友善许多。^^

（住宿）

韩国民宿的宿舍房间是四人共住。除了参加巴黎一个月间隔年项目的人，也有只住几天的普通住客，请记得这一点。因为是宿舍，务必保管好自己的物品和贵重物品，也要注意不要做出给他人添麻烦的行为。

和别人一起生活可能会有些不自在，但分享旅行故事、和志趣相投的人结伴同行、结识优秀的人，都让这段经历充满乐趣。

（餐食）

每天提供两餐，分别是早餐和晚餐，因此一个月下来省下了不少餐费。两餐都是美味的韩国料理，所以离家在外也不会想念韩国菜，我甚至觉得比平时在韩国吃得还好。

午餐时，我有时会去巴黎有名的甜品店或面包店，品尝可颂、马卡龙、闪电泡芙等。住宿附近有一家大型超市，我会在那里买水果、蔬菜和奶酪做沙拉。尤其是水果和奶酪都很便宜，来巴黎时不妨多吃一些。

（行李准备）

剪刀、胶带之类的物品在日常生活中经常派得上用场，带上会比较好。如果把剪刀放在手提包里，安检时会被没收，所以别忘了把它放进托运行李箱。

衣服不用带太多。即使是在物价昂贵的巴黎，当地品牌的价格也可能比韩国便宜，或与韩国差不多，所以到那里再买需要的东西也没问题。另外，我的行李很多，没有带韩国的即食米饭或方便面；不过住宿处每天提供两顿韩餐，所以也没必要带韩国食品。

收拾行李时，总会觉得这个那个可能用得上，结果把箱子塞得满满当当。尤其是女性，往往会带很多衣服。我一开始也把行李箱装满了，后来只好把包裹寄回韩国。

我很后悔带了那些从来没穿过的衣服和鞋子。巴黎虽然物价高，但超市的价格相对实惠，所以没必要什么都带，带到过量。

（货币兑换）

兑换货币或在当地取款都会产生手续费，所以如果能妥善保管，我建议出发前先在韩国兑换好。大额现金或贵重物品可以请住宿处的主人代为保管，这也是一种选择。带着行李出行时，建议把物品放在旅行腰包里随身携带，而不是放在行李箱或手提包里。

（旅行保险）

I didn''t sign up because my total travel period exceeded 50 days. But since anything can happen—losing your phone or accidents—it''s better to take out insurance so you can travel with peace of mind.

#我非常感激这段经历，因为它让我有机会思考自己人生的方向。

比较参加项目前后的自己，我觉得自己并没有彻底改变，但内心似乎变得更宽广、更深沉了一些。离家生活，亲眼看见并亲身感受许多事物，似乎拓宽了我的视野。最重要的是，我很感激这段经历让我有机会试着在当下寻找小小的幸福，并重新思考人生的方向。

巴黎是一座魅力十足、令人喜爱的城市！这里有著名景点、美味甜品、处处皆是风景的街道，还有美丽的埃菲尔铁塔和塞纳河，一个月转眼就会过去，让人觉得结束得真可惜。

希望你也参加一个月的生活体验项目，度过一段只属于自己的珍贵时光。

我的间隔年是

体验★★★★★

这不只是一次简单的旅行，而是一次宝贵的经历，让我得以了解法国巴黎当地人的生活方式、文化和氛围。

学习★★★★★

我出发时一句法语都不会说，但住了30天后，学会了一些日常基础对话，也加深了对法国的了解。

环境★★★★★

因为住的是韩国民宿，有韩国主人和韩国住客，所以我没有感到孤单。住宿环境干净整洁，入住期间没有感到任何不便。那里还有露台和共用客厅，可以充分利用空间，这一点也很不错。

安全★★★★★

我经常在欣赏完夜景或逛完附近的地方后很晚才回来，但从车站走回住宿处时，从未感到不安全或害怕。不过，意外可能在一瞬间发生，所以一定要时刻注意自身安全。

休闲★★★★★

正如字面所说，这是“在巴黎生活一个月”，所以有很多时间悠闲地享受空闲时光和当地生活，而不只是观光。即使什么也不做，只是沿着塞纳河散步或坐在公园里，也让人觉得身心得到了休憩。