Robert

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I am a university professor of biology who teaches in order to stay connected to youth and young ideas. I enjoy the give and take of a good conversation, especially when the perspective is different from mine. I am an avid traveler and avoid staying in situations like hotels that create too much space between me and the culture I'm trying to get to know. I speak English, Spanish, German and Icelandic and work daily to groom and improve my command of these languages. One of the great joys of my life is making a new friend in another country. Last, I am the single father of two boys I adopted in Russia and Ukraine and who have brought me a great deal of happiness.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Icelandic: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
As a profession teacher and writer of English, I have a thorough knowledge of my language and am in a particularly good position to teach English or simply help others to improve their command of English. I am also able to teach Spanish and German.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

DIY and building projects

Babysitting and creative play

General Maintenance

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

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Able to teach about:  

Gardening

Languages

Teaching

More details about your skills

I have been a university professor of biology for many years, teaching courses in general biology, marine biology, and the biology of cancer. Recently I have transitioned to teaching literature to small groups of students. Perhaps this is an extension of my other passion — writing. I have published seven books, including two memoirs about the adoption of my two boys. I also pursue foreign languages with great enthusiasm and am always looking for opportunities to use and improve my command. When I started to learn Icelandic I isolated myself on a farm in northern Iceland, living with a family where no English was spoken. It was one of the best summers of my life. Beyond this, I live in Maine, USA, where I have acquired many outdoor skills, such as wood splitting, gardening, canoeing, and carpentry skills.

Age

70

What else ...

My interests: reading, travel, languages, hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, racketball, tennis, music (I play clarinet and guitar), beach combing, camping, chess

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  cats

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  Special dietary requirements
  I am a vegetarian, but I do eat fish. I have no problem preparing meat for others (both of my sons are carnivores)