Benjamin

United States
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Travel information

I am currently

At home
Description

Hello! My name is Ben. I have a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a master's degree in Fine Art. I live near Philadelphia, USA, and have also lived several years in New York City. I have had the good fortune to spend multiple months in several countries including Iceland, Russia, China, India, Denmark, France, and Kenya. I'm a big animal lover, especially dogs, but I really like cats and I think cats really like me! Also a big fan of horses although it's been a long times since I rode one. Don't believe I've lost my touch on mucking stalls though :)

For the past year I have been working as a substitute teacher in one of the USA's top-rated school districts. I teach a variety of subjects with students ranging in ages from 5 through 18. Feel free to request my Linkenin profile link for more details.

In January, 2024, I spent three weeks as a native English-speaking conversational teaching assistant, interacting with 12 to 17-year-old students at the British Language Academy in Berrechid, Morocco. It was definitely the most rewarding cultural experience I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of. I very much enjoy learning from and engaging with people from all cultures and ages!

I am 63-years-old, but I think it's fair to say that many people I meet think I'm no older than 50. (Bless them :) I am very physically active and enjoy hiking and biking and participating in a variety of sports, especially baseball, basketball, flag (American) football, softball, darts, ping pong, pickelball and tennis. I'm also a fan, if not very skilled at futbol, or soccer as we call it in the States. But I understand the game and enjoy playing it!

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1987, I worked as a features newspaper reporter and photographer for 10 years. Following that, I established an interior/exterior residential painting company that I owned for 12 years. I have experience in storytelling and public speaking. While in art school, I specialized in Found Object contemporary sculpture, and was a teaching assistant for three years.

I have much interest in all cultures including ancient and modern history. I was a docent for two years at a world-renowned archeological museum. I enjoy watching history and nature documentaries, and documentary films in general. I volunteered for two years with an international environmental organization which included three months writing and photography project research in Kenya. I also was coordinator for the organization's social media.

Non-smoker. Vegetarian/Vegan-friendly. Social drinker, agreeable to anywhere that is alcohol-free.

Lover of all animals, especially cats and dogs.

As a former business owner, I understand the importance of being a responsible, reliable, good-natured, hard-working, self-starting team player.

In the event that it matters, I am most definitely NOT a supporter of the current Republican administration in my country.

Please feel free to reply with any questions.

Ben
Interests

Pets

Music

Fitness

Outdoor activities

Books

Plant care

Writing

Events & social

Cooking & food

Hiking

Team sports

Photography

Charity work

Sustainability

Videography

Self development

Performing arts

Art & design

Vegetarian or vegan

Sailing / Boating

Animals

Yoga / Wellness

Culture

Nature

Politics / Social justice
Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Charity Work

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Some knowledge of:

Eco Projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Able to teach about:

Languages

Art Projects

Teaching

Helping around the house
More details about your skills

writing
photography
teaching
artmaking
public speaking
Age

63
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

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Feedback

25 Apr 2024

Left by host (Chat with our students, ...) for Workawayer ()

No adjectives can best describe how wonderful, hardworking friendly and committed Ben was. During his stay ,Ben showed a lot of positive energy and was always there to help.Everyone at the school loved him and everyone wished he had stayed longer .I really recommend Ben to any host looking for hard working and kindhearted volunteers and I will … read more

(Excellent )

7 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Chat with our students, ...)

I very much enjoyed my time at the Berrechid location of Harim's Academy . I've traveled to more than ten countries and working with the children at the Academy (mostly ages 12-17) was one of the best cultural experiences I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of. The students were very involved and exceptionally motivated. Also the teachers … read more

(Excellent )

15 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (House and pet sitting ...)

I very much enjoyed my three-week stay at Tracey and Mark's farm. They were exceptionally hospitable in providing self-serve items for breakfast and lunch while dinners were a nice time to chat while having a satisfying meal, and at times an incredibly tasty one created by Mark who would often spend the afternoon preparing the food. It was nice to … read more

(Excellent )

9 Apr 2024

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Ben stayed with us for three weeks helping with our dogs, cats, hens and ponies. He was very polite and kept his room clean and tidy. He accompanied us to a live gig at our village hall and enjoyed it and joined my husband on shopping trips. Our dogs very much enjoyed their daily walks with him. We wish Ben the very best of luck for his next … read more

(Excellent )

15 Aug 2021

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Ben is a marvelous guy very friendly and happy person, we like and loved him, the whole family enjoyed. Living with him he liked helping a lot.

He had a good program of ecology without borders, which we except to be helping us in future as people from the island according to the research and the report he collected from the BMU and fishermen … read more

(Excellent )

15 Aug 2021

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us and help us fundraise ...)

I very much enjoyed my stay with Samuel and the foundation. Samuel is an excellent host, and helped me with my personal project regarding the local Mafangano Island fishing industry. Once Samuel woke up much earlier than he otherwise needed to so that I could visit a fishing dock at the best time to see fish being brought in from the lake. He also … read more

(Excellent )

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