Charis

United States
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Profile information

Reply rate
75.0 %
Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
Indonesia - from May 2026 until Jun 2026
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Description
Hello, my name is Charis. I am in my early 20s and currently a university student in the United States. I am studying English Literature, Philosophy, and TESOL. I love traveling, and I am very interested in learning about new cultures and worldviews. I have been able to save my money and travel to several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I was in Thailand and Malaysia for only a few weeks, but I was able to travel around Indonesia for 6 months a few years ago. During my trip, I visited Bali, Papua, and Java, and stayed with both locals and foreigners. I really enjoyed getting a taste of Indonesian culture, and I was truly blown away by the beauty of both the country and the people. I met so many authentic and generous people who made me feel welcomed, even as a complete stranger. I am so grateful for the lifelong friends I made along the way. I would love to go back to visit East Asia again and be able to invest in local communities. I would also love to continue to explore more of the world and interact with and learn from different cultures on an authentic level.

My native home is in the mountains of North Georgia, but I am attending college in South Carolina. Both of my parents grew up or attended school overseas, and I have always had a deep desire to explore. Many of my friends in college are from overseas, and they have told me many amazing stories about their own cultures.

I love art, music, writing, reading, swimming, and cooking. I deeply enjoy trying new foods and being outdoors. I can play a few instruments, and I am passionate about learning new skills. Some of my friends are Indonesian and have been trying to help me learn their language, but I am still very much a beginner. I come from a larger family, and I enjoy playing with and teaching kids. I strongly value a hard work ethic and integrity, and I strive to be dependable and honest. My desire is to be able to travel the world while connecting with people and helping others.
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Charity work
Culture
Writing
Drawing & painting
Cooking & food
Plant care
Languages
Gardening
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Animals
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Team sports
Sailing / Boating
Mountain
Nature
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Indonesian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would love to learn Indonesian.
Find a language partner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Light gardening
Light maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Languages
Some knowledge of:
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Teaching
House & pet sitting
More details about your skills
I have experience working in customer service and hospitality. I used to be a swim coach as well. I have limited experience as an English teacher, but I am working towards my TESOL certificate. I have experience with child care and taking care of a family. I frequently cook for my self and for my friends/family. I am able to do house help and cleaning. I am willing to learn and do anything if taught properly.
Age
20
What else ...
I am adaptable and willing to learn, and I will always work hard to the best of my abilities. I am not picky about food or my environment, and I sincerely value connecting with people and community.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  no
- Special dietary requirements
  no

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10 Jun 2026

Left by host (Local school and cultural ...) for Workawayer ()

Charis was the first volunteer from Workaway to arrive at our school in Pangkalpinang.

Prior to her arrival, as my host, I learned a lot about the arrival rules, and Charis patiently awaited every step.

Upon her arrival, not only was my family delighted, but the students at Santo Yosef High School Pangkalpinang also felt a sense of belonging and… read more

(Excellent )

10 Jun 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Local school and cultural ...)

I have only positive things to say about my experience here! Mrs. Erna, the main coordinator for this program, is an incredible woman, and her family, the school , and the local community are all beyond welcoming and kind.

I stayed in Pangkalpinang for around 40 days, and I was able to meet many people and try many new things. Throughout my time… read more there, my main responsibilities revolved around practicing conversational English with students and visiting various schools in the area. During a normal week, the school days ran from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm (Monday through Friday). While the lessons were different depending on the class, I was typically involved in giving feedback to students, helping them practice their conversation, grading assignments, and playing games with them. Since I came during the end of the school year, the students were mainly giving their final projects in class. These projects revolved around presenting on either a piece of literature or an aspect of Indonesian culture. Within the project, the students had to organize a presentation, drama, game, and several other activities to explain their topic in English. I really enjoyed watching these projects, and I was very impressed with the creativity and standard of English the students demonstrated.

I was also asked to give a small presentation on my own culture and share my experiences with many of the English classes. All of the staff and students are extremely inviting and excited to meet volunteers. I never felt anything but welcomed by them. While the students were shy sometimes, they were also very curious about different cultures and were happy to talk and ask questions once they were familiar with me.

On weekends and during free time, I was able to explore many of the beautiful beaches, hiking spots, and local gathering places. Mrs. Erna was also very involved in helping me try new foods and taking me to travel to other parts of the island. I particularly loved hanging out with Mrs. Erna and her family. They constantly invited me to go out with them, and Mrs. Erna always made sure that I felt at home and had everything I could possibly need. She is a very organized, joyful, and easy person to get along with. I have no doubt that other volunteers will have a positive experience meeting with her. Mrs. Erna was also very helpful when I needed to obtain a C6 social visa. She went to the immigration office several times for me to help get all the correct documents and make sure everything went smoothly.

Throughout the weekdays, I stayed at my own one-room apartment in a faculty dormitory that is next to the school. The accommodations were nice, and the room was clean and well kept with its own AC unit, western toilet, closet, and bed. The apartment is only a 2 min walk from the school, so it was very easy to go to school in the morning. On the weekends, I got the opportunity to stay at Mrs. Erna’s house and spend Saturday and Sunday with her family.

The city of Pangkalpinang is also nice with many restaurants, coffee shops, local markets, and parks to visit. Indonesian people are very kind and generous, and their culture is fascinating to learn about. Using motorbikes is the most common way to get around the city. I typically just rode with Mrs. Erna or one of her kids, or I used the taxi service (Grab or Gojek) that is available here.

Overall, I would rate my experience here as excellent. The people, community, and environment are wonderful. The accommodations are comfortable. The food is amazing. Additionally, there are many beautiful places to explore, whether you like the mountains, beach, or the city. I would 100% recommend this program to other Workawayers!

(Excellent )