Phoebe

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I am currently back in England visiting friends and family and then off around Europe to make the most of the summer weather and visit friends throughout the continent.

Description

Why am I on a Workaway?

Obviously, I love travelling and I’m fortunate enough to have travelled a lot already. From the age of 16 and earning my own money I have worked to travel, saved to travel, dreamed to travel.

Throughout the years I have travelled in various ways: with friends, solo, on tours, for work and in recent years I have realised that my most memorable and special moments are those which I learnt something or shared a new experience with a local. An experience that changed both of us, that challenged what we thought we knew or perhaps connected us regardless of our language/culture/beliefs.

For me travelling is about exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, breaking down prejudices and shifting the status quo. I cannot say it better than Mark Twain:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

However, I am acutely aware that many people are not able to gallivant around the world and so I think it is my duty to travel meaningfully, responsibly and sustainably. To give and share, to break down prejudices and build connections.

#What motivates me?#
I realised a few years ago that I am not driven by money or career success. Instead what motivates me is the hope that what I do may make someone else happy, or perhaps inspire them or give them confidence and self belief. This is why I love teaching and training people; enabling learning and expanding people’s horizons empowers the learner and gives me a sense of purpose.

#Interests#
In Korea I started watercolours painting and am enjoying the process of experimenting and improving. I have always been artistic and enjoyed numerous different outlets.

Languages have been a hobby of mine since I was a child. Speaking a foreign language is like having an extra life and I love how it enables me to connect with people in their own language.
I enjoy yoga, running and dancing. Cooking is a passion of mine, but also a type of therapy for me, it relaxes me and makes me happy.

In the Philippines I completed a 7 day Permaculture Design Course and I am eager to further my learning and assist others in their permaculture projects as I passionately believe it is the answer to so many issues in today’s world. I enjoy foraging and experimenting with the produce.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Catalan: Intermediate
German: Intermediate
Tagalog: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I am happy to teach Spanish, English or Italian.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Babysitting and creative play

General Maintenance

Art Projects

Teaching

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Languages

More details about your skills

I feel awkward praising myself (perhaps part of my English characteristics) However, I have only my words to convince you I will be a great asset to your project/home/family/life. Thus...

I think some of the greatest skills that I have to offer are those that cannot be taught, those which come from my personality and the many experiences I have had. By nature I am a very positive person, happy to be living this life and conscious that everything passes, the good and the bad and it is all fleeting. I am hardworking and like to be active, I come from a family to do'ers. We have always worked together as a team, supporting each other and driving each other on. This installed in me a good and honest work ethic.

My years of working in customer facing roles, my extensive travels, experiences of living in 5 different countries and studying foreign languages have refined my innately strong communication and interpersonal skills. I am very open minded and interested in different cultures, different ways of thinking and living. Furthermore my experiences have made me a lot more flexible and relaxed than I used to be when I was younger. I do not panic in moments of stress or emergency and have developed very good problem solving skills.

I have an aptitude for learning languages and very much enjoying learning the language of another culture, another world. However, I also know from my time in Korea that we can communicate so much without words and that humans have a connection regardless of their language, culture, race or age. Such awareness enables me to connect easily with people and get along well in all kinds of sitatuons. I thrive on being out of my comfort zone and learning more about this world and life.

# Hosting / Hospitality / Tourism #
I have over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, from chefing and waitressing to managing. I pride myself on excellent customer service and enjoying the buzz of working in hospitality. I have worked with small independents and big luxurious chains. My experience ranges from running large pop up events and weddings to intimate dinners and regular restaurant service. I have also worked in travel and tourism. I am intune with meeting (exceeding) the customers' needs/wants, providing excellent customer service and building an authentic brand image.

#Teaching English#
I have spent the last year teaching English in an elementary school in South Korea. This has given me great experience and confidence in teaching English as a foreign language and teaching young children.
I also have some experience teaching Spanish, Italian and English to adults.

#Gardening / DIY#
I have done a lot of DIY and gardening over the years and am a handy person, always happy to work hard and get the job done. I have lived alone for several years so have the independent, fix-it-yourself attitude, be it through knowledge I have or learning through YouTube or friends. If I don't know how, I am eager to learn by myself or be taught.
I have some plant knowledge, but I am keen to learn more. I am especially interested in permaculture, organic farming and sulf-sustainability.

#Animal Care#
I grew up with animals, always having cats and dogs in the home, but also a few sheep, pigs and chickens. I love being around animals and will gladly help look after them.

#Child Care#
As well as my experience teaching young children in South Korea, I worked in Spain as an au pair for 3 months. The 2 children were 18 months and a new born, they are now 13 and 11 and we are still in close contact, we are 'familia'.

Age

35

What else ...

I hope what I have written has given you an insight into the type of person I am and how I can be of a benefit when staying with you. I am confident that I will make the most of the situation I am in, as is my nature. If you want to know anything more, please do not hesitate to ask me. I am aware I currently have no references on here, however I can easily put you in contact with the au pair family I worked with and/or a German family I stayed with for 2 months last year, or my Filipino Workaway family.

What makes me happy:

I love cooking and sharing food with people. The kitchen was always the heart of our family home, cooking together, chatting, laughing. Food unites people around the world and meal times are a moment to share and connect.
Having worked with my chef brother and lived in Spain, Italy, Germany and now Korea I have learnt lots of different styles of cooking and enjoy eating and trying different foods. I will gladly impart the knowledge I have and would be eager to learn from you.

I read and write and draw daily, it helps me connect with myself, feel calmer and more balanced and be more productive. This year I took up painting with watercolours and am enjoying the process of creation and progression of a new skill and developing my own style.

I like yoga and am trying to practice it more regularly, with the aim of it being daily, but new routines are hard to forge. I have a fantastic app so that I can practice anywhere and would gladly do yoga with you if you want.
I also love dancing, it always makes me happy. I learnt a lot of salsa when I was at university and travelling in latin america.

Sunsets are my favourite part of the day! To peacefully sit watching the sun set, listening to nature, be it in company or alone is my perfect evening.

Being in nature is my happy place, I am from the countryside and although I think cities are amazing places with so much to offer, I am at my happiest when I am surrounded by mother nature. Thus, I love hiking and walking.

Friendship and laughter. I have a wicked sense of humour, being British, and enjoy the laughter and joy shared with friends and people. Don't worry, I know that there are cultural differences, but if I can laugh with a Korean grandma with zero shared language, I think I can laugh with anyone!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements