Iira

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi! I'm Iira (with two i:s in the beginning) from Finland, but I currently live in Boston. I have a gap year because I followed my husband to Boston for his work. I think I am one of the older workawayers but it doesn't make me less eager to learn, explore and help. I love to travel: see different places and cultures, speak and learn different languages and learn from people all over the world. And I love to try new things! I have traveled in Europe, South-East Asia and North and Central America, mostly backpacking.

As a profession I am a teacher in elementary school. In Finland my hobbies are singing, different kinds of sports, hiking, board games and doing handicrafts. I love outdoors. On my travels I scuba dive and try to learn surfing.

I'm married to a wonderful and intelligent man who loves to do adventures with me. But we have been together for over 17 years so now I want to have some adventures on my own too. And I have more free time.

I love to be around people, socialize and mingle and I won't say no to a glass or two of wine but I'm not looking for a party-oriented experience. I don't smoke or do any drugs.

For me you don't have to teach basic work life skills or manners. What I do, I tend to do well. I'm super friendly, have good social skills and get along well with different kinds of people. I will carry my responsibilities and am flexible about tasks and schedules. I can see what's needed at a current time so there is no need to be telling me what to do all the time, but I do take directions well.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Finnish: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Swedish: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I can teach English and of course Finnish, if someone is willing to learn. I would especially like to learn more Spanish.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Charity Work

---

Some knowledge of:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Art Projects

DIY and building projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

---

Able to teach about:  

Babysitting and creative play

Languages

Teaching

More details about your skills

I am a teacher. I have a masters degree in education and over eight years of experience to back it up. I teach kids from 7 to 13 years old. I have also worked on kids' summer camps for several summers and worked as a nanny for younger children.

During my student years I worked for over six years in a convenient store on a railway station. I have a lot of experience of customer service in different languages, from different cultures. With people I'm patient (with a Rubik's cube not so much), and I communicate well.

I have good computer skills (internet, Google apps, Office...). I have had a blog, learned something about building websites and I like to try things in social media, so I'm capable of helping in those parts of business.

I have done renovation at our home and with my husband we build our own camper van so I have experience with all sorts of tools and can be helpful in building projects even though it's not my area of expertise. You don't want me painting murals, though.

I'm not the neatest person at home but I can take care of household tasks and I respect joined spaces. I like spending time in the kitchen and people usually tell I'm good at cooking and baking. I have experience in different kinds of diets (gluten free, vegan...) Music has been my hobby since childhood and I love singing.

Language skills: My primary language is Finnish. I speak English fluently (C1), I have intermediate skills in German and Swedish (B1) and speak basic Spanish (A2). All of these languages I would love to learn more and new languages are of course welcome. I would especially like to improve my Spanish.

Age

36

What else ...

I have had time to reflect on my life during this fall. I love Finland and I'm really proud of it but I dream of living somewhere with a bit warmer climate. I have a lot of options what my life could look like in the future, but I would like to try different things out. I think Workaway would be perfect for that!

I would really like to see what a life working in a hostel or hotel would be like. I might want to start my own someday. I would love to get to know the culture in Latin America better and improve my Spanish.

I think I would be a real asset in hospitality so let's chat!

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

• 

  Driver's licence

• 

  Allergies

• 

  Special dietary requirements
  Gluten free diet, which I can take care of myself.