Jelle

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I'm Jelle from the Netherlands. I have been living in Scotland (and in Canada) for the past 5 years. I love being out in nature hiking and cycling. I am a new Workawayer, looking for an experience where I can be closer to nature.

Most of my time I spend in a laboratory doing science and I am about to embark on a PhD project at Cambridge. Before I do, I would like to have a short experience doing something completely different. As a biologist, I care a lot about the environment and the impact humans have on it. Having lived in cities, I find it hard to make meaningful lifestyle changes for sustainability. I would like to learn alternative ways to live sustainably and help other people in the process.

Interests

Videography

LGBTQ

Sustainability

Pets

Culture

Self development

Farming

Writing

Plant care

DIY & crafts

Books

Photography

Gardening

Drawing & painting

Animals

Team sports

Nature

Camping

Winter sports

Sailing / Boating

Mountain

Water sports

Outdoor activities

Hiking

Cycling

Adventure sports

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Beginner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

Charity Work

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

Animal Care

Creating/ Cooking family meals

General Maintenance

Art Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

Helping around the house

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Teaching

More details about your skills

For the last couple of years I have been living in Edinburgh, Scotland where I studied biology. I have a degree in molecular biology, and I have been working as a research assistant studying infertility (in humans and in plants). Working in a lab requires good problem solving and time management skills. Some experiments take 15 hours a day and most weeks I would work for over 60 hours a week! Through this, I know what it is like to work hard.

Growing up in the Netherlands, I am fluent in Dutch and English. I used to do part-time work as a gardener, where I cut grass, trimmed hedges and picked weeds. While living in Canada, I helped manage about 200 acres of forested land by tree trimming and pruning. In Berlin, helped maintain a permaculture garden. I am eager to learn more about sustainable gardening and farming practices.

I used to work delivering food by bike. Coming from the Netherlands, I use a bike to go anywhere. I can cycle long distances and I have been learning how to repair bikes from the community bike charity in Edinburgh.

In an effort to dismantle many of the stereotypes about refugees, I led a group of high school students in creating a book with portraits and interviews of refugees in the Netherlands at different stages of the naturalisation process. Knowing how to speak to people about sensitive topics

During my free time I like to do creative things, such as life drawing and wood carving. My biggest carving project yet is carving a realistic human head (it is still far from being finished!).

Age

23

What else ...

I like sports! I used to compete in athletics. I have played in football and basketball teams. I like climbing, top-rope and bouldering, though it has been a while since I belayed 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