Muriel

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi, I'm Muriel — a 30-something from Geneva, Switzerland, at a turning point in life.

After years working in cultural mediation and arts programming at a theater, I've decided to make a long-dreamed change: slow down, get closer to the ocean, and find a more hands-on, creative way of living. I chose that job for two things that have always driven me — creativity and transmission. In practice, it became 80% logistics and administration. So here I am, recalibrating.

I'm a passionate surfer — intermediate level — and being near the water is non-negotiable for me. Before surf took over, I practiced aikido intensively for 15 years, including teaching and co-running a school. That chapter is closed, but it shaped a lot of how I move through the world. I hike, I love being out in demanding weather, and I have no issue with cold.

Music runs deep too: I trained as a classical pianist for 14 years, and these days I sing in an a cappella choral ensemble — polyphony, no instruments, just voices. I'm also drawn to heavier music, especially metal.

I have a Master's in medieval Latin literature — which sounds improbable, I know, but made complete sense to me: it brought together literature, philosophy, history of ideas, art history, linguistics, all orbiting the same period. I've always been drawn to the big questions — how humans make sense of the world, across time and disciplines. I still read old things for fun.

Practically speaking: I'm organized, reliable, and used to working with the public in high-pressure environments. I pick things up fast, communicate clearly, and I genuinely enjoy the kind of flexible, hands-on work that hostel life requires. I function well both in a team and on my own — I need a little solitude to recharge, but I come back to the group energized.

Also I'm allergic to cats (apologies to all cats).

What I'm looking for is not a holiday with tasks attached — I want to be genuinely useful somewhere that feels alive.

Interests

Writing

Plant care

Pets

Performing arts

Adventure sports

Culture

Outdoor activities

Cycling

Books

Cooking & food

Art & design

Dancing

Self development

Sustainability

Nature

Beach

Architecture

DIY & crafts

Mountain

Drawing & painting

History

Music

Water sports

Languages

Animals

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Intermediate

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:  

Light gardening

Creative DIY projects

Eco Projects

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Art Projects

Teaching

Charity Work

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Some knowledge of:  

Light maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

More details about your skills

I have experience in :

- Teaching & facilitation
I've been working in educational and cultural settings for years — designing and running programmes for all audiences, from children to adults. Before that, I led summer camps for the WWF (5 years), taught aikido, and worked in primary school settings. Transmission is something I genuinely love, and I tend to find my way into it whatever the context.

- Hands-on & creative work
I'm good with my hands and enjoy manual and creative work — drawing, painting, ceramics, general DIY. Making things, fixing things, building things: I find it grounding, and I genuinely miss having more of it in my daily life.

- Event & project coordination
I've independently managed cultural events from start to finish — concerts, exhibitions, public programmes — handling everything from budgeting and grant applications to logistics, communication, and on-the-ground coordination. I'm comfortable with complexity and good at keeping things moving when they don't go to plan.

- Writing, research & editing
I directed and co-authored a published book (Éditions Notari, 2021) on a collection of autograph musical manuscripts — from archival research through to editing, print supervision and press relations. Writing is central to my work and something I do well, in French and English.

- Communication & design tools
I've handled full communication cycles — print and digital — for cultural institutions: websites (WordPress), newsletters (Mailchimp), social media, press releases, printed materials (Scribus, Canva). I also have basic working knowledge of Gimp, DaVinci Resolve, Ableton, and Genially.

- Languages
French (native), English (C1), German (B2), and reading comprehension in Portuguese, Italian and Spanish.

Age

33

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

• 

  Allergies
  cats and hay

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  Special dietary requirements
  gluten intolerant