Robert

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Please ignore my username, this is just Rob now.

Hi, I am from the UK and have grown up in small village called Hunsdon in Hertfordshire, just north of London. In the summer of 2019 I graduated from Loughborough University where I studied Banking and Finance.

Following my graduation, I decided that being an avid skier from a young age and my love for the outdoors, Canada would be a great place for me to explore different opportunities. I completed two full seasons in Whistler as a level 2 ski instructor and also worked in hotels and shops in the town as I had to adapt to changes the pandemic influenced tourism to the region.

Whilst living in Canada, I spent the two summers travelling through the Canadian Rockies and also went on a long road trip to the Yukon. In these areas, I spent time on multiple workaways with different couples and families to understand their way of life, culture and share experiences together. I have helped with a whole range of jobs needed to live in these remote areas such as, planting trees and flowers, growing and harvesting food, chopping wood, making items, general maintenance, painting, and fixing or using machinery. I was lucky enough to live with some amazing workaway hosts and I found it was a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.

I have since moved back to the UK where I live with two friends in London where I work for an impact investment company. We invest in small start-ups which positively impact people's lives at scale using technology by solving large environmental, health-related or societal issues. In my free time I enjoy cycling, running, swimming and playing sports such as tennis and football. I like to go hiking on the weekends or when spending time inside I enjoy movies, cooking or reading a book.

Reflecting on my time when I was travelling, I want to also make the most of my 2023 summer holiday by contributing to someone else's project and learn from your experiences. I plan to make it part of an extended trip to Europe for holiday/ an experience and could possibly work from away as a digital nomad in August as this is a flexible option offered by my work and up for discussion.

Nothing frustrates me more than sitting inside and therefore looking for an adventurous summer exploring the best of what Europe has to offer now I am home in the UK. To do this, I am excited to provide my hard-work and dedication to various projects for any host which can help and give me an insight into their way of life, meet new people and teach me different skills.

Note: I respect the lifestyle changes that COVID-19 brings and respect how serious this illness can impact lives. Therefore, I would respect any rules regarding social distancing and isolating if necessary.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
Interested and happy attempting to learn the language spoken by a host.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

Languages

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Able to teach about:  

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Teaching

More details about your skills

Rob:
As I have changed roles in multiple jobs as part time or full time roles which include; ranging from junior tennis coach, waiter/ kitchen helper, software sales analyst at IBM, ski instructor, valet driver, shop assistant and now an Impact Operations Associate. I have prioritised teamwork, communication, and problem solving skills in all of these roles as I believe they are essential for any environment to help to provide a positive and motivated mindset to learn.

My specialist knowledge comes from my degree in Banking and Finance where I have a general interest in business and economics. I am willing to provide any help in this area where I can apply myself. This has since expanded into sustainability and impact businesses from my work since October 2021 in my organisation.

I can provide help with technology and basic support for online help if required. I used to take part in a cyber programme for IBM which required me to teach online safety and basic skills for IT.

From a young age my parents were fully renovating my house which took over 15 years. This helped increase my practical skills of using tools and heling build, repair or decorate things around the property and in the garden. I have since taken it upon myself to keep learning new skills and frequently repair my car myself if needed to save costs of a mechanic.

I have alternative skills from doing activities in my youth, such as hiking for five consecutive days for the Duke of Edinburgh Award where orienteering and camping skills were essential. I thoroughly enjoyed doing these sort of activities and have tried to pursue these hobbies during my trip in Canada and enjoy revisiting these skills when outdoors.

I've also demonstrated my drive and determination when raising £3,000 for charity whilst running seven half marathon in seven days for the NHS.

I am very comfortable working with animals as I used to walk dogs part-time and dog sit at multiple houses in my neighbourhood for a part-time job. As a child I was able to ride a horse and have helped at stables in the past to look after horses.

I am keen to expand my cooking skills and enjoy baking or cooking for people. I have worked for a catering company and helped in the kitchen to prepare meals for up to 300 guests at weddings and other celebrations. However, I much prefer cooking for a smaller group of people where I can cook and socialise with friends or family.

As a ski instructor and tennis coach, I am comfortable overcoming various challenges using my initiative and I'm happy working as part of a group or independently. Of course, I can also work in all weather and don't mind a bit of adverse weather (I'm used to in the UK!).

Age

27

What else ...

I am keen to learn new skills and experience new things during my time in Europe. This includes the niche culture of different town and cities across different countries and environments, the specialist skill sets needed to live in these areas and also languages spoken. I am happy to help as much as we can with a positive and motivated mindset, as we are extremely excited for what this adventure brings. Hope to hear from you soon and feel free to ask anything I may have missed!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  N/A

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  Special dietary requirements
  N/A