Shaun

United Kingdom
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
2024 will focus on a climate change conference in Easter Island and time working in a wine cooperative in Colchagua, Chile! Always open to new opportunities teaching English or experiencing new places
My next destination:
Easter Island, Chile - from Mar 2024 until May 2024
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Description
I have volunteered a number of times in the UK and around the world. Overseas, I've volunteered as a project manager supporting Raleigh International in Northern Nicaragua building drinking water systems for remote villages. More recently I've volunteered in the Galapagos working on Green Turtle Nest Monitoring, Giant Tortoise Breeding and Organic Coffee Farm production as well as Community English Teaching programmes.

In the UK, I currently volunteer for a charity supporting cancer relief, a dance charity to promote inclusion within society and the RNLI, our national saving lives at sea charity. I love sharing my skills and experience with people of different cultures and backgrounds in a truly rich cultural exchange environment.

For my future volunteering experiences, I'd like to focus on cultural exchange, English language tuition, marine conservation (maybe other animal conservation activities) and potentially working on a vineyard (I've just taken my professional wine exams).

Apart from English, I speak French, German and Spanish. I love cooking, wine, dance, music, swimming, diving, photography and travelling the world meeting difficult people and learning about their lives.

You can see my full professional background on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunwilliamcasey/
See my volunteer experience: http://shaunstraveladventures.com/blog

I’m always open to consider new opportunities, so please contact me if you feel that my profile fits with your plans to take on committed volunteers to help you.
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Water sports
Technology
Sustainability
Photography
Music
Languages
Fitness
Events & social
Dancing
Culture
Charity work
Beach
Astronomy
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
More details about my language interests
I'm qualified and have 10 years' experience in teaching English for general purposes (CELTA) as well as for special purposes with a focus on business English and English for tourism and hospitality.
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Some knowledge of:
Charity Work
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Languages
Teaching
Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills
I've worked for 35 years primarily in two completely different sectors:
1. International event management. Skills and experience in logistics management of all kinds of events around the world, presentations both written and oral, managing team, digital marketing and promotion;
2. Teaching English as a second language. Qualified in teaching English (CELTA), English for business (CertIbet) and Inter-cultural studies.

Other skills and experience
a. I'm also a keen linguist and speak French, German and Spanish.
b. Professional wine exams WSET III.
c. Digital marketing diploma.
d. Avid swimmer (currently swimming 100 k for a charity).
Age
63
What else ...
I love a diverse range of activities and interests: Dance, music, ski-ing, swimming, cooking, foods of the world, wines, different cultures.

I consider myself a very open, approachable, energetic and positive person able to work with young and old of all nationalities.

Having travelled the world and worked in a demanding environment, I'm very self sufficient and resilient to the potential challenges presented by living in very different cultural environments, standards of living and countries. In fact, I relish the opportunity to explore the world this way and connect with some fabulous people.

You can see more of my travels on my blog: http://www.shaunstraveladventures.com
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

Feedback

18 Jul 2023

Left by host (Help teach English to monks ...) for Workawayer (Shaun)

Mr. Shaun was one of the best workawayer we got. He was a knowledgeable person to adjust to the temple atmosphere. Although I was not present at the premises, I always got positive feedback from the chief monk or Vice Chancellor and in his words 'Shaun is a member of our monk family.' He has been very clever to be with monks and teach English in a… read more

(Excellent )

4 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Shaun) for host (Help teach English to monks ...)

As a qualified TEFL teacher, I was keen to ensure that I was able to help students who really needed access to a native speaker and where resources were potentially very limited for them.

There is no doubt that teaching monks and living in the monastery is a truly unique experience. For me it was a chance of a lifetime and I enjoyed every minute… read more of it.

Depending on your background, there are two opportunities. If you are not a qualified teacher, then your activities will be limited to conversation sessions with novice monks (aged 8-18 years) during a window of about two hours a day, from 9-11.30 am. (approximately 10 hours per week) There is also a chance to speak with them after their evening worship at 7 pm and will normally involve the older monks, i.e. 16-18 years. The main objective is to increase their confidence in speaking English so that they can interact with foreigners and express themselves adequately.

If you are a qualified TELF teacher, then you will be offered the wonderful opportunity to teach at the Pirivena (monastic school). This is a greater commitment but incredibly rewarding. Hours are 12.30-5.30 pm each weekday, teaching all ages from 8-18 years in mixed ability classes. The focus is very much on speaking ability and general fluency, so it is necessary to bring materials which will facilitate this type of lesson. You will work alongside the English language teacher and help him with modern techniques in delivery English language tuition which is student centred.

There were huge benefits to this programme for the workawayer. Living with the monks in the monastery provided a fantastic, rare insight into their lives and Buddhist philosophy. Generally there are higher monks around whose English is good enough to explain all aspects of their life and answer all of your questions. During my stay, I was given access to experiences that no outsider would normally enjoy - for example, the higher ordination of a monk, participation in Vesak and Poson Poya as well as invitations to chanting sessions and ceremonies where I was the only non-Buddhist westerner present. An introduction to meditation and many other ad-hoc activities were also part of the overall enjoyment on a daily basis.

All of the monks are truly delightful, friendly, generous, kind, considerate and truly wonderful to be with. They are open to share their lives with you during your stay which develops into an experience you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Before committing however, there are a couple of things you need to be aware about. Make sure that you go into the programme with your eyes open:

1. The accommodation is basic but comfortable, there's no air conditioned bedroom (there is a ceiling fan), no wi-fi (but it's easy to get a sim card), the bathroom is a public place which may not meet the hygiene standards of many less well travelled volunteers and if you are not able to manage stairs then forget it;
2. Meals can be repetitive and uninspiring. There is lots of rice and spicy food and monks only eat twice a day, at 7.30 am and 11.30 am. If you have any dietary / health requirements, then make sure that you think hard about whether you can cope with this restricted carbohydrate intense type of diet and meal plan;
3. Finally, bear foot is commonplace. If you don't like walking around without shoes and socks, then this is not the place for you.

If you are open minded to cultural differences and want an experience of a lifetime, then this is definitely THE opportunity for you.

I've volunteered around the world on a regularly basis and have to say that this is probably the best experience I have ever had. I have made friends for life, feel that I've really made a valuable contribution to the monastery and helped all the monks feel more confident in speaking English, talking to foreigners and learning about the world in general.

If you need to know more, I'm happy to go into greater detail on a one-to-one basis, so please contact me directly if interested.

The information provided by Rev Piya was accurate and the support onsite by Rev Nandaloka was simply outstanding. I felt safe, supported and guided professionally through the whole experience. We had many laughs and lots of fun. Truly unforgettable and I can't praise it highly enough! Give it a go and really make an impact!

(Excellent )