Taya

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello! My name is Taya, I am originally from San Diego California in the United States, but have taken any opportunity to travel outside of my hometown since graduating high school. Before moving to New Zealand on a working holiday visa I was living and working in the beautiful Killarney National Park in Ireland at one of the top rated eco hostels. While there I took advantage of short flight times and was able to explore much of Europe through different Workaways. These included teaching kids about recycling through art, helping to pick and process produce in the beautiful Croatian countryside and renovating a 14th Century home in the countryside of France. I was also lucky enough to explore the world from a young age through my dads work in natural building and architecture which brought us to Argentina, Brazil, Ireland and South Africa all before the age of eight. While I do not remember these experiences I do believe they were integral to my upbringing and how I interact with the world and the people on it. I grew up plastering mud onto straw bales and impatiently waiting for homemade pizza's and perfectly cooked turkey to come out of a newly finished cob oven. At the end of the day I want to continue to learn through the experiences I have and the people I meet along the way.

I graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts with a degree in cultural anthropology and career track in journalism and media studies, both areas which have fueled my interest in getting to know people from all walks of life from all around the world. During my third year of University I studied abroad in Wellington New Zealand where I discovered my deep love for nature and connecting with it in a more sustainable and regenerative way through volunteering at a waste reduction initiative called the Share Shack and have volunteered at a local community gardens and ecological initiatives since.

Interests

Writing

Music

History

Events & social

Cooking & food

Beach

Movies & TV

Hiking

Charity work

Sustainability

Mountain

Gardening

Self development

Languages

DIY & crafts

Camping

Architecture

Outdoor activities

LGBTQ

Books

Politics / Social justice

Nature

Farming

Culture

Blogging

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I am fluent in English and am happy to talk with and teach others English. I have been learning Español for the last year but want to expand my knowledge of the language by speaking with others. I am open to any opportunity to learn more.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Charity Work

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Some knowledge of:  

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Languages

Art Projects

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Able to teach about:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

I have international work experience as a sustainability and volunteer project manager for a waste reduction initiative in Wellington New Zealand. I love seeing plans come to life! I worked in the food service as a cashier and hostess since I was 16. Since graduating from University in May of 2020 I have worked as an office assistant at a Zip Lining company in Durango Colorado, moved to Eugene Oregon with my childhood best friend, where I have gotten involved in the local food scene, and have become more involved in the regenerative agriculture movement, volunteering at the local community garden and getting involved with a regenerative agriculture working group.

I went to a project based learning high school so have some experience working with tools such as drills, saws and sanders, but still have much to learn.

Age

27

What else ...

I love to cook, listen to music, read, hike and explore. I love to socialize with people over food and a good card game. I go with the flow and am generally keen to go along on any adventure whether that's to make chocolate chip cookies to share, or take a wrong turn to a castle. I want to grow and learn with each experience I have, something I believe is heightened by talking with new people who later become old friends. I have learned through my travels so far that peers are some of the best teachers and nature and cities are the best classrooms.

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