Charlie

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Hobbies/Interests : Documentary Film, Surfing, Hiking, Reading, Writing, Music (ukulele, piano), Photography

Currently in the process of learning Spanish (:

Description

Hey there! Charlie here!

I've never been great at talking about myself but, hey! We'll give it a shot!

Wow.. where to begin?? Well, let's start at the beginning of all this. After graduating University, I left with this idea that I would travel for a few months and get this "itch" out of my system.. Well.. 3 years and counting and I'm still just as itchy as ever. There's something about life on the move that I just can't shake and I'm now at a point where all I want to do is continue exploring the world, myself and the wonderfully diverse cultures of our beautiful planet, all the while meeting passionate like-minded travelers along the way.

I graduated Uni with a dual bachelors degree in finance/international affairs and a minor in social entrepreneurship but realized pretty quickly that the corporate grind just wasn't for me. As cheesy as it sounds, it was a study abroad experience in Bali, Indonesia that allowed me to envision an alternative lifestyle for myself. While in Bali, I spent a month and half not only exploring as much of this magical archipelago as possible, but did so with the perspective of giving back to the world. A social innovation and entrepreneurship program, we spent the entirety of the trip collaborating with social enterprises and local Balinese changemakers that were working towards creating ecosystems of equality and sustainability. This experience shifted my perspective in a way that would change my life forever and gave me a deep passion for playing my part in creating a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable world. I now love to challenge myself to live a simple, yet fulfilling life, each and every day and see workaway as a way to continue living out that reality.

Over the years, I’ve held leadership positions in various international development organizations and nonprofits that have allowed me to create impact in my own communities back home. After mentoring two teenage Congolese refugees, I found an affinity for teaching and working with kids and, in 2021, I received my TEFL certificate and spent an entire year tutoring kids in various subjects! I'm hoping to teach abroad in some capacity, but would love to continue helping others to learn English throughout my WorkAway experiences! Professionally, I work as a trip leader for an active travel company in many of the National Parks in the Western United States. I would love to share bits and pieces of American history, culture, and daily life that I've picked up along the way!

On the side, I also work as a freelance photographer and videographer. I specialize in documentary film and photography and enjoy advocating for impactful organizations that are addressing prevalent social issues globally. I truly enjoy working in remote regions of the world and typically chooses to live amongst the local communities in order to develop a deeper empathy and understanding for the people that I interact with. Most of my time is dedicated towards working with local and international NGO's, alongside forward-thinking organizations and individuals that have a message to share.

My website is charliegardnermedia.com if you'd like to learn more!

I take pride in being a highly trusting, fun-loving, empathetic, introspective and emotionally intelligent individual. I’ve been told that I am excellent at fostering community and always feel at my highest when I am interacting with like-minded individuals in some way. At the same time, I also periodically need my space (reading and writing have become my best friends 😅) and am a huge believer in self exploration through solo travel. I'm a Florida boy at heart but truthfully I enjoy anything that lets me reconnect with nature in some way, especially hiking in magnificent mountain ranges. Surfing, camping, enoing, reading, writing, playing the piano or ukulele, yoga, running, snowboarding, swimming, and rock climbing are just a few other activities that I partake in on a regular basis. I'm happy to share any skills I possess with others during my time at a Workaway!

I continue to develop the meaning of happiness in my life but, as I’ve traveled, I’ve come to the understanding that I am traveling for much more than to just explore unique destinations across our planet. I’ve realized that it’s the people and wonderfully unique interactions associated with international travel that I will forever be chasing. Travel has changed me in so many ways as a person over the past few years that I’m now at point in my life where I don’t ever see myself wanting to stop. I see workaway as not only an unparalleled opportunity to immerse within cultures not my own, live off the grid in a more sustainable and fulfilling way, enhance my language skills, and intertwine my work with international travel, but as a way to continue building community across the globe in the way I have grown to love.

Cheers for now!

Charlie

Interests

Animals

Water sports

Winter sports

Yoga / Wellness

Writing

Videography

Van life

Self development

Politics / Social justice

Sustainability

Performing arts

Photography

Nature

Music

Mountain

Languages

Hitchhiking

Hiking

Fitness

Events & social

Culture

Charity work

Camping

Books

Beach

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I have been studying Spanish most my life but have made a huge push during this past year to become conversationally fluent! I am open to practicing with anyone and everyone that speaks the language (: I obtained my TEFL this year so I’d be happy to help my conversation partner learn English at the same time (:

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Charity Work

Languages

Eco Projects

Being an elderly companion

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

General Maintenance

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Some knowledge of:  

Animal Care

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Teaching

Hospitality/Tourism

Art Projects

More details about your skills

Education: Bachelor degree in finance and international affairs with a minor in social entrepreneurship
Skills :
- Photography and Editing (9 years, Lightroom, Photoshop)
- Videography (3 years, Davinci, Final Cut Pro)
- English Teaching (Certified TEFL)
- Computer Management (Intermediate)
- Social Media Management
- Creative Writing
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- Customer Service (4 years)
- Waiting / Serving (2 years)
- Bartending (1 year)
- Fundraising (2 years)
- Personal Finance
- Excel/Spreadsheets
- Social Entrepreneurship/Enterprise
- Piano (14 years)
- Ukulele (3 years)
- Trumpet (4 years)
- Swimming and Surfing
- Website Design/Creation
- Fitness
- Healthy dieting
- Music Theory

I am a very fast learner and want to use workaway the learn as many skills as I teach along the way (:

Age

26

What else ...

I am fully vaccinated.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Bad vibes

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  Special dietary requirements
  Daily dose of vitamin sea