Anika-Marie

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi! My name is Anika. I'm an easy-going, compassionate, and hard-working person with a soft spot for animals. I am most happy when spending time outdoors (no matter the weather or the task). I have an eagerness to spread kindness and always come with an openness to learn. My life’s purpose is to help others and I enjoy doing that through community-based sustainability/outreach projects. I also feel it’s really important to develop deep, positive connections with the people I meet during my travels. Feel free to learn more about me in my next paragraph :)

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I would really love to improve my German! Right now, my German speaking and comprehension is about at the level of a 2 year old child lol

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

Animal Care

DIY and building projects

Languages

Art Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Gardening

General Maintenance

Helping around the house

Life at a Farmstay

Babysitting and creative play

More details about your skills

In 2021, I graduated from university with a degree in Environmental Development and Sustainability. My course of study was systems-focused, which provided me with the tools to think holistically and assess sustainable development in a variety of settings. Alas, the Westernized institution of academia has its limitations. During my studies, I felt there was a disconnect between what I was learning and what sustainable solutions actually look like in the real world. Solutions offered to issues like climate change, food insecurity, and environmental/social injustice often felt passive rather than active, theoretical rather than tangible. Through various Workaway experiences, I hope to learn how to be a change-maker and help create sustainable, enduring solutions to some of society’s problems!

From August- November 2023, I lived and worked on a small-scale regenerative agriculture farm in Germany. Here, I learned applied methods of syntropic agroforestry. This type of food cultivation reproduces natural forest ecosystem processes, capitalizing on nature’s tendency to rehabilitate land from barren to fertile and densely vegetated. My tasks included harvesting fruits and vegetables, sowing seeds, planting trees/cuttings/seedlings, watering, food processing and preserving, taking care of chickens, and general maintenance around the farm. In the span of a couple months, I became very knowledgeable and skilled in the day-to-day farm operations. I really enjoy the work and thus don’t mind a long or intense workday :) I also really loved the opportunity to strengthen the local community and made many deep, lasting friendships. My time here really strengthened my belief in the power of teamwork and community-based projects.

From January - February 2024, I will be in Switzerland participating in a course titled “Integrative Whole Systems Design for Sustainability”. Here, I will learn social tools for individual and group competencies for intimate and large group communications, decision-making, conflict resolution, and project planning.

Additionally, I have been a child-care provider for many years so I am comfortable caring for children and infants. I also grew up with dogs and cats so I have a good understanding of how to take care of pets/animals :)

Age

25

What else ...

I mentioned in my profile description that I have a soft spot for animals .... well the truth is, I am actually obsessed with them!!!! All animals. I love being around them and would especially love the opportunity to learn how to take care of farm animals because I want to have some of my own one day.

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