Arabella

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi! I just graduated fro UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and am hoping to have another incredible expereince abroad where I can connect with my host community, improve my Spanish, and appreciate the simple things in life. I have a curious, free spirited, and intellectual mind that loves discussing new ideas with people and seeing things from others' perspectives. I love learning new things and exchanging wisdom with those I am surrounded by. I am motivated by learning new things and overcoming challenges through problem solving. My friends and family usually describe me as refreshing and grounded, having a light humorous side and an openness to share what's on my mind. Things that make me happy are freedom, living a human experience, seeing growth in myself and in others, and meeting incredible people.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I would love to get better at Spanish! I took four years in High School but never got to the level I would like to be at. I can also help teach English.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

Eco Projects

Charity Work

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Some knowledge of:  

Art Projects

DIY and building projects

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Life at a Farmstay

Creating/ Cooking family meals

General Maintenance

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Able to teach about:  

Teaching

Animal Care

Babysitting and creative play

More details about your skills

Growing up in a low income household with my single mother on a ranch was no easy way to start in life. It taught me how to work hard, make sacrifices, and think on my feet. This lifestyle helped build character, and made me into a strong, optimistic, and independent individual. It also taught how to use my hands, rely on common sense, care for children, care for animals, fix things, trim trees, and sell things online when money was tight.

Throughout my undergrad experience, I also had a few internships that taught me valuable skills.

• Time management and multitasking: In my multi-faceted internship position at Roots & Routes, I was trusted to handle multiple responsibilities and help facilitate the completion of each one by the end of our season. In my time here, I worked on the Blogs and Newsletter Team, helped edit our website on Squarespace, searched for grants, and designed social media posts and an intern recruitment flier on Canva. To balance these commitments and be time-efficient, I frequently communicated with my Director and team and also created check-in procedures for edits to quicken feedback loops.

• Connecting with members: As a canvasser for Environment California, I helped fundraise for a new bill to be passed in California which would eliminate the sale of bee-killing pesticides containing neonicotinoids on Amazon’s platform. To be successful in this position, I learned how to connect to diverse households and remain calm under pressure, swiftly adapting my pitch and tone according to the person I was speaking with. By being receptive, passionate, and persuasive, I was able to raise my team’s overall success rate.

• Synthesizing Information: As an intern for the Student Environmental Center (SEC) I helped evaluate the goals compared to the actions of administrators at UC Santa Cruz to identify how they debilitated student voices and failed to follow through with prior commitments to campus environmental protection as outlined in the 20 year Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). Once inspecting the environmental plan and its shortcomings, I synthesized relevant information with the help of my team and other campus environmental groups like Enviroslug to discuss and write an email of concern to the LRDP committee and UC Regents.

Lastly, during my undergrad experience I also made the decision to study abroad at the National University of Singapore though I had only left the country for the first time earlier that year. Choosing to study in a foreign country posed many obstacles, but at the same time, many opportunities. During my time abroad, I also sprung at the opportunity to not only experience the rich and diverse culture of Singapore, but also explore a wide range of other places as well including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and South Korea. Each one had me bursting with new excitement, challenges and an appreciation for their unique culture. From navigating a range of unusual websites to secure my ability to travel, to coordinating the path of my future on the go, it was an incredibly exciting and gratifying way to move the world. It taught me many unique skills like how to connect with people from all over the world, be comfortable in new situations, quickly adapt to new norms, and gain more confidence in my traveling abilities.

Age

23

What else ...

I like art, reading, adventures, talking about abstract ideas (what-ifs), chess, and consulting and planning with people.

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  No

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  Special dietary requirements
  No