Emma

United States
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Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
Hi! My name is Em Katona. I am 22 years old and I recently graduated with two degrees in Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy, which now gives me the open time to start my WorkAway journey. My core principles are to experience, learn, and appreciate as many cultures as I can, connect with people, and expand my global perspective.

For the majority of my life, I have prioritized travel. I've visited several countries, but would like to see more of the world before I ground myself in a profession. When I was in college, I studied in Italy for two months, which was my longest immersion in another country. I fell in love with the locals, the regional food, and the slower pace of life, it completely turned my perspective upside down as someone that grew up in the fast pace culture of the US. Given that the politics in the US do not align with my morals, I'm seeking to find people that uplift diversity, health, equality, and human rights.

I have a plethora of experience with several types of jobs including nannying/caregiving for over six years, food service, hospitality, and creative arts. I am heavily driven by the ideology that humans are nature rather than a species experiencing nature, thus influencing my advocacy for environmental protection, limiting plastic use, less meat consumption, and lowering my carbon footprint. Since I've been living in the city of Boston for school, I have not been surrounded by the outdoors as much as I crave to be. I am open to learning more about environmental up keep such as gardening, landscaping, planting vegetables.

My strengths reside in my communication skills, empathy, curiosity, respect, and constant openness to knowledge. I am a fast responder to messages and love speaking with people in general. As someone in the LGBTQIA+ community, I am looking for likeminded people that support all forms of identities. I am open to all opportunities, if that ranges from hospitality help, to environmental upkeep, to childcare.

I am an extremely respectful guest that prioritizes cleanliness and abiding by the rules of the space. My roommates have often claimed that I am tidy, quiet, communicative, and organized. I like to call myself a Chameleon, as I will blend in to the boundaries of an environment as it best fits our coexistence.

In my free time, I enjoy long walks, hiking, writing, reading, crafts (such as clothing customizing, drawing, painting, sewing, etc.), listening to music, and conversing with new people. I would love to form genuine bonds with my hosts and learn more about their lifestyles, passions, and home. I am so excited to enter this new chapter of my life!
Interests
Writing
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Plant care
Photography
Pets
Performing arts
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Movies & TV
Mountain
Languages
LGBTQ
History
Hiking
Gardening
Events & social
Drawing & painting
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Cycling
Culture
Books
Beach
Art & design
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Hungarian: Beginner
Italian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would love to help teach English as well as learn as many languages as possible.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Helping around the house
House sitting
Some knowledge of:
Art Projects
Teaching
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Able to teach about:
Languages
More details about your skills
As someone that has been in hospitality, food service, environmental volunteering, and in childcare, I have a plethora of skills when it comes to communication, organization, problem solving, cultural awareness, time management, and general human respect.

Costumer service: 8 years of experience working in food service, answering questions, providing assistance to guests, managing costumer needs, taking orders, and cleaning spaces.

Language: My main language is English but I love learning new languages and am a beginner with Spanish, Italian, French, and Hungarian.

Childcare: Creative nanny that emphasizes device-free fun, cleans up after children, can provide meal prep, helps with mornings and bedtimes, great listener, and I am trained in responding to emotional needs.

Teamwork: Strong ability to work with other people from various backgrounds, sharing tasks, collaborating, and coexisting.

Sustainable projects: Experience with assisting eco-friendly projects, recycling programs, beach clean-ups, and gardening.

Social Media Management: Can capture quality photos and videos, create engaging content, editing videos and photos, and managing online platforms.

Physical abilities: Strong woman with capabilities in manual labor such as lifting, moving heavy objects, working in varied conditions, and adjusting to different tasks.
Age
22
What else ...
- I love to listen to music (soul, funk, rock, alternative, jazz, etc.).
- I do love wine as I have taken a food anthropology class in central Italy where I learned a lot about natural wine making.
- Currently writing a book and it is now my passion project so I'm putting some time into that.
- I love to cycle, I have a bike path near my house and can happily go on for miles and miles.
- Dancing is huge to me as an expressive human that prioritizes movement, silliness, and fun.
- Sewing, stitching, drawing, and painting have been my core creative outlets for years now.
- Exploring and learning is a massive passion of mine. I have always been a student so I am a sponge to new information, philosophies, ideas, places, histories, and more.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Do not eat beef.

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22 May 2025

Left by host (Experience real Mexico and ...) for Workawayer ()

Having Em with us for a bit more than 3 months was amazing. Responsible and always up for a laugh or a party, a great balance to make her a great workawayer. To any potential host, I can absolutely recommend her! We had great times and created memories that will last for a lifetime. She was always up to try new stuff and explore. She made friends… read more

(Excellent )

21 May 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience real Mexico and ...)

There has been such an abundance of joy, community, warmth, and growth from this experience! From the beginning, Jaime, welcomed me with nothing but acceptance and kindness. The accommodations here were exceptional. When guests are not there, you have access to the entire house (pool, terrace, piano room, laundry, etc.) which was above and beyond… read more my expectations. Jaime is a quick and responsible communicator, he cares deeply for his business, he is very inclusive, and will always spark up deep and impactful conversations. From salsa dancing at Hercules, to tacos at Victor's, churros after dark, and disco at Funky Mama, Queretaro offers some of the best activities and outings you can get.

I found that through this experience, the more extroverted and open your personality is, the more you will thrive. There are lots of social encounters with other workawayers as well as customer service with the guests. I met some of the most amazing people by putting myself out on a limb and trying to socialize with as many locals as possible which completely enlightened my time there. It is important to note how crucial Spanish is when venturing through QRO, I advise learning basic levels of Spanish (how to order food, small conversation, transportation, etc.) before coming, given that there is little English in QRO.

The actual tasks here can be quite daunting sometimes, but for the most part is very chill and reasonable. When the guests are there, you really have to stay on top of cleanliness and hospitality given that we try to provide exceptional service. I learned a lot about how to take care of a house through the work here, given that there is some additional maintenance on top of cleaning. The queen of the castle, Frita, is yet another friend you will make through the experience, you will do morning and evening walks with her as well as the additional cuddles and play. It is very important to build relationships with the other workawayers since you will spend the majority of your time with them. I was fortunate enough to a make an incredible friend with one of the workawayers here, she made even those long cleaning days fun as well as became my adventure buddy throughout my time there.

I could not be more grateful for Jaime/here being my first workaway experience. You will meet such amazing people, eat some of the best food, hear the best music, and learn so much about Mexico (one of the most marvelous places). As Anthony Bourdain once said, "If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can." If you wish to take a step out of your comfort zone, this will be the soft landing pad for your next big journey.

(Excellent )