Ian

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello! I’m a 25-year-old from Oregon, USA, currently on a working holiday visa in New Zealand. I’m taking a gap season before starting medical school next year. My goal is to explore as much of New Zealand’s natural beauty as I can while learning about the culture and growing as a traveler.

Back home, I enjoy mountain biking and soccer (football). I’m drawn to New Zealand’s unique landscape and its abundance of biking and hiking trails, and I’m always open to recommendations! I’m constantly looking for a reason to be outdoors, no matter the season or the weather.

I’m handy around the house and comfortable with a variety of maintenance/building tasks, and I also love cooking for myself and for others. I look forward to meeting new people and learning about local culture — and I hope to bring some of what I learn back home with me as I continue my path toward a career in medicine.

Interests

Culture

Pets

Videography

Technology

Sustainability

Music

DIY & crafts

Gardening

Cooking & food

Carpentry

Animals

Team sports

Nature

Camping

Beach

Mountain

Hiking

Cycling

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I am able to teach English if needed. I am interested in continuing practicing/learning Spanish if possible.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

Teaching

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

General Maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet

House sitting

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

More details about your skills

With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, I love learning about all kinds of natural subjects, especially human physiology. I am currently applying to medical schools with the hope of attending in Fall 2026. With that said, I consider myself a quick learner and enjoy taking on new skills.

During college, I worked in construction to help pay for my education. Over four years, I gained experience with general electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, flooring, framing, and general maintenance. Most of my work involved residential remodeling, so I’m comfortable with small- to medium-sized projects, and have contributed to larger builds with guidance. I find construction work really gratifying thanks to its hands-on nature and the sense of accomplishment it brings when a project is finished. Some of the projects I’ve worked on include outdoor sheds, fencing, full-house flooring, bathroom remodels, and much more.

Right now, I’m especially interested in outdoor-oriented projects, such as helping set up gardens, working on small farm projects, trail building, and similar tasks. I really want to learn new skills while I'm living in such a new place, so I'm open to anything as long as I can learn along the way!

With my background in construction and a strong passion for mountain biking, I naturally enjoy working on bicycles as well. I’m still picking up the finer points of bike maintenance, but I’ve helped build a full-suspension bike from a bare frame with a friend. I enjoy tackling the mechanical challenges that bike work provides, and learning about the material science and innovation behind biking products.

When it comes to culinary skills, I absolutely love to cook — it helps me unwind and gives me a chance to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. I’ve been in the kitchen since I was young, and I’m always happy to help with food prep, cooking, cleaning, or anything else that helps get a meal on the table. I’ve also developed a home-brewing hobby over the last couple of years, making primarily cider and beer, but have experimented with meads and wines as well (for what it's worth)!

Age

25

What else ...

Aside from my active personality and hobbies, I also enjoy playing board and card games — Catan is my favorite! I like to read as well, mostly non-fiction. I absolutely love animals, and will miss my best furry friend back home (a flat-coated retriever), so if you have pets, I’d be happy to give them lots of attention and love.

I plan to explore and live in different parts of New Zealand for about 9–10 months, potentially moving back to the States as early as May 2026, depending on if and where I am accepted to medical school. I’m open to both short-term and long-term stays, whichever is most convenient for everyone.

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