Iris

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I'm currently in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, planning to visit Scotland in March/April/May 2025!

Description

Hi! My name's Iris, I'm 26, and I recently realized my office job in the legal field wasn't making me happy. So I decided to quit and travel Scotland and Ireland for a couple of months, starting in January!

Quite a few people looked at me like I had two heads when I told them about my plans; the Netherlands is cold and rainy enough, shoudn't you go lay on a beach in Thailand? But I absolutely adore the gloom and mystery of winter! I've visited the Scottish Highlands at the tail end of November before, and I had the time of my life bracing the winds and warming up with a Guinness in a pub afterwards. I chose Ireland to start my travels, because I'd love to explore the culture, get into a bit of a routine with the work, and meet new friends at the start of my journey.

I ended up volunteering in a hostel in the Wicklow Mountains for 7 weeks, which has been a lovely experience! I've also done other long term volunteer work in the Netherlands: I worked on a biodynamic farm and at a free legal clinic. Sustainability and community support are both causes that are very close to my heart. I thoroughly enjoy traveling solo and I'm perfectly content spending time on my own, but I'm also a very social person and I can make connections pretty easily. I'd say my personality is on the calmer side, but I find it very easy to adapt and open up. It's happened more than once that someone assumed I was a tour guide!

As far as interests go, I'm a bit of a nerd. I studied environmental law and love learning about nature and climate justice. I also love good movies (I go to the cinema every week) and "bad" books (fantasy and sci-fi are my favourites)!

Interests

Writing

Politics / Social justice

Self development

Sustainability

Outdoor activities

Nature

Movies & TV

Languages

Farming

Gardening

Hiking

History

Culture

Books

Art & design

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
Dutch is my native language, I'm fluent in English and I studied French and German in school. My French has been reduced to "bonjour" in the years since, but I do still really enjoy German! I can comfortably read books in the language, but my speaking skills really aren't great. I'd love to improve those!

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Charity Work

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

General Maintenance

House sitting

Art Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Eco Projects

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Hospitality/Tourism

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Teaching

More details about your skills

- Analytical skills and English
I studied environmental law (with a minor in philosophy) in university, so I'd say my analytical skills are pretty on point! ;) I worked as a legal advisor at a small company before I decided to quit my job and travel, and I mostly wrote government policy about sustainability and city planning. I'm very comfortable with admin tasks and formal/legal English. I'd be more than happy to help out with permits and forms, if needed!

- Gardening and farming
I also really enjoy working with my hands: I volunteered on a biodynamic farm in my hometown for a few years. That was a really cool experience, 100% because of the people. The farm provided work for both volunteers and people with learning disabilities or mental health issues. It's amazing what kind of deep and funny conversations can happen when you're simultaneously digging turnips out of the mud or laying the foundation for a glasshouse! There, I learned the basics about gardening, farming and handywork, though I will admit I still have plenty to learn.

- Hospitality
At my last Workaway experience, I did housekeeping tasks for almost two months. I've also worked in a bar/restaurant before. I'm not a hero when it comes to complicated cocktails and coffees, but I'm willing to learn! I can pour a decent beer *and* deal with people who may have had one too many. ;) (No worries, I won't pour beers according to the Dutch two-fingers-of-foam standard whilst in Ireland or the UK!)

- Connecting with new people
I also volunteered at a free legal clinic, so I'm very comfortable talking to new people and figuring out what might be brewing behind people's first impressions. Usually someone came in unhappy, wanting to sue the other party into the stratosphere, but in the end they just wanted affirmation and a listening ear. Which I'm more than happy to provide!

Age

27

What else ...

I love good movies and really, really bad jokes. That's all!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  no

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  Special dietary requirements
  no