Matthew

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
Hello! My name is Matt and I am from Nebraska, USA.

Most recently I spent the summer up in remote Alaska in the heart of Denali National Park.
Before my return to the US in 2022, I spent 8 years living and traveling in New Zealand and Australia. I enjoy getting out and experiencing new things and meeting people from around the world.
My schooling background is in graphic design but I have done work in almost every industry in some way so my background is incredibly varied which has given me a lot of different experiences.
That is how I try to live my life. Experiences. Experiences will stay with you for the rest of your life and so I try to collect as many solid experience as I can.
Interests
Carpentry
Mountain
Sailing / Boating
Gardening
Technology
Yoga / Wellness
Water sports
Nature
DIY & crafts
Sustainability
Photography
Outdoor activities
Van life
Videography
Vegetarian or vegan
Hiking
Drawing & painting
Culture
Camping
Cooking & food
Beach
Animals
Art & design
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Life at a Farmstay
Animal Care
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Eco Projects
Teaching
Able to teach about:
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Languages
Art Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
Matt -
Computer skills - Master's Degree in graphic design. I am fairly computer literate in both Apple and Windows computers. Able to build and set up computers as well are do some basic IT work.

Teaching - Helped teach Japanese kids how to use computer programs 3 summers in a row during university.

Maintenance - Maintenance supervisor of a 2 acre remote hotel in Western Australia. Involves basic plumbing, carpentry, concrete, gardening, and overall property upkeep.

Automotive - Worked as a mechanic for 5 years during high school doing basic vehicle repairs like oil changes, brakes, tire repair, battery replacements.

Anything hospitality related - I have worked remote hospitality for over 3 years in almost every aspect of a resort. Kitchen, reception, bar, housekeeping, tour guiding, admin, maintenance; if it happens on a resort I have done it.

Emma -
Conservation - BSc in Wildlife Conservation and a Master's Degree in Urban Planning with Environment . If it involves nature and wildlife, I'm in.

Diving - Keen snorkeler and PADI AOW diver with plenty of dive experience for work and leisure.

DIY Crafts - Learning new skills to make anything from jewellery to furniture. Kitted our my own van from scratch with a little help.

Sustainable living - Have been living zero-waste for about 5 years and am always researching eco conscious choices.
Age
34
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Penecilin
- Special dietary requirements
  No dairy(Just Matt), vegetarian - Emma all the time, and Matt most of the time....I can't say no to a good burger.

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27 Jul 2019

Left by host (Support vulnerable children ...) for Workawayer ()

To begin Mathew was a nice and self motivated guy. During the time he has been volunteering at the school he always kept alert of what was going on and what was not running well he could just tell me in time.
He helped a lot to keep the kids occupied and all of them had a great time with him. He and his friends came with a lot of school supplies… read more

(Excellent )

27 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer () for host (Support vulnerable children ...)

I can honestly say this was an experience that has changed my life and the way I view my life. I went to this workaway having never done anything like this in my life and it has made me want to do more things like it. I stayed with Cosmus and his family for a little over a month and it was an absolutely amazing experience. I was lucky enough to go… read more with a couple of friends which made the experience that much more enjoyable too.
So to start, the school itself is well constructed and much better than I was expecting. The only real struggle for volunteers can be figuring out the class schedules as the teachers were randomly changing the schedule and not saying anything. Since then, Cosmus and the head teacher have changed how the teachers work and that should no longer be an issue. The other piece for volunteers can be knowing what to do with the classes you are in charge of. That is up to you. Creative Arts can be used for so many different things but the primary idea is for a language class. PE can be physical education (which I was doing, the kids love football(soccer) and volleyball), or it can be computers class. The only reason I wasn't doing computer's class was an issue we were having with the computers but those issues have been resolved since I left. You can also step up and fill in for missing teachers. If you aren't comfortable doing an actual class, you can just be in the room and play games or help with the kids' homework.
The next bit is the area. At no point while I was here did I ever feel unsafe or unwelcome anywhere in Mackinnon. As you walk around everyone in town knows why foreigners are there and they love to see you and talk to you. There are plenty of different shops in town to get the basics of water, and fresh fruit, and limited candies and biscuits. There is also a small cafe type place near the petrol station that has a few baked goods and sodas. It is a nice little place to go for a small taste of civilization at the end of the week. You can also very easily get to Mombasa for the weekend if you want to and there is plenty to see and do there. On the other side is Nairobi which gives you more of the big city feel depending on where you go.
And last but most certainly not least is the family. Cosmus and his family are incredible. The best recommendation I can make here is that you sit and spend time with the kids and the family, don't just hide in your room. Each kid has their own very different personality but all of them are open and loving. The girls will show you how to cook some of the food if you ask nicely enough(I learned how to make chapati), and the boys will keep you on your toes as they are very energetic and excited. Also, go to church with the girls. Even if you aren't religious, it is an experience that you won't forget.
Overall, it is an experience and a time that I loved and I hope to make it back there some day. A massive thank you to Cosmus and his family for making me feel so welcome and like part of the family.

(Excellent )