Marissa

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi! My name is Marissa Scharlau, and I am a 23 year old woman from New York, USA. I have been a seasonal worker since 2021, so I travel to new places every few months and work different jobs. I have lived in California, Utah, Hawaii, and Montana in the last year, along with visiting many more U.S. states. I am currently wrapping up a three month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and looking for somewhere fun to slow down for a little while before heading back to work in April.
I spent my past summer volunteering on a native-owned farm in Hawaii, which has a culture completely unique compared to the continental United States, and I learned so much from my host about things like respect for the land, sustainable and fulfilling eating, and the importance of community. The things I learned from my host have had a major impact on my values and priorities, and I genuinely think that visiting a new place and living with and learning from its people can absolutely transform. I would love the opportunity to support your work trade experience and learn as much as I can about your culture and way of life!

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
I have many friends from Mexico and Columbia, so I have spent a lot of time around Spanish speakers, and I would love the opportunity to improve my Spanish while living abroad. I am also a fluent English teacher with a Bachelor's degree in teaching, so I would love to help others work on improving their English skills.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

General Maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Charity Work

Languages

Art Projects

Teaching

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

My work experience covers and wide range of different fields and positions. I have been a seasonal worker since June 2021, working predominately in the hospitality industry at lodges and camps from New York to California. I have spent two seasons as a staff member at Stanford Sierra Conference Center (SSCC) in Lake Tahoe where I currently work as a prep cook. Previously, I served in a variety of positions at SSCC from dining room staff to housekeeping to barista to bartender. I also worked as a hostess and server in the dining room at Alta's Rustler Lodge in Alta, UT. I spent the summer of 2022 WWOOFing on a farm in Hawaii (Molokai and the Big Island) assisting with native plant growth. I am currently living and working as a ski instructor in Whitefish, Montana. I also have significant experience working with children in different roles including as a teacher, camp counselor, daycare, swim instructor, lifeguard, coach, and tutor. Additionally, I have worked in retail and customer service positions including as a telephone salesperson at Hershey's Ice Cream, a contact tracer for the NYS Health Department, and a retail associate at Home Goods.

Age

24

What else ...

I am in love with travel and the adventure of exploring a new place and learning new things. Since graduating college, I have had the opportunity to travel around North America and live in a variety of exciting settings. The highlights of my travels include living and working on the lake in Lake Tahoe, California, working on farms around the islands of Hawaii, learning to ski in Alta, Utah and becoming a ski instructor in Whitefish, Montana.
Another passion of my life is making clothing. Whether it’s sewing, altering a dress, or crocheting a scarf, I love designing and creating new clothes for myself and growing those skills. I also follow all the runway shows every spring and fall, and while I do not support many aspects of the fashion industry (killing the environment, using child labor, creating an elitist fashion community, etc.), I love the art of fashion design and getting inspiration from other creators to create a more beautiful and self-expressive world that allows everyone to express their unique self.

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