Niels

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hola, ciao, hello, hallo, bon dia...

I'm a 37-year-old globetrotter with a life combining not only travel, but cultural work, long-term exchanges, and publications around the world related to culture, global issues and eventually, peaceful ideas to current situations, like neurodiversity, cultural preservation, and natural/sustainable healthcare. I do this mostly through photography and writing. I called Spain my home base for several years, then that was the Americas, but I am Belgian-born.

Outside of Workaway, I've helped as a volunteer in places like Brazil (helping during the night shift and during breakfast at a lodge for hikers in Bahía), but also in Nicaragua (teaching English to local families, hotels, and businesses), and in Costa Rica in a hostel.

I'm also a freelance translator and copywriter, having served hundreds of clients around the world with copy for their business and vice versa. I'm a TESOL-certified English teacher here. Languages are one of my strengths: I speak Dutch, English, and Spanish, and I'm decent in French, German, and Portuguese. I'd like to learn Italian next!

Professionally speaking, I was a social worker - youth counselor and have been working for 2.5 years in youth care in Belgium. Then I worked as an English teacher in Spain, and then I started being freelance and travelling the world while working on docu, writings, and a recently published book. I know +-50 countries and their ways of life and philosphies profoundly well and can share many stories.

Other than that, I'm passionate about good music, art and food (and good views).

Interests

Pets

Cooking & food

Outdoor activities

Camping

Self development

Sustainability

Videography

Politics / Social justice

Culture

Charity work

Writing

Languages

Photography

Plant care

Music

Books

Art & design

Animals

Hiking

Mountain

Yoga / Wellness

Nature

Beach

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
I'd like to learn Italian now and help with teaching English (I am a certified TESOL English teacher since 2015)

Find a language partner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Helping around the house

Teaching

Being an elderly companion

Eco Projects

House & pet sitting

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Some knowledge of:  

Light gardening

Light maintenance

Animal Care

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Charity Work

Languages

Art Projects

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

Languages: fluently proficient English, Dutch (mother tongue), French and German (intermediate). I'm a professional youth counselor and social worker with 2.5 years of experience working with delinquent teens.

Practical: I've done several odd jobs here and there in my early twenties, painting, gardening, cleaning, did several fruit-picking jobs in Western Australia including pruning and everything.

Age

37

What else ...

I have lots of skills (documentary production, editing, photography, animal care, social support, guidance, coaching, writing, teaching, etc...)

I have over 12 years of experience traveling deeply immersed in many different cultures, philosophies, and religions, and I've written a book about it.

I also contribute to UN publications on culture, global themes, peaceful cooperation, and so on. I am what they would call neurodivergent (so a combination of ADHD, ADD, and so on), which means sometimes I need a lot of silence, other moments I'm more sociable, depending on my social battery.

Overall, I am a very helpful person, respectful, and easy to get along with as long as I feel a sense of respect. I value good conversations, equality and altruism.

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
  No