Panos (Panagiotis)

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Language exchange, blogging, teaching languages, teaching biology and STEM education, teaching in schools, sports, outdoor activities, cultural exchange, wildlife conservation projects, backpacking

Description

Hi there! I am Panos!

Over the last few years, I’ve been moving around Europe for studies, internships, volunteering, and life in general.
Somewhere along the way I realized that the experiences I value most are always the ones built around people, shared moments, and cultural exchange. I am an enthusiastic, adventure - seeking individual who loves traveling and dislikes settling down to a single place, at least at this stage of my life.

I recently finished my MSc in genetics from Finland, but outside the academic world I’m a very social, curious, and hands-on person who enjoys learning through real experiences. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, worked with international teams, and learned how to adapt quickly to new environments and build a resilient and inclusive personality. To be honest, I got a bit tired of my underpaid and unfulfilling life in the lab, so I am in the process of taking a step back to re-evaluate my goals and values before committing to something long-term.

For me, volunteering is my way of giving back, of channeling my skills and energy into something that has an immediate impact on people's lives. I genuinely enjoy contributing, helping out, and becoming part of a local community instead of just passing through as a tourist. I embrace the idea of exchanging skills, stories, cultures, routines, and perspectives while creating something meaningful together.

What truly motivates me is the opportunity to learn and grow through volunteering. Every person I meet, every place I visit, and every task adds a new layer to who I am and my understanding of the world around me. Happiness is always found in those simple moments that you create. I can't wait to experience this feeling again, grow my network of friends, and feel at home in another place.

A bit about my hobbies:
I enjoy the simple everyday moments like cooking together, deep life conversations, exploring nature, or sharing a meal after a long day. I play basketball and football (soccer) since I was 6 years old, so that is something I am also happy to teach or spend my time with other people and kids. I also love hiking, cycling, and swimming, so I try to integrate these activities in my everyday life when I have the chance. These activities were a perfect way to connect with nature and the locals during my academic experiences in Finland (2.5 years) and Germany (14 months). I’m also the kind of person who gets genuinely excited trying local food, learning random words from a new language, or discovering places that tourists usually miss.

A fun fact about me is that every night, before I go to bed, I like watching "Friends" as a way to feel happier and build confidence.

I’m looking for experiences that feel human, are impactful and inclusive. Kind people, cultural exchange, and a positive atmosphere matter to me much more than comfort.

And hopefully we can exchange a few good stories along the way too 🙂

Interests

Videography

Plant care

Farming

DIY & crafts

Blogging

Camping

Cooking & food

Carpentry

Writing

Self development

Sustainability

Water sports

Team sports

Technology

Photography

Pets

Outdoor activities

Nature

Mountain

Languages

Hiking

History

Events & social

Cycling

Culture

Charity work

Books

Beach

Animals

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
Greek: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Italian: Beginner

More details about my language interests
Despite the fact that I am not a licensed English language teacher nor have I pursued a related education, my passion for learning new languages has always been a special hobby during the last years. However, I do have experience and strong skills in science communication and STEM teaching (life sciences, biology), which has offered me transferable skills that can be applied in language teaching. I also have a little experience in teaching Greek to foreign exchange students when I was doing my BSc studies in Greece, so I am willing to put these skills to work!

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

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Some knowledge of:  

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Charity Work

Hospitality/Tourism

Art Projects

Light gardening

Life at a Farmstay

House & pet sitting

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Teaching

Eco Projects

Creative DIY projects

Light maintenance

More details about your skills

Professionally, my background is focused on biology and genetics research, since during the last years I’ve worked and studied in Greece, Finland, and Germany. Even though my experience is science and research-oriented, it has taught me skills that are very useful in everyday volunteer projects too depending on what the host needs: responsibility, reliability, organisation, communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, teaching, and deep learning.

I also have some teaching experience as a biologist in high schools and as a private tutor to university students and adults. I can apply these teaching skills in English education as well, so I am very confident in teaching English in schools.

Outside the lab world and classrooms, I’ve also worked in restaurants, hostels, and customer-service environments during summer seasons in Greece in my late teens and early 20s, so I understand what it means to work with people, stay organized during stressful moments, and contribute positively to a team.

Regarding volunteering:
- Working with children: I’ve worked with children with special needs in summer camps as a companion for 2 consecutive years (Municipality of Crete), taking care of their everyday needs and building empathy.
- Environmental and conservation projects: I have participated in biodiversity and environmental projects (bird watching, whale observation, and turtle conservation) during my university years.
- In addition, I spent many years volunteering in international student organizations across different countries. One of the most meaningful volunteer experiences for me was being part of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) for several years, where I worked in multicultural teams, organized projects and events, and supported international students when they needed a local. I acquired skills useful for any kind of volunteer projects such as admin work, content creation, video editing, journalism, website management, team management, partnerships management, and logistics.

I may not know everything from day one, but I am motivated, patient, willing to learn fast, adapt very easily to new environments, and I’m always willing to help wherever needed. I genuinely enjoy contributing to a positive atmosphere for a host and get hands-on experience rather than sitting behind a screen.

Age

27

What else ...

I am open to undertake any task a host needs as long as there is clear communication about the workload and the expectations. After all, I keep my curiosity active even during routine tasks and try to get out of my comfort zone as often as possible. My skillset is diverse but my motivation and willingness to learn and integrate in the local culture is even more important for me (I believe for the host too).

I am a tidy, respectful, and organized person who values inclusive and safe interactions with the host and other volunteers. I respect the shared spaces and common areas as well as local rules and customs, with the condition that there are personal boundaries and clarity in communication.

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