Peter

United States
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Travel information

I am currently

Travelling

Activities i am interested in:

South Asia.
Description

Easygoing, cooperative, cerebral, fit and trim, former, U.S. military officer and current businessperson. I am pleased to share the knowledge I’ve acquired in my professional and academic life. Now on a personal sabbatical in South Asia after a three-year, business trip in East Africa.

I seek roles where I can add value with my skills in teaching, management including hospitality, marketing, writing, and editing, among others.

I fundamentally want to make a meaningful contribution as a volunteer.

I have traveled in the U.S., the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. I have read consistently and broadly all my life. I was educated at the Univ. of Michigan and Stanford Univ. and did graduate study in Business at the Univ. of Chicago. At university, I primarily studied English language, English and other literature, and American and European history.

I totally enjoy the outdoors, physical activity, contact with all animals and nature, ancient fitness disciplines, and the water. Among other sports, I like rowing, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, and boating.
Interests

Culture

History

Books

Nature

Mountain

Writing

Water sports

Plant care

Outdoor activities

Gardening

Yoga / Wellness

Vegetarian or vegan

Sailing / Boating

Pets

Fitness

Cycling

Beach

Animals
Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:

Light maintenance

Animal Care

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Creative DIY projects

Able to teach about:

Teaching

Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills

Communications, management, teamwork, outdoor labor, sports
Age

66
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian. (Fish when traveling.)

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22 Nov 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience a rural way of ...)

I highly recommend this place for volunteers with a serious commitment to community service. In addition, it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the highly progressive, 19th Century, Hindu yogi and ascetic Swami Narayan, whose influential, five-million followers are primarily in Gujarat State in India but are also found across the world, … read more

(Excellent )

16 Nov 2025

Left by host (Experience a rural way of ...) for Workawayer ()

Peter stayed with us for over 3 months, he is a very committed and enthusiastic teacher for children of all ages.

During his stay he taught older students classes in English language and basic concepts of commerce, with the younger children he helped them with basic English words and concepts.

Peter also did a lot of one to one support with … read more

(Excellent )

13 Nov 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us to help with English ...)

Re: Review of stay, Dec '24 through Apr '25

I spent four months at Reliance and now reflect on my highly rewarding time there with many fine students and admirably dedicated teachers, staff, and Principal I have great respect for all of them. Though my time was spent primarily with older students, I had the opportunity to work with children of … read more all ages. And because volunteers reside in the school's student hostel building in which the Dining Hall is located, there were many, additional opportunities to get to know students individually and in small groups.
As an American coming from a totally different social and professional milieu, teaching in Nepal can be fascinating and sometimes challenging. Almost all children at Reliance have a good working command of basic English and everyone will be cheerfully encouraging you to learn some Nepali. I was involved in classwork to enhance English writing skills, grammar, and vocabulary, as well as classes that introduced some of the great fiction writers through exercises with famous short stories.
Because of my background as a writer and editor, I also was asked to assist with the school's publications and other writing projects.
A volunteer can work with the Principal and others on how best to contribute to the school's goals. There is an atmosphere of hospitality and mutual respect.
At Reliance, the younger children were, of course, full of questions, while older students were more reticent, in part because of preoccupation with the national exams, which are a priority in the Nepali educational system. In addition, the older students can require strategies to maintain discipline in class, mixing teaching and humor with a firm voice at times.
There are many, daily, extracurricular activities pursued at the school and music and dance are in particular abundance. There are often religious and other celebration events. In the school compound, students are always playing basketball and badminton, which you can join.
The School, with approximately 550 boys and girls, is in Budhanilkantha in a quieter residential area of Kathmandu. Groceries, cafes, and other shops are nearby. Inexpensive transportation of all kinds to take you around the intensely busy city can be ordered with the "nDrive" app on your phone. The staff at the school are pleased to advise on all issues.
If you want to travel to famous trekking spots in the west of Nepal, there are easy flights and buses to the large city of Pokhara. I was fortunate to be at Reliance during a period when many student trips were scheduled for treks and visits, including Chitwan National Park.
My time at Reliance was always positive and I am grateful to everyone there for a great experience.

(Excellent )

18 Oct 2025

Left by host for Workawayer ()

We had very meaningful and impactful experience with peter. He did marvelous job with us and with our students. Basically, he played a role to enhance English speaking level of our students and creative writing in English literature.

(Excellent )

9 Dec 2024

Left by host (Help teach English to monks ...) for Workawayer ()

Hosting Peter Michael was truly an enriching experience for our institution and community. His presence was marked by enthusiasm, dedication, and an open-minded approach that made his contribution invaluable to the students, lecturers, and faculty.
Peter took on the task of assisting with English-language instruction with great care and … read more

(Excellent )

24 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help teach English to monks ...)

“Totally positive.” Those are the best words to sum up my first Workaway experience in the three months that I spent at the serene campus of the university of Sri Lanka in the legendary, ancient city of Anuradhapura, four to five hours northeast of Colombo.

This is one of the premier schools of higher education for Theravada Buddhist monks in … read more

(Excellent )

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Communication:
(5.0)

Skills:
(4.8)

Observed house rules:
(5.0)

22 Nov 2025

Left by Workawayer for host (Experience a rural way of ...)

(Excellent)

16 Nov 2025

Left by host (Experience a rural way of ...) for Workawayer

(Excellent)

13 Nov 2025

Left by Workawayer for host (Join us to help with English ...)

(Excellent)

18 Oct 2025

Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

9 Dec 2024

Left by host (Help teach English to monks ...) for Workawayer

(Excellent)

24 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer for host (Help teach English to monks ...)

(Excellent)

25 Nov 2024

Left by host (Join our community and share ...) for Workawayer

We were delighted to host Mr. Peter from United States of America from 4th August ‘24 to 7th November’24. He is friendly and has an approachable demeanor. He has an excellent communication skills making interaction effortless. He is also a fitness enthusiast and has a gentle personality. He volunteered in our following institutions:

Mr. Peter … read more discussed his country America with the children of class lll & IV. About the geographical features, food, oceans, mountains, people over there, capital, largest country, few things about the election over there.He also discussed about parts of speech like pronoun, helping verbs, language activity like story weaving in a creative way.

Yash Vidya Mandir:
With the primary classes, Mr. Peter took students on a captivating journey through his homeland. He introduced them to the geography of the United States, creating interactive maps and explaining various cultural nuances. Students were fascinated by the diverse traditions and festivals celebrated in America.

In the middle school, Mr. Peter focused on the world of business. He shared valuable insights into business etiquette, common business terms, and the entrepreneurial journey. His practical advice on starting a startup inspired many young minds to explore the world of entrepreneurship.

The senior students benefited from Mr. Peter’s expertise in literature and language. He conducted engaging workshops on language improvement, discussing various literary techniques and the importance of effective communication.

Mr. Peter's visit was more than just a guest lecture; it was a cultural exchange that ignited curiosity and broadened horizons. His passion for sharing his knowledge left a lasting impression on our students, inspiring them to become global citizens.

Mr Peter Michael's intervention to our institution, was first focused on understanding stories, along with an overview of the contemporary socio - economic conditions. Our students also had a wall magazine display on eight stories. Mr. Peter's interactions with senior classes were on the culture, education and political system of the United States of America. He could communicate with students effectively.

We wish him to keep up his fantastic work, keep shining bright and making a difference in the world. We thank him for enriching our work environment with his knowledge and passion.

(Excellent)

3 Nov 2024

Left by Workawayer for host (Join our community and share ...)

It has been an honor and a pleasure to assist as a volunteer teacher for three months at three of the schools that are part of the Society in Ayodyha-Faizabad.

I had the great opportunity to work with classes in a range of grade levels from ages 8 to 17, focusing on English language, literature, history, and geography (the subjects that I know … read more best), as well as positive interaction with students about my country (the U.S.), and my background and interests.

They will accommodate all specific knowledge areas and subjects proposed by volunteers, who do not need to have prior teaching experience or even relatively limited teaching experience (at the university level, which was the case for me) and will tailor teaching duties accordingly.

These are all large schools and they hum with constant energy and a multitude of activities.

This group of schools is an innovative, educational leader in this spiritually significant area of Uttar Pradesh (India's most populous state). The new, huge Ram Temple in Ayodyha is one of many sights to see in the urban area, through which a large river runs with a long, newly created, waterfront esplanade. (Ancient Ayodyha was the legendary home of King Rama, whose story is told in the ancient, Sanskrit epic "The Ramayana.")

The schools are frequently involved in events in the city, to which volunteers will be invited. To explore the city, eRickshaws are easily found. Daily trains and buses run to the Uttar Pradesh capital, Lucknow, and to Delhi and beyond, for those who wish to make trips outside the city.

At the helm of this place are Ms. Manjula Jhunjhunwala, the highly capable Director, and the Assistant Director, Anuja, who is the primary liaison with Workaway volunteers. Anuja Ma'am's attention to the needs of a volunteer is consistent and always gracious, and her assistants, Gurleen and Vatlsa, are equally so.

At the three schools where I was assigned on different days of the week, the teachers and administrators showed total commitment to student learning and welfare. I served at the Academy (for older students), where Mr. K.K. Mishra, Coordinator of the Senior Section, provided an always kind and highly experienced guiding hand throughout my stay, along with the good support of Mr. Joshi, the Principal.

At YVM School outside the city (with a student body primarily drawn from agricultural families), the Principal, Ms. Tripathi, was similarly welcoming, as was Ms. Sharma, the Principal of the School (for young students). Other teachers and staff were all cordial and positive.

A comfortable, private apartment in the administration building was provided, which included a kitchen, wifi, and air conditioning. Groceries were supplied for breakfast and snacks; a good dinner was faithfully prepared every evening by Sangeeta, one of the teachers; and there was always a nice lunch at whatever school were I was teaching.

There are various libraries available. And there are also two swimming pools that volunteers can enjoy.

All in all, this was a wonderful experience. It is a terrific opportunity to have close interchange with Indians of all ages and to understand their educational system and their culture. Though Hindi is the primary language spoken, almost everyone speaks English, too.

This dynamic group of schools sets admirably high standards and it is a privilege to have been part of the life of this excellent academic community.

(Excellent)