Taryn

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
My name is Taryn, I'm a 25 year old from Utah, United States.
I love nature, animals, music, art, food and drink, and people. I am looking for volunteer opportunities in Central America to help me practice spanish. I'm at a beginner level now but am hoping to improve. I have some background with restaurants/bartending, front desk/reception, and a little bit of experience in a greenhouse with houseplants. I'm interested in learning more about food, farming and gardening, and well as drinks and bartending. From my workaway experience I'm hoping to gain a new knowledge of different cultures, practice spanish, and meet new people.
Interests
Plant care
Music
Hiking
Gardening
Events & social
Art & design
Animals
Culture
Beach
Architecture
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I am fluent in English, and am trying to learn Spanish.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Charity Work
Languages
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills
As mentioned in my biography, I have experience in front desk and reception in hotels, restaurant (bartending and serving) and experience working in a greenhouse with arranging flowers and houseplants. I have a creative eye and enjoy art. I can be handy with maintenance and building projects as well.
Age
25
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  I am allergic to some dogs and cats but can usually manage as long as they are not spending much time in the room I sleep in.
- Special dietary requirements

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23 Feb 2025

Left by host (English language exchange in ...) for Workawayer ()

Thank you so much, Taryn and Victoria, for your incredible support at our academy! It was truly a pleasure having you both with us, and we’re so grateful for the time, effort, and enthusiasm you brought to the experience.

We’re happy to hear that your time here was both immersive and rewarding. Your openness to learning, adapting, and embracing… read more

(Excellent )

13 Feb 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (English language exchange in ...)

I volunteered at the academy with my friend and we stayed 3 weeks. It was a completely new experience for us and really taught us a lot about Guatemalan culture. We came in knowing very little Spanish, and we still aren’t great but we had endless opportunities to practice with everyone around us. It’s very much a locals only town so be prepared to… read more only use Spanish with everyone.

The accommodation was great, we had our own private room with a mini kitchen including a portable stove and a fridge. We also had our own bathroom and shower which was wonderful. Edgar, the man who owns the house, was incredibly welcoming and kind to us. He was so patient with our broken Spanish and happy to practice with us. He was also so helpful in case any problem came up and he really looked out for us. Not to mention his relatives that live on the other side of the house. His entire family was so incredibly welcoming, generous, kind, and took care of us. I ended up getting sick and they took such amazing care of me and went out of their way to take me to the doctor and make sure I was okay. We also made good friends with Linda and had the opportunity to hang out with her.

We came at a time where our first two weeks were before the courses officially started, and our last week we more properly helped with the courses when they began. We had no prior experience teaching English. The work was super easy, at the beginning it entailed helping them make some promotional videos for the academy and doing proficiency tests to place students in the most applicable class level for them. We would also practice conversations with the students in English. Towards the end we helped out a little more with the actual lessons. It was super gratifying and all the students were so wonderful and smart. Although it changes based on class sizes and courses, during our time we never worked more than 15 hours a week. In our free time we walked around the fair that they had going on in town, and hiked Volcán Pacaya.

Our coordinator Luis is a really great guy and was very responsive whenever we had questions or needed anything. He took us to hike the volcano, attended the fair with us, and at the very end we all went to a restaurant and had a nice meal together. It was really nice to spend time with him and we are very impressed with his ambition and his project with the academy.

Overall we are so grateful for the experience we had, we met great people and learned so much. We will never forgot our time here. We would recommend this workaway to anyone that is seeking a true cultural immersion. We can’t thank Luis and Edgar and his family enough for everything!

This is from my friend who came with me that does not have workaway:
This experience was fully immersive and transformative in learning a new culture and lifestyle. The town is small and highly community based, leaving you with the opportunity to experience the authentic Guatemalan way of life. Our host family was incredibly accommodating and nurturing throughout our culture shock & Luis provided a wonderful environment for us to thrive in our work with the academy. Would highly recommend for those looking to be off the tourist path and live in a relaxed, simplistic lifestyle!

(Excellent )

8 Feb 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join a young, friendly, ...)

This was my first workaway, and my first time ever in a hostel. I had the most amazing time volunteering. The work was so easy, and just involved checking guests in/out, answering guests’ questions, booking the ATM caves for them, and helping Miss Rose strip the beds in the morning. Davina was very flexible with my schedule whenever I wanted to do… read more

(Excellent )

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