Tess

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi there! Bonjour/Hallo/Ciao. Lovely to meet you.

My name is Tess Keeton (she/her), and I am a 23 year old Canadian-South African with a keen passion for discovering the world through human connection, sensory exploration, and spontaneous adventures. Although I only formally hold Canadian citizenship, I consider myself half South African, as I have close ties to my family and heritage in South Africa, and have lived there at various periods throughout my life.

Over the last four years, I have refined my love of learning, by living between the coasts of Canada, taking a year to study and travel in Europe and Africa (2023-2024), and completing independent and experiential study projects applicable to everyday realities and questions I have contemplated regarding the environments around me. These experiences have collectively allowed me to develop a deepened understanding of the ways in which nothing can exist in isolation, and how curiosity and openness can transform your identity and understandings of relationships and intentional global existence.

My desire to form meaningful relationships which span the planet, has existed since a young age, when my family would take me out of school to travel together for a few months at a time, in Europe, Africa, and North America. When I was 15, I was fortunate to participate in a 3 month reciprocal exchange in Tours, France, which allowed me to use french immersion language skills in practice and live with a welcoming host family. Having lived between three Canadian provinces-British Columbia, Ontario, and Newfoundland- I have witnessed the regionally distinctive differences which exist within one country, and also reflected on what Canadian identity can look like based on place and people.

Moreover, during the 2023-2024 year, I was able to take the time to travel solo for 3 weeks in Zanzibar, visit family friends in Kenya, England, and Malta, discover more about what being South African means to me, living in Cape Town , and studying Nutrition and Geography exchange at the University of Ghana, in Accra. This time away from Canada re-sparked a spirit of resilience and open-mindedness in me, which inspires me everyday to ask questions, appreciate the beauty of the little things in life, take the time to live and love, and to have conversations which broaden and challenge my perspective on being and communicating.

I have obtained a visa through the Working Holiday Visa Program between Canada and Austria, and hope to participate in Workaways between January and March 2026. I have left the time open for purposeful and unexpected opportunities and pathways to manifest. During this time, I am primarily searching for Workaway opportunities in Austria, so that I can practice German, and learn about the contemporary culture, as well as experience life on a farm and in natural outdoor spaces.

I look forward to connecting with you!
Vielen Dank,

Tess

Interests

Winter sports

Mountain

Gardening

Cycling

Carpentry

Adventure sports

Books

Animals

Camping

Astronomy

Beach

Cooking & food

Sailing / Boating

Outdoor activities

Nature

Hitchhiking

Culture

Farming

Languages

Fitness

Dancing

Hiking

History

Music

Photography

Sustainability

Writing

Water sports

Yoga / Wellness

Vegetarian or vegan

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner
Italian: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I am fluently bilingual in English and French, as I completed French Immersion in Canadian primary and secondary school, and participated in a 3-month exchange in France in 2018. I will graduate with a French minor from the University of Guelph. I have had 2 years experience of tutouring French to primary and secondary students, and would feel comfortable teaching either. Although French grammar is not my strong suit, I am confident in writing and oral communication. Currently, my goal is to improve my German language skills. I have been practicing on Duolinguo for 4 months, and will be completing an intensive German language course in Vienna once I arrive in Europe Dec/Jan, to enhance my confidence level in speaking. From there, I hope to find a Workaway opportunity where I can practice and be immersed in the German language on a regular basis. I am also familiar with Italian and Spanish for comprehension through audio and reading; not as much speaking (but I hope to throughout my life, so definitely open to a language learning opportunity!).

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

Languages

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

House & pet sitting

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Some knowledge of:  

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Animal Care

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Teaching

Art Projects

Being an elderly companion

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Able to teach about:  

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

More details about your skills

Education: Through the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, I have pursued an Arts and Sciences degree (over the last 4.5 years) with focuses on Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences, Geography, and French studies. Furthermore, I am completing certificates in Environmental Conservation and Environmental Citizenship. My degree has allowed me to complete extensive course subjects. I have taken Linguistics, Women"s Studies, French Literature,Biochemistry, Beginner Italian, French Translation, Human Impact on the Environment, Environmental Governance, Environmental Ethics and Perspectives, Science Communication, Biomedical Physiology, and Geology courses. I am able to learn quickly, and to make connections between a range of subjects in practice, applying this acquired knowledge, across a range of disciplines.

Communication/Linguistic abilities: I am a great listener, and have experience working as a Suicide Crisis Line Worker (988 line in Canada), practicing empathy and crisis support. Moreover, I have completed several independent learning projects and helped manage events during my time as a volunteer on a Food Security team, and a Public Health/Wellness team at the University of Guelph. These experiences have required attentive and timely communication and management. Moreover, I enjoy learning languages and make an effort to learn the languages of anywhere I travel to/work, as to immerse myself and form deeper connections.

Technology: I am quick at figuring out accessible technological programs (I can provide basic tech support), and have used Microsoft, Zencastr, Audacity, Zoom, Webex, Genesys Cloud, Kotobee, Canva, and CapCut amongst other platforms,for various jobs and school projects.

Social media: I was the Social Media coordinator for my university's French Club and the year rep for the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Student Association, which required making regular posts and promoting events. I enjoy graphic design (through platforms such as Shutterfly and Canva), and have made 3 cookbooks doing so. Additionally I have made a podcast using the tech platforms Zencastr and Audacity for one of my independent study courses. I really enjoy photography and love to participate in any relevant projects which require this kind of support.

Food and Hospitality: I hold nationally accredited serving certifications (such as Food Safe and Serving it Right-Canadian), and have 5+ years of relevant volunteer and work experience from serving, event planning, hosting, cleaning, dishwashing, cooking, financial transactions, and customer service.I am a proficient cook and baker, mostly focusing on vegetarian and food-waste reduction cooking. Having worked in cafes, restaurants, and bakeries, and having taken cooking courses in Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Ghana, I love exploring new cuisines and making delicious dishes in any kitchen space shared with me.

Music: I can play piano proficiently, and I am a beginner at acoustic guitar and drumming. I love song writing and poetry as well.

Fitness/Wellness: I am currently completing my practical hours to become a certified Personal Trainer through the CanFit training program, by November of 2025. I have a keen interest in Women's Health in particular, with my background in Nutritional Science and Fitness, I bring a holistic approach to finding a balanced way of living and caring for self.

I am hoping to, (and open to) develop more tactile skills connected to farming and agriculture, building, trades, and anything else help is needed with.

Age

23

What else ...

I love to play Rummoli, Rummy 500, Crazy 8's, and Board Games. Photography, Reading non-fiction, journalling, and playing music I enjoy doing in my spare time.

I adore swimming and being in water (outdoors) is my happy place. Staying active is very important to me and I enjoy pilates, running, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, dance, HIIT workouts, Kung-fu, skiing, and biking. I am keen to learn how to surf, horse-back ride, windsurf, and snowboard amongst many other things. I also like to rock-climb, though I am at a basic level.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Certain soaps and perfumes, pollen (mild).

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  Special dietary requirements
  I prefer to eat and cook plant-based, but I eat everything and would like to learn how to cook meat dishes.