Vivienne

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I'm really interested in language exchange and learning more about every day life :) I enjoy taking care of animals and children and want the opportunity to explore local places and meet local friends

Description

I'm a young marine biologist traveling around East Asia after completing an internship in Okinawa. I've always wanted to take a big solo trip, so I'm planning to go around Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea for a couple months to experience more of the world before making my next career move :) I am passionate about the ocean and conservation, and I ultimately want to work in research that contributes to preserving the marine world and all the life inside it.

I come from a pretty international background (Chinese, Vietnamese, Swedish, and American) and I love sharing and learning about new cultures. I think this has contributed to my open mindedness and curiosity, as I am always looking to experience new and wonderful things. I am very lucky to have lived in the USA, UK, Ireland, and Japan and am happy to share my experiences with you :)

I really enjoy cultural immersion, language learning, outdoor adventures, and meeting people that open different perspectives to me. My main goal as a workawayer is to experience and learn about what everyday life is like in different countries while improving my language skills. I am friendly and compassionate, and I value authenticity, both in how I present myself and in my relationships. Although I love chatting and getting to know new people, I am slightly more introverted than extroverted. I like to keep some time free for quiet reading, journalling, and practicing yoga and mindfulness.

I am really interested in Eastern philosophy, especially Buddhism. Growing up in the west with Chinese parents has pushed me to understand more about eastern philosophy as a common thread of life, as opposed to an ideology that is quite different from western understandings. I have wanted to come to East Asia for a long time now to further my study of Buddhism and the ways it has influenced modern society.

Finally, I am passionate about food!! I like to eat mainly vegetarian, but I will eat meat when trying local cuisine and specialities :) I love cooking, learning new recipes, and am excited to be inspired by new flavors and culinary traditions. I also play guitar and piano, SCUBA dive (I also love sea swimming!), and enjoy gardening and foraging.

Interests

Charity work

Yoga / Wellness

Vegetarian or vegan

Water sports

Writing

Sustainability

Self development

Sailing / Boating

Politics / Social justice

Plant care

Pets

Outdoor activities

Music

Nature

Mountain

Languages

History

Hiking

Gardening

Fitness

Fashion or beauty

Farming

Drawing & painting

Dancing

Culture

Cooking & food

Camping

Books

Beach

Animals

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Chinese (Mandarin): Fluent
Japanese: Beginner
Chinese (Others): Beginner

More details about my language interests
I can teach English, and I am interested in learning Japanese or Korean!

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

Being an elderly companion

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Charity Work

Languages

Teaching

General Maintenance

Hospitality/Tourism

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Able to teach about:  

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

My expertise is in biology, specifically marine evolution and ecology. I have contributed to research in the study of marine ecosystems, evolution of marine organisms, and have skills in using DNA to uncover the evolutionary relationships between organisms.

I have 3 years of experience in hospitality/food service. I have worked in different restaurants as a hostess and server since I was an undergraduate student, from fine dining to casual eating.

I love working with children! I have previously worked as a babysitter and as a summer camp counselor. I am also the oldest of my cousins and have spent a lot of time taking care of them.

Age

26

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