worldtrotteraki

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello! My name is Akiko, or everyone calls me Aki. A newcomer as a workawayer (just joined April 2024) to this amazing community :) I am from Japan, and reside with my husband, and two children (13 and 10), and their school activities keep me busy. I am a big fan of Workaway, one of the people who believe this community can make the world a better place. I love to learn and grow with each other by sharing what we have experienced and believe. I am convinced that there is boundless knowledge to gain from individuals of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. I was a host for three years (2017-2019) in Japan and the rich experience we had with Workawayers became a forever treasure. Now I am ready to volunteer, sometimes as a family too. My goal is to meet wonderful friends who seem like family around the world. Every opportunity presents an ideal environment for learning and personal development.

As a family, we lived in Michigan, USA from 2019-2024 because of my husband's job transfer. We have met so many amazing people and friends, and we continue to communicate across borders. As my first workaway experience, I met a wonderful family in Detroit where I did some volunteer work and cultural exchange. I fell in love with this magical community, again!! This family also visited us in early 2025 in Japan, exploring local community and culture together.

In my free time, I enjoy having book discussions with my bookworm friends, training in Karate( it has been 7 years), and playing the guitar. My family is thinking about restarting an organic garden in 2025. I have so many dream projects, and I will make them blooming!

Interests

Cooking & food

Self development

Sustainability

Outdoor activities

Hiking

Dancing

Farming

Animals

DIY & crafts

Photography

Events & social

Technology

Writing

Nature

Languages

Gardening

Camping

Books

Culture

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent

More details about my language interests
I am happy to help you learn the Japanese language and culture, or language exchange.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Teaching

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Some knowledge of:  

Babysitting and creative play

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

More details about your skills

◆Teach Japanese
Currently, I am a stay-at home mom but teach Japanese online a few times a week. I have a teacher's license in Japan and taught middle schoolers English( as a foreign language) and Math, occasionally, worked with foreign students at elementary schools. I have been volunteering to have a weekly Japanese conversation class online (except during summer break) from 2022-2024 in Detroit.

◆Karate (Japanese traditional one, shotokan karate)
I am passionate about karate and have been training it for about7 years as a family. We are enjoying it at a slow pace. I can teach you the very basic moves only! It strengthens our body and mind, and I love how people in the karate community interact and encourage each other. Karate has many possibilities; keys to longevity, discipline, politeness, and respectful manner... and many more. Human beings sometimes forget to be humble and respectful, but karate is a reminder of this important way of being.

◆Guitar
I am a beginner's level, but I can play 7 songs at this moment. My favorite is "Imagine" by John Lennon, and "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto.

◆Babysitting
I am a mom of two kids (13&10), and succeeded in surviving the stage of "terrible twos". My kids also like to interact with little ones.

◆Garden work
I used to work in a small garden but have been away from the environment for about 5 years because of moving to a suburban area. I believe I am physically strong but my body is not designed for carrying heavy stuff for long hours.

◆Sushi
Although I am not a sushi chef, I have made countless sushi for my friends when we lived in the US! They call me sushi chef because I show up to their places with a plate of sushi. Please let me know if you are a big fan of sushi, or not.

Age

44

What else ...

◆I am a big fan of Mitch Albom, my favorite is "Tuesdays with Morrie" My bucket list includes having a book club session covering this story.

◆I LOVE BOOKS AND DISCUSSION!
I started an international book club in 2021 online, and through reading, I have learned and grown a lot with my bookworm friends of different nationalities. My humble book club marked its 5th anniversary in March 2025, and I am thinking of setting up another session (in-person setting) in 2024 or 2025. Here is my blog:
https://michigantoyama.wordpress.com/

◆Aside from licensed teacher in Japan, I am also a licensed guide interpreter in my home city (Toyama, Japan). I am planning to move back to my home city in 2024 and restart my career.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  None

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  Special dietary requirements
  None