Micayla

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Información de perfil

  • Información de viaje

    Ahora estoy

    viajando

    Actividades que me interesan:

    I enjoy going hiking, exploring natural spaces, and volunteering in forests and mountainous spaces. I'm always up for trying out local food spots!

    Mi próximo destino:

    Indonesia - Desde Ene 2024 Hasta Mar 2024
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  • Descripción

    Hi, my name is Micayla - but everyone calls me Mica, and I have been traveling and living nomadic now for almost 10 years (since I was 18). Over the last 10 years I have travelled through 22 countries, and explored many different jobs and volunteering experiences.

    Jobs I have done to sustain my travels:

    - I worked as an Au Pair for 2 years (USA)
    - a Service Ambassador for 6 months (South Africa)
    - a English Teacher for 2 years in (Vietnam)
    - a Website Designer & Developer for the last 3 years (Remotely)

    Volunteering Experiences:

    - Resort Breakfast Chef for 2 months (Thailand)
    - Teaching English at a homestay for 2 months (Vietnam)
    - Hostel Reception / Cleaning (Singapore, Brazil, South Africa)
    - Guest Activities & Guided Hikes for 2 weeks (Malaysia)
    - Organic Farming / Gardening (Brazil, South Africa)
    - Au Pairing (South Africa)
    - House Sitting (South Africa)
    - Lodge Dinner Chef (South Africa)
    - Renovations / Painting (Brazil)
    - Copywriting (Brazil)
    - Website Design / Development (Brazil, Thailand)
    - Photography (Brazil)

    I also spent a few years just backpacking using the money I had in my savings.. and let me tell you - it has been an incredible adventure!

    Some would call me a "digital nomad" now, as for the past 3 years I have been working online as a website designer and developer. I have also received training and worked in Video Editing, Graphic Design, SEO and Copywriting & Editing, and Social Media Marketing projects.

    I was born and raised in South Africa, and have always valued different perspectives, cultures and ways of life. I am gentle natured, and hold a deep love and respect for nature, animals and the people I meet during my travels.

    I have received many reflection from others throughout my experiences volunteering in the past, that I am reliable, hardworking and can meet responsibilities with self discipline. I find value in helping out in projects that are creating positive change in the world, and enjoy experiencing different styles of community (through hostels, conservation projects, eco lodges etc..)



    - - - - - - - - - -

    More in-depth:

    When I discovered voluntary work, I felt a deep connection with the experience of work exchange, being of service without money being involved felt freeing to me, and allowed me to explore many more countries than I could have imagined, as well as learn and share incredible skills along the way!


    Here is a brief overview of the Countries I have travelled to & my experience:

    1) United States: Au Pairing | 2 Years
    During my time Au Pairing in the USA, I took care of three beautiful children aged 1 year - 4 years old. I travelled 28 of the States during my 2 year stay, experiencing New York, LA, Florida, and many beautiful places in-between! During my second year I hiked the 48 tallest mountains in New Hampshire! (the state i was living in)

    2) Mozambique: Camping in the Wilderness | 2 Weeks
    I spent 2 weeks exploring the south east coast of Mozambique, and experienced snorkeling with dolphins in the ocean, camping in the forest for the first time.

    Europe: Backpacking | 3 Months
    I backpacked 11 countries in Europe on my own when I was 21. This experience really opened my eyes to the diversity of cultures around in different countries and sparked a curiosity in me to see more of the world. During my 3 months in Europe I stayed in backpackers as I travelled by bus, flight and train through 3 - Italy / 4 - Slovenia / 5 - Slovakia / 6 - Austria / 7 - Hungary / 8 - Germany / 9 - The Netherlands / 10 - Belgium / 11 - France / 12 - Spain / 13 - Ireland.

    14) Thailand: Volunteering | 2 Months / 1 Week / 2 Months
    I have been to Thailand many times. The first time I experienced Thailand happened to be my first experience volunteering. I stayed at a resort for 2 months, cooking breakfast for the guests of the resort. My second time in Thailand I travelled up North, sat my first 10 day Vipassana, a 10 day silent meditation retreat. I also volunteered at Bodega Party Hostel in Pai, but this experience showed me that party hostel experiences don't feel aligned for me. The third time I ended up living on an island (Koh Phangan) for 6 months, 2 of which I spent volunteering - doing a full Website redesign for a company that runs Tours for Digital Nomads. I now work for them part time as their web designer & developer!

    15) Vietnam: Volunteering & Working (Teaching English) | 7 Months / 8 Months
    I took an opportunity to Volunteer teaching English in a Homestay in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Some weeks after I arrived, I lost my bank card, and was left with no choice but to start teaching English at a Language Center to sustain myself for the following months. I also travelled from Saigon (South) to Da Nang (Central) Vietnam by Motorbike over 2 weeks - which turned out to be one of the most life changing experiences I have had during my travels! I then taught English in Da Nang for 8 Months during my second stay in Vietnam, which is where I fell more deeply in love with this beautiful country!

    16) Singapore: Volunteering | 2 Weeks
    I spent 2 weeks volunteering as a receptionist in Happy Snail Hostel, and explored the pristine streets of Singapore!

    17) Nepal: Hiking in the Himalayas | 3 Weeks
    I travelled to Nepal, where I set off on a 2 week expedition, hiking in the Himalayas through the trails of the Annapurna base camp trek and staying in Tea houses. This was an incredible experience, as it had always been my dream to set foot in the Himalayas and I saw some of the most extraordinary views and had contact with the people of the mountain villages.

    18) Malaysia: Volunteering | 1 Month
    I travelled from Kuala Lumpur to the island Langkawi over the month I spent in Malaysia. For 2 and a half weeks I volunteered at a hostel doing guided hikes in the Tea Plantations and organising guest activities!

    19) India: Backpacking & Yoga Teacher Training | 1 Month
    I spent some time travelling through India, from Jaipur to Agra, Rishikesh and Mumbai. During my time in Rishikesh I completed a 100 hour yoga teacher training.

    20) Brazil: Volunteering | 1 year
    I spent the whole of 2020 volunteering in different parts of Brazil. I sustained myself for the whole year through work exchange. I volunteered at 3 hostels doing reception / cleaning, 2 eco farms, doing organic gardening and agroforestry, and 1 hostel doing building / renovation work. I met an incredible group of friends and we travelled and volunteered together along the coast of Sao Paulo / Rio!

    21) South Africa: Where I was born and raised | 18 Years / 7 Months / 2 Years
    During the time I have spent in my own country, I have travelled along the coast, through the mountainous regions and safaris. I am grateful to have come from South Africa, as I believe it is a beautiful country with a very rich and diverse culture. :)

    Voluntary work in South Africa:

    - Au Pairing & House Sitting | 2 Months
    I spent 2 months in a Small Beach town names Scarborough, at the tip of the Cape peninsula, Au Pairing as a volunteer for 2 beautiful children (age 5 and 8).

    - Lodge / Backpacker Receptionist & Chef | 6 Months
    I spent 6 months volunteering as part time Receptionist & part time Chef at Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge in Natures Valley, South Africa. Here I lived in a community in the forest and got to interact with a wide range of international and local guests. It was incredible!

  • Intereses

    Tecnología
    Navegar / barcos
    Historia
    Deportes de aventura
    Vida en autocaravana
    Videografía
    Actividades al aire libre
    Cuidado de plantas
    Agricultura
    Fitness
    Baile
    Astronomía
    Yoga / bienestar
    Escritura
    Vegetariano o vegano
    Autodesarrollo
    Sostenibilidad
    Fotografía
    Naturaleza
    Montaña

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  • Idiomas

    Idiomas hablados
    Afrikaans: Fluido
    Inglés: Fluido
    Portugués: Principiante

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  • Habilidades y conocimientos que quiero compartir o aprender

    Ciertos conocimientos de:  

    Vida en una granja
    Proyectos ecológicos

    Puedo enseñar:  

    Jardinería
    Cocinar para toda la familia
    Ayuda doméstica
    Hostelería/turismo
    Idiomas
    Ayuda con ordenadores/Internet
    Enseñanza
  • Que habilidades tienes?

    Child Care: I spent 2 years living in the USA, working as an Au Pair (through the company - Au Pair in America). I have experience in taking care of children aged 1-8 years old, as well as a certificate from a course i did related to Early Childhood Development.

    Waitressing: I have 6 months experience working in restaurants, taking orders and serving food.

    Cooking: I've volunteered for 2 months as a chef, responsible for cooking breakfast for the guests of a resort (Himmapan Resort) on an Island in Thailand, and for 6 months as a Chef at Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge, cooking Dinner for the Lodge Guests / Backpackers. I have a lot of passion for cooking and often cook for the people around me everywhere I go!

    Teaching English: I have about 1 and a half years of experience working in different schools and language centers in Vietnam, teaching English as a second language to students aged 2 - 22 years old. I can teach every level; from Beginner to Upper Intermediate, and I have experience training students for the IELTS exam.

    The English Schools I worked at are:
    - GK International English Language Center
    - Ms Thuy Foreign Language Center
    - Leo Go English for Kids
    - Golden Bee English Center

    Cleaning / Reception: I have volunteered at 7 different hostels throughout my travels, in:

    Singapore (Happy Snail Hostel), Malaysia (Traveller Bunker Hostel), Thailand (Bodega Party Hostel), Brazil (Aqaurela do Leme / Tropico de Capricornio / Chamos Hostel Cultural) and South Africa (Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge).

    In my time volunteering I learned about the different systems used in a hostel (Cloudbeds and Frontdest Master) and how to do many of the cleaning tasks expected from Volunteering. I also learned Check in and Check out procedures and how to organize extra hostel activities for guests (eg. Trivia Night)

    Night Shift: Whilst volunteering at Aquarela do Leme Hostel, I was responsible for some night shifts during the week, where I stayed at the reception from 11pm to 7am to open the gate for guests and do some administration tasks.

    Guide for Hiking: During my stay volunteering in Malaysia (at Traveller Bunker Hostel) one of my responsiblities was taking guests on guided hikes in the Tea Plantations in the Highlands. Here, I gained experience in leading a group of people through local trails, and sharing information about the town and culture of the people.

    Yoga: When I was travelling in Asia, i completed a 100h yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, India. With that experience I can guide yoga classes.

    Meditation: In Thailand, I took part in my first 10 day silent Meditation (Vipassana) at a Temple called "Wat Doi Suthep". It's here that I first learned about Meditation, and I would be happy to share that knowledge! I sat 2 more 10 day Vipassana Courses at Dhamma Pataka in Worcester, South Africa over 2021/2022.

    Farming / Agroforestry: In Brazil, I volunteered for 2 months at an Eco Lodge (Mariri Jungle Lodge), where I learned about sustainability and how to build an "Agrofloresta". I learned how to utilize the land and its materials for creating a system where different trees can grow in line with vegetables in a way that is beneficial for both. I helped with mulching, collecting branches and leaves, planting small trees, using organic fertiliser and compost to give nutrients to the trees and plants and creating structure in the Agrofloresta.

    Gardening: In Brazil, I volunteered for 2 months at an Eco Lodge (Salve Floresta) in the Mata Atlantica Rainforest, where my responsibilities included taking care of an organic vegetable garden with a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, kale, tomatoes, spring onion, carrots, lettuce and more! I had to plant seeds, take care of the seedlings and once they were strong enough i had to plant them in the patch. I learned how to turn compost into organic fertilizer and i learned how to identify and care for many different vegetable and herb plants.

    Content Writing: While volunteering at Salve Floresta, I had the opportunity to write articles for their website, explaining the importance of conservation and sharing knowledge about the animals and plants of the Mata Atlantica. I wrote about bird watching, events, guided hikes, a local village that lived near to the Eco Lodge and organic gardening.

    Website Development (Wordpress & GHL): While I was volunteering with Tropico de Capricornio Hotel (where I volunteered for 4 months) I took on a project to create the website for their brand, outlining their 7 hostels in Ubatuba. I wrote about each unique location and I set up the website layout with pictures of each hostel and activities around Ubatuba. I also volunteered for 2 months in 2023 for a company that runs tours for digital nomads through Thailand, and now work for them online part time.

    Renovations: During my last month in Brazil, i stayed at a hostel in Sao Paulo, helping with a full renovation. There I painted walls mostly! (I have a review from this experience on my Workaway profile).

    Skills related to my current online work:

    Video Editing: I have experience working with Adobe Premier Pro to create many different styles of video (Filmed Podcast Episodes / Walkthrough Videos / Informative Videos / Documentary Style Videos)

    Website Development: I can design a website from scratch, and am able to develop different aspects of a website ranging from landing pages, to service offerings, blogs and WooCommerce. I work mainly with Wordpress, but I have experience working with Wix as well.

    SEO: I have training and experience in SEO, keyword research & analytics. A large part of my current job requires constant optimization for our Online Platform to show up in Google Search results - this is mainly my responsibility.

    Copywriting & Editing: I have experience in copywriting in the form of landing page copy, blogposts, copywriting for online events and copy for social media posts. I am the lead editor the educational blog on the Platform that I work for.

    Graphic Design: I have training and experience in working with Photoshop and Indesign to create Logos, edit Photographs, create social media posts and format E-books.

    Social Media: I have experience making create Posts, Reels and IGTV videos for Instagram used to promotional / marketing purposes.

    Youtube: I have experience in Youtube SEO, uploading videos and optimizing them to be able to show up when people are searching for the theme of the video or related themes.

  • Edad

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    • Fumador

    • Permiso de conducir

    • Alergia

    • Dieta especial
      I have been following a vegetarian lifestyle for 9 years, and avoid any artificial / processed foods.

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