Nicola

Information de voyage

Actuellement, je suis

Description

Hello,
I am Nicola from a small village in southern Germany.
I love nature, animals, mushing, horse riding, hiking and nature photography — perhaps to balance my former occupation as an IT-Consultant that was mostly dry and logical. I think I am an energetic, open-minded, and straightforward person.

I left my job behind end of 2018 and travel a lot since. As I have more time now, I want to get to know the lifestyle and culture and not only the sights of a country. To gain an insider perspective I love to work as a volunteer, especially with animals. These last years I volunteered for a total of 6 months at husky kennels in Sweden and for 9 months with horses (six months with horse safari operators in Botswana and South Africa and three months at stables in Potugal and Spain). I can provide reference letters.

I would love to volunteer again with huskies from January till March 2025 in Scandinavia. I would be very happy if you could give me the opportunity!
As you probably already realized I am not your typical gap-year student workawayer, but I am physically fit and would bring you a lot of experience, a strong work ethic and the willingness to try whatever arises. My hosts told me I was more active and got more done then most of their young volunteers.
In winter, I relish the wilderness and the pastel light of the North. I go snowshoe hiking in Nordkalotten and Laponia all alone with my camera almost every winter. I started dogsledding as a self-driving guest on several day tours. I loved the trips but also helping to prepare the dogs and taking care of them afterwards. Therefor I volunteered for two months each as dog handler at husky kennels in Sweden in 2019, 2021 and 2023. I cared for the dogs, chicken, sheep and the dog sledding guests. I learned basic mushing and riding a snowmobile/ski-doo. I am well versed on snowshoes and skis.

I have 40 years of experience in horse riding (mostly english with some classical and western training) and like dressage, groundwork and trail riding. I know my way around pitchfork, broom, hoof rasp and tack awl. For long years I owned a horse and cats but not anymore as I travel too much. I must be satisfied with sharing a horse now.

I am a certified volunteer guide and trainer for mountaineering and snowshoe hiking in the German Alpine Club DAV.
This gives me a lot of experience organizing group trips as well as leading and teaching people on vacation. Feedback tells me that I am good at making the most out of a trip especially for the weaker members of the group.

My former job as an IT-Consultant taught me to understand a new business context very quickly, to structure a problem to facilitate a solution — and the extensive use of Microsoft Office. In case you could use some of these skills I am happy to help with your business or admin tasks.
I am a German native speaker. My English is fluent from many travels as well as business use. My French is a bit rusty but will wake up quickly as I lived in France for three years. I speak a basic Spanish at the European A2-Level.

Centres d’intérêt

Photographie

Animaux de compagnie

Activités en plein air

Nature

Montagne

Langues

Randonnée

Animaux

Langues

Langues parlées
Allemand: Courant
Anglais: Courant
Français: Courant
Espagnol: Débutant

Plus de détails sur les langues qui m'intéressent
Ce workawayer a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa ou ses propre(s) langue(s) ou en apprendre une nouvelle. Veuillez le contacter directement pour en discuter.

Trouver un partenaire de langue

Compétences et connaissances que j'aimerais partager ou apprendre

Ça m'intéresse :  

Langues

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J'ai des connaissances :  

Aider dans une ferme

S’occuper des animaux

Accueil / tourisme

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Je peux apprendre aux autres :  

Aide informatique / Internet

Quelles sont vos compétences ?

It seems I mixed too many skills into my description, so only bullet points of skills and characteristics that may be relevant:

— Experience as dog handler in husky kennels and in mushing
— Proficient in guiding and training groups in mountaineering and snowshoe hiking and in organizing group trips
— Experienced in horse care and training
— Microsoft Office skills, administration support
— Practical skills resulting from owning a house and garden and working in the horse barn. I know how to use hammer and screwdriver, but sorry, I am not an experienced construction worker
— I have a first aid certificate (outdoor first aid course for mountain guides)
— I have a driver's license, drive also trailers and vans
— I do not smoke
— I weight 70 kg
— I am not vegetarian or vegan and have no allergies
— I am a passionate amateur photographer

Âge

61

Informations complémentaires

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  Fumeur

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  Permis de conduire

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  Allergies
  No

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  Régime alimentaire spécial
  No