Jia

Information de voyage

Actuellement, je suis

Description

hey! i'm Jia - traveler, language lover, spiritual explorer, and literature student in Paris.
I grew up in a buddhist family in China, and my life has always danced between introspection and curiosity for the outside world. i studied French literature in shanghai, and during university i discovered workaway - a decision that changed everything.
Since 20, i've worked and lived in dozens of countries, doing everything from gardening in spain to teaching, cleaning houses to babysitting, working in cafés as barista to running language classes. Wherever i went, I always tried to give something and learn something - and somehow, the people I met always gave me even more in return.
In 2024 I lived in France and then spent three unforgettable months solo-traveling through
Europe, Africa and Asia. Last May I was in Nepal, trekking in the himalayas and in August I attended a summer school in the Czech republic before beginning my master's studies in Paris in September. For the two years of my master, I plan to study, work and travel around Europe - and continue making spontaneous and soulful connections.

I'm quite extroverted - I adore meeting new people, listening to their stories, sharing meals, laughter, language exchanges, or even just a long walk with no real destination. I'm an early bird, a journal keeper (already on my third one!), and a runner currently training for my first semi-marathon 3, I lead my school's softball team and also play volleyball for my department.
My lifestyle is influenced by buddhist simplicity
— i practice yoga and meditation regularly, and one of my dreams is to do a silent retreat someday.
Music and languages are two things i cannot live without. i play guitar, ukulele, piano, and african drum. I speak French, English and Mandarin fluently, and I'm learning Czech, Russian and Japanese. I've worked as a Chinese teacher both in-person and online (including a UN educational project in ethiopia) and love language exchange communities.
To put it simply: i love people. i love stories. i love moments of real connection - whether it's over tea, music, or the shared silence of a mountain sunrise.

Centres d’intérêt

Plage

Sports d'aventure

Activités en plein air

Camping

Sports d'équipe

Écriture

Langues

Langues parlées
Anglais: Courant
Français: Courant
Chinois (mandarin): Courant

Plus de détails sur les langues qui m'intéressent
I am highly interested in both learning and teaching languages. Language education is a passion of mine, and I find great joy in sharing my knowledge and helping others acquire new language skills.In my spare time, I actively teach Chinese to French and Ethiopian individuals. This experience has allowed me to develop effective teaching methods, foster cross-cultural understanding, and witness the growth and progress of my students. Recently, I received an offer to work as a Chinese teacher at the East Asia Cultural Center in Marseille, which further emphasizes my commitment to language education.Moreover, I have practical experience as a Chinese language teacher at Ethiopian Education under the United Nations. During my time there, I taught Chinese at an elementary school twice a year for a month at a time. This experience enabled me to work with diverse students, adapt my teaching strategies to different learning styles, and create engaging and immersive language lessons.My passion for languages extends beyond teaching as well. As a language learner myself, I understand the challenges and rewards of acquiring new language skills. I once learned Japanese, Italian and German by myself, fluent in French and English. I am committed to continuous learning and improving my language proficiency, and I believe that language learning is a lifelong journey.Overall, my experience as a Chinese language teacher, my dedication to language education, and my enthusiasm for both teaching and learning languages make me highly interested in furthering my language skills and contributing to language education opportunities. I have a passion for languages, so I am interested in both learning and teaching. I believe it's important to continuously learn and grow, while also sharing knowledge and helping others in their language acquisition. The process of learning is a lifelong journey, and being able to teach and guide others along that path is incredibly rewarding. I attended a foreign language school in my junior and senior high school, which placed great emphasis on language education. In junior high school I was in the second foreign language class and systematically studied Spanish for two years. In high school I made full use of the school's resources and learnt a little bit of Japanese and German, and I am able to carry out simple daily communication in Japanese and German. I believe that learning or teaching a language holds immense importance for effective communication, cultural exchange, career advancement, cognitive development, personal growth, preservation of cultural heritage, and fostering a deeper understanding of the world we live in.

Trouver un partenaire de langue

Compétences et connaissances que j'aimerais partager ou apprendre

Ça m'intéresse :  

Jardinage

Bricolage et projets de construction

S’occuper des animaux

Aider dans une ferme

Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

Entretien général

Éco-projets

Travail associatif

Aide informatique / Internet

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J'ai des connaissances :  

Projets artistiques

Tenir compagnie à une pers. âgée

Préparer les repas / cuisiner pour la famille

Aider à la maison

Accueil / tourisme

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Je peux apprendre aux autres :  

Langues

Enseignement

Quelles sont vos compétences ?

what I can teach:
French or English or Mandarin for all levels if you're learning
how to play ukulele or guitar
calligraphy (if you're into that!)
journaling prompts or mindfulness practices
how to cook some simple chinese dishes!

what i want to learn:
local recipes
traditional dances and music
anguages, always!
your personal story or philosophy on
life
how to live more slowly and presently

what i can share:
laughter, long walks, stories
morning runs (if you're up for it!)
music jams
homemade dumplings or stir-fry
travel stories from 13 countries and counting


I'm here to meet kind, curious, open-hearted people from different backgrounds, to share stories, perspectives, and possibly food, music or a morning run. Some of my dearest friends today were once just strangers i met through couchsurfing or workaway.
I don't believe in boundaries between "locals" and
"travelers." we're all just people, trying to make sense of the world together. and sometimes, the most meaningful experiences aren't on a travel itinerary - they're in the conversations you have in someone's kitchen or the laughter you share on a rainy city walk.
I'm not here looking for romance - just genuine, cultural, and soulful connection.

Countries I worked in: Cambodia, England, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Âge

22

Autres infos...

In addition to the hobbies and interests I have already mentioned, there are a few more aspects of my life that I would like to share:

Music has been a significant part of my life, and I have had the opportunity to play guitar in various bars across China and even on the streets. It has been a fulfilling experience to connect with people through music and create an enjoyable atmosphere. I find great pleasure in sharing my musical talents and bringing people together through the power of music.

Cycling and expeditions are activities that I truly enjoy. Exploring new places, taking in the scenic views, and challenging myself physically are all elements that excite me. Whether it's cycling through picturesque countryside or embarking on adventurous expeditions, I find a sense of freedom and fulfillment in these outdoor pursuits.

Animals hold a special place in my heart. I am an animal lover, and my affection extends to dogs, cats, and creatures of all kinds, including insects. Interacting with animals brings me joy and a sense of connection with nature. Their companionship and the opportunity to care for them enriches my life.

One of my favorite activities is jumping into lakes or rivers. There's something incredibly refreshing and invigorating about immersing oneself in water. Living near bodies of water, whether it's a lake, river, or even the sea, holds great appeal to me. The tranquil beauty and calming presence of water have a positive effect on my well-being.

Finally, as a language lover, I have a strong desire to meet new friends from diverse cultural backgrounds. The opportunity to interact with individuals from different parts of the world, exchange ideas, and learn about their traditions and customs is something I greatly cherish. It is through these connections that I believe we can foster mutual understanding and appreciation for our shared humanity.

Overall, my love for music, passion for outdoor activities, affinity for animals, fascination with water, and enthusiasm for cultural exchange further contribute to the richness of my experiences. I am excited to bring these interests and attributes to any hosting opportunity and create meaningful connections with individuals from all walks of life.

Informations complémentaires

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  Fumeur

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  Permis de conduire

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  Allergies

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  Régime alimentaire spécial