Unhae

Informações de viagem

Eu estou

Descrição

I'm an English teacher from Santa Cruz, California, who loves travel and cultural exchange. I've had wonderful couchsurfing experiences both as guest and host (we hosted a student for a few months in 2019). In 2018, I had a superb wwoofing experience for two weeks, making all kinds of cheeses at a goat farm in the French Alps.

I embrace workaway as a way to give back for room & board, but, more importantly, as a wonderful opportunity to experience, hands-on with open heart, the life of others in different parts of the world, as opposed to touristy travel. During COVID, I cared for my parents for three years. All the more reason I am eager to travel and to see the world again (respecting all COVID precautions)!

I caught the travel bug during my college years when I spent a year in Paris studying French and English literature, figure drawing, political science, and art history. A few years later I studied law in Germany! I had a great time but discovered I loved languages and cultures far more than I did contracts, law, and legal advocacy. I went back to Paris to study literary translation (as I was taking care of three kids as an AU PAIR), but eventually ended up teaching English (middle and high school) and literature at college. I have a Masters in English Education and a PhD in Shakespeare and Renaissance studies. I have published books and articles on Shakespeare and other literature.

Other than that, I love and pledge allegiance to Earth, my true home over any other national or ethnic tie. I hate the way humans are mistreating our privileged place on this beautiful planet and hope we can confront the environmental challenges ahead. Travel and cultural exchange, more than anything else, strengthen my conviction that we, of all races, faiths, and species, share equally this precious home and resource.

I love and admire nature--both sea and forest: I enjoy hiking, biking, and swimming. I enjoy eating and cooking all kinds of ethnic cuisines. I read voraciously and love to engage in deep conversations on literature, philosophy, politics to travel and pop culture. I speak 5 languages in descending order of fluency/skill: English, French, German, Korean, Spanish, Italian. I would like to improve my Italian. I know a little bit of Latin, Greek, and Persian.

The skills I offer are general house and garden work, child care and caregiving (spent most of the last decade caring for my parents), language practice, cooking/baking, professional sewing--all with a strong work ethic, a respectful manner, and a ready smile! My partner and I recently build a shed together. I sewed 100 masks for neighbors during COVID.

Thank you for considering me and hope to hear from you!

Interesses

Idiomas

Inglês: Fluente
Francês: Fluente
Alemão: Intermediário
Espanhol: Intermediário
Korean: Intermediário
Italiano: Iniciante

Habilidades e conhecimento para compartilhar ou aprender

Tenho interesse em:  

Jardinagem

Projetos de construção/faça você mesmo

Cuidar de crianças/atividades criativas

Criar/cozinhar refeições caseiras

Projetos ambientais

Ajuda a cuidar da casa

Ensino

Hotelaria/turismo

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Conhecimento de:  

Manutenção geral

Projetos artísticos

Ajuda com computadores/internet

Fazer companhia para idosos

Vida na fazenda

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Poso ensinar:  

Idiomas

Quais são suas habilidades?

I have taught English for 20 years at the high school and university level (University of Southern California, Slippery Rock University). I have a B.A. from Yale, Masters in Education (UCLA) and Masters in English (UC Irvine), National Board Certification, Ph. D. in English from USC (specialty in Shakespeare and Renaissance Studies). I have a book published, along with many articles.
I can do professional sewing. I used to make a dress a day during my summer vacations (fashion designed and even men's suits). More recently, I use sewing for practical (curtains) and artistic purposes (quilts, altering clothing).
I've been cooking for many years and have become proficient at concocting something delicious out of limited stock. California offers cuisines from all cultures, so fusion cooking comes naturally for me.
My partner and I have restored many homes together (currently our 4th one), cleaning, painting, remodeling, landscaping, gardening. I am used to general maintenance as well as restorative work.
I am a parent, having raised a wonderful daughter. We hosted a student from Germany for 4 months and immensely enjoyed the cultural and intergenerational exchange. Years back, I really enjoyed au pairing in Paris for a family with three kids while I was pursuing a Maitrise in literary translation.
I cared for my parents for three years in my home.

Idade

51

Algo mais...

I like to play Rummikub, or rummy tiles. I can draw and do beautiful calligraphy; used to play Chopin nocturnes on the piano. I also write poetry, and am learning swing dance. ;)
I had the wonderful opportunity to spend an academic year in Paris (twice); also in Goettingen, Germany. I have visited most of the western European countries from Granada to Bled to the Norwegian fjords; Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec, Canada; Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti, S. Korea (a bit). On my prospective list is Portugal, Morocco, Denmark, and more of the Netherlands besides Amsterdam (which I wouldn't mind revisiting)!

Mais algumas informações

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  Fumante

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  Carteira de motorista

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  Alergias
  no

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  Dietas especiais
  no