Rachel

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
My next destination:
France
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Description
I am an open-minded idealist, helper, traveler, nature lover, hiker, yogic practitioner, gardener, creative, house sitter, animal lover, and intensely curious soul. Most people think I'm younger than I am because of my activity level, openness to learn, grow, and connect with people of various ages and backgrounds. I've also been told I'm easy to live with, tidy, responsible, patient, kind, quiet, happy to hold space for others, and have a fun personality. I do like to help people smile! :-)

I'm currently the landscape team leader at a combined intentional living community and yoga retreat center in the United States. Starting as a volunteer over 1.5 years ago. I've worn multiple hats here which include guest interaction, internal community support, yoga retreat teacher support, house sitting, repair/maintenance, and shared chores. The only reason I'm leaving this beautiful community of people is because of my need to travel again!

My background is a combination of professional and volunteer experience. Typically of significant responsibility which included many personalities and different cultural backgrounds. I left my professional life about 6+ years ago to travel and volunteer. My lifetime volunteer experience varies greatly. Ranging from farmhand, to hosting at an eco resort, time with street children, house sitting, pet sitting, assisting at a therapeutic horse riding facility, producing two TEDx events, rails-to-trails, and more. My service included living in India for over a year, also five months in Puerto Rico, the rest spread across various places overseas and in the United States. I prefer to be active, outside, trying new things, learning and growing. I also enjoy house sitting and/or taking care of pets. I'm detailed, handy, eager to trade skills, and open minded. I like to think outside the box and problem solve. My goal is always, always, always to help people grow and do well for themselves.

Feel free to send questions! Happy to explain anything.
Interests
Events & social
Plant care
Music
Drawing & painting
Gardening
Dancing
Adventure sports
Technology
Pets
Art & design
Performing arts
Cycling
Animals
Hiking
Charity work
Sustainability
Mountain
Self development
Camping
Languages

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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Hindi: Beginner
More details about my language interests
Interested in learning Hindi, French, and Spanish. Happy to help you with English.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projects
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
Able to teach about:
Languages
More details about your skills
Hosting - Making guests feel warm and welcomed
Organization - Including sorting, purging, down-sizing
Gardening/landscape - very small or large areas (experienced with many types of power and hand tools, chainsaws, small and larger equipment, including operation of trucks, tractors, front-loader, and fire truck)
Simple maintenance, repairs, renovation
House and pet sitting
Yoga - as an assistant (YTT-500 certified, trained in India)
Conversational English (CELTA certified)
Office work
There are various other skills in addition to these that each host has been pleased to benefit from.
Age
53
What else ...
I enjoy yoga, meditation, philosophical discussion, psychology, slow hiking, holding space for others, connecting with the earth, and healthy living. I like to remain fit and active. Hiking, yoga, and gardening are my main forms of exercise. I do not smoke or do drugs. Also not a partier. However, gatherings with hosts, volunteers, or community members is always lovely.

I find enjoyment from full cultural immersion, exploration, the arts, learning, meeting new people and finding common ground. Especially with those that have the capacity to share, laugh deeply, and find the good in others. Living a life that combines diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for everyone is important to me.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegan/vegetarian - If this is a concern, I can make my own food :-) I'm used to it.

Feedback

2 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Contribute your skills to our ...)

Amazing experience in the California mountains! This is a beautiful 380 acre yoga retreat center with an intentional living community of over 60 residents, ages 1 to 90. From the very first day I was welcomed with warmth, curiosity, and kindness. They very quickly became a loving and supportive family to me.

Accommodations are clean, safe, nicely… read more

(Excellent )

2 Mar 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel)

Rachel was a delight to have here and we are very sad to see her go even though we do expect her to see her again later this year. Since the first day she arrived Rachel was immersed in our community, and reached out to support residents and guests to get to know them. She is compassionate and generous, and has a way of holding space for others… read more

(Excellent )

26 Aug 2022

Left by host (Land restoration and fire ...) for Workawayer (Rachel)

Rachel was a wonderful addition to our team for the month of April. She is extremely hardworking, very considerate, mindful and works well with others. It was great having her help on our many projects in the forest, which included: fuels reduction, building burn piles and helping on our broadcast burns. She always asked questions in order to make… read more

(Excellent )

26 Apr 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Land restoration and fire ...)

I am truly grateful to have learned about prescription land preparation and burning from such a dedicated team! They have many years of training, certifications and experience to share. And not just how to do it, but why we do it. With lots of opportunities to be part of the process from start to finish. And now, thanks Kerstin’s enthusiastic… read more

(Excellent )

25 Feb 2022

Left by host (If you garden with a passion ...) for Workawayer (Rachel)

This wonderful lady is absolutely amazing. She was a perfectionist and paid attention to every detail. There was no task she couldn't handle. Rachel helped with everything from organizing to lawn maintenance to painting. She often gave an extra hand with the kiddos who adored her. She was a very pleasant person to be around and has no bad habits… read more

(Excellent )

29 Apr 2021

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (If you garden with a passion ...)

This was such a lovely experience. Beautiful surroundings, healing environment, nice accommodations, and healthy food. Jyl is kind, friendly, and great about letting volunteers work on the projects they like. She’s also open to new ideas that support or improve the property. My role was a combination of maintenance, repairs, organizing,… read more

(Excellent )

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Igniting forest during prescribed burn 2023

Farmstay Workaway, Pak Chong, Thailand

Rishikesh, India - Yoga Teacher Training

Producing my 2nd TEDx

Feedback

2 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Contribute your skills to our ...)

(Excellent )

2 Mar 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel)

(Excellent )

26 Aug 2022

Left by host (Land restoration and fire ...) for Workawayer (Rachel)

(Excellent )

26 Apr 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Land restoration and fire ...)

(Excellent )

25 Feb 2022

Left by host (If you garden with a passion ...) for Workawayer (Rachel)

(Excellent )

29 Apr 2021

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (If you garden with a passion ...)

(Excellent )

30 Aug 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel)

Such a pleasure having Rachel here. I highly recommend her. Guests really enjoyed her attention and conversation, such a great host. I could leave her with my most important guests and not worry. There was a language barrier with the staff but she found ways to communicate and taught them higher quality housekeeping and general property upkeep.… read more

(Excellent )

30 Aug 2020

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Come and help at our ...)

This was a truly unique experience. I planned to stay 3 weeks but enjoyed it so much I stayed longer. Dhanraj is a vibrant and hard working person. He taught me a lot about birds, wildlife and local culture. My main tasks were checking in guests, hosting, inspecting rooms and instructing staff on western standards. The eco-lodge is in a very quiet… read more

(Excellent )

24 Nov 2019

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Come and Share your skills as ...)

I had such a wonderful experience staying with Rama for two weeks. I was welcomed lovingly and became part of the family quickly. Mummy, sisters, brothers and children were all very kind and I will miss them. I felt so much joy spending time with the street children. They are so open and grateful to be acknowledged as people instead of pitied or… read more

(Excellent )

17 Apr 2018

Left by host (Help on a farm stay near Khao ...) for Workawayer (Rachel)

Glad that you came to help us at the farm. We try to make people happy as well as all the chickens. Good to have almost free range chickens at the farm. Eventually, they will be pasture raise! Once all the fence are block-off.
Thanks for good helping hands!

(Excellent )

4 Apr 2018

Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host (Help on a farm stay near Khao ...)

I am so grateful to Arnatt for my first Workaway experience. The farm has a great energy! The happiest chickens in Thailand live here :-) There were lots of projects to participate in and I learned so much. It’s a quiet location with fresh air, room for your mind to rest and plenty to keep the body active. It was a joy each day to eat freshly… read more

(Excellent )

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