Daniel

United Kingdom
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
current location - East Coast, Taiwan! Hit me up if you're around
My next destination:
Japan - from Feb 2024 until May 2024
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Description
Hello everyone!

My name is Dan. I'm hoping to meet interesting and like-minded people through workaway whilst gaining experience trying my hand at things both familiar and foreign to me. I love trying new things as I believe that's when we learn the most about ourselves.

I'm very sporty and love being outdoors, which isn't necessarily conducive in the UK climate, but I run regularly all year round to maintain my fitness. I also enjoy reading novels and short stories and composing poetry and writing down observations or letters for my friends. I just graduated from university where I studied Digital Music and Sound Art and I have a huge passion for music - especially the psychological side of it, how it can transform a person's mood and energy. I love to sing and I enjoy playing guitar and writing songs on occasion, though It's more a hobby than a future career.

My travelling thus far has been mostly recreational - solo and holidays with friends but I did a three month cultural exchange volunteering placement in rural Nepal, working in schools and implementing changes to be carried out over a two year process, which I loved!

Let's get cracking!
Interests
Plant care
Art & design
Cooking & food
Drawing & painting
Yoga / Wellness
Self development
Fitness
Music
Writing
Water sports
Team sports
Mountain
Beach
Camping
Books
Cycling
Culture
Outdoor activities
Adventure sports
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Being an elderly companion
Eco Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
Able to teach about:
Languages
More details about your skills
I'm a strong sportsman and can play more sports to an above average level. I have a lot of energy and stamina so I think I'd be suitable running sessions teaching youngsters or amateurs.
I can play guitar, bass and keyboard and have a decent knowledge of music theory.
I love to cook and regularly cook for myself and others, though I am mostly self taught.
I am optimistic, have heaps of energy and love to throw myself into new endeavours so If you give me a task and teach me well I believe I can do anything.
I am strong at writing and reading and so I believe I could teach basic English too, if required.
Age
29
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Feedback

6 May 2024

Left by host (Help our training meaningful ...) for Workawayer (Daniel)

Hi Dan

First of all, thank you so much for everything that you have done in our Organization, we are so happy to welcome you join in our charity projects. You are willing do everything whenever we need your help. You are so friendly and enthusiasm. Thanks for your interesting lessons in the class, you bring the new knowledge for us. Students… read more

(Excellent )

2 May 2024

Left by Workawayer (Daniel) for host (Help our training meaningful ...)

My time at the centre was one filled with new experiences, frustration and mixed teaching experience. First I'll start with the positives. My interview with Chloe was excellent. She answered all the questions I had very clearly (and I had a lot) and gave me some good information to begin with so I had a decent grounding coming into things.
The… read more staff are all very friendly and accommodating. From Ms Thu and her husband to Dang and Hoai especially I want to thank you for making me feel very welcome from the beginning throughout my entire stay.
The resources are good, two spacious classrooms with plenty of room for the small(ish) class sizes and lots of learning materials.
The students are a joy to teach, especially for me, the evening classes with adult learners especially. I always felt well respected and listened to, and even got quite emotional when I left after three weeks with my regular adult learners class.
The food is tasty and consistent, two times a day to keep you well fuelled for the teaching, of which isn't too strenuous or time consuming. You have plenty of free time to explore and get about Hanoi, wherever you wish to go and the base isn't too far from the main source of action (Old Quarter, just a short 20 min bike ride away)
Outside of my scheduled time there, the family were kind enough to let me leave my belongings and come back a week later before I flew back from Hanoi. For this I'm very appreciative.
Also I appreciate the large space to do regular washing free of charge. The services here are very agreeable with my bank balance!

Some negatives however can't be ignored and it would be remiss of me to make this review without addressing some of the problems that I noticed during my stay and how I think they could be improved. This is not a criticism and some of these things will maybe be cultural, these are just suggestions that I think could make the experience here even better for all involved.

1. Communication could be improved massively. I felt like I was having to go out of my way and ask so many questions to get the relevant knowledge that I wanted.
2. Lesson feedback would be greatly encouraged for the teachers. It doesn't have to be too much, just a simple you did this well, or this could have been improved by _____ would have helped me massively, especially as this was my first time teaching
3. Integration could be better. I feel like the cultural exchange here wasn't as good as it could have been! I didn't learn as much as I'd hoped to learn about Vietnamese culture. Even the way that the family sits at one end of the table and the volunteers together at the other makes it feel like there's a bit of a divide and it leads to not much exchange during dinnertime which was a great shame.

Overall though, I have to say I'm satisfied and thoroughly enjoyed my first workaway experience. I wish the best of luck to the centre and everyone involved. You do fantastic work and places like this are more and more needed in today's ever changing climate.

Much love, Dan

(Very good )