Profile information
Description
During my young years i grew up in the countryside, in a farming family. In this environment i gained a particular fondness for living and working both in nature and together alongside with other people. My 3 sisters and i learned to coexist with the turning of the seasons and from the ingredients given by our surroundings.
When i turned 18, i moved to the city where i attended university, studying Fine Arts. Afterwards i obtained a teaching degree and a master in Cultural Studies. I worked for art museums and theater festivals and taught art education at university college with undergraduate students.
A few years ago i took a course in tea tasting, where i learned about the terroir, production methods, preparation and recognition of the aroma of loose quality tea deriving from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis. These skills, to do with the senses and with nature, i try to nurture and develop further by attending masterclasses, doing internships and readings on the topic.
In recent years, I have been dividing my time and seasons between traveling, working and volunteering abroad, very often in places of art, nature and silence. During one of my travels, as a temporary residential community member of Bonnevaux, Center for Peace in France, I learned how to meditate in a contemplative way and learned to consciously integrate silence during the day. These elements have now been part of my way of living for many years.
I continue to travel when I can, to learn and share.
Interests
Outdoor activities
Mountain
DIY & crafts
Books
Yoga / Wellness
Vegetarian or vegan
Writing
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Nature
Pets
Plant care
Languages
Farming
Gardening
History
Drawing & painting
Culture
Cooking & food
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
i would love to find a place where learning comes from being immersed in life, by having to speak it every day, preferably with opportunities to attend classes to support that learning method. At the same time i can help with learning how to use English, with vocabulary, verbs, pronunciation, ...
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Babysitting and creative play
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Hospitality/Tourism
Able to teach about:
Languages
Art Projects
Teaching
More details about your skills
*I've learned to do physical work at the farm of my parents, although i'm not educated in agriculture, but i enjoy working in nature and i gained knowledge about it by doing it for some years now, aswel do i see what needs to be done, i notice things and i'm eager to learn.
*I've got the experience of working outside, on my own as well as in a group
*I'm a member of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture / vegetables - fruit - flowers ) and i cook, mostly vegetarian, with vegetables from the community garden. During the last years i have worked as a seasonal worker for several large and small CSA farms in Belgium and France.
*I obtained a teacher degree, i can teach in Dutch and English or help with communication in English for website purposes, ...
*I'm a certificate tea master, although i still have a lot to learn, i could guide tea tours in English, help in the tea production process, support in external communication, ...
*I have been a workaway - volunteer for some years now and while traveling i have helped organizations and families with registering as an official host and establish an online profile on platforms for volunteers, such as Workaway or Wwoof. I can help hosts with creating a host account, offer support with determine the volunteer profile they are looking for, organize the communication of volunteers, ...
*I'm trained as a visual artist, although i did not practice it during my professional career, i use these skills in daily life, while organizing or taking care of flowers and plants, while cooking and serving, while writing and speaking, while sewing clothes, ...
Age
42
What else ...
Amongst my intrest in farming, gardening, languages, food, culture ... i have a particular intrest in tea production, determining flavor and aroma, learning to understand the rituals of a tea ceremony, sharing tea with people, ...
For some years now i have developed a curiosity and an eagerness to learn more about loose tea deriving from the tea plant Camelia Sinensis. I am longing to go deeper into this knowledge by expanding my experiences to a more practical level. For this i have been searching for a traineeship in countries that grow and produce loose tea and broaden my knowledge on different production methodes, varieties, terroir, ...
The understanding and skill gained in such an experience, as well as the attention and the customs that surround tea i would love to carry out around the world.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Special dietary requirements
Feedback
We were right in the middle of a hectic period and her calmness did us an enormous amount of good.
We have had nice and explorative conversations with her and enjoyed her tremendous efforts and dynamism.
She is able to work very well on her own, takes initiative, is a… read more
Photos
Friends
Feedback
We were right in the middle of a hectic period and her calmness did us an enormous amount of good.
We have had nice and explorative conversations with her and enjoyed her tremendous efforts and dynamism.
She is able to work very well on her own, takes initiative, is a… read more