shareKristin Scales 's Profile
Be The Change and Treks Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator Support
Kristin participated in GVN's Costa Rica program in 2006 and has been bitten by the travel bug ever since. After graduating university she spent some time living in Peru and Ecuador studying Spanish and volunteering on various environmental and community projects. In the summer of 2008 she returned to Costa Rica and worked as a research assistant on a sea turtle project. After traveling throughout Central America and solidifying her love of Latin American food, culture and Spanish she returned home just long enough to reconnect with friends and family before coming to New Zealand.
She is currently interning in the GVN office as Volunteer Coordinator Support and living with the New Zealand Nature Program volunteers as House Advisor.
An Interview with Kristin Scales
When people ask you 'where are you from' what is your reply:
Canada. Then Toronto - though I'm not really from Toronto - to people actually from Ontario I'll say St. Catharines.
When people ask 'where do you work' what's your response:
In the Hutt. Followed by Global Volunteer Network if they actually want to know where.
When people then ask 'and what do you do at GVN', what it your reply:
I coordinate our three fundraising treks and the Be The Change program along with providing support to the other VCs and I live with the New Zealand volunteers as their House Advisor.
Why did you end up working at GVN?:
I volunteered in Costa Rica in 2006 and loved it! Went back to Uni and finished my degree in Popular Culture and Art History (very useful stuff you know!) and then started my life as a Nomad. Since graduating I've spent some time living in Peru and Ecuador and working in Costa Rica and the better part of a year traveling around Central America. Much to the disappointment to my parents I moved to New Zealand after a brief few weeks at home in between it all.
What's the best thing about working for GVN?
Everything! The people, the work we do, morning teas, being in Wellington and Tracy's cooking of course!
When you're not at work, what's your favourite activity?
Watching movies, wandering around Wellington, snowboarding, eating and dreaming of new places to visit and adventures to have.
What's your favourite food?
Food: Bacon or anything with bacon in it. Curries, anything with coconut and lime and guacamole of course. Drink: Rye and ginger
If you could be animal, what would it be?
A hawk! I love the way they soar through the sky. Or a sea turtle because they are awesome and my favourite.
If you could go anywhere just now, where would it be?
If I had an endless amount of money and time I would eat my way around the world. Other than that I've always been fascinated by India.
Who are your favourite bands/musicians?
I have a very eclectic musical taste - its like my playlist has multiple personalities. African, Latin, french, hard rock, country, pop, hip hop I love it all.
