Jonathon Engels' Bio

Jonathon Engels is a versatile author who holds an MFA in creative writing.

Jonathon spent ample time living and working abroad. He began his career as an indefinite expat while teaching EFL in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Korea, Guatemala, Turkey, Palestine, and Russia. Operating for Las Manos de Christine, Jonathan also helped to establish an English after-school program in a small village called El Hato. While abroad, he has worked as an NGO fundraiser, volunteer coordinator, guesthouse manager, dinner chef, house sitter, and permaculture project developer — to name but a few. All-in-all, he lived over a decade abroad, spread across 12 countries.

Some of his travel highlights include spending Christmas in Bethlehem, watching New Year’s fireworks over St. Basil’s cathedral, and disappearing into the jungles of Colombia during Semana Santa. Travel lowlights include such offending acts as sleeping in the shelter of a strip mall in Panama, and loitering in bus stations and airports for hours to avoid the costs of another night at the hostel. Somewhere in between, he has scuba-dived with sharks, gardened in an Ecuadorian cloud forest, and helped to build an earthbag house.

While he has written many articles for TransitionsAbroad.com on subjects ranging from living, volunteering, teaching, to permaculture abroad, Jonathon now regularly writes on various subjects, ranging from permaculture, environmental activism, organic farming, and other interests. His writing appears regularly in green living sites, including OneGreenPlanet.org and travel sites such as BlueRidgeMountainsTravelGuide.com.

Jonathan strives to be an all-around good guy while providing readable food for thought.