Hi, I'm Jack Underhill.
Nice to meet you.
I'm a 31 year old from the UK and am a curious traveler at heart, always seeking out new cultures, flavors, and experiences. After graduating from university in 2016, I spent two years globe-trotting, followed by four years teaching in Vietnam. Now, I’m diving into the exciting world of digital marketing and UX, blending creativity with communication to craft memorable experiences. Whether I’m designing, brainstorming, or exploring, I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas and new adventures.
If interested, below is something of a travel blog. I've been fortunate enough to see a lot of the world and want to share some key moments and experiences I've had over the past decade. Apologies in advanced for the faces pulled and the haircuts had, I was young.
I started my Bachelor's degree at Oxford Brookes in 2012 and graduated in 2016. I studied Business Management and Japanese Studies, the choice to do so was heavily influenced by my fascination from a young age in Japan and it's culture, art and music.
Some memories from Japan
Osakasayama temple
大 阪 狭 山
Sugao waterfall
す が お の 滝
歌 い す ぎ た
Too much karaoke for my own good
Concerts in Fukuoka
福 岡 のコンサート
2014
As part of my course, I moved to Kitakyushu, Japan in 2014 and lived and studied for a year. This was a lifechanging experience for me and piqued a determination to see the world.
Kitakyushu
2017
After graduating in 2016 I worked in pensions for a time. From living in Japan for a year I'd developed a significant itch to see more of the world. I made the decision to leave my job and go travelling in 2017.
South America
I started in South America and travelled the continent for 3 months. Beginning in Brazil, 2 of my dearest friends and I then explored Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Chile. My fondest memories include the Rio Carnival, the Bolivian salt flats and a 6 day mountain trek to Machu Picchu.
Sambadrome during Carnival
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Iguazu Falls
Paraná, Brazil
Reflections on the salt flats in Bolivia
Caving in Torotoro, Bolivia
Train graveyard
Uyuni, Bolivia
Dali's valley
Potosi, Bolivia
Hiking in Cusco, Peru
The peak of Mt. Salcantay, Vilcabamba, Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru
New Zealand and Australia
After my time in South America came to an end, I flew from Santiago, Chile to Auckland, New Zealand. I spent 2 months travelling around both islands before moving on to Australia, where I would live and work for a year. I spent time in Sydney, Melbourne and had 2 separate stints farming in the outback.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Trying my hand as an outback farmer
Merbein, Australia
Whitsundays, Australia
Horseshoe Bay
Bowen, Australia
Southeast Asia
After finishing my second leg of farming and saying goodbye to friends in Melbourne, my year in Australia came to an end and I flew to Bali, Indonesia. From Indonesia, I would go on to visit Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
Bonding with the locals
Ubud, Indonesia
Sunset on the beach
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Rainbow forest
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Views from the Ha Giang loop,
Northern Vietnam
China from afar
Lao Cai, Vietnam
Exploring Vietnam on my 100cc steed
Angkor Wat Temple
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Wat Temple
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Riding a bike / taxi / tractor
Koh Ta Kiev, Cambodia
With that, after nearly 2 years of travel, starting in North Brazil and ending in South Thailand, my globetrotting came to an end. An experience I'll never forget, still think about daily and one that directly influenced the next chapter in my life.
2019
I returned to the UK in 2018. My time abroad had such an impact on me that, for a time, I felt like a stranger in my own home country. I started work in child protection services, which was rewarding but tough work but after a year home, abroad started calling me: the itch returned. My days of living out of £2 a night hostels and 20 hour buses were done, so I knew I wanted to work abroad. Guided by my time there, and speaking to friends old and new, I moved to Hanoi, Vietnam in late 2019 and enrolled in a teacher training course.
My teaching course mates and I
Hanoi, Vietnam
Some of my course in Hanoi's famous postcard cafe
Unfortunately, not long after completing my teaching qualification, the world took an unprecedented hiatus in the form of the pandemic. My plan to each English to Vietnamese children and young adults was at first paused and then strictly online for a while. As the world slowly healed, schools reopened and I began teaching in person. During my free time I was able to travel through Vietnam extensively and once international borders normalized I saw more of Asia (and could visit my family in the UK for the first time in 2 years).
Teaching memories
One of my delightful classes
Celebrating Mid-Autumn with my school
If any of my former students become successful musicians, I take full credit
On a field trip in outer Hanoi
With one of my favourite students
Leading an outdoor lesson
Some of my duties weren't strictly academic
Travelling memories
Into the caves
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Ninh Binh temple
Ninh Binh pagoda
Cactus greenhouse
Ba Vi, Vietnam
Spot the imposter
Caving in Cat Ba, Vietnam
Visiting Lady Buddha
Da Nang, Vietnam
The Sapa mountain range, Vietnam
Diving in Bali, Indonesia
Canyons in Cebu, The Philippines
Boat hopping in Coron, The Phillipines
And that's it! We're all caught up. At the time of writing it is now June 2024 and after my near 5 years of living and teaching in Vietnam, I've returned to the UK happy, healthy and content. The time abroad has matured me both personally and professionally, my interest in creative communication and solutions is stronger than ever and I am eager to translate my skills earned through my work and experiences into Digital Marketing and UX.
(Perhaps the biggest change of all is that I have returned a fiancé! As saccharine as it sounds, in my never-ending quest to "find myself", I ended up finding my other half).