Interview with Marlene Schönfeld
Marlene, you studied landscape ecology and nature conservation and now offer guided tours through the Upper Lusatian heath and pond landscape. How exactly did you get into this?
After my studies in Greifswald, I ended up in Upper Lusatia. My husband had found a job here and I really liked the proximity to my original home in Dresden. Strictly speaking, it wasn't my plan at all to become a tour guide. I had to register as self-employed for a paid position with the Saxon Wolf Management and then I also looked for other fields of activity as a freelancer. That's how the idea of offering guided tours here in the biosphere reserve, where I live, came about.
And you now regularly give guided tours there?
That's right! Guided tours have basically been my main job for about 4 years now. I do have another self-employed job, but most of my working time is currently taken up by the guided tours. The great thing about it is that I can set the dates that best suit my calendar.
How did you get started, did you just go there and say: "I'd like to do guided tours with you."?
It wasn't too difficult for me to get started. In the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve, you can register as a nature guide with proof of a suitable degree or a course to become a certified nature and landscape guide. After I had expressed my interest, I had to give a trial tour to employees of the biosphere reserve administration. I prepared intensively for this and practiced the tour together with friends!
What have been your best experiences with your guests?
A guided tour is always something special for the guests, and I can tell by their reactions. A group of people with limited mobility were once so delighted with the many impressions that I could hardly save myself from kisses and hugs afterwards! But I think the most impressive experience for me was a couple from Berlin who wanted to be guided by me, but I could only offer them a very early tour from 5:00 am. After a very long discussion about breakfast times and sleeping in on vacation, I was finally able to convince them. And what can I say? They didn't regret it. They were so happy about the great morning atmosphere and the many observations. They had never experienced nature so intensively before and then decided to go for a walk in the morning in the future.
What tips would you have for future tour guides?
To become a tour guide, you should have a bit of experience "from the other side". If you have already taken part in a tour yourself, it is much easier to develop your own tour. It doesn't even have to be a tour on your own topic. My advice to you: Visit cities, museums or nature reserves and take advantage of guided tours there. If you see how others do it, it's much easier to find your own style!
Thank you very much for the interview!
