Caroline

Canada
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
My next destination:
Lyon, France - from Apr 2024 until May 2024
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Description
Hello, My name is Caroline! I am an enthusiastic traveler with a love for exploring and creating. I am a dual-citizen Canadian and American, but I grew up most of my life in Kenya. Growing up in Kenya ignited a spark in my heart for learning about the beauties and intricacies of other cultures, and I have always known I wanted to travel more. That is what led me to Workaway! I am taking a big step and traveling to expand my horizons, help in many ways, and connect with new people.

I am graduated from university with a major in musical theatre, so I love all things artistic and creative. Singing, playing music, dancing, baking, reading, and playing board games are some of my favorite pastimes. I love spending time with others, whether to have deep conversations or simply laugh together. I also cherish time by myself to explore new places, enjoy nature, and treasure quiet moments of rest.

I am having a wonderful experience on this adventure of exploring the world through Workaway. My favorite parts are meeting lovely people, helping however I can, and learning so much along the way!
Interests
Events & social
Writing
Self development
Sustainability
Music
History
Culture
DIY & crafts
Dancing
Charity work
Cooking & food
Art & design
Books
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Languages
Performing arts
Gardening
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Sign language (American): Beginner
French: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I am a native English speaker, with excellent speaking and writing skills, and I would be happy to help others learn. I would love to improve my skills in French and American Sign Language!
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Eco Projects
Gardening
Languages
Life at a Farmstay
Some knowledge of:
Art Projects
Babysitting and creative play
Teaching
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills
I am a fast learner and an enthusiastic worker. I grew up with cross-cultural experience, so I am exceptional at connecting with people and working independently in new environments. I excel with creative skills and have had training in music, theatre, and dance. I am interested in gardening and cooking, and have had basic training in textile work such as spinning and weaving. I have extensive experience working with children in many different capacities, both teaching and caregiving. I am a native English speaker with excellent communication skills, in writing and speaking. I am eager and willing to learn new skills, and I am great at pitching in with whatever needs done, always with a good attitude. I look forward to working with you!
Age
22
What else ...
I love to learn new things! I am totally open to learning new skills, languages, games, music, anything, as well as share my own! I really enjoy taking on new experiences with enthusiasm and enjoying all the wonderful things that life has to offer. I love connecting with fascinating people all over the world!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Cats
- Special dietary requirements

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21 Mar 2024

Left by host (Garden and home projects with ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

Caroline was two month at my home,and we had such a wonderful time together, she is a very kind and friendly girl and she helped me in many different things, and every work she did , she made it perfekt, and i feel that she liked it,thank you caroline, we had also very good and nice conversations, and nearly every weekend we went to a carneval… read more

(Excellent )

3 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Garden and home projects with ...)

I had a wonderful two-month stay with Niki (and Manfred) in beautiful northern Austria! Niki is a whirlwind of energy, always moving and laughing. She is a very generous and fun person, and values relationships with other people. She lives in a big, beautiful house, and I had my own room to relax in. She also has an adorable little dog,… read more Cinderella, who is very good-natured and friendly.

January and February are carnival time in Austria, which means that things were very busy in the costume shop! The costume shop is an incredible collection, with many fascinating things to see and do. I got to learn so much about running a costume rental, and I did lots of tasks related to the costumes: sewing, steaming, ironing, organizing. Niki was very aware of what I enjoyed, and she often gave me jobs that were lots of fun to complete! I usually worked in the shop for the morning, had a break to relax in the afternoon, and then worked a bit more in the evening. The timing for work is quite flexible, based on your own preferences, and Niki will be happy to communicate about what schedule is good for you. A couple of times I worked in the garden or helped at the house, but most of the time was spent in the costume shop.

Niki is a wonderful cook, and she even showed me a few recipes. She cooked very fresh and yummy meals for lunch, and then we often had more simple meals in the evening, with bread, cheese, sausage. I especially enjoyed the traditional Austrian dishes that she cooked for me!

Because things were very busy in the shop, Niki didn't have too much time to show me around the countryside, but her sister and brother-in-law were wonderful and did some fun things with me. We went on a hike, played board games, visited Linz, took a dancing lesson. I'm so thankful to have gotten to know them too. The best part about visiting Niki during carnival, was all of the parties! There are lots of balls in the different villages around, so we would dress up in costumes and go to enjoy the singing and dancing. It was a real look into Austrian culture!

If you want to see more of Austria, there is a good train/bus system around that country that is pretty easy to navigate. I was able to do a solo weekend trip to Salzburg and Hallstatt, which was absolutely gorgeous, and a day trip to Vienna as well. I would definitely recommend it!

I will never forget all the interesting people I met in Austria, the unique experiences, and fun days spent with Niki! If you like fast-paced life, yummy food, and sweet people, this could be a great option for you too!

(Excellent )

2 Jan 2024

Left by host (Renovating an old castle and ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

No matter what, no matter where, no matter when - Caroline is there!
She is also not afraid of things that are new to her. She is always ready to help.
And that's exactly why she was a great help to us in completely different things.
As a guest in our house, she was also interested in the family. As a guest in our country, she was genuinely… read more

(Excellent )

25 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Renovating an old castle and ...)

I had a wonderful time with Matthias and Dagny (and the boys) at their castle! This is a once in a lifetime experience--to live in a historical castle, learning new skills and German culture. They welcomed me with open arms and included me in many aspects of their family life, from eating meals together to playing games. Matthias and Dagny are… read more extremely knowledgeable and have great humor, so I enjoyed our conversations. They value open communication and enjoy sharing aspects of their culture and history. The boys are energetic and like to move, so there is never a dull moment with them. It was challenging to communicate with the boys because of the German/English language barrier, but it was still fun to spend time with them and enjoy shared projects. It took me a few days to learn the ways of the castle itself (like how to build a good fire in my stove), but I got the hang of it! The food tends to be more on the simple side, with bread being a staple at most meals, but they are also happy to try new recipes if you like to cook.

The work is quite different from day to day. Some days it consisted of cleaning and organizing inside, while others were focused on the castle restoration projects, while other days centered around the preparations for various cultural events. These events were a highlight of my time at the castle: I got to help with a ghost tour, a Christmas storytelling event, and a Christmas singing event. It was wonderful to see the care and planning that went into each event, and to help execute them! You will be expected to work five hours a day, five days a week, but there is flexibility to complete these hours in different ways, depending on the schedule of the week. Some of the work can be quite physically involved, so you should be prepared to build your muscles and get your hands dirty, though all the tasks were completely doable with some determination!

When you are not working, you can use your free time however you please, so I was able to do lots of traveling to nearby locations. The castle is at a great spot in East Germany, with cities such as Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin readily accessible by public transport. It does take some planning and foresight to travel around, but Matthias and Dagny are eager to give recommendations and help you find good options. I was able to do plenty of day trips in closer cities, and a few of overnight stays in further locations. A highlight for me was my three-day trip to Prague, which is surprisingly close by bus! If you can take the initiative, there are tons of opportunities to see this beautiful country. If you come in wintertime, be warned that some days are quite cold, but you also might catch the iconic German Christmas markets in all of the nearby cities. Overall, I would recommend this location if you are ready to work hard, laugh hard, and learn a lot!

(Excellent )

18 Nov 2023

Left by host (Participate in everyday life ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

Merci à Caroline pour sa présence joyeuse et très serviable durant un mois parmi nous! Toujours de bonne humeur, très souriante, toujours prête à aider et à prendre des initiatives pour prendre soin du lieu, super amicale et à créer du lien facilement. C'était parfois plus difficile de communiquer avec la barrière de la langue mais finalement… read more

(Excellent )

12 Nov 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Participate in everyday life ...)

I had a lovely time! This is a Christian community nestled in the mountains, and it is quite a special place. The location is absolutely stunning, with lovely hikes and views all around. I especially loved seeing the impressive sunrises and starry skies. I quickly learned the rhythm of work and rest of the community life. The heart of the daily… read more routine is prayer 4 times a day in the chapel, starting first thing in the morning, and ending as the final activity in the evening. The chapel is a very peaceful place, and I deeply enjoyed the liturgies of the prayers together, which largely revolve around singing psalms together. As for tasks, we would all help every morning except Sunday, as there was always plenty to be done around the village. I did lots of cooking, cleaning, gardening, and chopping wood, but there were often new tasks and skills to learn. In the afternoons, we had free time, so I spent lots of time reading, writing, and taking walks in the surrounding nature. We ate all our meals together in community: Breakfasts and dinners were usually quite simple, while the midday meal was the most hearty. The diet is very plant-based, and largely organic and homemade, so the meals were filling and healthy, if simple.

My experience changed greatly throughout the month, based largely on how many visitors were in the community. There are only a few people who stay here full time, and otherwise there are many individuals and families who come to visit for varying lengths of time. When I first arrived, we were around 10 people. Around All Saint's holiday, many visitors came, and our community grew to around 80! After a week, we were back down to 5 people. The daily life has a much different feel when there are many people versus only a few, though both are enjoyable. When we were fewer people, it feels like a little family, and there is chance to get to know everyone well. When there are many people, there is more energy and always new faces to meet. We even had some fun activities with the large group, such as a talent show night.

I also had the chance to spend a day in the hermitage, a private house separated from the village, for some silence and rest. It was a wonderful experience to be alone in nature, and I spent lots of time thinking and praying. I would highly recommend spending some time in the hermitage, if you visit.

One of the only downsides for me personally was the language barrier. The common language of the community is French, and many of the shared activities and prayers are in French. I came with only a basic French knowledge, so there were times when I couldn't fully engage because of my lack of French skills. I think the better your French is, you will be able to more fully participate in conversations and activities. However, there were many people who spoke English well and were able to help translate and communicate with me when needed.

When visiting, be ready for a rustic experience! All the houses are old, and heated by fires, rather than central heating, so some days can be quite chilly. It is great to bring warm layers, and clothes that can get dirty/smokey. There is very little Wi-Fi, so most people use phone data to access the internet, so I would recommend purchasing a European Sim card for that purpose, if you are traveling from farther away. While it may not have all the 'modern comforts', that is part of the beauty of this location. For me, it was a great change to challenge myself, reconnect with nature, and meet many wonderful people. This community is very special, and I understand why many visitors return year after year! Thank you for the beautiful experience!

(Excellent )

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21 Mar 2024

Left by host (Garden and home projects with ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

(Excellent )

3 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Garden and home projects with ...)

(Excellent )

2 Jan 2024

Left by host (Renovating an old castle and ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

(Excellent )

25 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Renovating an old castle and ...)

(Excellent )

18 Nov 2023

Left by host (Participate in everyday life ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

(Excellent )

12 Nov 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Participate in everyday life ...)

(Excellent )

24 Oct 2023

Left by host (Come live with us and help us ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

Caroline is exceptional. A cheerful and helpful young woman, she is always interested in others. She is also a driving force behind good initiatives. She greatly contributes to the positive atmosphere of the house and the group. She communicates with ease and understands all instructions well, even if we speak English poorly. This girl is very… read more

(Excellent )

20 Oct 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Come live with us and help us ...)

My stay at Abbaye des Dombes was an absolutely incredible experience. I stayed for 6 weeks, and I was so happy to have lots of time in this beautiful place. This is a thriving religious community with some of the most thoughtful and generous people I've ever met. Life in the Abbaye has a regular routine, as the schedule of each day/week is quite… read more predictable. There are structured times of work, prayer, and rest, so I quickly settled into the rhythm of life. The assignments for work are scheduled at the beginning of the week, and each Workawayer would have a couple of mornings or afternoons off, as well as more free time on the weekends. The work was quite varied from day to day, but tasks could include: cooking in the kitchen, working in the orchard or garden, cleaning, and helping to make cheese or jam. I found the work enjoyable and meaningful, especially since I was often working with other people, giving great time for interesting conversation. I think you will thrive at the Abbaye if you enjoy intentional routine, as I do!

When I had free time, I took walks and bike rides in the countryside, as there are plenty of lakes and picturesque paths to explore. The Abbaye normally has multiple Workawayers at once, and we spent lots of time together--eating meals outside, playing card games, watching movies. The members of the community are very warm and friendly, and I loved getting to know many of them well through my time there. They are all like a big family, living life together, serving, celebrating, and supporting each other, and the Workawayers are welcomed into that. I will note, as a beginner French speaker, and I wasn't able to communicate fluently with everyone, just due to language barriers. However, many people in the community speak English well, so it was not a problem for the purposes of daily life.

I also really appreciated the religious routines of each day. There was morning prayer, evening prayer and daily mass, and Workawayers are welcome to join any of them. As a Christian, I learned so much from the commitment and faith of the brothers and sisters, and it was an honor to worship alongside them. The prayers are in French (although often someone would translate important parts for me!) and the music is stunning. Even if you are not religious, there is so much to be gained from the beauty of the lifestyle and relationships at Abbaye des Dombes. I grew to love the depth and intentionality, even in a life that is quite simple. I would highly recommend this experience, and I cherish the memories I made here!

(Excellent )

20 Oct 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Come and help out on a small ...)

My stay with Kjell and Randi-Harriet was wonderful! They have a big and bustling house, with people always coming and going, so there is never a dull moment. I loved spending time with the other Workawayers, and enjoying lots of laughter and adventures. Although their house is more in the country, Kjell and Randi-Harriet are happy to drive you… read more

(Excellent )

3 Sep 2023

Left by host (Organic and sustainable small ...) for Workawayer (Caroline)

It was a pleasure hosting Caroline during the three weeks she visited with us during the summer. She is a very friendly, kind and caring person...all tasks that were asked of her she did willingly and with a smiling attitude...we warmly recommend her to anyone looking for a kind spirit to host!

(Very good )

20 Aug 2023

Left by Workawayer (Caroline) for host (Organic and sustainable small ...)

Wow, what do I even say? I had an absolutely incredible stay with Tim and Nina in their Swedish countryside paradise. Their large house and garden are surrounded by beautiful forests and a stunning lake. It is serene and peaceful, sheltered from the busyness of life. I stayed in a cozy wagon with another Workawayer, close to the main house (where… read more the bathrooms are located). I loved having my own space to rest, but most of the day was spent outside or in the common spaces of the main house.

The work I did was a mix of outdoor and indoor tasks, mostly related to the garden. I weeded, harvested onions and garlic, picked so many raspberries, peeled carrots, cleaned lettuce, vacuumed the house, moved firewood, and dusted in the barn. The work was varied, so it wasn't too monotonous, and I loved getting to work outside surrounded by gorgeous views. I consistently worked 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, but the daily schedule was flexible, with each Workawayer deciding when they wanted to do their work hours. I loved having that balance of freedom within a structure--I knew what was expected, but I could work at my own pace. Tim and Nina were great at giving clear instructions for tasks and were happy to answer any questions.

When I was not working, I loved spending time in the nature around the house: talking walks in the forest, canoeing and swimming on the lake, picking wild blueberries. I also enjoyed playing the piano and guitar, both of which are available for use in the house.

The food was a highlight of my stay! Tim and Nina are both incredible vegetarian chefs, and we dined daily on a plethora of fresh vegetables and fruits straight from the garden. (August is a great time to visit to enjoy the bounty of the garden harvest.) Both were happy to share cooking knowledge with me, and I learned new recipes and skills while helping around the kitchen.

Another highlight was the wonderful people that I met through my stay. Tim and Nina are very hospitable, and often had friends and family visiting. I loved the thoughtful and entertaining conversations over a cup of tea in the evening, and the fun adventures, like picking mushrooms in the forest with friends. Tim and Nina are wise, compassionate people, and I learned so much from spending time with them. Their lifestyle is intentional and beautiful, with healthy rhythms of rest and work, and deep connection to the Earth. All in all, I highly recommend this experience! Thank you for a lovely stay :)

(Excellent )

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