Ana

Portugal
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Ich bin gerade
zu Hause
Tätigkeiten, die mich interessieren:
Walking, exploring, reading, music, pilates, yoga, Muay Thai, photography, deep convos <3
Mein nächstes Reiseziel:
Portugal
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Beschreibung
Ana, 28, from Portugal. What truly defines me is my caring nature, kindness, motivation, and strong independence. Even during tough times, I strive to make the best of challenging situations. Empathy also holds great importance to me, a value I've deeply understood and embraced through my life experiences.

After working for two years and three months as an E-commerce Complaints and Social Media Specialist, I decided to quit. Back in 2017, working at Disneyland Paris showed me that money isn't everything. Even though I was earning well for someone my age, experiencing different cultures and living in a new country for the first time, I still wasn't happy. Since then, I've focused on sticking to what I believe in. That's why in January 2024, when I noticed that my values didn't align with the company's, I understood it was time to seek a new journey.

In 2022, after a breakup, I began traveling solo, starting with a trip to Italy. Since then, I've embraced this freeing journey, immersing myself in diverse people and cultures. It's calm, motivating, and allows me precious time for introspection, to enjoy my own company and find peace within my emotions. I like to joke that I'm living out my own "Eat, Pray, Love" story :) Italy and Bali are already explored, so could India be next?

In February, I embarked on my travel adventure with no return ticket, starting by visiting my best friend in Dublin. From there, I explored Singapore, relishing every moment. Next, I spent a month in Bali, absorbing its wisdom. Then, a month in Vietnam, savoring its delicious cuisine. On April 29th, I returned to Thailand, the "land of smiles," where I found immense joy in 2020, just before COVID.

Even though Thailand was the first country I visited in Southeast Asia, it felt strangely familiar, almost like coming home. I know it sounds cliché, but it's the honest truth. I was so eager to come back, learn and experience different cultures and genuine connections with people who resonate with my energy.

Having already explored much of Thailand, my main focus this time was volunteering. Since my school days, I've had a strong desire to help others, starting with volunteering for nearly every available project. Throughout high school, I mentored colleagues who were struggling with their studies, and this drive persisted as I joined the national Food Bank Against Hunger, and brought my friends along to lend a hand. I also became involved with Helpo, a non-governmental organization focused on development, during the aftermath of cyclones Idai and Kenneth. Additionally, I volunteer for the app Be My Eyes, assisting visually impaired individuals with everyday tasks through simple video calls. Whether it's helping someone read a label, navigate a new environment, or identify an object, each interaction is a chance to make a meaningful impact in someone's life.

I vividly recall spending countless hours on Workaway during middle school, dreaming of becoming part of such a community. While I'm not one for meticulous future planning or holding many grand dreams, this experience has truly been a dream come true. To date, I've had the privilege of engaging in two different volunteering opportunities through this platform, and I’ve always felt incredibly fortunate and grateful for that.

Returning to Thailand and deciding to spend two months (which eventually stretched to four) beautifully demonstrated that mere tourism no longer satisfies me. Immersing myself in daily life and exploring the country as if it were my own, allowing everything to become a part of me rather than remaining just an observer, gave me a profound sense of belonging and purpose. This feeling, though I knew it was possible, still surprises me. During my time there, I met wonderful people, both locals and fellow travelers, learned Muay Thai, indulged in the most delicious fruits and mango sticky rice, and finally felt fulfilled and at peace.

I enjoy reading, and I'm currently immersed in "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk. I recently finished "A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara. While I'm still a beginner, I really enjoy yoga and pilates. Music is a big part of my life, and I always have my headphones and Spotify playlist ready, featuring artists like Sade, Kali Chis, Luidji, Don Toliver, Black Coffee, or Caetano Veloso. Who knows what genre I'll be in the mood for today? Additionally, last year I discovered a new love for music festivals. I had the chance to witness amazing performances by artists like Black Coffee, Tiesto, and Alok.

Photography is a passion of mine, and I love having my phone handy to capture small details that make me happy. Despite having Irritable Bowel Syndrome, I have a love for food—quite ironic! You'd get a chuckle out of seeing my meds purse :) Due to my condition, I avoid smoking and drinking, as they would worsen my symptoms.

I find joy in walking, exploring, watching sunsets, and stargazing. Riding a scooter for the first time in Nusa Lembongan was a liberating experience I hadn't felt in a long time. I'm a beach girl at heart and enjoy soaking up the sun or floating on the ocean.

Since the beginning of this trip, I've also been finding comfort in small things: enjoying a really nice comfort food and FaceTiming with any of my friends or my nephew (the love of my life) have given me life. If you hear me being loud (sorry) and laughing, that's probably what I'm doing! Being away from home has been harder than expected, especially because I'm not usually very attached to it. These small things have kept me going (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
Interessengebiete
Nachhaltigkeit
Farmarbeit
Gärtnern
Outdoor-Aktivitäten
Natur
Politik & Soziales
Yoga / Wellness
Selbstentwicklung
Videoaufnahmen
Fotografie
Schreiben
Musik
Film & Fernsehen
Sprachen
LGBTQ
Gartenarbeiten
Fitness
Geschichte
Events & Sozialleben
Zeichnen & Malen
Tanzen
Heimwerken & DIY
Kultur
Bücher
Karitative Arbeiten
Strand
Architektur
Kunst & Design
Sprachen
Gesprochene Sprachen
Englisch: Fließend
Französisch: Fließend
Portugiesisch: Fließend
Mehr Infos zu meinen Sprachinteressen
Dieser Workawayer gibt an, dass er/sie dir gern seine/ihre Sprache(n) beibringen oder selbst eine neue Sprache lernen würde. Bitte wende dich direkt an ihn/sie, um Einzelheiten zu besprechen.
Einen Sprachpartner finden
Bereiche, die mich interessieren oder in denen ich anderen etwas beibringen kann
Interessiert mich:
Karitative Arbeit
Unterrichten
Gartenarbeiten
Heimwerker- und Bauarbeiten
Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof
Hausarbeiten
Handwerkliche Arbeiten
Hilfe mit Computer /Internet
In der Lage, anderen etwas beizubringen:
Sprachen
Tourismus / Gastgewerbe
Was könntest du arbeiten?
I'm fluent in Portuguese, English, and French, having pursued Applied Languages for Translation in college. Over nearly a decade in Customer Service, I've gained extensive knowledge in both customer relations and hospitality. Ensuring people feel welcomed, heard, and supported brings me great pride. Moreover, my recent work experience has provided me with in-depth expertise in e-commerce customer relationships and social media communication.

I'm resourceful, quick to learn, and highly dynamic—I prefer staying active rather than sitting idle. Organizing tasks and simplifying processes for everyone involved is something I enjoy. Additionally, I consider myself to be quite creative. Most importantly, I'm always eager to learn and am open to new teachings. I hope our interactions will be enriching and aligned with our interests!
Alter
29
Etwas mehr Information
- Raucher
- Führerschein
- Allergien
- Spezielle Ernährung
  I don't follow a specific diet plan, but I tend to avoid certain trigger foods like dairy, coffee, watermelon, and gluten

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10 Sept. 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Assist with teaching English ...)

I initially planned to volunteer for two weeks but decided to leave after just one morning due to several challenges. The first issue arose when I needed to confirm my arrival time. I had arranged with the principal to arrive at 6 PM, and he mentioned that the school bus would pick me up from the airport. After clarifying that I was arriving by… read more bus from Siem Reap instead of flying, they informed me that they would book a Grab for me, as the driver would be off duty. This was unexpected since the initial plan was to pick me up from the airport.

When I arrived at the bus station 15 minutes early, I sent my location, but after waiting 20 minutes without a response, I had to call to get the school's principal. The principal mentioned that the drivers couldn’t find me, even though I was at a well-known station. I eventually booked my own Grab to reach the school, which gave me the impression that the distance and cost may have influenced the change in plans.

Upon arrival at the accommodation, it differed from what had been shown in the photos. The room had visible issues, such as a cracked floor, dust, bugs, and no toilet paper. Given that this was a volunteer position, I decided to wait until the next day to request cleaning.

The next morning, the school bus picked me up as planned, and I was informed me that the accommodation had been changed to a more affordable option. [redacted]

At the school, the English coordinator assumed I had more teaching experience than I actually did. I clarified that I had only two weeks of experience teaching in Thailand. There was a discussion about my schedule, but the focus remained on teaching, even though the school profile had mentioned various activities for volunteers.

During the morning, I observed a class and noticed several challenges in the classroom setup. The lesson appeared unstructured, shifting from a general discussion about animals to watching YouTube videos on a computer. Additionally, the teachers struggled with their English skills, which hindered their ability to effectively engage with the students. There was also a clear disparity in how attention was distributed, with some students receiving more focus than others.

The school promoted itself as following Montessori principles, but I didn’t see those methods in practice. The students were eager for attention, and there were gaps in how they were supported during class.

When I received my schedule, I realized that I was expected to teach throughout the day, with only 30-minute breaks in between, which wouldn't provide enough time to return to my accommodation. This came as a surprise, as it wasn’t what I had initially expected. Despite having mentioned that I wasn’t a trained teacher, I was still encouraged to proceed with the plan.

After considering the various factors, including the mismatch in expectations and the reality of the teaching role, I made the decision to leave the volunteer program early.

(neutral )

7 Sept. 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Welcome at our eco-lodge by ...)

possible. Even though I didn’t have much time in Laos, they were able to accommodate me for 6 days. The guesthouse is located about 30 minutes from the city in a peaceful, quiet area, with the river all to ourselves. There’s a laundry place nearby, but not much else around. I used inDrive to get around, paying about 20k for a moto taxi to town. I… read more

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18 Juni 2024

vom Host (Come and help with some ...) für Workawayer ()

Anna, thank you so much for volunteering your time and skills to help us. We were truly impressed by your willingness to jump in.
While Anna initially appeared quiet and reserved, it became clear she's a lively, charming, intelligent, and fast-learning girl.
Her enthusiasm and organizational skills made everything effortless, and her contributions… read more

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9 Juni 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Come and help with some ...)

Staying here for two weeks was a real blessing. At first, I was worried about not making friends because my first time volunteering was just me and my host. But I'm happy to say I met awesome people here who share the same values as me: thank you Alycia, Giorgia, Nyah, Daniele and Bárbara. I’m so happy I met you!

From the start, Mae Nai, Pantila,… read more and Buddy made me feel incredibly welcome. By the end, I couldn't help but admire and elevate the amazing work they do for the local community. Even though they're quiet, you can tell they really care about and appreciate every volunteer.

The work schedule was very clear: we worked from 9:30 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 3:30 pm. But one thing I learned from volunteering in Thailand is that we don't always get told what to do. So, it's important to take the lead, look around, and figure out what needs doing. That's perfect for me because I like to stay busy and not waste time. I took the initiative to create several useful documents, including information about the cleaning day, guidelines for new volunteers, details about San Patong, available activities, rules, main tasks, ongoing projects, and an updated list of our current projects. I also made an effort to sweep the room and the outside leaves every day to make the big cleaning day easier. Additionally, we brainstormed together to prepare for the English classes and took photos and videos to advertise the woodcarving activities and products.

Living there for two weeks was awesome. We really got to see how beautiful northern Thailand is. And it's not too far from local hangouts like restaurants and pools. We also got to meet friendly locals who often ask, "What are you doing in San Patong?"

Our room was really cozy, and despite having only a fan, sleeping was never a problem. Our hosts cooked lunch for us almost every day, which was wonderful, especially since they also provided vegetarian options. Occasionally, they would also treat us with fruits and Thai desserts, making our stay even more delightful.

Moreover, I truly felt that Mae Nai, Pantila and Buddy wanted us to fully experience local life in San Patong. We explored daily markets and historical sites, diving deep into the community and even embracing the culture by wearing traditional Thai clothes.

Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend choosing this as a volunteer destination. The children, hosts, and other volunteers I worked with left a lasting impact on me, and I'm incredibly grateful for this enriching opportunity.

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10 Sept. 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Assist with teaching English ...)

(neutral)

7 Sept. 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Welcome at our eco-lodge by ...)

(Sehr gut)

18 Juni 2024

vom Host (Come and help with some ...) für Workawayer ()

(Ausgezeichnet)

9 Juni 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Come and help with some ...)

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20 Mai 2024

Vom Workawayer () für Host (Help around our organic farm ...)

Nee was my first host, and she was amazing. I spent almost two weeks with her, and the time flew by. I was quite nervous about taking the bus from Bangkok, but Kirana helped me every step of the way via WhatsApp. Just a tip: you'll be heading to Sai Mai Tai and taking the buses parked outside, not inside, and the ticket costs 60 baht. Nee picked… read more me up quickly, and our journey started with lunch at a local restaurant, where I also met her sister Nuch and niece Chujai.

The room is simple but comfortable, with a bed and a fan. Some nights were quite hot, but it was manageable. The bathroom is just a minute away from the room and easily accessible.

The work schedule was clear: breakfast at 8 am, work from 9 am to around 12 pm, then a nap and back to work at 3 pm before showering and dinner. During my stay, I mowed the lawn, peeled and cut bananas, helped package dried bananas, filled containers with banana sugar and flour, washed dishes, cleaned the restaurant area by sweeping leaves, cleaned bathrooms, cleaned chives, weeded the plantations, fed chickens, served customers, helped at the weekend market, and painted wood to prevent termites. The tasks were fairly easy, and Nee was always ready to help or explain things better. The hardest tasks for me were sweeping the leaves and painting the wood, as they took a toll on my back, but I could always take breaks and stay hydrated.

Nee provided water and ice, which was extremely helpful. Her food was amazing, and as someone with IBS, I was relieved that I never had any issues. Thai food is known for being spicy, but Nee always made sure to prepare something suitable for me. She also treated me to lovely teas and even bought my favorite dessert—mango sticky rice. Her generosity and kindness were remarkable.

Beyond the tasks, I had the privilege of getting to know a phenomenal, strong, independent, and beautiful woman who has so much to offer. Nee taught me the simple joy of smiling at others and the incredible impact we can have on our community through acts of kindness and generosity. She exemplifies how individuals can come together to create positive change from the ground up. She even took me to a meeting with her organic group to help them sell their goods at the weekend market. Additionally, she's the "big boss" of a community development group where people can borrow money if needed. I was in awe of how she manages to do all of this with so little time.

On my days off, Nee took me on a lovely road trip to Kanchanaburi. One of my favorite experiences was when she brought me to a temple, where I had the chance to observe everything firsthand. Everyone gathered to pray and then shared a meal together. This beautiful moment, with everyone around the table, reminded me of the breakfasts I host at home and made me feel right at home.

Nee's profile states: “If you decide to stay at our home and live with us, we must support each other as a member of the family and share happiness and suffering. You give, we give, you share, we share. Give and take not only take.” This perfectly describes my experience. She opened her heart to me, I did the same and we created a strong, beautiful bond.

As I bid farewell to Nee and her beautiful farm, my heart is full of fond memories and the profound influence of her example. I aspire to incorporate the valuable lessons I've learned from her into my own journey and personal growth.

Thank you for making me feel part of your family. I hope I'll see you again soon, อรุณี <3

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