Cultural exchange and family support in a Swiss lakeside town near Villeneuve, Switzerland

Details

• 

  Description

  Hi, we live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom 140 m² flat in the charming town of Villeneuve, Switzerland. The apartment is literally across the street from Lake Geneva, with a breathtaking view of the best sunsets. From our house, there is a lake park and a harbour a few minutes' walk away with a nature preserve for bird migration, and in the other direction it's a 10 min bus or train ride to Montreux, 20 min to Vevey, and 30 min to Lausanne, each offering a unique Swiss city experience. Behind us, we are a 30 minute drive to Champery or Villars ski resorts, and 40 minutes to Diablerets; there are even more within 90 minutes.
  
  We're looking for someone to join us from January, for a stay of 1 to 3 months. It's the heart of ski season, with snow in the mountains above us, the lake on our doorstep and free weekends to explore.
  
  We are a multi-cultural family, my wife is Colombian, and I am American; we have two boys, aged 4 and 1. Switzerland is of course a great melting pot of culture with so many incredible activities to enjoy. It is like living in a postcard!
  
  My wife & I both work during the week (me from home unless I'm traveling). We start our days early: the boys are dropped off at creche / school before 08:30, we eat around 18:00, and the bedtime routine has them sleeping by 20:00. Without grandparents around, we do our best to get the boys ready in the morning, things done around the house, and manage a family meal for dinner - but we simply run out of time or energy every day without "cutting a few corners". So, we are opening our doors to a good helper that can sustain, and possibly even improve things around the house. It would be great to find someone that is great with the kids. They are growing and developing so fast!
  
  We have one spare room with a queen Murphy bed (it does have a proper mattress) and a desk. We have VTT bikes, 1 mid sized and one small (Man/Woman). You'll be welcomed as an independent guest to enjoy our company, our shared culture, what we have, and our neighborhood!

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
• 

  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Fashion or beauty

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Writing

  

  Carpentry

  

  Photography

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Books

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Winter sports

  

  Nature

  

  Fitness

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Our household is multinational and multilingual, so you have a few languages to choose from or practice.
  
  American Dad - Speaks English and is learning French
  
  Colombian Mom - speaks English, Spanish, French
  
  Swiss Sons - Very cute & playful - respond well to positive attitudes :)
  
  Switzerland is a very international community with many local events around our city and in surrounding cities. We often visit local events, the local market to barter in French, or venture out to explore the beautiful landscape and many cultural events of Switzerland (wine country, snow capped mountains, the Cailler chocolate factory, the Olympic museum... the list of activities is long!). In winter, the ski resorts and Christmas-card villages are right behind us. I would be pleased to connect you with the social clubs that regularly host meet ups and free events to socialize locally.
  
  We are flexible - You may want to join us on our adventures, or venture off on your own to maximize your stay...As you wish!
  
  Within the house, we enjoy cooking, and although we aren't master chefs, we would be happy to compare recipes, if you are interested :)

• 

  Au Pair Help

  This host is looking for Au pair help.

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  We'd love a new friend to join our family life for 1 to 3 months from January. One person is preferred, and two is possible if you're a couple or happy to share the bed and bathroom.
  
  Here's where we could use a hand. Think of it as a list of ideas rather than a list of tasks: what you help with, and when, is something we'll agree together, within around 20-25 hours a week and with weekends free.
  
  - Getting the boys up and ready in the morning, and to creche / school
  - Helping get dinner on the table, and sharing a meal with the boys
  - Picking the boys up and playing with them before dinner
  - Keeping on top of the laundry and a little tidying around the house
  
  Babysitting or a date night now and then is always optional, and only if it suits you.
  
  You'd be a great fit if you're a non-smoker, have experience with little ones under 3, enjoy cooking family meals and speak English. French is a plus!

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  English is the household language. My sons go to creche in French, my wife works in french. She is also fluent in Spanish. I am improving my french and spanish (casually!)
• 

  Accommodation

  140 m² apartment across the street from Lake Geneva, with an incredible view, close to the park and harbour, and a 2 minute walk from the bus and train. Non-smoking, no pets, full Wi-Fi.
  
  Your private room has a queen Murphy bed with a new IKEA mattress, a desk and access to the terrace. The Guest Bathroom is directly across the hall, with its own shower and the washer/dryer. It's yours day to day, and shared only when we host dinner parties or house guests. My wife & I have our own bathroom in the master bedroom, which is also where we give the boys their baths.
  
  All your meals are included, and joining the family dinner is optional. We have a recently renovated large and open kitchen, and we like to host friends on occasion. We enjoy "taco Tuesdays" and "French toast" once per week.
  
  Our bikes are available to borrow, and there is a rental bike station at the bus station close to the front door of our building.

• 

  What else ...

  We are kind and social people, however we do appreciate some level of privacy and independence. So...We may not ask for it, but we would be happy for you if you find activities that suit your preferences to enjoy on your own. With your help completed, this would help us connect as a family on the weekday evenings (20:00 is "bed time" for the boys).
  
  A few simple house rules keep the boys safe and everyone comfortable: messages go through a family WhatsApp group with both of us, phones away while caring for the boys, please don't post photos of the boys online, no overnight guests, visitors agreed in advance, and quiet after 21:00.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  We have an available parking place in a garage, but it is underground, and does not allow for oversized vans... the moving cammionettes were too tall to fit!

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

Website Safety