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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
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83.3 %
Usually responds within 8 days
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Description
WE ARE NOW MOSTLY LOOKING FOR AN ENGLISH NATIVE SPEAKER GIRL WHO CAN STAY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH.
THE DUTY IS TO PLAY WITH A 10 YEARS OLD AND A 5 YEARS OLD KIDS IN ENGLISH. THE FOCUS WILL BE ON THE YOUNGER THAT IS STILL LEARNING; THE OLDER BROTHER ALREADY HAS A GOOD LEVEL BUT NEEDS TO MAINTAIN IT.
Hello, we are a happy family of 4 living in Siena countryside, Tuscany, Italy.
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. Famed for the "Palio", it is also home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, which ensures a vibrant Italian student atmosphere throughout the academic year.
Our home is located on the "via romea" an ancient path that was used from peregrines from Florence to Siena, you could take few days to do it!
With a lot of natural and historical beauties within easy reach by car or public transport, Siena is a good place to base yourself for a Tuscan experience. The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of the most beautiful countrysides in Italy and a famous wine production area, Monteriggioni and San Gimignano are just two of the wonderful medieval villages in the surroundings.
We, with our relatives, run an organic farm and we live in a big farmhouse. Our family is composed of Erica (34), Roberto (34), Enea (10), Milo (5), Artù the cat and Cleo and Olivia the dogs.
Erica and Roberto have an agriculture degree.
Roberto is a farmer, he works in the farm all day long, working on a farm is really hardworking so helping him is not really an option unfortunately. He is also a salsa dancer and a compulsive books reader!
Erica used to work for a British tour operator, but now she's a SAHM. She is also a languages lover, a beginner dancer and she really likes to make bold life decisions.
We like travelling, learning, board games, worldwide cousine, healty cooking, sustainable ways of life, books, gardening, chicken breeding, outdoor activities, Italian culture and dialects. Most of the time we eat at home, cooking local dishes. We are not a very TV family, however we like to watch a good movie. We are very happy to share all this with our guests, depending on how much you will want to get. We are deeply open-hearted and wish you enjoy living with us, sharing your life experience, your culture and your knowledge.
We joined Couchsurfing before the children both as hosts that as guests, so we have familiarity with hospitality.
The main reason that make us hosting workawayers in this period of our life is to improve our sons' English skills, exposing them to the languange in the best way for a child: by playing spountaneously with people that can communicate only in English. Enea is very spontaneous and full of excitement with workawayers, he will never stop talking and tell stories and curiosities about animals, Milo can speak a little and he can understands a lot, until October he's having his first experience with a workawayer.
We are then looking for an English native speaker, since we believe that the only way for our sons to fix the language in their minds is to interact with someone that is perfectly fluent and that has perfect vocabulary skills. In a few years we will open also to non-EMT people.
The other reason is that we love to feel like we all are citizens of the world, we like to get to know different cultures and people, to share knowledge and to improve our house and life thanks to our guests skills.
WINTER ROUTINE (September - June):
WEEKDAYS:
- I get out in the morning to bring the kids to school. The school is from 8:30 am to 2:15 pm and half an hour is needed to get there.
- In the afternoon they will be with the workawayer from 3/4 to 6/7:30 pm.
- They have various activities in the afternoon, so they won't always be both with you.
WEEKENDS:
- The workawayer will play with the kids for 4/5 hours per day (daily routine to be decided depending on your time habits and our needs)
- They will have a snack at 10:30/11:00 and at 3:30/4pm (please remember to bring it outside with you if you are going to play outside, which I prefer).
- We'll have lunch at 12 am/1pm and dinner at 6/7pm
- They have five meals per day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner.
The workawayer can choose two full days free per week (better if not on saturday)
SUMMER ROUTINE (June - September):
- The workawayer will play with the kids for 4/5 hours per day (daily and weekly routine to be decided depending on your time habits and our needs), usually in the morning.
- They will have a snack at 10:30/11:00 and at 3:30/4pm (please remember to bring it outside with you if you are going to play outside, which I prefer).
- We'll have lunch at 12 am/1pm and dinner at 7/8pm
- They have five meals per day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner.
- Recapping: 4/5 hours a day for 5 days and two free days. according to workaway.info policy.
Sometimes we go on a trip on Sunday, we would be happy if the workawayer joins us.
Roberto is at home for lunch and dinner depending on the farmworks.
The kids go to bed at 8/8:30 pm during school time, 9/9:30 in the summer
The three main meals are included for the workaway, while snacks are not.
You'll live in the house as a family member, that means that you will be asked to do soft chores (out of the working hours), like everyone does, such as preparing the table for the meals, cooking a bit, tiding up toys and stuff and, of course keep your room and bathroom clean.
Here is one of the most beautiful part of Tuscany and it is a very good place to start to explore the region by train.
From home you can get to Siena by bus, with a long and nice walk on an old peregrine way or by car.
I can bring you to and collect you from the train station (the city centre is fairly close) when we get off to school or to sport and after dinner (when Roberto or I go to dance classes)
Summer is more random organised.
I prefer to say everything beforehand and this statement may seem very harsh, but in real life we are always open to new solutions that can meet the expectations of all the people involved.
You'll have 2 free days per week, we'll help you to organize your trips in the best way.
You will have a private bedroom and a few shared bathroom.
For any question don't hesitate to ask.
Can't wait to meet you
Erica
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Babysitting and creative play
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can learn how to live in a typical Italian farm, in the surroundings there's plenty of history and things to see, we can help you to learn Italian if you like. You can learn about sheep and milk industry, wine making and olive oil making. We also have a farm holiday house so you can learn about tourist hosting.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I checked just babysitting, language practice and help in the house, because they are the main duties but, expecially in summer, there is a lot of stuff to do outside, like gardening, and so on.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Japanese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
We speak both English and Italian at home, we host to give a second language to our children, but we'll be glad to help you to learn some Italian if you are interested.
Accommodation
You'll have a big double room fully and nicely furnished and a bathroom that sometimes the kids needs to share (Enea for the shower, Milo for the toilet, we also need to use the washing machine and the dryer that are in it)
What else ...
There's a bus stop at the end of the road that brings you to Siena, unfortunately there's no possibility to come back late (the last bus leave at 8:15pm) without a car, but as said in the main paragraph, we could come and pick you up when it's possible.
There's a train station very close that goes to Florence and Pisa and I can bring you there or to Siena.
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.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
She immediately fitted in our family routine and, as fast, bonded with our little boy. They immediately started to play together and, after a month and a half he… read more
She spent 2 weeks with us, we have been on day trips around Tuscany and she was always wondered by the things around her, I thing that I loved!
She is very good with children, she knows how they "works", she has beed splendid with our son, he… read more
I spent each morning with Enea from 9am until about 1pm. This usually consisted of playing with him in English in the garden or around the… read more
Feedback
She immediately fitted in our family routine and, as fast, bonded with our little boy. They immediately started to play together and, after a month and a half he… read more
She spent 2 weeks with us, we have been on day trips around Tuscany and she was always wondered by the things around her, I thing that I loved!
She is very good with children, she knows how they "works", she has beed splendid with our son, he… read more
I spent each morning with Enea from 9am until about 1pm. This usually consisted of playing with him in English in the garden or around the… read more
Sara and Miro stayed with us for two weeks in December 2017, they are a very nice couple, always willing to help, hardworking and always happy. We really enjoyed their company!
Good luck with your new adventures!
