Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
30 Dec 2023
Feedback
3
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
Hi Everyone! My name is Bernadeta and I am a part of an international family: I am Polish, my husband is German, and our two daughters live and study abroad. My husband and I have been living on both sides of the Polish-German border for about three years now: I am architect specialising in heritage conservation. After a few years of academic career at the university, I fulfilled my dream of acquiring a historic building and renovating it according to all the rules of the art. It is a farm with a half-timbered house, a barn and a stable in a small village surrounded by forests and lakes, close to the Drawienski National Park in western part of Poland. I would love to apply the principles of permaculture in my garden (just starting, it would be lovely to learn from you if you have experience with permaculture). The most important premises for me are to reuse, to repurpose, and to produce as little waste as possible. The project became a learning process: which of the theoretical approaches to conservation can be practically and economically implemented in my specific case? Are things I do in the garden really permaculture? Are the things I do really sustainable? Can I do more or should I do less?
I would be very happy to share my experiences with you and at the same time, I am extremely keen on learning from you myself.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Due to my professional background, I can transfer knowledge about sustainable, natural building, historic and traditional construction techniques, etc.
You can learn how to create something new and valuable out of "rubbish", how to make personal care products yourself from most simple ingredients or try out creative sewing.
In any case, I am really looking forward to experience your creativity, and to see what ideas you can share. Feel free to unfold your creative powers!
Help
I always need help with gardening (mini/micro farming, mowing grass), small construction projects (compost toilet, fence, stair, outdoor chill-out zone, repairs on existing structures, etc.), as well as with regular housework/housekeeping. The Workawayer should be comfortable with all tasks that arise in daily life on this construction site, such as cooking, cleaning, heating the stoves (mid-September to mid-May), chopping wood, tiding up, organizing stuff. Sometimes I also need house-sitting for a few days.
I welcome independent personalities who are not necessarily waiting for instructions to find something to work on. There will certainly be some things that need to be done and will be communicated, but initiatives are very welcome, and I am open to ideas! It would be great if you have skills like construction, farming, gardening, carpentry or any other craft, but it is NOT mandatory at all.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Polish: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Russian: Intermediate
Arabic: Beginner
Turkish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
You can have your own bedroom or stay in the barn or in the attic, pitch a tent or set up your caravan. These options are of course more attractive during the summer (June-September), since the nights in other seasons can be quite chilly.
We can provide mattresses, bedding, bed linen, tent and sleeping bags etc. if needed.
We have NO washing machine, but stable WiFi.
I don't want to give anyone any dietary instructions. I have tried various diets myself: vegetarian, vegan, scd (specific carbohydrate diet). I provide the ingredients and am happy to share my cooking skills – you will definitely get a look into Polish cuisine. I believe that cooking and eating together are extremely community-building, thus meals are usually eaten together in my family. I would say that I do a lot of experimental cooking, so I look forward to input from Workawayers to learn about and try new things – meaning that you and I share responsibility for cooking.
What else ...
It is a rather quiet area, unless neighbours are listening to loud music, mowing lawn or sawing timber. The village is surrounded by forests, where many animals live: foxes, deer, rabbits, wild boars, wisents, stags, etc.
Hiking, jogging, picking blueberries or mushrooms, fishing, and cycling are possible in the immediate vicinity. Swimming or canoeing can be done in the nearby lakes for free. There is a train station about 1km from the house, however the trains do not stop often. You can use my car (if you have a valid driver´s licence), or a bike (I have three bicycles here) to get around, otherwise simply enjoy the peace and read a book in the garden.
The next two small towns where you can get almost everything are both 12 km away. There are grocery shops, drugstores/pharmacies, medical practices, banks, post office, shops with plants, clothing, building materials, fishing equipment, etc. You can also rely on our bakeries and restaurant recommendations.
Last but not least: please make sure, you have a proper insurance, covering health, voluntary work and personal liability. I sincerely hope very much you won´t need it, but in case of some misfortune, the proper insurance might save you many problems. If you are an EU-citizen, you can get the European Health Insurance Card. It is a free card issued by your statutory health insurance.
If you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to ask, I will be delighted to answer. I am looking forward to meeting you!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
You can work at the table in the living room, at the standing desk in the library or put the laptop on your lap in the veranda in sommer. Internet is excellent: my husband and me, sometimes also our friends can work parallely.
Space for parking camper vans
We have 5000 square meters of garden, means plenty of space for caravans. You can get electricity via cable, we have an outside toilet and a water tap.
Can possibly accept pets
Any kind of animals are welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (2)
thank you so much for this amazing time I spent with you! I am really grateful to your hospitality and the way you treated me ))) I felt like I am a part of this amazing family, I really enjoyed the time I spent there.
I would never forget salads we made , soups and delicious food that we cooked )))) Love it so… read more
She is also a true cultural ambassador of Kazakhstan: she made us enthusiastic about her country, we will certainly travel there :).
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
thank you so much for this amazing time I spent with you! I am really grateful to your hospitality and the way you treated me ))) I felt like I am a part of this amazing family, I really enjoyed the time I spent there.
I would never forget salads we made , soups and delicious food that we cooked )))) Love it so… read more
She is also a true cultural ambassador of Kazakhstan: she made us enthusiastic about her country, we will certainly travel there :).
