Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
44
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Details
Description
We run a German-American social-history project that explores and presents connections between people from both countries. For this purpose, we show exhibits, hold lectures and conduct eyewitness interviews: We can always use helping hands to carry out these activities. While here, those who wish can get into contact with the locals in various ways, on various levels: Several of our neighbors volunteer or work seasonally per wage with our project; Workaway guests are often invited to speak at local schools or other bodies about their countries, travels, dreams, etc. A few even attempt to acquire some basic knowledge of the complicated, complex German language...
The focus of our research is on social and everyday history, i.e. the history that takes place between major events, especially those created by states. An important driving force for our work is the firm belief that dealing with history is the best protection against conflict between people or even states. As part of that peacemaking/anti-war project, we also run a Haus for Ukrainian refugees, a five-minute walk away from us: We've had 48 to-date [Oct. '23].
No matter what projects you might choose to enhance, you will surely find them enriching and insightful: E N J O Y !
PS:
Please note that while we are not a factory, where workers sign in and sign out on a clock; we are a full-time experience. Workawayers live either with us here or in the Haus Michael bought for Ukrainian refugees. We usually cook together twice a day, from scratch, from Monday through Friday noon, after which we clean the Haus together.
This, then, is more a "way of life" than a job; those unable or unwilling to recognize and accept this unique placement should reconsider applying to volunteer here. Out of the 60 interns, volunteers and Workawayers we've had in the past three years, most have been successful, rewarding sojourns for all concerned; a few, however, have not: Success depends on largest part of the willingness and ability of Workawayers to adapt to what's going on here, in front of them.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Because our project is "at home" in the same building where some local staff live and most of the Workawayers tackle tasks, travellers will gain from exposure to "natives" even as they work. In addition, they will grow a deeper understanding of the flow and dynamics of history, both on large but especially small scales. Those needing a break from big-city life will appreciate even more the tranquil, rural setting which Bad Langensalza -- itself a small city of 17,500 -- enjoys.
Help
It would be nice if you had a good working knowledge of English (in the EU, at level B2), Word and Excel, a friendly- and open-minded nature as well as the ability to be self-directed. So far, with one exception, we've had excellent experiences with our first ten or so Workaway volunteers or interns, but from the one that went less than ideally, we learned to state:
We expect our visitors to work 5 hours per weekday, not including cooking or grocery shopping, as we are not hotel and each new mouth requires that much more planning, preparation and work: Each who eats must help make that happen.
And, every Friday afternoon, after our work, we spend 1-1.5 hours cleaning the big ol' medieval Haus that we all help to make dirty in the first place. We thank you for cheerily helping to clean and tidy the lovely space we all use an' love.
; - )
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Czech: IntermediateThis 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
Our "Haus" is a huge structure, built upon a medieval foundation (complete with arch-capped cellars). It's ample space allows for interns as well as travelers or other shorter-term visitors space where they can withdraw: Non-residents enjoy use of their own furnished room, bathroom and full kitchen. We enjoy having at most times several nationalities living here concurrently; usually, we have a number of non-hetero individuals living here: Each different cultural background is an enrichment for us all. The Haus has been completely renovated since the fall of the Berlin Wall and offers every comfort and amenity that moderns expect; the Haus for refugees where at times "overflows" Workawayers live is also cozy.
What else ...
"Salza" is served by frequent and efficient train connections, primarily in the direction of Goettingen or Erfurt, but also due south to Gotha, where a short wait connects travelers to fast trains to Frankfurt International Airport, etc. Leipzig is a lively and, especially for young people, attractive city: It is relatively near--as is Berlin, Hamburg, etc.
Also nearby is the Hainich National Park, home to one of Europe's last five virgin beech woods ("Buchenwaelder"). The area offers endless biking and hiking trails, hot-spring spas, sports facilities, etc. "Salza" has almost 10 public gardents (e.g., Japanese, rose, Rhododendren, etc.) and 17 towers or gates surviving from the Middle Ages. The Old City ("Altstadt") boasts beautiful ancient buildings, fountains, a Glockenspiel, a children's "Play Castle" called "Rumpelburg" + much more.
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
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (22)
First of all, Michael and Jörg were really kind to us. They were open, welcoming and always flexible when it came to our preferences. As for Michael, he was eager to share us all the interesting informations and facts about the region. He… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
First of all, Michael and Jörg were really kind to us. They were open, welcoming and always flexible when it came to our preferences. As for Michael, he was eager to share us all the interesting informations and facts about the region. He… read more
Evangelos is #48 in that long procession.
Along with Edison from the Philippines, Marissa from Long Island, Eloise from France, etc., Evangelos has been among the handful of Most-Pleasant Workawayers. He has been flexible, open-minded and… read more
We had decided, some time ago, to have no one here for less than two weeks, preferably a minimum of three. When Renton contacted us, tho, we had a positive impression of him, plus an urgent need for short-term help. Thus, he came.
Renton proved to be pleasant, accommodating, flexible and exceptionally… read more
While with us, he practiced the following… read more
He showed empathy with the other Workawayers and with me;
he proved to be conscientious, honest, fair and thoughtful;
I suspect he also served as a kind of "therapist" from time to time.
Austin--if he acts and is like he was with us for a couple weeks--will be a valuable addition to… read more
He strived to find ways to help us and thereby live his way into our project; he threw himself into every task we gave him. We were grateful for his heartfelt help and tangible good will.
Rory visibly cares about the world and works to make it a better place: In numerous ways, he succeeds in this.… read more
When she (and around the same time, Larry) came to Bad Langensalza, I had just purchased a Haus with money from my mother's estate. Within a week, 40 volunteers helped completely renovate, furnish and stock it. Among the most tireless were Marissa and Larry, both of whom never, EVER complained about… read more
Accommodations
For the first few… read more
Larry signed up to work with our project while we were still focused on social historical… read more
Most of the work I did was to help Anja scan and organize their archives. I had access to archives such as 1940s prisoners of war letters or old DDR newspapers -- simply put, it was unique. I also led the 2 hour English adult conversation classes every Thursday where I talked about various topics with the goal of immersing them in English and… read more
- We'd not had an East-Asian guest before, but through him we learned so much of such significance about the Philippines; his three programs in our Thursday-night English-conversation sessions were unmatched hits!
- We'd not had a guest speaker yet appear in an elementary or higher-level school… read more
Michael is a passionate man who seeks intense encounters with others. He wants to get to know people as people, as souls, not just as colleagues or volunteers. That can be really nice, if you’re open to it. He’s also a rich source of knowledge about German culture and history.
The work was… read more
The workaway experience here is open and is… read more
Her 2 weeks with us offered interesting and at times transformative perspectives and awareness. She proved to be consistently honest and yet considerate; she followed what "rules" (I use the word guardedly) absolutely and worked hard--in her case, primarily improving our exhibit catalog, which is a key part of… read more
She… read more
I think the most important thing to mention about Michael (the host) and the work is that it is not a typical work away opportunity. By saying this, I mean that if you are really interested in history and museums you can really engage in this project and learn a lot. I think it is… read more
I remember retrieving him from the 'Salza Bahnhof--both of us fully masked--then helping him carry his half-ton backpacks through the darkened streets of our sleepy lil' medieval town. There was a certain romance but also mystery of such a… read more
My 4 week stay allowed me to gain a deep insight into the complex story of Germany. The local surroundings such as the Hainich national park and the beautiful old towns and… read more
