Helping at a countryside guesthouse in Bad Zwischenahn, Northern Germany

Details

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  Description

  Hi there! 👋
  
  I’m Dirk, and I run a countryside guesthouse and small event location in the beautiful Ammerland region, close to Oldenburg and Bad Zwischenahn.
  
  After a long period of renovation, most of the major construction work is now nearly finished. I’m therefore looking for a reliable individual who would like to stay here for at least two months and help me look after the property and support the day-to-day running of the guesthouse.
  
  This is best suited to someone who is responsible, independent and observant – a person who notices when something needs to be done and feels comfortable taking care of a large property without needing detailed instructions all the time.
  
  The role is a combination of light cleaning, laundry, guesthouse support and occasional help with events. It is not a full-time job and will not provide enough income to cover all your living expenses. You will receive an official German minijob contract for around 40 paid working hours per month, as well as free accommodation.
  
  This arrangement may be ideal if you are looking for a peaceful place to stay while studying online, working remotely, learning German, taking some time out or exploring Northern Germany.
  
  Who I’m looking for
  - Minimum stay of two months; longer stays are very welcome
  - EU citizens who are legally able to work in Germany without a visa
  - Someone reliable, practical and able to work independently
  - Someone who is comfortable living in a quiet, rural environment
  - Someone willing to take responsibility for everyday tasks around the property
  - Basic English or German is needed for communication
  - Experience with cleaning, hospitality or childcare is helpful, but not essential
  - Because you may occasionally interact with guests and our children, friendliness, good judgement and reliability are especially important.
  
  Pay and conditions
  - €15 per hour
  - Approximately 40 paid working hours per month
  - Official German minijob contract
  - Free accommodation in the main house
  - Shared kitchen and access to all essential household equipment
  - You are responsible for buying and preparing your own food
  - Flexible scheduling depending on guest departures, events and other tasks
  - A bicycle is provided
  
  Please be aware that this is not a full-time position and the income will not be enough to finance all of your living expenses in Germany. You should therefore have your own financial resources or another compatible source of income.
  
  All work connected to the guesthouse, events or childcare is part of the paid working time. Any social activities, taking care of your own household, breaks for lunch or other breaks, meals, etc. are not part of the working time. Working time has to be documented day by day.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  About the place
  
  - The guesthouse is located in Ekern, near Bad Zwischenahn, surrounded by trees, fields and old farm buildings.
  - The beautiful Zwischenahner Meer lake is around 15 minutes away by bicycle. It is a lovely area for cycling, walking, swimming and spending time outdoors.
  - The nearest supermarket is approximately ten minutes away by bicycle. You will have access to a bike for shopping and local trips.
  - This is a peaceful, rural location. It is ideal if you enjoy nature, quiet surroundings and a slower pace of life. If nightlife and a busy international social scene are your main priorities, it may not be the right place for you.
  - Oldenburg is the nearest larger city and offers cafés, restaurants, cultural activities, markets and a lively student atmosphere. There is a bus stop directly in front of the property, and trains from Bad Zwischenahn connect to Oldenburg, Bremen and other destinations.
  
  🌱 Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
  
  Although this is a paid position with real responsibilities, I still value the cultural exchange that makes Workaway special.
  People from different countries have already helped shape this place, and I enjoy hearing about their backgrounds, ideas, traditions and experiences. You are welcome to bring your own perspective and suggestions to the guesthouse and gardens.
  At the same time, I want to set realistic expectations: I have a family, another job and many responsibilities connected to the property. I am therefore not always available for daily activities, shared meals or organised excursions.
  You should enjoy your independence and feel comfortable spending time on your own. There may be opportunities to share a meal, have a coffee, join family activities or explore the area together, but this will depend on everyone’s schedules and should happen naturally rather than being expected every day.
  
  You can gain practical experience in:
  - running a small guesthouse
  - preparing holiday apartments
  - laundry and housekeeping organisation
  - welcoming guests
  - supporting events
  - looking after a large rural property
  - everyday life in Northern Germany
  - practising German or English in a real-life setting

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  The main tasks
  
  (the exact tasks vary from week to week. Some days may be quiet, while guest changeovers or events can be busier.)
  
  - bringing in letters and accepting occasional deliveries
  - taking out rubbish and recycling
  - checking that doors and windows are closed in the evening
  - switching off unnecessary lights and checking the heating in the evening
  - letting tradespeople or service providers into the property when arranged
  - keeping an eye on the house when I am not there
  - reporting anything unusual, damaged or in need of attention
  - keeping shared areas tidy
  
  Guesthouse support
  - helping to clean and prepare guest apartments between stays
  - washing, drying and folding bed linen and towels
  - keeping the laundry room organised
  - cleaning shared areas such as staircases and the communal kitchen
  - occasionally welcoming guests or helping them find their accommodation
  - helping to move furniture or prepare rooms when necessary
  - supporting other small, practical tasks around the guesthouse
  
  Helping with events
  We also host small celebrations, workshops and other events. Occasionally, your paid tasks may include:
  - setting up tables and chairs
  - helping with simple decorations
  - preparing rooms before an event
  - being present during an event if additional help is needed
  - helping to tidy up afterwards
  Some event-related tasks may take place in the evening or at weekends, but they will be discussed and planned in advance whenever possible.
  
  Optional family contact
  I have two children, aged six and eight. If everyone feels comfortable with it, occasional babysitting may also be included as part of the paid working hours.
  This is not an au pair position, and childcare is really not the main focus. Any involvement with our family will depend on mutual trust and whether it feels right for both sides.
  
  After some time, I hope you will develop a good sense of how the place works and be able to deal with familiar tasks independently. Initiative is very welcome – but you will, of course, receive clear instructions and support when learning something new.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Danish: Beginner
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  You will have your own room in a shared flat where I and my wife also stay sometimes, but not everyday.
  So, in fact, most of the time, you will have the flat to yourself, but not all the time :-)
  
  The kitchen is shared and includes the basic equipment you need for cooking. Bedding and other essentials are provided.
  The accommodation is offered free of charge in addition to your minijob pay. You will be responsible for your own groceries and meals.
  ! Shared areas need to be kept clean and tidy, and we ask everyone living here to respect the guests’ need for peace and privacy.

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  What else ...

  This opportunity could be a good match if you are looking for:
  
  ✅ a peaceful and comfortable place to live
  ✅ a small paid job alongside your own plans
  ✅ practical experience in hospitality
  ✅ responsibility and independence
  ✅ rural life in Northern Germany
  ✅ cultural exchange without a fixed social programme
  ✅ a longer stay of at least two months
  
  It may not be suitable if you are looking for:
  
  ❌ a full-time job or an income that covers all living expenses
  ❌ a party-oriented or highly social Workaway experience
  ❌ a tightly organised daily programme
  ❌ accommodation for a couple
  ❌ a short stay of only a few weeks
  
  
  If this sounds like a good fit, please tell me:
  - a little about yourself
  - when you would like to arrive
  - how long you would like to stay
  - what experience you have with house-sitting, cleaning, hospitality, events or childcare
  - what you plan to do alongside the minijob during your stay
  
  I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
  
  Dirk

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  A good internet connection is available.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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