This image shows an illustrated postcard of a house labeled "Apotheke." Two cartoon figures with real human faces are walking in front, holding hands.
A sunny backyard features banana plants, wooden chairs, green canopies, a rustic stone wall, a bamboo bar, and a large solar panel leaning against a building.
A smiling man and woman take a close-up selfie outdoors, both wearing jackets. Behind them, autumn trees and a blurred background create a peaceful, natural setting.
Two goats graze in a sunlit, shady backyard with green grass, surrounded by trees, a swing hanging from a branch, and a small white shed nearby.
A person wearing a red sweater, black pants, grey hat, mask, and gloves is sanding wooden floors with a large orange floor sander in a bare room.
A man gently holds a goat's face, nuzzling closely in a moment of affection. The goat appears calm and relaxed, enjoying the interaction outdoors.
A sunlit backyard featuring a large tree with a hanging swing, a wooden bench, green grass, scattered leaves, a white shed, and surrounding plants.
A cozy garden scene with green metal table and chair, surrounded by wooden raised beds containing squash plants, leafy greens, and wood chip pathways. Peaceful atmosphere.
A person wearing gloves and a mask is working on the floor of an empty, sparsely decorated room with white walls and a vintage ceiling light.
This image shows a minimalistic bedroom with a bed, striped wallpaper, a white coat rack, soft sunlight, and neutral colors creating a calm, serene atmosphere.
An old, weathered building labeled "Apotheke" stands behind a white picket fence. The exterior is worn, with peeling paint, surrounded by trees and steps.
This image shows a garden area with a pile of dirt, various green plants, a partially collapsed brick wall, and a white picket fence in the background.
An old, abandoned house with weathered grey walls and broken windows sits behind a white picket fence, under a partly cloudy sky. Overgrown plants surround it.
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Countryside lifestyle in a historic pharmacy with a couple searching for nice and humorous helpers in Cochstedt, Germany

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  • Last replied

    Last replied

    23 Jul 2026

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If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Germany to volunteer, work or study you will need the correct visa. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country before travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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  • Description

    Description

    Hi guys, we would love to find some helping hands taking care of our old pharmacy, by now our private home. She's a Monument from 1867 and really a character!
    We are Markus and Constanze, in our mid-end fifties with two grown up sons in Hamburg. We are originally from the big city, but we have since fallen in love with country life and enjoy commuting between two worlds—working in the city and living in the countryside.Originally we studied publishing, ethnology, acting, german literature and history of art. During coronavirus pandemic we moved from Hamburg to Saxony-Anhalt where we totally fell in love with an old charming house, that has been uninhabited for over 20 years: our pharmacy , build in 1867 with about 14 rooms and a nice property in the backyard. We aren’t pharmacists, yet we now live in a heritage-listed former pharmacy. People sometimes knock on the old door wanting to fill a prescription—which is always quite amusing. These days both working in public service, we are still interested in what's going on in other corners of the world, in learning languages and connect with open minded people from everywhere and any age.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Animal Care
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Movies & TV
    Politics / Social justice
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Pets
    Performing arts
    History
    Books
    Art & design
    Languages
    Plant care
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Nature
    Animals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We love to welcome people who would like to join our life - a life under construction;) As we live in an old pharmacy that has to be restored, by now we have 4 rooms to live in - of 14! Your accomodation is tidy and the living room too. But who is afraid of some dirt and untidyness and chaos here and there - is not at the right place:)We would love to join some time with nice people, showing our life and learning about yours and your ambitions! ....We love to discuss movies and books, politics, doing dolce vita at sunset with wine & goats & music & some dance:) Cooking is our passion - 98% delicious vegetarian! Please show us your favorite recipes! We love to take you on trips in the countryside, visiting all the beautiful historical places of the german middle ages, that we are surrounded with. All the monasteries, castles, churches and palaces. Also exhibitions and cultural events.

  • Help

    Help

    There are so many interesting things to do. For example - you could help us herd the goats, muck out the barn, and take care of the animals. That means give them attention and hugs. :) We can plant and harvest together, do the gardening in the front - and the backyard of the pharmacy. We are currently building a stable and care abaut some further rooms—and we appreciate it when tools are handed to us or when someone helps carry furniture from one spot to another or between floors. We are essentially living on a perpetual maintenance site; out of fourteen rooms, only about four are habitable so far. Right now, we are shoveling soil in the inner courtyard—it feels a bit like an archaeological dig. We keep finding old objects from the days when the pharmacy was still in operation—small bottles, vials, and containers. It’s exciting, and we welcome any help with the process.There are a thousand exciting things to do every day in an old, venerable house with a rich history. Adventurers are welcome!:)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate
    French: Intermediate
    Indonesian: Intermediate
    Dutch: Intermediate
    Italian: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    We have so many interesting issues to offer inside and outside: handling historical surfaces of the old pharmacy, learning about natural materials, gardening and Tinyhouse project, planting & harvest, care time with the goats and the cats...what ever you like! Who is in love with old houses like we are and likes to spend some time, to find out how to care - let's get intouch! People from all over the world are welcome - as we studied and lived in the netherlands and in indonesia and travelled around the world - we speak German and English fluently, and some Spain, Dutch, French, Italian and Indonasian:)

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Nice and cosy place of your own; bright and welcoming in the first floor. Almost 2 rooms, combined ( ca. 15 qm). Doublebed, sofa, armchair, wardrobe. - You miss anything? No problem!

    We provide all meals. Breakfast is flexible, lunch is usually enjoyed together, and in the evenings, we love cooking and sharing dinner. Our kitchen is about 98% vegetarian, and we always enjoy exchanging recipes and discovering dishes from around the world. We'd love you to introduce us to one of your favorites!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Anyone who loves peace and quiet, the countryside, nature, and animals will find something to enjoy here. Cochstedt is a small village with a café and a tiny convenience store. It is a great place for hiking and enjoying all kinds of outdoor activities.At weekends we can visit the capital city of Saxony-Anhalt, with the impressive Magdeburg Cathedral or the beautiful "Hundertwasserhaus",or the urban and ambitious city of Halle. If your interested in architecture let's do a trip to Dessau and the famous "Bauhaus". Just 30 minutes away from us—on the edge of the Harz National Park, an area perfect for hiking—lie the World Heritage city of Quedlinburg and the city of Halberstadt, with their palaces, cathedrals, and picturesque old towns... And last but not least, if you’d like to take a trip to the national capital, Berlin—that’s possible, and it’s about three hours away from us.
    You love animals, your a communicator, you like to give a hand, learn something new, and perhaps your a nonsmoker and do not need to eat meat more than 2 days a month? Great!

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Profile photo of Bertil

    Bertil

    Tildas Bro

    Profile photo of Tilda

    Tilda

    our latest goaty - smart & cute

    Profile photo of Tomte & Sneefried

    Tomte & Sneefried

    Profile photo of Meisje

    Meisje

    Little girl Meisje - our oldest! She has seen a lot - you can't tell her anything she would not know before you...!

    Profile photo of Tomte

    Tomte

    lovely Tomte - a real Siames male

    Profile photo of Sneefried

    Sneefried

    Our male Burmese Sneefried

    Profile photo of Smilla

    Smilla

    Here comes Smilla! our Grand Dame. She's an Anglo Nubia. Very proud, intelligent, people-oriented, amiable—and she is the boss.

Host ref number: 658675354645

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Photos

A sunny backyard features banana plants, wooden chairs, green canopies, a rustic stone wall, a bamboo bar, and a large solar panel leaning against a building.
A smiling man and woman take a close-up selfie outdoors, both wearing jackets. Behind them, autumn trees and a blurred background create a peaceful, natural setting.
Two goats graze in a sunlit, shady backyard with green grass, surrounded by trees, a swing hanging from a branch, and a small white shed nearby.
A person wearing a red sweater, black pants, grey hat, mask, and gloves is sanding wooden floors with a large orange floor sander in a bare room.
A man gently holds a goat's face, nuzzling closely in a moment of affection. The goat appears calm and relaxed, enjoying the interaction outdoors.
A sunlit backyard featuring a large tree with a hanging swing, a wooden bench, green grass, scattered leaves, a white shed, and surrounding plants.
This image shows a minimalistic bedroom with a bed, striped wallpaper, a white coat rack, soft sunlight, and neutral colors creating a calm, serene atmosphere.
An old, weathered building labeled "Apotheke" stands behind a white picket fence. The exterior is worn, with peeling paint, surrounded by trees and steps.
This image shows a garden area with a pile of dirt, various green plants, a partially collapsed brick wall, and a white picket fence in the background.
An old, abandoned house with weathered grey walls and broken windows sits behind a white picket fence, under a partly cloudy sky. Overgrown plants surround it.

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