Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Oct 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
47
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Badges (5)
Details
Description
Important help needed in October
- German language help
- Math help
- Creative help (content creation, hand drawing etc)
- Academic support (Lots of typing involved)
- Eco project
Important help needed in November
- German language help
- Chinese language help
- Creative help
- Eco project
Hello, I'm Michelle. I am vegetarian. I'm a full-time teacher (Music & Mathematics) teaching age 4 until 16, a full time university student in pure science (Biology & Mathematics). I also rent out rooms and give tour as a side hustle. Occasionally, a friend stays with me too.
I enjoy structured routines, quiet productivity, and deep conversations particularly about mathematics! I’m especially excited to host volunteers with a background or interest in math, science, engineering or herpetology (I love observing reptiles in the wild).
My home offers a truly local experience in a middle low income government housing area in Georgetown, Penang, just 3 km from the UNESCO Heritage Site and near the sea. It’s ideal for independent, respectful volunteers who want to experience real Malaysian life.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Charity work
Drawing & painting
Music
Fitness
Plant care
Water sports
DIY & crafts
Sustainability
Self development
Culture
Vegetarian or vegan
Languages
Books
Nature
Outdoor activities
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Location and Nearby Attractions:
My place is just a 3 km walk to the city center and the UNESCO Heritage Site, making it very convenient for you to explore the local culture. You can also take Bus 12, which goes directly to the city center. The heritage area is rich in history, and you’ll find numerous museums that are well worth a visit.
Cultural Experience:
Staying in a local government home offers a unique opportunity to experience the daily life of a community, particularly people from low- middle income households. It’s a great chance to observe and interact with local residents, including the children who come to my place to learn. I highly encourage you to engage with them, as this can provide valuable insights into the local culture and way of life.
Music Lessons:
- Discounted Lessons: Piano, violin and singing lessons are available at a reduced rate. 2 hours lessons a week for each subject.
- Free Lessons: Piano and singing lessons can be offered free of charge to those who are able to assist with additional tasks.
Planned Activities During Your Stay:
To make your stay both enriching and enjoyable, I organize various activities that allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the beauty of Penang and beyond. Activities will be planned based on my available time, and workawayers will not be able to choose specific activities. However, I will ensure each activity is engaging and culturally significant.
Some examples of activities I’ve organized in the past include:
- Mini Food Tour
- Round-the-Island Tour
- Camping
- Nature walk at Penang Botanical Garden
- Cultural Dance or Music Show
- Chinese Calligraphy & Chinese Brush Drawing
- Trips to nearby states such as Perak and Kedah, which offer their own unique attractions for those who stay for longer period
I will schedule these activities according to my availability, ensuring that they provide you with a meaningful way to experience Penang and Malaysia as a whole.
Help
You’ll help 15 hours per week per person. Minimum stay is 7 days, maximum stay is 15 days. The candidate must be comfortable staying alone as I have a busy schedule and may be away.
Details of Help required
Cleaning & Tidying: (Compulsory)
Meticulous cleaning of home, appliances, containers. Also includes some plant care.
Crocheting: Must already know how to crochet granny squares.
Eco project : (Compulsory when available)
Clean glass jars for reuse. Jars will be given to local seller to put food to sell in the market
Chop citrus for fermentation. Remove fermented citrus from bottles and packaging.
German Language Practice
Native speakers only. Help me with reading, writing, speaking, listening.
Chinese Mandarin Language
For native speakers only a. Must be able to help a 12 year old child with reading, writing essays, grammar, idioms. Please provide suitable references.
Mathematics Support
Ideal for those with a strong academic background. Mathematics major,Physics major or Engineering Major. Helping me to understand Advance calculus (Multivariable Calculus), Linear Algebra.
Academic Support
- Assist with editing and formatting Word and PDF documents.
- Typing, scanning and organising materials.
- Create powerpoint presentations and videos using Canva.
Content creation
- Create posters, adverts, videos and campaign flyers for social media.
- Confident on camera and comfortable appearing in photos and videos when needed.
- Can be able to take photographs creatively for social media
Art help
- Develop original hand-drawn designs suitable for colouring activities for both children and adults.
- Draw greeting cards with colour pencils for sale for charity.
Candidate should be:
- Between ages 18 - 40, with verified ID.
- Honest, reliable, humble, punctual and proactive.
- Energetic, healthy, and an early riser.
- Respectful of culture, independent, and okay being alone.
- Open to helping with additional tasks if needed
Note: I strictly do not host smokers, drug users, people who swear often, or anyone who hasn't read this profile.
Priority will be given to those who has positive reference from hosts as I have many children here.
I STRICTLY do not host children under age 15, smokers, drug user, and people who use profanity and also those who do not bother to read my profile.
Depending on the days and tasks, morning work may start as early as 9 AM, and evening tasks can go until 9 PM. You’ll need to follow my schedule, as it needs to align with my university and work commitments. Generally, you will have 3 days off each week.
I do not have Wifi at home. If you need to be constantly on the internet, this is not a place for you.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Malay: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Chinese (Mandarin): IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
My language proficiency are as below Malay My national language and I am a native speaker English The 2nd language in Malaysia and my proficiency is C1. Chinese - Mandarin My 3rd language and my proficiecy is B2 German Completed B1. Chinese (Other dialects) Speak Teochew and Hokkien fluently. Could understand and speak some Cantonese. Improving and learning German is my top priority. I am not interested in practicing or learning other languages.
Accommodation
Accommodation & Daily Life
- Living in local government home
- Mattress on the floor, pillow, blanket, fan, plants, piano. (Refer photo).
- No meals provided. Only light cooking allowed.
- No WiFi at my place. You can use your own mobile data.
- Morning tasks may start at 9 AM; some evening tasks until 10PM. You’ll have at 3 days off per week.
- Bucket Shower (room temperature water)
- You must keep your space clean and follow simple housekeeping rules (e.g., vacuum twice a week, clean kitchen after use, modest dress, daily showers).
- Cultural Note: Malaysia is a muslim country. Please dress modestly and be respectful of religious customs (e.g. No satanic, gothic, punk style, no tattoos on face, no excessive piercing, no excessive tattoos).
-Time management is very important here
HOW TO COME TO MY HOME :
Coming by train is the safest way. Take a train to Butterworth. From Butterworth, walk and take the ferry to go to Penang island.
Once you reach the island, from the Jetty , take Bus number 12 to Ocean View. You can also walk for 3km if you do not want to take the bus.
If you take bus or flight to Penang International Airport, take any bus that goes to Komtar or Jetty. From jetty or komtar, take bus 12 to Ocean View. I will meet you at this bus stop. My home is right there. I do not provide my home address, therefore, if you are travelling internationally, you have to be responsible for the arrival card.
What else ...
I’ve been hosting on Workaway since 2017 and various other hosting platforms. I receive many applications each week. I carefully review every message, so please take time to read my profile and respond to the questions listed. This helps me select the most suitable guest, especially since I can only host one or two person at a time.
Please note that I work and study in shifts, so my availability changes weekly. I can only confirm stays up to 2 weeks in advance, and I will share specific tasks closer to your arrival. You're welcome to message me throughout the year to express interest.
Due to time constraints, I do not conduct video or phone interviews. All communication will happen here, once you’ve sent a detailed and thoughtful message including the required answers.
Important Information for Volunteers
Please note that I do not provide my home address. You are fully responsible for arranging their own travel and for completing any necessary arrival or immigration cards as these matters are your personal responsibility. The meeting point is opposite my home (details will be given once your stay is confirmed). Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you for taking the time to understand my hosting setup. I look forward to hearing to you.
To be considered, please answer all the following questions in your first message (no copy-paste):
- What are your exact arrival and departure dates? How will you be traveling (bus, train, or flight)?
- Choose at least 2 task to assist with
- Would you describe yourself as more introverted or extroverted?
- Are you independent and comfortable spending time and staying alone?
- What is your highest level of education? Elaborate more on your education background
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- What inspired you to choose Penang, and why are you interested in staying at my home in particular?
- Are you open to helping with other tasks if something unexpected comes up? Is there any task that you are not willing to do?
- What is one of your biggest fears or weaknesses, and how are you working to overcome it?
- What do you hope to gain or learn from this experience?
- Are you interested in learning or sharing music during your stay? If yes, please tell me about your background in music and your learning goals.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (23)
During my stay, I had the chance to continue learning piano from Michelle, who is such a talented and patient teacher. It’s always a joy to improve my skills under her… read more
His contribution includes cleaning the windows, the kitchen cabinets, and helping my little girl with Chinese language. Despite working for the first time, his enthusiasm, diligence,… read more
She is very attentive, very helpful and did everything to make me feel good and safe.
She spent a lot of time showing me around the city of Penang, introducing me to good restaurants, and did a few walks, all this despite her very… read more
They are both very keen to learn, open minded, and enjoyed the historical and cultural part of Malaysia. Conversations about our different way of life and culture… read more
Michelle has a lot of things to share : cultural perspective of a Chinese Malaysian, local food and places to visit, activities with her friends and long nights chatting around crackers and hot chocolates.
She… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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)
During my stay, I had the chance to continue learning piano from Michelle, who is such a talented and patient teacher. It’s always a joy to improve my skills under her… read more
His contribution includes cleaning the windows, the kitchen cabinets, and helping my little girl with Chinese language. Despite working for the first time, his enthusiasm, diligence,… read more
She is very attentive, very helpful and did everything to make me feel good and safe.
She spent a lot of time showing me around the city of Penang, introducing me to good restaurants, and did a few walks, all this despite her very… read more
They are both very keen to learn, open minded, and enjoyed the historical and cultural part of Malaysia. Conversations about our different way of life and culture… read more
Michelle has a lot of things to share : cultural perspective of a Chinese Malaysian, local food and places to visit, activities with her friends and long nights chatting around crackers and hot chocolates.
She… read more
She helped with cleaning and tidying my home, and also helping my 10 year old girl with english grammar. Her work was outstanding and my 10 year old girl enjoyed her english lessons with Lea Yen. She was always punctual and good with time management.
During her free time, Lea Yen was enthusiastic in trying… read more
For cleaning the glass… read more
Olivia was a great help, and came at the right time, as I have sprained both of my knees and could not do much. She stayed 25 days with me, and helped with tidying the house,… read more
Michelle is a friendly and talkaktive woman and likes to talk about the life in Malaysia (in English, as well as in German :)). We got… read more
Anne helped me with cleaning glass jars, teaching piano to young children, cleaning and tidying the home, and also meal preparations.
When Anne was working, she was very dedicated and not afraid to try to do things differently. She has been very… read more
Max is… read more
She helped me with cleaning and tidying, and also with cleaning glass jars. She is self disciplined, organized, and works… read more
I had a really great time there.… read more
He is so versatile, serious when working, and fun when hanging out with us.
The conversations we had with him was really good. We talked a lot about his travels in indonesia and his social worker job in Germany.
Sebastian is always keen to learn new things, and tries his… read more
Firstly, they read everything written in my profile page, and wrote a very thoughtful message.
They helped painting my home and we managed to practice some German language.
Both of them are punctual, reliable, hardworking, and very efficient.
Through conversations, I got to learn… read more
She gave us in advance a lot of information and a work schedule which was super flexible!
So it was a nice mix: we knew what and how much work is expecting us and when we can plan our free time by our selves.
Unfortunately… read more
I'm really sorry for my late feedback.
I was lucky to stay in the two weeks before Chinese New Year, during Thaipusom and a Chinese festival, which were unforgettable experiences.
Georgetown itself is a really interesting city because of its culture,… read more
They both cook delicious healthy soups and help other task,… read more
I am so happy that they enjoyed staying with me as much as I hosted them. From them, I get to try their… read more
The best thing about her is her punctuality and her commitment. Her lunch and dinner were always serve on time, and her meals are always so… read more
During her stay here, she met Annie, another volunteer, and taught Annie… read more
This was definitely a lovely and memorable… read more
I am very happy that she enjoyed the experience at the… read more
Firstly, he takes time and effort to read everything on my profile, and followed house rules.
He is very committed, enthusiastic, and serious about the task given to him. He also can work independently without supervision. He helped with cooking,… read more
She was very considered to us and told us many… read more
They help a lot in my home. Very serious, committed about work and… read more
They are very good in explaining when teaching piano and I receive very positive feedback from my… read more
We spent time with my friend for jungle trekking and… read more
I… read more
She was able to open us the door of her house and her world, and we discovered a very kind and truly person. She learnt us so much things as repairing piano, teaching music class. She provided us a lot of advices and took time to share moments, discussions and to intoduce us in the Malaysian… read more
It has been only a few days since they left my… read more
Her Workaway posting is very truthful: the accommodation is simple, but nice. You will have a room to yourself with a fan as well and Michelle let us use her kitchen, bathroom and living room too. Plenty of affordable restaurants and hawker stalls around make life easy :)
Michelle went out of her… read more
Jessica also helped with translating a picture book to German and Spanish.
They stayed for one… read more
