Profile information
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Host rating
80 %
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Last replied
30 Sep 2026
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Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 3 days
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Feedback
17
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ID verified
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Email verified
Country info
Badges (4)
Find your perfect host
Min stay requested: 1 month or more
Details
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Description
📌 Please read before contacting me:
I'm currently looking ONLY for a FEMALE Workawayer who is available from 19 October to 19 December (minimum stay: 1 month). A native or fluent German speaker is strongly preferred, as learning German from the very beginning is one of the main goals of this cultural exchange. Thank you for understanding!
Future availability: 2 January – 17 February & 26 February-23 April.
I'm Simona, an Italian artist and art educator living in Oerlikon, Zurich, with my seven-year-old daughter.
I love creativity, ceramics, painting, nature, good food and meaningful conversations. Our home is calm, welcoming and respectful, and I'm looking for someone who would enjoy becoming part of our everyday life for a while.
One of my biggest goals at the moment is learning German. Since I'm starting almost from scratch, I'm looking for someone who is patient, encouraging, and happy to help me learn German step by step through everyday life. A person that doesn't mind repeating words and everyday expressions while I build my confidence in German.
It would be wonderful if you also speak English (or even Italian), especially at the beginning, so we can communicate easily while my German improves.
***I'll update the photos of our new apartment as soon as possible. We recently moved into our new home, so the current photos are no longer up to date. In the meantime, I'd be happy to show you the apartment during a video call. 😊 -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Teaching
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
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Interests
Culture
Self development
Fitness
Writing
Performing arts
Photography
Plant care
Music
Languages
Drawing & painting
Gardening
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Cycling
Dancing
Beach -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
By staying with us, you'll experience everyday life in Zurich while becoming part of and international family.
Although we live in Switzerland, we're an Italian family, so you'll have the chance to experience Italian culture through our daily life, language, traditions, and, of course, plenty of homemade Italian food!
Language exchange is at the heart of this experience. While you'll help me learn German from the very beginning, I'll be happy to help you practise English or Italian if you'd like. I believe languages are learned best through everyday conversations, cooking together, sharing meals, and daily life.
If you're interested, you're also welcome to join me at one of my children's art workshops from time to time. This isn't part of the agreed helping hours, but you're always welcome to come along, see what I do, and enjoy the creative atmosphere.
Oerlikon is a fantastic area to live in. It's safe, lively, and very well connected by public transport. Oerlikon station offers quick and easy connections to Zurich city centre, the airport, and many other parts of Switzerland, making it an excellent base for exploring the country during your free time. -
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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Help
The help mainly includes:
- speaking German with me every day and helping me learn naturally;
- cooking together or preparing meals;
- keeping the apartment clean, tidy and organised;
- doing light household chores.
Aurora is now at primary school, so childcare is not the main focus. From time to time you might spend some time with her or join us in family activities, but most of the help is centered around the home and language learning.
I'm a naturally tidy and organized person and really appreciate someone who enjoys keeping shared spaces clean and peaceful. Respect, flexibility, kindness and open communication are important to me. -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
I need to learn German -
Accommodation
You'll have your comfortable sleeping room. The room also contains my desk, which I use for few hours a day as my home office. I'll always respect your privacy, and your bed and personal belongings will remain your own space throughout your stay. Ideally, I'd like to keep my desk in the room. However, I'm also open to discussing different arrangements if we find a better solution together.
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What else ...
Zurich is a fantastic city with plenty to discover. During your free time, you can explore the city, visit museums, enjoy cafés, go hiking, swim, or take day trips to many beautiful places across Switzerland.
We live in Oerlikon, one of Zurich's best-connected neighbourhoods. Oerlikon railway station offers fast connections to Zurich Main Station (around 7 minutes) and Zurich Airport (around 5 minutes), making it easy to travel around the city and beyond. Public transport in Zurich is excellent, with trams, buses, and trains all within easy walking distance.
The neighbourhood has everything you might need, including supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, a public swimming pool, gyms, and plenty of local shops. It's also home to the beautiful MFO Park, a unique urban park that's perfect for relaxing, reading, or meeting friends. If you enjoy concerts, musicals, or live performances, Theater 11 and the famous Hallenstadion are both nearby and host a wide variety of events throughout the year.
Zurich is an expensive city, so it's helpful to budget for personal expenses and sightseeing during your stay.
Many places can be reached easily by public transport, making Oerlikon a great base for exploring both Zurich and the rest of Switzerland. -
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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How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (7)
Great cook, wounderful with kids, fun, reliable and helpful. She is a good listener. I appreciated many qualities of Mellissa, the list would be long, especially the fact that she can see what needs to be done and often … 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:
(3.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.0)
Communication:
(4.0)
Great cook, wounderful with kids, fun, reliable and helpful. She is a good listener. I appreciated many qualities of Mellissa, the list would be long, especially the fact that she can see what needs to be done and often … read more
Sorry … read more
Julia has a lovely nature, easy to get along with...I have enjoyed her cooking and company ;-)
Julia is reliable and willing to work. It was nice to sped time together.
I hope to see Julia again and I wish to her all the very best.
...Thanks a lot 'mia cara' ...be in … read more
I really enjoyed stay in Simona´s place. I liked caravan and it was really pleasure to see every morning after waking up beautiful paintings and ceramics in the studio.
Simona is really nice person, openmided and with good energy. The work which I did was easy. Every time we agreed on everything.
Thank you Simi for … read more
The work was not hard and diverse, never boring!
Be in your studio and having the possibility to see how you work was fantastic!!!
I´ll never forget the salsa night!! and all your friends who were so sweet with me!! Thanks for making me feel at home :)
Sardegna is amazing!!! Dream … read more
yes, one year is gone by very quickly :-) Thanks so much for your feedback! Hope you are well...I'm at the Studio enjoy the summer, the work and new people :-) My Personal Wellness Coaching profession is going really well as well as the Studio.
You are more than welcome to come again. Lovely to hear from you...
Much … read more
It was a wondereful experience to meet Simona and her art studio. She is such a open-minded, energetic and creative person. She helped me out when I was on my way travelling along the beautiful east coast of Sardegna. Clear blue water, small villages and always friendly people coming up your way. Its one year ago I stopped by but it … read more
