Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings - page 4

I had a chance to stay here only for two weeks. I planned a longer stay but unfortunately had to cut it earlier due to my family health issues. I surely would like to visit here again when things get better for me. Even though it was a relatively short stay, I cherish every moment I spent there. It was a truly amazing experience for me as I met great people all around the world. I also experienced the workaway and the communal life for the first time, and here are my observations in a nutshell: - Huge building and living area is effectively managed by the residents by sharing tasks among themselves, such as volunteers, artists, digital nomads, renovation etc. - Volunteers' tasks are monitored and guided on a daily basis and with the weekly Monday meetings. Targets are clearly set and insturctions are well explained. - 5 hours of daily work is expected and no further work is requested. - Cleaning and sustainability of the volunteers' shared spaces are enabled by the weekly tasks allocated to each volunteer. All the places were sparkling clean. - Food ingredients are sufficiently provided and supported on a daily basis. There's a space for them like a small grocery store. - Living area in the kitchen is well decoreated. There's a large smart TV, small bookshelf (a big one is on the upper floor), couch and other small items for entertainment. Volunteers are also allowed to use common spaces like yoga place, Gym, etc. - There's a clothing room including very sufficient variety of clothing one may need at there. It is very helpful for the ones who is not well prepared for the different seasons in longer stays. Work clothes are also provided. - Work stations are well equipped. There are stations for wood work, plumming, electricity, painting and other building / maintenance works. - There are groups in Signal app and announcements, ride share requests or oveall chats are managed effectively. - Ride share is managed by a token system. It is clearly stated how many tokens are required to go each place nearby. - Weekly sauna is one of the best activities. - Walking to the lake through green area was very calm and relaxing. - Bicycles are available, which made a very nice journeys for me. All in all, the residents are trying their best to effectively and fairly manage the community while enjoying their time and transforming the idle spaces into beneficial area at the same time. It was very motivating for me to know that I was helping for these nice people while enjoying the rest of the place. I would like to thank everyone for making this experience an unforgettable one for me. As I mentioned, I definitely would like to come back to here again :)

I stayed for 8 weeks with Kristjana and Brynjar and I had a truly wonderful time staying with this family and can highly recommend them as hosts. From the very first day, I felt warmly welcomed and at home. Their household is calm, relaxed and very easy-going, exactly as described. My main tasks included babysitting Mikki, helping with the animals and supporting with normal household chores. Everything was clearly communicated, fair and flexible, and I always felt appreciated for my help. Their son is lovely, curious and fun to spend time with, and I really enjoyed playing games, baking and talking with him. :) A very special part of my stay was their wonderful dog Tyra! I took her on countless walks, and those moments became one of my favorite parts of the day. She is such a sweet and loyal companion, and spending time with her was truly a joy. I already miss her! The whole family is kind, open-minded and respectful. We shared nice conversations, meals and everyday moments, which made the experience feel very personal. They also respected my free time and encouraged me to explore the area and enjoy my stay. I am deeply grateful for their hospitality, kindness and trust, and I will always look back on this experience with great appreciation. Thank you so much!

The time I spent with Katrin and her family was one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. From the very first minute, they made me feel like part of their family. Whether it was drinking punch with neighbors, sledding with the tractor, long evenings by the fireplace with deep, wonderful conversations, learning vocabulary with Henry, Leni's toy horses (which kept me company in the shower ;)), great conversations and moments with Grandma Hiltraud, cuddling with the cutest dog ever, completely natural moments with the cuddliest Icelandic horses (who would have thought that collecting horse droppings could be so therapeutic;))... I could go on forever with the list of wonderful moments in the countryside. Unfortunately, I only had a week for my visit—but it flew by. THANK YOU for that! I have taken you all deeply into my heart and would love to come back :). And to all Workawayers: if you have the chance, visit these lovely people – it will be worth it ;). And to conclude with Katrin's own words: “This place does something to you.” Mic drop :)

When the Workaway arrangement we had made was cancelled at short notice, Cécile was the first to respond to our search for a last minute hosts. We arrived during a power cut, having just experienced a 34 hour black out, and she welcomed us with a fire and a lovely meal. We spent 5 days helping her clear the house and atelier and pack her life into boxes in preparation for downsizing to a small flat in Paris. Letting go of so much is daunting and potentially traumatic, but Cécile is determined, resilient, and has a great sense of humour. She found time to share good meals and interesting trilingual conversations, and we enjoyed meeting the friends who came to help and cheer her on. We left feeling we spent far longer than we did, and took away far more than we contributed: lovely clothes, books and ceramics, lots of travel tips for Sardinia, a bag of apples from her garden and cuttings from her beautiful carqueja. A special mention for Paolo, who enlightened us on the hunting strategies of polar bears, convincingly explained Einstein’s theory of relativity and the various uses of a cantaloupe in Quebec. Last but not least, Ziggy, the long-tailed queen who claimed me as her slave… Thanks for everything Cécile, à la prochaine!

We were sorry to spend only one week with Job and Winnie. Their kindness and attentions made us feel at home from the very beginning. Winnie is a formidable host, she took care of us and her food is delicious. Job has the most beautiful and sincere smile, he always made sure we were satisfied. The main activities of the foundation are focused on improving their community throughout different projects. We helped planting trees and meeting beneficiaries. Our accommodation was in their newly built home, which was nice and clean. We had a private room with mosquito net. Toilet and shower are located outside of the house, although they are simple by western standards, there were one of the best we had in Eastern Africa so far. We really enjoyed the refreshing outdoor showers. We recommend to spend time with Job and Winnie because they're sincere, their work is very useful and the experience is rewarding.

Joseph was a great volunteer. He was helping with photographing our project and he did a really good job. Professional and kind. Highly recommended for all your projects!

I had a really good time staying with David for a couple weeks. He is a generous and laid-back host who made me feel very comfortable in his home. He’s easy to talk to and was helpful with navigating the city and local culture. The vibe was super friendly and I appreciated his hospitality. Can't wait to return to Sao Paulo again!

Such a special experience in the mountains of the Far-East Nepal. Although I only stayed for 10 days (definitely recommend staying for longer, there is so much to experience there), I got memories for life. Starting from the motorcycle ride from the nearest city of Fikkal through the mountains, valleys, landslides, and local villages to the end of civilization just to get there; then a spontaneous day hike through the Sherpa villages to India, the third highest mountain of the world peeking from the distance; and harvesting and making green tea with the wonderful neighbor Maju. Not even mentioning the flowiest daily routine ever, consisting of a morning walk and spiritual practices, few hours of gardening and household works, self-development hours and an evening practice. Days were so slow yet flew by so fast. This place is heaven on Earth, I wish you so much success and happiness, Bibek and Berta, I hope you make your dreams come true and we can visit your eco-retreat one day!

We spent two weeks at Vaidas' lab and had an amazing time! From the very beginning, Vaidas made sure we felt comfortable. The most important thing for him was that we had a good time, could express our creativity, participate in or lead evening activities such as board game nights or trivia, and explore the area. There was a list of tasks to complete, and we could always choose new ones from it. In general, however, we could also just implement our own ideas. The staff at the cafe are all super nice, and we got along great with them. The little cat Emma is especially cute and always up for cuddles. We got to play our first rounds of D&D here with the best DM, thanks Mark! You get to meet lots of other expats and locals and don't want to leave at the end. We're already looking forward to coming back to visit sometime :D

After long time not hosting, we had the pleasure of hosting this two lovely humans, and it couldn't be better our experience with them. First of all, they are very experienced people on working with their hands, using power tools and they are so professional and skilled. They work with wood like masters, I'm so glad for their help. We wanted a new shed with recicled materials we had, and they just did it, I didn't get involve at all as their really know how to do things. Apart from being amazing workers, we had lovely times, good chats, we ate together, played boarding games... We love having them and would have them again if they come by another time. Aah, and we love their fantastic expresso they do. Thanks and thanks!!! I hope you guys have the best times. You deserve it l. Pin our house on your map so you can visit us when you will come again!!!

We had a wonderful time working with Janet and enjoyed the peaceful rural surroundings. Janet is an experienced host, very accommodating and clear in her communication. The studio was cosy and ideal for studying remotely. Janet was kind enough to share her vast knowledge of horses and Irish culture, showing us around her local area. The work was balanced and straightforward, and we loved working amongst friendly dogs and horses.

Philippe and Kathleen rescued us when another Workaway arrangement was cancelled at short notice. We arrived at Chateau Fauguernon on 1 Jan and since we left 10 days later, we’ve been thinking about going back… Our stay had all the ingredients of a memorable first Workaway experience: congenial hosts, a remarkable set of buildings in snow-covered landscape, the ruins of a IX century castle, great food — not to mention a named storm and a wood-burning stove to keep us warm through the 30+hours blackout. We enjoyed tackling various repair and maintenance tasks, and loved cooking from a wealth of fresh ingredients and the widest possible range of spices. We were truly spoilt by the abundance and quality of food, and Philippe’s home-baked sourdough deserves a special mention. More than anything, we loved the conversations around the table about how they came to live in such a unique place and their adventures before and since then. Kathleen and Philippe are warm, open-minded, inspiring people and we feel privileged to have met them. It will be a pleasure to visit them again in warmer weather and see Fauguernon in its full glory.

I volunteered at the farm for ten days. At first, I was a little surprised because I didn't expect to see so many volunteers (between 15 and 20) and a little disappointed because the children only came on Sundays. However, I quickly got used to being surrounded by so many people and the atmosphere turned out to be very family-like. I really enjoyed the experience. The work didn't even last three hours a day and was very easy. The rest of the day, we had plenty of time to rest and walk around the rice fields. I would say it was like a summer camp for adults and families. I highly recommend this Workaway experience! Thanks to Tofu and Ha who run the farm so well and made this experience even more enjoyable.They pay a lot of attention to every one feeling well.

I volunteered for one month at the school and it was a wonderful experience. I could not have expected a better first volunteering experience. Sokear was really helpful before and during my stay. I was in the second school, which is in a very rural area. During the day I tought 3 hours to teenagers ranging from begginers to intermediate levels. My classes were really small, which allowed me to get closer to my students and adapt to their needs. When II was not teaching, I also got the opportunity to play with the younger kids.I really enjoyed walking and cycling in the village and in the middle of the rice fields and trying to talk with people. Every day after class we went to the market with teacher Sen and the other volunteers, giving us the chance to meet the local people. I also got the chance to experience sunset and week-end trip in the countryside. As I was not in the main school, I did not spend that much time with Sokear, but I met him every week-end and we had very interesting and philosophical conversation. During the week, I stayed in the school (I had a private room) with teacher Sen who is so nice. He introduced me to many local dishes, we talked a lot about culture, and we had some great evenings playing games. I would highly recommend this place as it as been so far the best experience of my travel! !

Thank you again Linde & Said for an unforgettable 12 days. For me it was simple living at its best. Time moves slowly in the desert, I found this to be very relaxing, peaceful and good for the soul. Particular highlights for me personally: learning how to make Tagine, sleeping peacefully under the heavy wool blankets in the cold, stargazing, sand dune surfing, learning about your culture during lots of great conversations over sweet tea. I really enjoyed the work; thankfully during my stay it was a perfect temperature for physical work like digging canals and preparing the fields for the upcoming river water. Linde & Said are always supportive and generous with their time should you ask questions or have any problems, or you’re simply unsure of what to do/how things work- just ask! I wish you both all the best for the project and will keep watching your progress online.

Camille est venue 10 jours en janvier. Malgré le froid (la maison est chauffée que dans le salon), elle ne s’est jamais découragée. Ramener et fendre du bois, faire un traitement à la cendre aux fruitiers et faire un enduit en plâtre. Mais surtout, surtout elle m’a fait une magnifique fresque dans la salle de bain. Merci merci de tout mon coeur !! Camille est une jeune fille étonnante. Avec un grand coeur et une grande sagesse elle se bats pour elle et ses convictions. Nous avons passé des bon moments, avec des bons petits plats végétariens qu’elle aime faire ou devant le poêle avec des discussions très personnelles ou en jouant aux cartes. Coco ma chienne a reçu beaucoup de câlins de Camille et elle a profité des balades à trois. Tu sais que tu es la bienvenue chez nous quand tu veux !

From the very first moment I arrived at the hostel, I felt truly at home after months of traveling. Lena and Bischwo welcomed me with such warmth and generosity that it was impossible not to feel part of the family right away. They have an incredible ability to host volunteers from all over the world, creating a space where different cultures, stories, and personalities come together so naturally. I arrived just a few days before Christmas, and although I was initially worried about spending this special time far away from my family, I ended up finding a new one here. The meaningful, joyful, and comforting moments shared with the other wonderful volunteers during this period will stay in my heart forever 💚 The work itself was equally rewarding. It was always varied, engaging, and full of learning opportunities, and every day brought something new. I felt deeply grateful to contribute to a project with such a meaningful purpose, perfectly aligned with my personal values. I already look forward to seeing how the project will grow and evolve with the help of future volunteers if I ever return to Nepal. Bhaktapur is also the ideal place for a workaway experience: incredibly rich in culture and history, there is always something to explore during your free time, while still offering a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. A huge thank you to Lena and Bischwo for your kindness, generosity, and inspiring dedication. Thank you for creating such a special place and experience. Hope to see you again very soon, and I'll bring chocolate !

I spent three weeks with Ronald, Rachel and their baby Julia. I really had such a wonderful time here. In a short time Ronald was able to teach me so much about planting trees, the environment, farming, taking care of goats and chicken, about Uganda and so much more. Rachel also taught me about the Ugandan kitchen and she made so many delicious meals. Both of them really made me feel at home for which I am so grateful. Thanks again and Julia thanks for the groundnuts!😁 Hope to see you again in the future!

Wow! We had an amazing week with Clara and Mario! They are both so open-minded and always want the time you spend with them to be perfect! The communication was like talking to good friends and the work was really creative, because you always have the possibility to work indipendent and decide how to do or build things. Hopefully our self-made shed will hold for a long time and will help to keep things organized. Thanks a lot for your time, we are so greatful for it and learned a lot! Laurie & Kili

Thank you so much for your help during your stay. Your support in the garden was greatly appreciated, and I’m especially grateful for your initiative and generosity in renting a car and sharing trips through Guanajuato, Querétaro, and Jalisco. It was a great experience and very helpful. You were responsible, collaborative, and a pleasure to host. I truly appreciate your contribution and gladly recommend you as a volunteer. Wishing you the best in your future travels and projects!