Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings - page 7

I’m really grateful for the time I spent volunteering here. It was a deeply meaningful experience and I’m glad I had the chance to be part of what Phouey is doing for the local children and I can't thank him and his family enough. Phouey has built something really special in the community. You can see how much he cares about the kids and about giving them opportunities to learn English and improve their future. It’s inspiring to see the effort that goes into running the school and making sure the children have access to education, community and friendships. The atmosphere has a strong family feeling. Everyone eats together, spends time together, and supports each other throughout the week. The other volunteers and staff are welcoming and it’s easy to settle in. If you need help with anything, whether it’s organising transport, understanding the classes, or just getting comfortable in the area, people are always happy to help. The school itself is well organised and the classes follow a clear structure with books and materials to guide the lessons. The kids are full of personality and it’s rewarding to see them learning and improving as the week goes on. Overall I’m very thankful for the experience and for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way. Thank you to Phouey and everyone involved for the work you’re doing and for making volunteers feel welcome. One of my favourite parts of the experience was simply spending time with the kids and seeing their personalities come out more each day. By the end of the 2 weeks they were laughing, playing games, and giving hugs goodbye which was really special. Moments like that remind you why places like this exist and why the work being done here is truly priceless

Conny and Benjamin made me feel super welcome. We ate together, laughed together and cycled together. They allowed me to have my own bike during my stay which meant I could join in the collection of the kids from school and go on my own ventures with the bike :D They have a very well-organised schedule with the kids so it really is just a case of slipping in to the routine. I helped with cooking, cleaning and really enjoyed my time with both children; especially teaching English. I really appreciated the family time and the conversations we had. It was an absolute pleasure being your first WorkAway :)

We had the most amazing experience for our first ever work away. Our host Vilija made it all so easy and was so welcoming we ended up staying for 8 weeks. The communication for the work was very clear so no misunderstandings and everything was enjoyable . We were very happy here and very sad to leave as we have made a lifelong friend. Quite sure we will be returning soon.

My time at this monastery was wonderful. I loved meeting the locals, speaking to the monks and teaching the children. Everyone is so kind and happy to help. During my stay I had the opportunity to attend various local festivals, both held at the monastery and beyond. I also went sightseeing in the neighbouring provinces. I think my favourite part though was just walking around the monastery, finding opportunities to speak with the monks and play with the children. In the evenings I would often play badminton, volleyball or another game. The children are so happy and it's infectious.

Anissa, danke, tausend Dank von ganzem Herzen für alles, was du für uns getan hast. Das sind nicht nur Worte – es ist ein tiefes Gefühl der Dankbarkeit für deine Hingabe, deine Verantwortungsbereitschaft und vor allem für die unermessliche Zuneigung, mit der du dich um meine Kinder gekümmert und sie unterrichtet hast. Drei Monate lang warst du viel mehr als nur eine Hilfe für uns; du warst eine Stütze in unserem Alltag, jemand, auf den wir uns voll und ganz verlassen konnten, in dem Wissen, dass du immer das Beste gibst. Deine Großzügigkeit, deine Geduld und dein großes Herz haben unauslöschliche Spuren in unserer Familie hinterlassen. Meine Kinder haben nicht nur von dir gelernt, sondern auch die Liebe und Sicherheit gespürt, die nur jemand wie du ihnen geben kann. Sie hatten eine wunderbare Zeit mit dir, haben auf Deutsch gelernt und gelacht. Anissa, du bist eine fantastische junge Frau – immer hast du uns dein Lächeln und deine Lebensfreude geschenkt. Danke, dass du so verantwortungsbewusst bist, immer für uns da warst und meinen Kindern nicht nur Wissen, sondern auch Werte, Lachen und unvergessliche Momente geschenkt hast. Du bist eine außergewöhnliche Person, und ich hoffe, das Leben wird dir all das Gute zurückgeben – vervielfacht –, das du in uns gesät hast. Du weißt, dass du hier immer ein Zuhause und eine Familie in Spanien hast. Wir schreiben dir diese Worte mit ganz viel Liebe :) Anissa, thank you—thank you with all my heart—for everything you have done for us. These are not just words; they come from a deep sense of gratitude for your dedication, your sense of responsibility, and, above all, for the immense love with which you have cared for and taught my children. These three months together have been so much more than just help; you have been a pillar in our daily lives, someone we could trust completely, knowing you always give your very best. Your generosity, patience, and big heart have left an indelible mark on our family. My children haven’t just learned from you—they have also felt the love and security that only someone like you can provide. They’ve had an amazing time with you, learning and laughing in German. Anissa, you are a fantastic person—always sharing your smile and positivity. Thank you for being so responsible, for always being there, and for giving my children not just knowledge, but also values, laughter, and unforgettable moments. You are an exceptional person, and I hope life returns to you, multiplied, all the good you have sown in us. You know you will always have a home and a family here in Spain. We write these words to you with so much love :)

Mali was here for 6 odd weeks, we were very sad to see her go! She very quickly settled in and was part of the family in no time. Everything was done in a positive, helpful spirit and done to the best of ability, never just enough. She cared for all our animals as we do ourselves. Mali was an enormous help on the farm, we got some big jobs done together. As a person she is helpful, gets on with things, can see what needs doing and just does them, goes way above and beyond the work away experience. We would happily have her back any time, even just for a visit if she was passing through!

I spent 11 wonderful days in this beautiful and peaceful hotel. It was my first Workaway experience in Sri Lanka and I’m very happy about it. The work is fair and easy. My tasks included cleaning leaves and flowers around the pool, watering the garden, helping in the kitchen, and feeding the dogs and cats. I had my own room with a private bathroom. The staff are very kind, friendly and fun, and the pets are adorable. I will miss them all very much. Thank you very much, Palitha, for the opportunity to collaborate with you. I highly recommend this place for volunteers.

I stayed at Hans Olaf's place for around 1.5 months, from November to mid-December, and I had a great time—even though I was going through a difficult period privately. Hans Olaf was very kind and understanding. He made sure I felt welcome and comfortable from the moment I arrived. The tasks were pretty straightforward. Taking care of the animals morning and evening was the only work that was mandatory/expected. Even on days when I didn't have much energy for additional tasks, it was perfectly okay to just relax. If you have questions, feel unsure about something, or just want to chat, ask Hans Olaf—he's always happy to have a conversation. You won't go hungry while staying at Melby, but try to sort groceries a little bit daily. For my stay, it quickly became overwhelming. Don't make the same mistake as me! Because Hans Olaf will be away sometimes for work, you can expect to help his wonderful parents, Sigurd and Solveig, at their farm. I did some carpentry work, general sorting, firewood packing, transporting materials to other projects, and trips to the recycling station. You're always welcome to a cup of coffee and lunch in the middle of the day. It helps to understand Norwegian a little bit, since Sigurd and Solveig don't speak much English. But the days with Sigurd worked out fine. I can only highly recommend Hans Olaf as a great host for Workawayers. Tak for alt, Hans Olaf! Håber vi ses igen i den nære fremtid. Hils Sigurd og Solveig fra mig

Thibaut and Hanna was real nice, Learned a lot about permaculture and Harekrishna, the food was amazing as well. There is lovely city called Durbuy close by which you should definitely visit.

Mona and Stefan are warm and open-hearted people. I felt at home in their house and enjoyed the delicious food. The hikes in the countryside and the walks with Giorgia were particularly lovely. I also helped with baking and selling at the Christmas market and with cleaning the house. It’s best to discuss working hours properly in advance. I felt very safe and welcome there and I can highly recommend this Workaway. Hope to see you soon again :)

Moi! I spent the entire winter (three months, from December to March) with my boyfriend at Jessica’s in Finland, and it was a truly special experience, especially because it was my first Workaway. Living surrounded by snow and complete silence was something completely new for me, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity, despite the -31°C temperatures. Jessica is a very organized and clear host. Before our arrival, we had a video call where she explained what to expect, and everything matched perfectly what was described in her profile. The work was varied and balanced. Since we arrived as a couple and later another German Workawayer joined, everyone had their own tasks and free time. I was mainly responsible for heating the house, walking Ilona, their sweet dog, cleaning the house, occasionally helping in the main family house, and driving the children to their hobbies. Thanks to Jessica, I also learned how to drive in conditions I was not used to, such as snowy and icy roads, with her constant support and trust. I also helped Jessica with her course/website, adding useful information for future Workawayers. One of the most memorable experiences was the Finnish sauna: once a week at home and, on two occasions, at the lake, where we jumped into the freezing water after cutting a hole in the ice — unforgettable! During our stay, we were also lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, a truly magical moment. Sharing this time with other Workawayers made everything even more fun: we worked together, talked, cooked, and shared our cultures. It was a wonderful cultural exchange and a unique way to experience the Finnish winter and rural life, exactly as we had hoped. Thank you, Jessica, for this incredible experience and for guiding and supporting us every step of the way, making everything truly special; and also a big "KIITOS" to Jussi, Eirik, Esja and Ilona for making us feel so welcome, even though we didn’t get to spend much time together. Beatrice.

Moi, My experience here met my expectations. During my stay I had the chance to experience the cold Finnish winter (-31°C), the few hours of daylight, lots of snow, and life in an isolated place surrounded by nature, and with a bit of luck even see the Northern Lights. You have an entire house available to you, and you carry out the normal household cleaning tasks (which is very important since the house is shared by different Workawayers over time), in addition to various tasks that Jessica communicates daily. The most positive thing, which made me feel comfortable, is that Jessica contacts you with a video call before the experience begins. This gives you the opportunity to get to know each other and see who you will be staying with. Afterwards she sends videos explaining the different tasks, so you can calmly learn and understand what needs to be done. I stayed here for about three months (19 december-11 march). During the first month it was just me and my girlfriend, which was the most monotonous period since there were no other people to socialize with (also considering the reserved nature of Finnish people and their appreciation for silence). After that, we shared the experience with several other Workawayers and everything became more enjoyable. We had the chance to socialize, discover typical dishes from different countries, and learn about different cultures. When there were four Workawayers, there was great collaboration both with the work and during our free time. We usually went grocery shopping about every two weeks by renting a car, since there is nothing nearby and the closest supermarket is about 15 minutes away by car. In winter the main task is heating the house, which requires several hours (up to 7 hours on the coldest days), supplying firewood, and taking walks with Ilona, their very sweet dog. We also had the chance to enjoy the sauna, a regular weekend activity, and try the avanto (ice swimming after sauna) in the lake. I also drove on snow and ice, which I had never experienced before. During my stay I improved my cooking skills and became very good at making pizza. If you want to live close to nature and experience a quiet place, this is the ideal host. A warm greeting to Jessica and Jussi. Kiitos, Moi Moi. Mattia

I’m not sure that I’m going to find adequate words to describe how special Kelly is..but I’ll give it a try! Kelly is an outstanding person She has travelled extensively in her life and radiates enthusiasm, curiosity and empathy for the world and all its inhabitants and species . This was why I immediately offered her the house and cat sit in February . Despite sustaining a fracture in the weeks before the sit Kelly made the effort to travel to the island ( can be challenging in winter time) . Sadly I had to leave before she arrived and we just missed each other on my return so I never met her in person but through messaging and videos and the odd call the communication with her was excellent from start to finish. I felt absolutely certain that Kelly would take the very best care of Stanley and my home as she’s a very diligent and respectful person who seems to be able to forge real connections with all living creatures but she actually exceeded all my expectations. Stanley immediately fell in love with her and seemed to spend hours glued to her side even sleeping next to her all night which he doesn’t do with me! I felt completely relaxed throughout her sit as I knew that even should any glitches or issues arise Kelly would calmly and capably manage them. This meant that I could completely enjoy a holiday away with my elderly mum with no worries . On my return to my house I just could not believe how clean and organised it was . It was a joy to arrive back -everything was sparkling and shiny ) she had even washed my windows and polished kitchen crockery. The house gleamed from top to bottom, (cleaner than how I had left it!) the courtyard and balconies were swept and my plants were all in the best shape I think I’ve ever seen. As for Stanley well he was plump, totally relaxed and very happy. The house seems to have held onto some of Kelly’s calm and joyous energy since she left..a real blessing.. Kelly had also left me some beautiful handmade gifts ( as well as making a toy for Stan that he loves) and so thoughtfully and bought me milk and fruit and some other things. I’ve had many housesitters over the last three or hour years many of whom were wonderful but Kelly has been far and away the very best sitter ever in every way I’m so very grateful that Kelly agreed to undertake the house sit. If you ever receive an application from her do not hesitate a single second !! Thank you so very much March 2026

We stayed with Ari for two weeks and had an absolutely amazing experience. We were lucky enough to live with the family during Ramadan, which gave us a unique opportunity to learn a lot about their culture and daily life. Ari and his family are incredibly friendly and welcoming – they really make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. East Lombok is the least developed part of the island, but that’s actually what makes it so special. It allows you to experience authentic island life and truly appreciate the natural beauty of the area. During our stay, Ari took us on several adventures. We visited beautiful waterfalls, traveled to Mataram city and Senggigi beach, and even went to the monkey forest. Every trip was a great experience and made our stay even more memorable. Teaching at the school was easy and very rewarding. The kids are curious, enthusiastic, and genuinely excited to learn and spend time with you. There are several schools where you can teach, and they’re all easy to reach by scooter, either with Ari or on your own. We usually taught for one or two hours a day, but it’s quite flexible and depends on you. The food was also amazing – Ari’s mom cooks delicious (and often spicy!) meals, and they even make their own coffee, which you can drink as much as you like. The accommodation is simple but comfortable and has everything you need. Overall, we really loved our stay. It felt great to contribute to the community through teaching, and Ari made sure we had plenty of fun along the way. We also appreciated having the freedom to spend our free time however we wanted during the day. We highly recommend staying with Ari if you want to experience real Lombok life with a truly kind and wonderful family. We will miss them very much! ❤️

We have hosted Camilla and Yannick for few weeks only but the experience exceeded our expectations. Lovely, young people with huge life experience, friendly and respectful. All given tasks (which was not the easiest one) were recieved with optimism and commitment. They travel with lovely dog - Betta, which became our pupil too and our son loved to play with. Guys - thank you for your help and staying with us. Hope to see you again.

Although my stay was short, I am so grateful to Brid for her incredible hospitality. She was very flexible and always respected my schedule, which I truly appreciated. Brid has a wealth of experience from her various career paths and volunteer work, and she shared so much wisdom with me. We talked about everything from herbal knowledge and health to Dutch culture and life philosophy. As a 22-year-old just starting my journey, the lessons I learned from her are invaluable and will definitely guide me in the future. For my tasks, I helped out in the garden by trimming ivy and laying down tiles. I’m so excited to see the final result—Brid, please send me some photos once the garden is finished! I also want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for being so welcoming, not only to me but also to my friend. I’ll be sure to send more photos from my travels! Thank you for everything, Brid!

Matt and Ruthi stayed with us for about two weeks and were a huge help while we were preparing for our move and pet sitting at the same time. They are really fun, kind, smart, courteous guests and were always eager to help. They were wonderful with the animals and a pleasure to have around. We would be very happy to host them again anytime!

We had bery good time with Leonie. We got some job done and had fun hiking arrownd the area. She is a exelent volunteer and is obviously she had lots of experience volunteering. Si is hard worker, strong and funny. And very respectfully with the sharing spaces. I fully recommend her. Thanks a lot for your help Leonie. You are allways wellcome

Dear Jakub and Maria, We want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the time you spent with us in our small village. It means a lot to us that you came all the way from Poland and chose to be part of our daily life here. Your presence brought a lot of positive energy to our community. You did not only come to visit, but you truly joined us and worked together with the people here. One of the things that touched us the most was your willingness to help in building the road in our village. You worked alongside the workers and showed real care for the development of our place. Not only that, you also helped by buying tools and equipment to make the work easier for the workers. Those tools will continue to be used and will always remind us of your kindness and generosity. Your support made the work faster and lighter, and we are truly grateful for that. For us, it was a very special experience to meet both of you and share simple moments together. Even though our village is very simple, and our houses, food, and facilities may not have been comfortable enough, you accepted everything with warm hearts and never complained. That humility means a lot to us. Through the days we spent together, we didn’t just see visitors from another country. We saw two kind people who sincerely cared and were willing to help our community. Your kindness will always be remembered by the people here. Now that it is time for you to continue your journey, we feel sad to say goodbye. Your time here may have been short, but the memories and the impact you left will stay with us for a long time. Thank you for your help, your time, and your good hearts. We hope you both stay healthy wherever life takes you. Please keep being the kind and generous people that we have come to know. Our village will always welcome you back anytime. May God always bless and protect you. With sincere gratitude.

My experience here staying with Maggie really made me feel like a part of the family. During my stay we together went swimming with dolphins, exploring local areas and attending events. She was so kind, hospitable and a lot of fun to hang out with. As for the work it was mostly house/garden chores and special projects that were actually pretty enjoyable. I will miss my stay here, the family and most of all Maggie's beautiful little dog! 💗