Elena

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I am interested in learning about other cultures and eager to learn new skills. I love being outside, go hiking, climbing, skiing, etc.

I am passionate about working with animals.

Description

I'm a nature lover and I enjoy traveling most when I can connect with locals or be part of a project or a family. I want to help out, to work, to exchange languages, to learn in the place that I am visiting. I'd love sharing my own experiences/skills with others.

I do not expect my working-holiday to be a vacation. I expect to learn and grow and to put hard work in that if needed. Ofcourse I want some time to explore and have some rest but that is not my main goal here.

I've put most information about me in the "skills" text.
But if you want to get to know each other better I am open to have a (video) call as well :)

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Korean: Beginner
Norwegian: Beginner

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Languages

Eco Projects

Teaching

Gardening

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Some knowledge of:  

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

My list of skills is not that long yet but hope to expand this "list" more and more.
I have some experience with farm work. (Details are further below)

I have worked at a travel agency for 4 years, to be honest I didn't like it a lot but I enjoyed organizing trips and events for others. Funnily enough I am even better in getting that annoying paperwork done for others than myself. I learned a bit about web design and marketing too.
I also have some fundamental knowledge in programming and web development/design.

Baking and preparing food for others is always a pleasure for me. I'm a creative cook.
My "Marillenknödel" recipe is simply the best. Actually all my recipes are the best.. just kidding, but I am trying ;)
I learned to be a barista once, though I really need to practice my latte art.
I like visiting the farmers market in my home town in Austria and am happy to see that nowadays more people show interest in local products.
I love to spend a good time with family and friends, to share meals together, have conversations about all sort of topics, or play card games.

I don't have a long list of technical skills yet but that is exactly what I want to change during my upcoming journeys.
I am very interested in learning about mechanics, carpentry, electricity, house building, etc. - also if someone can show me how to do proper car maintenance, I would appreciate it so so much!
...(those are all skills I currently have no experience in at all, but I really wish I had, so please don't expect me to be able to help with tasks in these areas from the very beginning - however I promise to learn fast).

Hiking is one of my favorite activities here in Austria.
I've been on several days long hikes through the alps and I did this at least every second summer, if my school/work schedule allowed it. My father tried to teach me as much as possible about the mountains but to be fair, that mainly included finding and following trails and sleeping in shelters and packing the right amount of clothing, food and gear.
I wish I could learn more about important survival skills when out in the wild.

I am an experienced traveler, but a beginner-workawayer and I will need guidance at first. I am aware that I still have to learn a lot but that is also my main goal of my future travels: learn and grow.

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Farm Experience/Animal-Care/Horses

During my childhood I've had the joy to help out at different farms close to my hometown on the weekends. My favorite one was a vet's horse-stable.
My "work" included:
- mucking
- feeding
- help giving medication
- helping with vaccinations
- look after chicken, dogs, pigs and clean their stables too
- lunging
However please note that I still was a child when helping there and I always had good teachers.

It's been a while and I would ask for instructions regarding how you want the farm work to be done.

Other previous experiences:

For one and a half years I was riding and caring for sport horses from a professional eventing rider when she was busy. Mainly basic exercise, riding out in the fields, sometimes jumping in the arena, and lunging. In her opinion my riding was good enough, but I have never really had proper training, I really wish I had. I also had the pleasure to accompany her to shows, which was always a great experience.

My uncle breeds sport horses and I often helped caring for the mares and their foals and preparing the young horses for shows. At the neighbors stable I was able to learn jumping with well trained show jumping horses, I am still super thankful for that opportunity.

I would love to extend my skills around horses. If I get the opportunity to pick up riding again that would be awesome too but not a must. I enjoy working with horses even if I am not sitting on their backs.

In general I've been told I'm good with animals. I'm walking my neighbors dogs sometimes, they're super smart and I love to help teach new commands.

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Hmmm... what else can I say?

I am not much of a party person, I rather go for hikes or organize a game night.

I've lived with a disabled flatmate. I cook and clean for them and help them with appointments. It's in no way bothersome to me, as some people may think.

I wouldn't say I have much experience with babysitting or children in general but I enjoy their presence, like reading books out loud or help teaching maths, English or German.

Skiing is one of the things I am crazy good at even though I only ski for one week a year here in Austria. I even held a skiing class once.

Age

23

What else ...

I have worked at a travel agency for 4 years. It wasn't my dream job as I've mainly done it to finance school, but turns out I am good with customers and organized enough to run the office by my own for weeks when all of my colleagues were sick. Maybe that's relevant, who knows.

Right now (Dec 22) I work at a Creperie and Waffle stand at the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market in Vienna and I LOVE it. Not only because this is going to finance a part of my upcoming journey but also because I genuinely enjoy the work even though it's stressful.
My tasks include: cooking/baking and preparing food and drinks, making dough, serving food and drinks, moving heavy barrels full of wine, lot's of cleaning, taking out trash.
Turns out I'm good at multitasking while still having a nice chat with the customers from all over the world.

Now it's about time I go travel myself, to see a bit more of this beautiful planet, before I start studying (probably October 2023).
Whether that's going to be "Veterinary medicine" or "Geotechnical engineering" I haven't decided yet. I know those are very different from each other but I am proud that I have this very broad spectrum of interests in general, it allows me to enjoy loads of different activities and learn different skills fast.
Maybe if workaway is fun I prolong my travels for another year, let's see.

Important:

I am vaccinated. Getting the 4th shot in October 2022.
I am willing to take a Covid-Test before I meet with a host or other travelers.

I do NOT have my own vehicle!! I do have an international drivers licence.

I'm not a smoker but I am okay with people who are.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements