Juan Miguel

Spain
Login to see last activity

Badges (2)

Photos

View all

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Reply rate

50.0 %
Travel information

I am currently

At home
Description

I was born and have spent most of my life in Valencia, Spain. I have been working as a web developer for over 15 years. I love nature, sports, animals, and travelling.

One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was spending a year in the Netherlands, where I studied in Breda through the Erasmus programme in 2009. Although I enjoy my job, I also like to step away from my daily routine. In my free time, I enjoy going to board game clubs and language exchange meetups.

For many years, I have wanted to take part in a work exchange during my holidays. So now it's time to leave screens behind, get my hands dirty, and connect with nature and people.
Interests

Vegetarian or vegan

Technology

Sustainability

Self development

Pets

LGBTQ

Events & social

Farming

Charity work

Cooking & food

Languages

Gardening

Drawing & painting

DIY & crafts

Carpentry

Art & design

Animals

Yoga / Wellness

Water sports

Sailing / Boating

Outdoor activities

Nature

Fitness

Beach

Adventure sports
Languages

Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
English: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
In my free time, I enjoy going to board game clubs and language exchange meetups. Sometimes, I combine both to practice my English and help others improve their Spanish. I love using games and casual conversation as a fun, natural way to learn, and I'd be happy to help you practice Spanish (or English!) in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Find a language partner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Being an elderly companion

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Charity Work

Hospitality/Tourism

Some knowledge of:

Light gardening

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Languages

Art Projects

House & pet sitting

Able to teach about:

Creative DIY projects

Animal Care

Light maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills

Although I work professionally as a web developer, in my free time I enjoy DIY projects and woodworking. I like building and repairing things, and I'm always happy to learn how to use new tools. In fact, I love physical work because it's so different from my day job in front of a screen. My ultimate life goal is to have my own countryside house with a vegetable garden, so I'm really eager to learn more about gardening and land maintenance. I also adore animals and I have a little dog named Yoshi back home. On top of that, I’m a very social person who enjoys meeting new people, sharing language exchanges, and playing board games.
Age

40
What else ...

I love traveling, and I’ve spent many summers exploring different countries in Europe—sometimes with family, sometimes with friends, and other times solo. I’ve visited Austria, Switzerland, France, England, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, and more. But my most meaningful experience was in the Netherlands, where I had the opportunity to study for a year through the Erasmus programme.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Almost vegetarian, I don't eat red meat or cow's milk dairy (but goat or sheep products are fine!).

Website Safety

Feedback

29 Aug 2026

Left by host (Join us to help on our ...) for Workawayer ()

We came in contact with Juan, a IT specialist from Spain.
During the video interview, Juan enthusiastically told us about his ambition to buy a piece of land in the future and start his own vegetables and having his own farm animals. He said that, during his first Workaway experience, he was eager to get actively involved with us and learn as much … read more

(Negative )

19 Aug 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us to help on our ...)

This was my first volunteering experience, and I did it during my vacation. My main goals were to improve my English and learn a bit about farming and gardening. I chose this profile because it offered a language exchange. Although I planned to stay for more than three weeks, I had to leave after just 10 days due to constant conflicts with the … read more host, Frederique. Most of the time, there was only one other volunteer. Here are the details and a few examples:

Work Hours and Schedule
On paper, it is 5 hours of work per day, but they do not count the time spent cooking for everyone or washing dishes. Also, because you have to clean up horse manure every 2 or 3 hours until 9:00 PM, you have no real free time—you must be available all day. In the afternoon, she always demanded extra tasks, claiming that the hours between 8:00 AM and lunch did not add up to 5 hours.

Constant Control
She controls everything you do. One day, after finishing several chores, I went to the bathroom for a few minutes. When I came out, she was waiting to scold me, accusing me of being in there for "an hour." Another day, after sweeping the entire stable, I sat down to drink water, and she complained that I wasn't immediately helping in the kitchen, where three people were already helping. On my last day, I asked for a 30-minute break before the afternoon work, and she was upset about it. That was the last straw, and I left the next day.

Days Off
We were supposed to get two days off per week. She recommended that I use one of my days off to help and learn from the gardener (who only speaks French, a language I don't speak), suggesting I use Google Translate. When I declined, she held it against me, saying I "had no interest" and asking "why I was even there." She does not respect others or accept different viewpoints; only hers is valid.

Communication and Culture Shock
She made me feel bad on several occasions. One day I asked if she was still feeling unwell, and she snapped at me, telling me never to ask her that again. Another day, while she was talking to her son, she got angry because I accidentally interrupted them. Another time, while preparing dinner, I asked about nearby stores, and she rudely replied that it wasn't the right time. She does not treat you as an equal and never apologizes or admits her mistakes.

Unfair Treatment
She complained a lot, judged me, and talked behind the other volunteer's back, calling him "lazy." However, she tolerated everything from him while demanding maximum effort from me. I experienced a clear double standard. I never saw the other guy clean the stables. He disappeared constantly, while I was always present and available. Instead of showing gratitude, she grouped me with him or said I was always tired. One day, I emptied the dishwasher but didn't know where to put a few utensils, and she criticized me for it.

Others
Kitchen hygiene was poor. They used the same sponges to wash dog food bowls and human dishes. Also, many items couldn't go in the dishwasher (like wooden cutting boards). She claimed that "water chemicals are worse than bacteria." The Wi-Fi didn't reach the bedrooms, and they expected me to share a room with someone else, which was never mentioned in the interview.

Leaving the Farm
It is very easy for her to tell you that you don't fit in and expect you to pack your bags, since she doesn't spend time or money on your trip home. I was lucky to book a flight for the next day, even though it was very expensive. She sent me a text message to say goodbye instead of doing it in person, and removed me from the work group chat while I was trying to write a goodbye message. From my perspective, I felt more like unpaid staff than a volunteer.

This was my personal experience, which may be different from others. I fully expect a reply from her denying my reality. #redacted# The review system on this platform could be improved, as one review directly influences the other, and anyone can leave a positive review without actually living the experience. I hope my feedback helps someone make a decision.

(Negative )