Philipp

Switzerland
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
My name is Philipp (or Phil) from Switzerland. I'm a social worker/school counselor and used to work with troubled kids. In 2024, I will start my training as a animal caregiver here in Switzerland, but until then I want to get some experience in the field somewhere in this world.

Travelling means getting to know new places, new experiences, awesome people and sharing life. I am no workoholic, I think personal life is so important and a healthy work-life-balance is key to be happy. But I also like to work and get things done, when I am AT work. I don't like to stand around and wait for the evening to come. Give me an axe and some wood to split and I'm happy for a whole day. Since I start my training to become an animal caregiver, I would love the get my hands dirty and work with animal.

I already got some experience as a volunteer, working with kids once a week at a local community center, cleaning and feeding some donkey, ponies, goats and rabbits.

If there is a chance to get to know horseback riding, I'd be happy to learn.

If you have any questions, let me know. I'm happy to answer it for you.
Interests
Mountain
Pets
Hiking
Animals
Vegetarian or vegan
Writing
Outdoor activities
Nature
Van life
Farming
Movies & TV
Camping
Books
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Animal Care
Some knowledge of:
Life at a Farmstay
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
When I worked at the cardealer ship, I sometimes had to tow cars. I'm used to drive all kind of vehicules. Can change a tire if necessary, but didn't do any repairs or mechanical stuff on a car.
I worked with kids and teens in a home since 2010. For the last almost 4 years I work at a school as a counselor. I usually connect easy with other people.

I have some knowlege about computer, but more in a self-thaught-I-grew-up-with-it-sense.

Even though I hardy use any tools at my jobs in the past, I'm not completly useless with them. If you're taking some time to show me how something is done, I'm more then happy and willing to work my behind off to learn and gain experience in every possible way. Also if there is physical work to do, I'm happy to help. I like the feeling of going to bed tired after a hard day of work.
Age
41
What else ...
I grew up with a dog and love having animals in general around me.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  I'm a vegetarian

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23 Jun 2024

Left by host (Help with our therapy horse ...) for Workawayer ()

Phil is amazing! He spent 4 months here, and became an integral part of our community and daily life, and we were all very sad when he had to leave! His bubbly and conversational spirit was contagious, and brought joy to all his interactions. I loved how he put energy into ideas to build community and connection on the farm, like organizing… read more

(Excellent )

20 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help with our therapy horse ...)

I can't believe almost 3 months past since I left the farm. I want to thank Katie and Rose for the wonderful time at their place from December until April. Even though I missed most of the beautiful weather Oregon has to offer in spring, I enjoyed my stay during the one week freezing cold period (smash those icy water buckets!), the wet rainy… read more days, and the few sunny days we got. It's all about opportunities and how you embrace them... oh, and that you wear good boots!

Life on the farm is not always easy, but you will get many chances to grow and learn plenty of life skills. If you just look for a cheap way to stay in the area, this is not the place for you. But I recommand everybody who loves animals and is not afraid of some physical work to get in contact with them. The work is demanding, but never to much, and Katie will always check that it's appropriat for your abilities. She is not only a wonderful "boss" (haha, she doesn't like to be called boss :-P) but also a wonderful person to be around, always looking out for everybodys well being. You will either get assigned the morning or afternoon shift, and have the other half day off. You might need a car to explore the surrounding. Katie and Rose might be able to take you to town, but this is not guaranteed.

Things you learn during your stay:
- Fight the poop!: Plenty of horses mean plenty of poop. Get your muscles to work and scoop them up. Most of the workawayers were never in better shape!
- People skills!: You will share the apartement with three other people in two bunk beds. It's a great opportunity to improve your communication skills and taking care of each others needs. You will have plenty of time to get new impressions from different culture. Embrace it. Oh... and Mogli (a cat) owns the apartment. Your just a guest. Never forget that ;-) He will pay you with tons of snuggles for your service.
- Chick-assic Park!: Chickens ARE little dinosaurs. If you are lucky enough to be in the chicken feeding shift, they will run towards you with joy, finally getting fed. Don't worry, they won't eat YOU. But they will follow you to their coop. Your own little private dinosaur army.
- Aspen + Meadow = Love: If you are a dog person, these two will steal your heart. Definitely embrace it!
- Donkey and Minis: They might be smaller and horses, but they get equal amount of love (poop smaller though).

So... what are you still doing reading this review! Click the "Contact" button and write them already. You will not regret it.

Katie and Rose, thank you so much for everything. I had a wonderful time. And who knows what destiny has in mind... our path might cross again :-)

(Excellent )

2 Jan 2024

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Phil has been helping us with a little bit of everything at the farm. Cut and split wood, give food and water to our dogs, hens, turkeys, sheep and goats, build different kind of things with wood, repair broken things, play with our children, clean dog yards, train dogs, pick up potatoes from the ground, cut meat into pieces, etc.

Phil can both… read more

(Excellent )

21 Nov 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help with Alaskan huskies and ...)

I spent 10 wonderful weeks here. It is a truly amazing place, and you get remembered every day why Sara and Pasi did choose to live there. To clarify: you get both remembered by seeing the beautiful surrounding every day, but also because Sara tends to tell you every day :-)

Sara, Pasi, I already told you in person how much I liked staying at… read more your place. So I will take the time to write this review for every future person who wants to come here. So, my fellow workawayers, here are a few things I experienced and want to tell you about:

Helping hours
It is quiet common that I started to help right after breakfast and ended my work day around 9pm by feeding the puppies again. And since all the animals for some reason want to eat everyday, I usually helped every days of the week. That said, it was all by choice. I told Sara and Pasi that I would like to be involved in their farm life as much as possible. The two appreciate honesty and expect you to communicate. If you feel like you need time off, f.e. in the evening, they will try to make that work. But you have to talk to them.
Helping hours might be long, but never stressful. You do have plenty of time in between, and we had so many opportunity to try out many fun things, like horseback riding or going to the animal park in Lycksele. Sara is always happy to show you around (and she will even be more happy if she can present you to basically every person she meets :-)). We also asked Sara if it's possible to stay in the spa hotel in the town overnight, and her first response was: “Absolutely. When would you like to go?”.

Communication
It is so important on the farm. Let them know what you wish for/what you need, and they try to make it happen. Did you break something? Tell them! They don't hold grudges or scream at you. Be honest and straight forward, and you will have a great time. Talk talk and talk.
And speaking about talking: Sara and Pasi have great storys to tell. If you want to or not, you will hear them all :-) Pasi is a prime example for dad jokes, and Sara probably hasn't found her off button yet. Peace and quiet in the house? Not an option. You have the nature around you for that.

The dogs
I cried when I had to say goodbye. These good boys and good girls are truly amazing and I recommend everybody to spend as much time as possible with them. They are all such amazing and loving characters, and great athletes in front of the sled. You will fall in love with them. Some are a bit shy in the beginning (my dear Pacman), some will ask for all the cuddles you can give them right from the start (Willow), and some are just charmingly awesome barkers like Herman and Xenon. Some even seem to be a hybrid with other animals like Bumble (half spider) or Lappu (half cow). They can test you from time to time, but that is life. Seeing them running in front of the sled was one of the most amazing experience in my life, so I dare everybody to try it as well. Since Pasi works full time in town, and stopped offering tours to tourists, you don't have to stress making everything ready for somebody else. So more time for yourself to drive them.

Who do I recommend this place?
It is 30 km away from Lycksele, in the middle of the forest. You have to be aware of that. There is no civilization around you, only the beauty of nature. If you need your daily dose of a supermarket or a bar, this is not the place for you. But definitely come here if you are looking for awesome surrounding and peace and quiet (outside the house, as I mentioned above, not inside) ;-)

Pasi and Sara don't live there by themselves. They do have four boys. And four boys aren't always silent. So, you will be in the middle of a busy family life. Yes, if you get to stay in the cabin on the property, there is a place to regroup and breath, but the house can be very vivid and chaotic. The boys are amazing individuals who have (like the dogs) there own personality. They are happy if you play with them, but also accept if you say no. Just be honest with them as you are with Sara and Pasi. They will also don't hold grudges if you prefer a bit of peace.

Life on the farm is full of changes. Never trust the plan for the next day, life will interfere and flip in upside down. If you want to have a good time here, you will need to adapt to whatever happens in the moment. If you look for a place where everything is scheduled out and you can just follow that plan, rethink of applying here. You have to be open and flexible. But that is just life on a farm.

So... what are you waiting for? There is an adventure just a message to them away.

Sara, Pasi, Pojkars, thank you all for having me be part of the crazy loving farm life for these awesome 10 weeks. And let me know if you find a house for me. I will definitely be back.

And Herman: Lägg av!

(Excellent )

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23 Jun 2024

Left by host (Help with our therapy horse ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

20 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help with our therapy horse ...)

(Excellent)

2 Jan 2024

Left by host for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

21 Nov 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help with Alaskan huskies and ...)

(Excellent)

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