Ottilie

From: United Kingdom

Account Type
Individual account
Travelling to
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, France, French Polynesia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia
Travel dates
20/06/2019 - 30/09/2019
Badges

My status
Travelling
Description
I am a British 21 year-old who loves adventure and new experiences. I am capable, efficient, inquisitive and am currently in my third year at Durham University. I live in Kyiv at the moment, and will be travelling around Russophone countries this summer to improve my Russian (UK citizens aren't able to travel there atm).

I am determined to improve my skills in languages because I study them at university (Italian and Russian (French for the first year)) and I have a passion for the art, literature and history of a culture. My degree is very flexible and my main modules are history of art, history, literature, cinema and politics. I have already done six Workaway experiences in South-Western France (x2), and Italy (x3) and Russia. All of which I thoroughly enjoyed and was given 5 star ratings.

I am a very creative person who draws, sews and knits in my free time, I love reading, walking, galleries and museums (archaeology being a particular interest). I set up an art society at university and run weekly classes. I enjoy cooking with my mum and using fresh, organic ingredients and to share food as a family I find important.

I also adore animals and have chickens and dogs. Being outside, walking and gardening are also particular favourite activities of mine because I love to be alone and outside. It makes me calm and I feel to have a time to reflect alone is very important. Working on farms is a particular love of mine.

I am known for being a positive and jolly force and have had numerous jobs working for the local community: I was the Events Manager and the Coordinator of a charity fashion show at my university, I work in a university bar, I have done farm work, and many other outdoor jobs, and so hard work does not faze me! I have also volunteered at a Sexual Health clinic and at Sotheby's, an auctioning house in London.
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Life at a Farmstay
Animal Care
Language practice
Art Projects
Teaching
More details about your skills
I am sociable, positive and very enthusiastic. I am also a great team player and very efficient. I love art, sport, music, drama, cooking, and being outside too.
I draw lots with my mum and I can play the cello. I aspire to play the piano too.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Russian: Intermediate
Age
21
Nationality
English
What else ...
I have a passion for languages and I want to improve my speaking skills. In the classroom, I am good at reading and writing, now I want to build my confidence and speak it! I would also like to experience new things and have independence. I find being exposed to different cultures very stimulating and what life is about. I long to be fluent in many languages and connect to many people across the world.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Photos

My lazy dachshunds!

18th Birthday!

Singing at a charity event

Singing in my band

Workaway France 2018

Workaway France 2017

Show all photos

Embroidery

Apple and copper halo

University netball team

Orchestral concert

Workaway Russia 2019

Mint harvest, Italy 2020

Tivoli, 2020

Kyiv, Ukraine 2021

Feedback

27/01/2020

Left by host (Babysitter in Sicily for two ...) for Workawayer (Ottilie)

she is a fantastic girl. very patient, curious, attentive and very elegant. he helped us a lot at home, cooking, fixing. he taught my little 3 year old to swim. she made herself loved like a daughter, she will always remain in our hearts.

(Excellent )

05/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ottilie) for host for (Babysitter in Sicily for two ...)

You will have a wonderful stay with this generous, open-hearted, good-humoured family. I was treated as one of the family, included in all their little trips, plans, parties in either their beach home or gorgeous house in Palermo.
Valeria is extremely glamorous, efficient, hilarious, and I really admired her effortlessness and patience in… read more

(Excellent )

19/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ottilie) for host for (Help at our family home and ...)

I have done 5 Workaway experiences now and this experience was by far my favourite! I felt like an adopted daughter and was so part of the family that I forgot that I wasn't in my own home. My Russian was terrible at the beginning, but thanks to the extreme patience and humour of Ivan and Gallina (also incredible teaching of Gallina), I improved a… read more

(Excellent )

07/09/2019

Left by host (Help at our family home and ...) for Workawayer (Ottilie)

We do not speak English well, so we can not write a big review about such a beautiful person:).Ottilie, helped us on the farm 1 month. She is very cheerful and sociable, and loves to work:). Her help was invaluable. Got up early in the morning to run, and then help us). With it always was fun and funny:) and its very fell in love our dog) and the… read more

(Excellent )

09/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Ottilie) for host for (Help in a magnificent ...)

I only stayed 10 days with this gorgeous family but I had the most phenomenal time! The little village has so much to offer and I loved meeting friends, visiting Peche Merle, going to village fêtes and Ecaussystème festival and of course tasting the delicious food (mainly cheese) and wine!

A Workawayer's lifestyle here is very chilled so I… read more

(Excellent )

09/08/2018

Left by host (Help in a magnificent ...) for Workawayer (Ottilie)

Ottie is really nice, easy, quiet ... we loved it all this trip unfortunately too short, I hope we will meet again very quickly
you come back whenever you want, the cabécous, the good wine, the culinary specialties are waiting for you
big kisses !

(Excellent )

07/07/2018

Left by host (Language practicing in a ...) for Workawayer (Ottilie)

Keen, motivated, easygoing, always willing to do and learn, fast at learning new things. She observes and learn even without telling. Responsible, reliable, independent, always punctual. She loves cows and she is not at all afraid to get dirty. She is a tireless worker, both under hot sun or heavy rain. It has been easy feeling her as a member of… read more

(Excellent )

02/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Ottilie) for host for (Language practicing in a ...)

I spent a phenomenal 3 weeks with the family. Even after the first day I felt part of the family and that I'd known them for years; I am very fortunate to have met such kind, generous people. I was completely, contentedly happy throughout my whole stay and am missing the experience!

Setting
Nestled in the mountains, you will be blown away by the… read more beauty and tranquillity of Crodo and the surrounding villages. In the summer it is very hot, but there is always a refeshing breeze and water fountains with water fresh from the mountains. The milk, cheese, bread, salami, icecream is genuinely the best I've ever tasted, particularly special when the milk is from Franco's cows. There are hundreds of little mountain walks to do which I strongly recommend, you discover wild flowers and animals, as well as seeing beautiful little cottages made from the local stone. You will be allowed enough time to do these walks and this for me was perfect as I wanted time to think and reflect and gaze at the astounding views.

Work
There are lots of activities that a Workawayer can do. What is nice is that Eleonora makes sure you do work that suits your interests (I particularly loved working outside and with the cows). Sometimes the work is hard but not back-breaking, and they make sure that you have enough breaks and time off. I loved the relaxed atmosphere and a lot of the time the days did not feel like doing work at all! Going to do little jobs in Domodossola, spending time singing with Maddalena, heavenly mountain walks, learning more Italian, meeting friends and much, much more!

Accomodation
Where you will stay is in a simple little hut with no electricity, but having a candle at night was very relaxing and you realise that it is very easy to survive without lights at night. There is also no wifi, but you can always get it at the next door restaurant. You will have a kitchen and shower independent of the main house, which is so nice as you can have your own independence to eat/shower when you like.

Language/Culture

For me, languages is my primary use of Workaway. Eleonora is extremely bright and helped me hugely with my Italian, patiently correcting me, giving me a vocab book. Maddalena was also very helpful and I find being with younger children improves languages greatly. Franco can also teach you some of the dialect which is very different to normal Italian- I spent many times laughing with him about the bizarre words! The family are also very interested in other cultures and want you to share stories (which also improve your Italian). You will never be bored either as there is always something for you to be shown in the Ossola region.

I cannot recommend this family strongly enough, they live in utter paradise and I hope you will enjoy your stay as much as I did.

(Excellent )

29/08/2017

Left by host (Help around our family home, ...) for Workawayer (Ottilie)

Bien que très jeune, Ottilie a su se montrer motivée et volontaire. Elle a fait des efforts et des progrès notables en Français. Elle "ADORE" toutes les activités qu'on lui a proposées ! Les gros travaux ne lui font pas peur : elle a beaucoup de force et de ténacité.
Merci pour ton aide et les bons moments passés ensemble !

(Excellent )

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