Manuela

Italy
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
Hi! My name is Manuela and I'm a recent Master's graduate from Italy! I love exploring different cultures and I have a passion for languages: apart from Italian, I have a C1/C2 in English as well as a N3 in Japanese. Other than that, I got my Bachelor's in Chinese Language and Culture, which certifies a B1 level (even though i'm not super confident about that and I'd love more opportunities to practice). I am a friendly person who is always eager to learn and help out when needed. I can't eat meat but I'm 100% okay with fish! Finally, I am a nature-lover, I have two dogs at home and I love children (I am the oldest of 4 cousins). I'm ready to challenge myself with any adventure this life has to offer!
Interests
Videography
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Vegetarian or vegan
Pets
Farming
Charity work
Languages
Writing
Hitchhiking
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Mountain
Winter sports
Outdoor activities
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Japanese: Intermediate
Chinese (Mandarin): Intermediate
More details about my language interests
I believe knowing a language is to know the culture of a people. Culture and language are interlinked, and one cannot learn one without at least having a taste of the other. Language - not only in terms of grammar - is the first bridge for us to understand one another, and as a person who loves to interact with people and longs to truly understand them, I am a 100% a language lover. Having specialized in Asian languages and cultures, I would love to practice my Japanese and Chinese if there's an opportunity to do so. I am also open to learning some other language as well (I do know a few words in Czech :P), and especially to teaching my own language and/or English!!
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Eco Projects
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Some knowledge of:
Being an elderly companion
Babysitting and creative play
Able to teach about:
Languages
Teaching
Animal Care
More details about your skills
As already stated in my personal description above, I am an Italian native speaker with a passion for languages: as of now, I've collected a C1 of English, N3 of Japanese and B1 (about HSK3?) of Chinese. I got my Master's in International Relations and Diplomacy, so I would say I am pretty good with people... I am a friendly but also very patient person, who likes to take things at her own pace :) I've tutored people in the past and had great results, so I'm confident in my teaching abilities, even though I have never done that professionally. I have also lived for a time in Japan (five months) and Prague (three months) without any particular issue, so I'd say I'm also pretty adaptable :)
Age
25
What else ...
I am a manga/anime lover as well as a k-drama watcher :P I'm in tune with Asian pop culture so I would say I'm quite knowledgeable about it. I also love walking in nature, spending time outside and everything related to animals in general!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian

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7 Mar 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Share family life and explore ...)

Despite not having any particular experience with kids in my background, I had the opportunity to stay with Megumi-san's family and take care of Miku, Sora and Sera for about two months. That was truly one of the most wonderful experiences I've had the opportunity to live through so far. Megumi-san is a thoughtful and sensible host, and the kids… read more are cute and extremely affectionate. Being 2 years old, Sora and Sera are still babies, but they are very clever! They understand a lot of English and can speak a lot of words themselves! Miku is a great big sister, always helping out with the twins when she can and instinctively taking care of them when one of them cries or is upset... even by negotiationg at times!! Which I thought was extrmely cute but also moving in its own way.

Everyone loves to play-pretend the most, Sera being the doctor and Sora the patient, or Miku being the mom and Sera the baby, and especially when it came to playing only with Miku in the afternoon, her play-pretend stories get so interesting you cannot help but be curious about where they'll end up going! Playing with everyone was always fun, and this experience gave me the opportunity to take care of the three cuties as if they were my own little sisters.

When it came to Miku, though, my favorite part about spending time with her was talking about her day, asking her questions, see what she wants to be when she grows up, etc. It was fun to hear her answers and witness her reasoning for things, and for a 4 year old, I think she's extremely clever. Though we spent most of the time playing in all ways possible, my understanding of her got clearer by each passing day, and by the time I had to leave I think we got to know each other pretty well. I like to think that in the months that I spent in the family, Miku and me truly became friends, and I already miss her quite a lot :(

What's more, in times of need, the mom was always available to help, whether it be a difficulty related to the family-life or an external problem. Indeed, when I got stranded in the city due to a snowstorm, the mom did not hesitate to always check up on me through chat and to eventually pick me up when there were no other solutions available. She drove for half an hour to pick me up and take me back home safely, and for that I'm very grateful. I think this speaks volumes about the kind of person that Megumi-san is and how much you really become part of the family once you join the experience. I am also a vegetarian, which could have proven difficult since Japanese cuisine is mainly meat based, but Magumi-san handled it well, cooking delicious meals every time and making sure I had a nice intake of protein every day. The dad also took us skiing at some point, which was extremely fun!

The workload is divided fairly among the workawayers and we all had the opportunity to go on trips and visit around, even getting multiple days off in a row at times! The house-work is simple and easily doable💪 as I already said, the kids were always fun to be around, and getting to witness their development by each passing day can't help but make you feel proud as well!

Through the family, I also had the opportunity to witness first hand traditions such as the Setsubun and the Hinamatsuri, and I'm extremely grateful for that. Even though I had to leave early because of an exam coming up sooner than I expected, I wish I could have stayed longer, and I will miss the family immensely!

(Excellent )

6 Mar 2026

Left by host (Share family life and explore ...) for Workawayer ()

We hosted Manuela for about two months, and it was a truly wonderful experience for our family.

Her Japanese is very good, which made communication very easy and comfortable for everyone. She quickly became close with our child, Miku, and they spent a lot of time playing together. Manuela always played with her enthusiastically, especially games… read more

(Excellent )