Profile information
-
-
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Olive harvest in Albania :)
My next destination:
Albania - from Oct 2026 until Nov 2026 View all -
Description
Update July 2026 :)
In 2025, I took a sabbatical to do volunteer work and travel around the Balkans. Those were the best months of my adult life. I met so many wonderful people, I learnt so much… I felt as though I’d lived a thousand lives (okay, I’m exaggerating a bit 🙃 ).
I had to go back to my boring office job in Paris, but I realised it wasn’t right for me anymore (I’d probably known that forever)
I’ve just left my job, ready to hit the road again and start a new chapter.
My plan is to continue exploring the Balkans, but I’m curious to discover any country, as long as it’s accessible by train, bus or boat.
****
Bonjour :)
I'm Marion.
I've always loved travelling, being elsewhere, meeting people, listening to life stories and taking my time (I don't fly anymore).
Today I want to give a little more texture to my travels. I've been thinking about long-term volunteering for a long time. I've recently turned 40, so it's the perfect time to change my horizon ! And do something useful and meaningful.
I discovered the Balkans in 2019. And I fell in love with this part of the world, with the warmth of its people, its culture, its music, its food...
I want to discover them in more depth.
A few years ago, in Bosnia Herzegovina, I heard the word ‘Merak’ for the 1st time; that state of mind made up of gentleness, sharing, sensations linked to the pleasure that comes from small things. It became a kind of quest. And also a photographic project.
I am (I think) easy going, hard worker and not afraid of having hands dirty.
I'm eager to learn new things, to meet you and to help you. In any way I can. -
Interests
Books
Writing
Music
Photography
Nature
Gardening
Languages
History
Farming
Sustainability
Camping
Dancing
Culture
Charity work
Animals
Performing arts
Outdoor activities -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Bosnian: Beginner
Serbo-Croatian: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
It's too frustrating to use a translator to communicate, so I started learning Bosnian, Serbo-Croatian and Montenegrin ...It's difficult but I really like that!I’d love to keep practising. I’m always curious and happy to learn some words from the countries I visit... I can teach you a bit of French. -
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Languages
Being an elderly companion
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Some knowledge of:
Art Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Light maintenance
House & pet sitting
Helping with Computers/ Internet
-
More details about your skills
Update July 2026 :)
During the first year of my Workaway adventure, I experienced so many incredible moments and realised that you can learn - almost - everything : )
I looked after chickens, goats, cats and dogs. I did gardening, painting, housework... I carried stones to build a dry stone wall, pushed wheelbarrows full of gravel. I helped with the plum and the grape harvest. I even joined a volunteer fire brigade!
***
I worked during 15 years in concert halls (mainly classical music), welcoming public, responding phone and emails and selling tickets. So, I have skills in customer service, sale and hospitality.
I'm also a photographer. I'd be very pleased if this could be useful in any way (for a website, social media or just for fun). You can see my work here : https://www.marionromagnan.com
In the past I've done voluntary work with homeless people and refugees (serving food), at music festivals (welcoming artists) and for environmental projects (clearing paths, planting trees, etc.). -
Age
42
-
What else ...
I love both the serenity of nature and the energy of the city (I grew up in a village in the Pyrenees surrounded by mountains and spent a big part of my adult life in Paris).
I'm quite active : I like hiking, cycling, swimming, dancing... -
Some more information
-
Smoker
-
Driver's licence
-
Allergies
-
Special dietary requirements
-
Feedback
She spent 12 days with us, helping with household chores, cooking, gardening, building the garage walls and all kinds of other small repairs around the house.
Although she lacks experience in the DIY field and with hand tools, in every job she was very attentive and … read more
Akos is super friendly, easy-going and humorous. The children are absolutely lovely, always smiling and curious about everything. I had a lot of fun playing with them.
I helped out a bit in the kitchen, a bit in the garden and with the garage project. It was really interesting and I learnt many new … read more
She is a friendly, uncomplicated, calm and motivated person.
Marion helped us build a concrete floor and a brick wall, she cut branches and helped Alice with her maths with great patience.
We are happy to have met her and look forward to welcoming her back!
I mainly helped Steve with some construction work around the houses, pushing wheelbarrows full of gravel, moving bricks (with the precious help of the three girls), cutting branches, cleaning things…
I also refreshed my maths … read more
Ranka and Ela are two amazing, open-minded, funny, ingenious, adventurous and courageous women. I loved the time I spent with them, … read more
Photos
Friends
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Communication:
(5.0)
Skills:
(4.6)
Observed house rules:
(5.0)
She spent 12 days with us, helping with household chores, cooking, gardening, building the garage walls and all kinds of other small repairs around the house.
Although she lacks experience in the DIY field and with hand tools, in every job she was very attentive and … read more
Akos is super friendly, easy-going and humorous. The children are absolutely lovely, always smiling and curious about everything. I had a lot of fun playing with them.
I helped out a bit in the kitchen, a bit in the garden and with the garage project. It was really interesting and I learnt many new … read more
She is a friendly, uncomplicated, calm and motivated person.
Marion helped us build a concrete floor and a brick wall, she cut branches and helped Alice with her maths with great patience.
We are happy to have met her and look forward to welcoming her back!
I mainly helped Steve with some construction work around the houses, pushing wheelbarrows full of gravel, moving bricks (with the precious help of the three girls), cutting branches, cleaning things…
I also refreshed my maths … read more
Ranka and Ela are two amazing, open-minded, funny, ingenious, adventurous and courageous women. I loved the time I spent with them, … read more
She is truly an amazing person with excellent communication skills, very dedicated to every task which she managed always with a smile and such ease. She immersed herself in our community and everyone accepted her from the start with open … read more
I'm very lucky to have met so many lovely, interesting and generous people…Peđa, Boro, Nataša, Snježa, Goša, Crni, Zućo, all their friends, … read more
Marion is not only hard working and energetic, she's calm, funny, smart, modest, cultured, kind, enthusiastic, … read more
Melissa and Zoran are very … read more
Ready to learn, she listens and is willing to be shown how to do a job without hesitation.
Marion learnt a lot during her stay, she also helped me with understanding her culture a little more and I am thankful. She has a true love for the Balkans and it was such a pleasure … read more
Mikki is generous, talkative, funny and super-organised. I loved chatting to her. She has so many stories to tell.
I revisited my (stupid) … read more
