Paula

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Certified yoga teacher (700hr India), studying holistic treatments . Kind, reliable, versatile, love animals and nature. Happy to help out with whatever I can and give my best. Languages: EN, PT, ES

Description

Nature, Animals, Hospitality & Rural Life

I’m a reliable, hardworking and adaptable person who loves nature, animals and simple country living. I enjoy becoming part of everyday family life and helping wherever I’m needed. I’m currently visiting a friend in Switzerland and available immediately for stays of one month or longer.

My greatest strengths are working with children, caring for animals, gardening and cleaning and organising.

As an English teacher for more than 25 years, I’ve spent my career helping children learn, grow and build confidence. I love their curiosity, imagination and honesty, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with them.

Whether it’s reading stories, playing board games, doing arts and crafts (don’t ask me to draw though!), painting and colouring together, helping with homework, building dens, kicking a football around, exploring nature, collecting leaves and feathers, going on little adventures or simply chatting about the world, I love encouraging children to learn through play, creativity and curiosity. My aim is always to create a happy, relaxed and caring environment where children feel safe, valued and free to be themselves.

I also love being around animals and feel completely at ease caring for them, whether they’re family pets or farm animals. Feeding them, spending time with them and looking after their daily needs never feels like work to me—it’s one of the best parts of any day.

Cleaning and organising are probably my biggest practical strengths. It may sound unusual, but I find both incredibly satisfying and even relaxing. I’m very thorough and love leaving a place spotless, and I don’t rush just to finish a job—I like taking the time to do things properly.

If you have a chaotic pantry, overflowing wardrobes, an attic full of forgotten treasures, cupboards that need sorting, bookshelves that have taken on a life of their own, drawers that no longer close, or simply years of “I’ll sort that one day”… I’d honestly be in my element! I love helping people decide what to keep, what can be donated to charity, and how to organise everything so it’s practical, tidy and easy to find. There’s something incredibly satisfying about bringing order to a space and making everyday life a little easier.

I love being outdoors and don’t mind getting my hands dirty. Gardening is something I really enjoy, and I’d love the opportunity to learn more—especially how to grow vegetables and look after a thriving vegetable garden. I’m always happy to weed, water, plant, harvest and learn from someone with experience.

I enjoy cooking simple, homemade meals, especially for other people. After living on my own for many years, I don’t cook as often as I used to because cooking just for myself isn’t nearly as enjoyable. Baking isn’t one of my strengths—yet!—but I’d absolutely love to learn if it’s something you enjoy doing.

I’m a pescatarian. I eat fish and seafood, eggs, and plant-based alternatives, but I don’t drink animal milk. I’m very comfortable preparing vegetarian or pescatarian meals, but I don’t handle or prepare meat.

I’m also a qualified yoga teacher, having completed my training in India. Yoga and meditation are an important part of my life and help me stay calm, positive and grounded. If it’s something that interests you, I’d be very happy to share a class or two.

I speak fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese, and my Italian is improving every day. I'd absolutely love to learn French!

The only thing I’m not suited to is technical maintenance or DIY. I’m not the person to fix a roof, use power tools or build a fence! But if you need someone to care for children or animals, welcome guests, cook, clean, organise, garden or simply lend a helping hand around the home, I’ll happily roll up my sleeves.

I’m easy-going, dependable and respectful of other people’s homes and routines. I enjoy books, nature, good conversations, learning new skills and living simply. I believe the best Workaway experiences come from kindness, trust, laughter and sharing everyday life together.

Interests

Drawing & painting

Sailing / Boating

Animals

Van life

Camping

Charity work

Yoga / Wellness

Vegetarian or vegan

Sustainability

Self development

Nature

Outdoor activities

Pets

Photography

Plant care

Music

Movies & TV

Mountain

Languages

Farming

Fitness

Gardening

Hiking

Dancing

DIY & crafts

Cycling

Culture

Books

Cooking & food

Beach

Languages

Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I can teach English and/or Spanish, in exchange for French or Italian.

Find a language partner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Art Projects

Eco Projects

Life at a Farmstay

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Some knowledge of:  

Light gardening

Animal Care

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Teaching

More details about your skills

Language teaching and learning – Experienced English teacher; happy to help with language practice, conversation, or informal lessons, and always keen to learn new languages myself.

Animal care & connection – I’ve had pets all my life and naturally connect with animals. I’m attentive, gentle, and genuinely enjoy caring for them.

Gardening & plants – I love working with plants and being outdoors. While I’m still learning, I’m motivated, observant, and happy to help with gardening, planting, and general land care.

Horses – I have a real passion for horses. Although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to care for them daily, I’ve taken basic riding lessons and would love to learn more about horse care if given the chance.

Cooking – A confident, intuitive cook (vegetarian). Nothing fancy, but I’m very good at creating tasty, nourishing meals with whatever is available — and people usually love the results.

Creativity & hands-on projects – Creative and artistic, with a growing interest in chalk painting, up-cycling furniture, and simple decorative or restoration projects.

Age

54

What else ...

I tend to thrive in quieter, smaller settings rather than large group environments. I work best when tasks are focused and calm, and I’m especially comfortable working independently or one-to-one, particularly with animals, children within a family, or hands-on projects. I appreciate clear routines and a peaceful atmosphere, which helps me do my best work and be fully present. Simpler, more personal settings suit me better than busy communal ones.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  no

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  Special dietary requirements
  vegetarian