Pien & Ella

Travel information

We are currently

Description

Hello future workaway host!

We are Pien van der Leeden (19 years old) and Ella Bennis (18 years old) from the Netherlands. We have been friends for years and both in our gap year now. We are a fun duo that likes to work hard. We will always have a smile on our face while working. We love to travel and also want to spend time in Italy this year. The country Italy really appeals to us, not only because of the differences to our culture back home, but also for sustainable reasons so we could come by train. We are very eager to learn more about the culture, nature, the language and the food!

Therefore, we would love to come to do a Workaway and stay with you to help you out and have a great experience at your place!

A little introduction about us:
I am Ella Bennis. I took this year off to get to know myself better, to work and for the most: to travel. I have loved to travel to various countries my whole life. And this year I took (and take) the opportunity to do that even more. I have been to South Africa on my own in november and december to do volunteer work at a daycare and a primary school with children.

My name is Pien. I’ve been in the autumn of 2023 to an international folk high school in Denmark. I lived with more than 30 nationalities for four months. I followed different courses, from classes such as intercultural communication or sustainable gardening. But what I enjoyed the most is living with so many different cultures at one place.

We’ve got experience with working together, that can be a school project or planning a holiday together. We are both energetic, positive and initiative people. We love to be social but also to work hard. When we were still in high school, besides regular classes we also had theatre classes like drama, singing and dance classes. Therefore, we think we are creative people which still helps us in our daily life.

And most important, we're very eager to learn new things!! :)

Interests

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
French: Beginner

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Art Projects

Eco Projects

Gardening

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

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Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Languages

DIY and building projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Babysitting and creative play

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

We both just finished high school together and are now in our gap year before we are going to start university in September.

We love to work together on things but also are independent and can work separately. We like to learn new things so we are open to many things. We are fluent in Dutch and English. We can make ourself understandable in French and have a basic knowledge.

Pien:
I have been babysitting and working in the hospitality industry for several years. I’m now working in a bakery and cafe/restaurant. I have the skills of a barista and waitress, so I know quite a lot about coffee and (sour dough) bread.
While spending time in Denmark I got some skills by following classes in sustainable gardening. I worked in the garden and learned about the environment and how to take care of our planet in a sustainable way. I also had many lessons around intercultural communication and international organizations. I’m good at communicating and getting things done. I will always be curious about my environment; meeting people and getting to know a culture.

When I’m traveling you will see me working in my scrapbook, collecting memories on paper and writing down the things I’m experiencing. I love to write letters and to have good conversations. You make me happy when people connect deeply with each other even though they come from a very different background. I love to dance, go camping, surf, practice yoga, drink wine and explore the place I'm staying.

Ella:
I worked in a greenhouse (harvesting tomatoes), a bakery and cafe and I am now working at a hairdresser salon. I like to work with my hands and to think creatively. For example, I like to cook and make clothes with a sewing machine and a piece of fabric.

Pien and I went to the same high school. Besides regular classes we also had theatre classes like drama, singing and dance classes. I always loved to sing. Also with my sister, we used to play guitar and sing on the streets in the city.
I have loved to travel to various countries my whole life. Travelling has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Getting to know other cultures and seeing the world is important to me.
I have been to South Africa on my own in november and december to do volunteer work at a daycare and a primary school with children with other volunteers. This has been a great experience while traveling on my own and being with other people with the same mindset.

I would describe myself as social, positive, reliable, hard working, good with communication and creative.


The type of help we can provide is for example helping in the kitchen, in the garden, painting & decorating, repairing, helping on a farm, animale care and helping around the house.

Age

19 & 18

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Pien is allergic to cats (that live mostly indoor).

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  Special dietary requirements
  Ella is a vegaterian