Pieter82

From: Norway

Account Type
Individual account
Travelling to
Philippines
Travel dates
14/01/2019 - 24/03/2019
Badges

My status
At home
Description
*️️️*️️️*️️️ Update: Currently back in Norway for work *️️️*️️️*️️️

It’s time to see the Workaway experience from the other end of the table!
I have been renting an apartment on a farm in Norway for five years, where the owner is a Workaway host. During these years I’ve seen from the inside what makes Workaway great, what makes it work and what doesn’t. I’ve met many travellers from all over the world, all with their different stories and experiences. I got to see first hand what it takes from both parts to have a successful exchange through Workaway, not just in terms of work for accommodation but also in terms of sharing knowlegde, insights, culture, language, music and usually a lot of laughter too!
Thanks to living in with a Workaway host I have met people from all over of the world.
All these positive experiences made me want to be a volunteer on Workaway as well. The obvious advantage here is that I have a pretty good idea of what a host expects from the volunteers!
My plan is to combine a round-the-world trip on a motorcycle with volunteering at Workaway hosts around the globe. I started my journey in februari 2017, heading for the south of Europe first. Italy in spring, Greece and the balkan countries in summer, the alps in late summer and Spain and Portugal in winter.
Who am I?
- 34 years young, originally from the Netherlands, living in Norway since 2010
- Bachelors Degree in cognitive psychology
- Certified TEFL teacher (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
- Passionate photographer
- Fluent in Dutch, English and Norwegian (--> and therefore perfect understanding of Danish & Swedish)
- Very good level of Italian, Spanish and French. Good understanding of German.
- I am a social guy who likes to be part of a team
- I like outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking, cycling, paragliding and of course riding my motorcycle
- If you like a good game of chess then I’m your man :-) Same goes for good conversation and good wine
- Non smoker. But I used to be one, and I don’t mind people who smoke.
- Omnivorous, I have no dietary requirements, allergies or special needs. Please bear in mind that I do have a 34-year-old-male-appetite ;-)
- I play the piano, if you have a piano that would be a huge plus!
- I will be arriving on my motorcycle, so I have my own transport.
What can I do?
- Physically fit, I like to be engaged in physical work and I’m not afraid of lifting heavy!
- Technical theoretical background, meaning I understand machines and I know (or quickly learn) how to operate them.
- I have been driving various types of trucks and busses over the last seven years, I have a driving license for everything, from motorcycle to articulated lorry, and I have experience with various machines like forklifts, tractors and quads.
- I also have been a private VIP driver in the Netherlands. So if you have anything with wheels, I’ll be more then happy to operate it!
- If you have a website or for any other reason would like to have (better) photos of something than I can help you with that.
- I can teach English
- I can work with guests and tourists. My parents have run a bed & breakfast in the south of France (near Foix, Ariège) for five years and I have worked in a hotel as a night receptionist so I have experience with dealing with guests and tourists. Also while working as a tourbus driver I was hosting groups of tourists, sometimes for 10 days in a row. Speaking half a dozen languages obviously helps here!
- I love animals and working with animals. I have some experience with horse riding.
- Painting and other basic carpentry skills. Furthermore, if there’s anything that I can’t do now, I can probably learn it. And I’m eager to do so.
- Good computer skills. If you want to learn more about using LightRoom or Photoshop I can help you with that
- I can help you with language practice in many of the above mentioned languages.
- Hopefully this list will grow as I work my way around the globe with Workaway!
Update June 2017: I now know how to milk a goat :-)
What am I looking for?
- I am a team player and a social person, so I’m looking for a place where there are several volunteers at work, or where there’s contact with guests and other people. If I’m the only volunteer, then I’m looking for a place where there is plenty of social interaction with the host(s).
- Looking for a cultural exchange in the broadest sense, in terms of traditions, foods and anything that might be of interest.
- Looking to discover new lands, sights, smells, cities, architecture and history
- Learning new languages
- Learning about sustainable farming
- If you have an instrument other than a piano then I would love to learn how to play it!
- I like to teach. Whether that’s languages, music or other skills, I believe in sharing knowledge!
Lastly I would like to borrow a line from the Workaway description from my former landlady, which is: “Please keep in mind that this should be a win-win situation”
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Teaching
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Language practice
More details about your skills
See "What can I do" above :-)
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
Age
39
Nationality
Dutch (Netherlands)
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Photos

Horse riding in Norway

Lake Tahoe, USA

Cycling in Norway in May

Volunteering in Burgundy

My motorcycle, with Val d'Aosta in the background

I can drive anything with wheels :-)

Gardening near Milan

Show all photos

Cutting the grass in Bergamo

One of the 100+ photos that I took on a Workaway project for their website

Always happy when there's a piano nearby!

Teaching English to a group of French adults

Feedback

15/02/2018

Left by host (Help with vegetable garden ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

It's already one year ago that Pieter spent some weeks with us and it was such a pleasant experience! Not only that Pieter liked every kind of job but his whole character is one of being curious for almost everything, I cannot think of something not interesting him. And that's so inspiring for everybody. Yeah, a talent for making pictures for… read more

(Excellent )

05/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help with vegetable garden ...)

My first Workaway experience consisted of two weeks at the Moulin, and I had a really good time there. Gilberthe and Driss made me feel very welcome from the start and they were very nice people to spend time with. The food was really good, and I am certainly going to miss the freshly baked bread in the morning! Since there were not so many guests… read more

(Excellent )

16/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help us with our large garden ...)

I’ve spent a month at Kay and Bernard and I really enjoyed my stay! The place is absolutely amazing and I spent quite some time taking photos of the beautiful large garden. To think that they have created this from scratch is mind blowing! And being in the south of Spain we were even having breakfast in the garden well into November! Kay and… read more

(Excellent )

08/01/2018

Left by host (Help us with our large garden ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

Pieter stayed with us for a month leading up to our Christmas Fair event in December (2017) and he was marvellous. He was the epitome of a perfect volunteer. Not only was he very capable of most things but he did it with good grace and a smile on his face and the few things that were new to him he was only too eager to learn. Pieter, you were… read more

(Excellent )

18/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Pieter)

Dear Pieter, your stay with us was outstanding. Your incredible talent and motivation when it comes to photography is stunning and we consider ourselves very lucky, that you created a lot of wonderful shots in and around our lodge. It was amazing to see how you would try to find new interesting perspectives and compositions, to make the best out… read more

(Excellent )

17/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help at our hostel in remote ...)

I have spent a great two weeks at this place! It was already an adventure just driving up the road all the way up to the lodge itself! There I was greeted by Steffi, Sigi and Rudi, who were all very nice! Work consisted of various tasks, all related to guests staying overnight and having meals of course. So helping out in the kitchen, cleaning… read more

(Excellent )

31/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help out at a B and B in the ...)

I spent two weeks helping Jurgen and Manon preparing for the end of season and I’ve had a great experience! The B&B is beautifully located in the valley between Spittal and Villach, and there’s a great atmosphere at B&B itself. It’s like visiting friends. During the two weeks I have helped with various tasks in the garden and around the house,… read more

(Excellent )

21/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (English immersion program in ...)

My 12th Workaway experience in the last five months and absolutely one of my favourites! Spent one week in July speaking English at the junior camp, and I had such a great time! The students were a lot of fun to talk with, and I really left at the end with the idea that I had contributed something significant to their lives. Very rewarding. The… read more

(Excellent )

12/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Open space for Natural ...)

I've spent a week at Gabriels place and it was a truly unforgettable experience! Gabriel is a very open minded and kind hosts who goes out of his way to make sure that you are feeling comfortable with what you are doing. Also, as many of the others already mentioned, he is a great cook!
Thank you so much for hosting me and for all the new… read more

(Excellent )

09/07/2017

Left by host (Open space for Natural ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

Hey !!
Thanks Pieter for your visit .. your contribution to our place .. (the greppel wil be pieters greppel!! ;-)
I would recommend you any time but this is not the point .. :-)

Wish for you a wonderful journey, lots of fun and interesting moments..
YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!
Gabriel C.

(Excellent )

06/06/2017

Left by host (Help out in our energetic ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

A big thank you Pieter for the great attitude, the laughs and helping us out at the hostel.

Pieter is fun to be with, social, versatile and professional. He was quick in picking up the things he needed to know and I felt totally comfortable leaving the operation of the hostel in his hands. To any other 'employers': you won't regret taking this… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help out in our energetic ...)

I’ve helped at this hostel for two weeks in May and early June, and I couldn’t have wished for a better Workaway experience! As well as an excellent introduction to Albania, where I had never been before. The hostel is very centrally located in the old town, close to all the different points of interest. And there are a lot interesting things to… read more

(Excellent )

23/05/2017

Left by host (Help our association with ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

Avere Pieter mio ospite e' stata una grande esperienza di vita, lui e' un ragazzo che ha molta voglia di apprendere per ampliare il suo bagaglio di comoscenza. Ha lavorato con costanza nel nostro giardino facendo un ottimo lavoro di decespugliamento, ma lui e' in grado di fare molte altre mansioni in giardino. E' molto interessante la sua voglia… read more

(Excellent )

20/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help our association with ...)

I’ve stayed with Anna for almost two weeks, and from the start it was clear that Anna is a great host. She goes out of her way to make you feel comfortable, as she insists that you are her guest. One of the reasons that I had come to Italy was: learning Italian. If you want to learn Italian than this is the place for you. Anna speaks only Italian,… read more

(Excellent )

08/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Pieter)

Thank you Pieter. It was great having you here and you are welcome back anytime. He stayed for only 6 short days but they were busy, fun days. He is an
interesting guy and is interested in everything and wanting to learn. He
worked in my garden, learn't how to play Burracco and Chinese Chequers, and
played my piano beautifully. He was… read more

(Excellent )

08/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help on the land in Sabina, ...)

I've stayed only six days with Pauline and all I can say is: way too short! This place is an absolute piece of paradise situated in the Italian countryside. It's a beautiful charming house with a garden full of plants and flowers, and even a vegetable garden that all need tending. I've helped Pauline with various work outside in the garden and it… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Farmstay and help in Tuscany, ...)

I stayed with Daniela at the Fattoria for the entire month of April and it has been an absolutely fantastic way to experience Tuscany! The farm is located in a beautiful valley close to Florence, and if you have you’re own transport, then places like Bologna, San Marino, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, and Arezzo can all be visited when you have a day off,… read more

(Excellent )

19/03/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Pieter)

Pieter is a very friendly and talented guy. He adapted very well to our family and our children spent a good time with him.
We liked discuss with him about Sweden, look at his beautiful photo and listen him to play piano.
He is a reliable person as well.
We recommend him and would be happy to welcome him again.

(Excellent )

18/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (If you are English mother ...)

I stayed for little under two weeks at this family in February/March, looking after the children in their school holidays, speaking english with them and taking them on bicycle tours in the area. The weather wasn’t always good for outside activities (maybe the best time to visit this area would be in spring/summer), so during the rainy days I also… read more

(Excellent )

18/03/2017

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Be a big brother or sister to ...)

I stayed only for a very short week at Amanda and her family but it was very nice, I really enjoyed my stay! Amanda will do all she can to make you feel at home, make you feel comfortable and to make sure that you eat enough :) The rest of the family is very kind too, I got a chance to practice my Italian with them and I also managed to teach a… read more

(Excellent )

17/03/2017

Left by host (Be a big brother or sister to ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

We were lucky that Pieter stay with us, unfortunately only 5 days !!!
Pieter is polite, friendly and always smiling, the work he has done for us was perfect, it was a pleasure to spend our time with him !!!
We wish him a lot of luck on his journey!

(Excellent )

08/11/2016

Left by host (Help with the animals and ...) for Workawayer (Pieter)

Pieter was a perfect guy to have around. He plays the piano like a god, and drives anything on wheels. (He even flies, not that we used that skill, but it says something about this guys capacity). He started out helping with all kinds of work around the farm, maintenance, driving the tractor, and even riding the horses. Picking up everything he… read more

(Excellent )

13/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Pieter) for host for (Help with the animals and ...)

Where to begin recommending this place? I have been lucky enough to rent a room on this beautifully located farm when the owner decided to become a Workaway host. During my stay of almost five years, I’ve had the opportunity to help around on various occasions, with all sorts of different thing to be done, together with many volunteers, all with… read more

(Excellent )

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