Cristina

United States
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Profile information

Travel information

I am currently

Travelling

Activities i am interested in:

Hiking, walking, bike riding, horseback riding, languages, teaching, tutoring, gardening, farm work, animals, people, children.

My next destination:
France - from Jun 2027 until Aug 2027
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Description

This will be my fifth go on Workaway. The first time was five years ago where I spent a wonderful month in Ireland, county Tipperary, working with John, an equine dentist. Four years ago I also worked with horses in Scotland. The following year I did not participate in Workaway, instead choosing to teach summer school. Two years ago I participated at my third Workaway in Austria, also working with horses. I love the outdoors, travel, meeting new people, and working with my hands, so I am ideally suited for this role.

Now for my fourth time, I was ready to work with horses again in the Alsace region of France when suddenly, my mom was stricken with cancer, and all the responsibilities for her care befell my brother which meant I had to cancel my plans and return. I was so disheartened. She is stable and living in an ALF (assisted-living-facility) which is wonderful because now I can make plans again knowing this time they will not be derailed.

This fourth Workaway took place in Iceland, again concentrating primarily on tending to horses and other animals.

Next year my goal is to complete a Workaway focusing less on animals, and more on people putting to work my skills as a teacher, my ability to speak English and Spanish (some French), and related experiences. I have been teaching teenagers since 1990, primarily specializing in literature, grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, creative writing, and my favorite, journalism.

As a native Spanish speaker----I was born in Cuba and though we moved to the U.S. when I was only five, I grew up in a Spanish-speaking household. In spite of my expertise primarily with teenagers, I do have limited experience with younger children having worked part-time over the years as a tutor.

Before I taught high school, I worked at the college level instructing newly-arrived immigrants to the U.S., focusing on English-language instruction and citizenship.
Interests

Music

DIY & crafts

Drawing & painting

Art & design

Architecture

Water sports

Plant care

Cooking & food

Winter sports

Writing

History

Events & social

Team sports

Photography

Movies & TV

Hiking

Charity work

Pets

Mountain

Gardening

Languages

Fitness

Outdoor activities

Cycling

Books

Animals

Nature

Farming

Culture

Adventure sports
Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
English or Spanish (teaching) French (learning)

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Light gardening

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Being an elderly companion

House & pet sitting

Hospitality/Tourism

Creative DIY projects

Some knowledge of:

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Art Projects

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Able to teach about:

Charity Work

Languages

Teaching

Babysitting and creative play
More details about your skills

Aside from working with horses, I am a teacher by trade having taught English, creative writing, and journalism for many years. I have also tutored students with test-taking skills (verbal only!). I am often asked to read and write as that is my strongest area. Math is definitely not!!!
Age

61
What else ...

I am very physically fit exercising regularly at a boxing, high intensity interval training facility, walking regularly, and occasionally bike riding or kayaking. I love to read, learn, socialize, and meet new people. I regularly listen to podcasts with the topics of history and politics being my favorite. Volunteering is something I have done over the years with my children, who are now grown. One of my adult children has special needs, cerebral palsy, so I am very comfortable around people with special needs. My personality is upbeat and positive as well as energetic.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  no
- Special dietary requirements
  no

Website Safety

Feedback

28 Jul 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us out with daily life ...)

I can't believe that my time here has arrived at its end. I can sincerely say from the moment Halla picked me up at the airport, I felt completely welcomed. This was a true cultural exchange in that Halla made it a point to introduce me to her family, friends, culture, food, and language in a seamless, natural, and fun fashion.

Thought there is … read more

(Excellent )

25 Feb 2025

Left by host (Join our farm and help us ...) for Workawayer ()

Cristina stayed with us for a month and she was one of the most loving workawayers we ever had! She helped us in the house, the barn, with our dogs, with all our farmanimals. Cristina is absolutely easygoing, has always a smile in her face, loves to talk and is always up for some fun!

(Excellent )

1 Aug 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our farm and help us ...)

Outstanding experience in Kathi and Alex's home as it was what I was looking for in the sense that I felt immersed in their world. From the beginning, I felt very welcomed in the household. Even though Kathi and Alex have jobs and other responsibilities, they included me and the other Workawayer in their gatherings with friends and family. As such … read more I got to experience watching the Eurocup and a BBQ. One time I went out to dinner with Kathi and Alex to a typical Styrian restaurant. When time permitted, we had meals together which I really appreciated as I enjoy good conversation. I met Kathi and Alex's friends such as Martina, Tina, Sandra, and another Kathi. I also got to meet Kathi's brothers----Michael and Christoph, and Kathi's niece----Huna, and lastly, Kathi's mother, Elisabeth, who was so kind that one day she showed me around the closest city to them, Graz. Kathi knew how much I loved the Sound of Music movie and that I was set to visit Salzburg for a tour, and completely unbidden and unexpected, she gave me this adorable lederhosen and blue and white checked blouse which I proudly wore that day.
Apart from the socializing and fond memories which will stay with me forever, the work day was quite manageable. It could be harder some days than others for on occasion we received new horses, and on occasion, I labored alone. Nonetheless, it never amounted to more than the five hours a day and sometimes less. The heaviest time is in the morning with the cleaning of stables, yard, bringing out the hay, checking the water, and sweeping the barn. The late afternoon is shorter as that involves preparing the feed. All the animals------horses, pigs, sheep, and dogs, are lovely, gentle, and quite manageable. Since there are horses boarding in their barn which do not belong to Kathi or Alex, they often receive visits from their owners which adds to the social possibilities.
One of my additional duties was to take Attila the Hun, Atti for short, to the barn in the morning and late afternoon, as well as take him for a walk. Despite Atti's terrifying name, he is the furthest thing from a Hun-----gentle, curious, and sweet. He was also my roommate for he slept on his own bed in my room keeping me company.
I had a room to myself with a balcony out which I could see the stars at night, here the singing of birds, appreciate a beautiful view of the valley, and feel the cool breeze in the evening, though on some evenings------this is summer after all------it was a bit warm.
The bathroom I shared with a boarder, one other Workawayer, and three friends who were visiting. Though that seems like a lot, it was not for most of the time I only shared the bathroom with their boarder as the visitors and the other Workawayer were only there for part of my stay.
I am very grateful to Kathi, Alex, their family, and friends for providing me the perfect getaway from my regular day-to-day life which is in the tropics, on flat land, spent indoors, no animals, and lots of air conditioning.
The nearby village is accessible by walking, the train station is as well, and Kathi has a bike she is willing to lend should you prefer. I tried the bike which was fine except, I warn you, this is very hilly terrain. Going downhill and on flat surfaces is fantastic, but when you return to their home it is uphill all the way.
Kathi and Alex made plans to hopefully (fingers crossed) visit me in Miami someday so I can return their hospitality.
For those of you traveling as I did from the U.S., you would fly into Vienna and then take the train into Graz. If you buy your train tickets in the U.S. ahead of time, I found them to be a bit expensive, whereas buying them when you are already here I found to be less. The train from Vienna to Graz is about four hours. Download the OBB app for more information.
While here I also traveled to Prague which was a bit of a longer journey---closer to six and sometimes eight hours depending on your train ticket and having to change trains, but well worth it.
Good luck to you, Workawayer, who are reading my feedback, and thank you again, Kathi and Alex, for a wonderful Workaway experience in your welcoming home.

(Excellent )

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