Xavier

Belgium
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Profile information

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Travel information

I am currently

Travelling
Description

Hi there! I’m Xavier, 25 years old, and a Belgian currently taking a well-deserved "pause" after finishing my Civil Engineering studies. My mission? A full sabbatical year dedicated to traveling, discovering new cultures, and connecting with people.

What makes me happy? It’s pretty simple:

Cooking : I love preparing delicious meals and diving into local cultures. Exploring new flavors, learning new techniques, and sharing the fruits of my labor.
Nature and serenity: While I love action (hiking, water sports,...), I equally value moments of calm. Taking the time to relax, recharge, and simply enjoy a beautiful landscape is just as important to me as the adventure itself.
Connecting with people: My happiness comes from genuine conversations, laughter, and sharing daily life with new friends.
Music, my constant companion: Whether it’s in the car, around a campfire, on a vinyl record, or live at a concert, music is part of my daily rhythm. It sets the tone for my days and enhances my moments of relaxation.
Nature and hands-on work: I grew up in the countryside, so nature is like my second home. I really enjoy manual work, whether it’s gardening, trimming hedges, or cutting wood. I might not be a master craftsman, but I’m eager to learn, I put my all into tasks, and I love seeing the tangible results.
Languages

Languages spoken
French: Fluent
English: Beginner

More details about my language interests
Language: I can get by in English: I'm able to hold conversations and communicate with people, but my vocabulary is still limited. One of my goals for this year is to use this opportunity to improve my practice and become more fluent by living with you.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Animal Care

Some knowledge of:

Creative DIY projects

Light maintenance

Helping around the house

Able to teach about:

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Teaching

Languages
More details about your skills

Work & Nature:
For the last 6 years, I’ve lived in an intellectual world: I was a Civil Engineering student, spending my time on plans and calculations. But that doesn’t stop me from knowing how to use my hands. I grew up in the countryside, and my father, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, taught me to handle tools from a young age.
To be specific: I know how to maintain a garden (mowing, trimming hedges, weeding), cut wood, manage a forest, and carry out renovation work (we actually renovated a cabin together). I’m not a professional tradesman, but I have the basics to get many things done. I know the tools, I understand physical labor, and I’m ready to get my hands dirty in the earth or the wood whenever necessary.

Cooking & House:
I know how to cook and take care of a house. Cleaning and organizing are part of my routine.

Animals:
I’m more comfortable with dogs and cats than with farm animals. For the latter, I’m ready to learn.

In short: I won’t know everything instantly, but I’m willing, I get the job done, and I’m here to work seriously.
Age

25
What else ...

Smoking: I am a smoker, but only very occasionally (mostly when having a drink or at social events). I can easily go without smoking during your stay, and I never smoke inside the house. No problem adapting to your rules!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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2 Oct 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Spend some time in nature ...)

This was my first Workaway experience, and I really couldn’t have asked for a better one. Karen, Ryan and the whole family made me feel so welcome, and I felt comfortable with them from the very beginning.

I was also lucky enough to be there at the same time as two other girls. We got along really well, and that made the experience even more … read more enjoyable. That’s also why I sometimes talk about “we” in this review, since we shared quite a lot of this experience together.

Karen very quickly introduced us to the community of Roberts Creek. She introduced us to lots of people, showed us some of the nicest places around, and regularly took us along to different activities. I never really felt like just a Workawayer passing through, but rather like I was part of their everyday life.

When it came to the work, I mainly worked with Ryan on outdoor projects. This included mowing the lawn, building a fence, cutting wood, etc. It was really nice working with him. He knows a lot about pretty much everything, always takes the time to explain things, and most importantly, he never works under pressure. We just take things calmly and at his own pace, which makes the work much more enjoyable.

I also really enjoyed all the time spent with the family. Whether it was playing badminton or Monopoly with Penny, which I always won haha, spending time with Rosy and Rubi, who I sometimes miss, or simply having dinner together in the evening. It’s really these little moments that made the experience feel like much more than just an exchange of work for accommodation.

Roberts Creek is also quite an incredible place. There is a really strong sense of community, and we quickly got to experience it. For example, we were invited to watch the World Cup matches at a retired couple’s house. They had set up their garage so that people could come and watch the games together. The first time I went there, I didn’t know anyone at all, and yet everyone welcomed us straight away. I found it pretty amazing to see how well people know each other and how much they help one another in the community.

Karen and Ryan’s home is also a really lovely place. They have a beautiful garden full of flowers, plants and trees. It’s a very peaceful and cosy place where you quickly feel at home. And then there’s the beach just a few minutes away on foot, with beautiful sunsets almost every evening during the summer. They’ve really created a very special place for themselves there.

I also really want to thank them for all the help they gave me with the next part of my trip. My plan at first was to stay with them for two weeks as a Workawayer and then leave for a road trip with a car.

I had quite a few difficulties finding a car, first trying to buy one and then eventually deciding to rent one. Karen never hesitated to help me: she looked at listings with me, gave me her advice and even came to see a car I was considering buying because I didn’t know much about cars and was quite stressed about it. They also lent me some equipment for my trip, which was a great help.

They obviously didn’t have to do any of this, but they did it simply because they wanted to help me, and I’m really grateful to them for that. I know my road trip would not have been the same without them.

And even after I left, they were still there for me. During my road trip, they regularly checked in to see how I was doing. I also asked them if I could come back and stay with them for a few days to say hello because I was feeling a bit down, and they immediately said yes. It was really nice to be able to come back and see the family again after travelling.

I could probably write a lot more about this experience, but I think I’ve already said quite a lot. Karen and Ryan are truly exceptional people, and I feel very lucky to have met them for my first Workaway experience.

Thank you again to both of you for your warm welcome, your help, your generosity and all the great moments we shared. I’m leaving with so many great memories, and I really hope I’ll have the chance to see you again one day!

(Excellent )

24 Sep 2026

Left by host (Spend some time in nature ...) for Workawayer ()

Xavier stayed with us for the summer and was an absolute pleasure to have in our home. He was friendly, kind, thoughtful, funny, and just an all-around nice person to have around. He happily joined us out and about in the community and became a part of our family’s summer adventures. Around the home, he was very helpful with outdoor work, … read more

(Excellent )