Rita

Italy
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
Finland - from Oct 2023 until Apr 2024
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Description
Born and raised in Milan. I've had various experiences abroad over the past 18 years, including au pair jobs in London, Dublin, Madrid and NYC.
I lived in London from 2012 to 2016, working in Hospitality, Retail and Journalism; after a brief stint in Zagreb for an editorial internship during the summer of 2016, I went back to Milan and worked in Retail and Customer Care until mid-2017, when I left for Australia.
I was in Australia for a year from the beginning of May 2017 until the end of April 2018, mostly working in Hospitality, then went backpacking through SE Asia (I visited Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Nepal) until the end of January 2019, when I went back to Australia for a couple of months, before heading to Japan.
Here, I volunteered at the Nature Resort in Shimanto for nearly four weeks until early May, then participated in another Workaway project near Itoshima for four and a half weeks until mid June.
After travelling around Kyushu for a month, and later South Korea for about two weeks, I went back to Milan at the end of July 2019.
I worked remotely as a freelance proofreader until mid-November 2021, when I left for Canada with a working holiday visa! I lived and worked in Revelstoke, BC, for 6 months then volunteered and travelled my way around Canada from mid-May to mid-November 2022, joining diverse projects but mostly helping with housekeeping.
After a few months in Italy, I lived and worked at a glamping in West Norway from the end of May until mid-September 2023.
I lived and worked in Rovaniemi, Finland, as a receptionist at a local resort from mid-October 2023 until the end of March 2024.
Next? Hopefully, Greece!
Interests
Pets
Carpentry
Writing
Vegetarian or vegan
Van life
Photography
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Movies & TV
Languages
Hiking
Gardening
Farming
Events & social
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Culture
Cooking & food
Camping

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Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Teaching
Able to teach about:
Languages
More details about your skills
Multilingual: Italian mother tongue with fluent English, good French and Spanish
English tutor, writer, proofreader and translator
Very organised, precise
Works well under pressure, meets deadlines
Excellent communicator, creative
Proactive, problem-solver, self-motivated
Thrives in vibrant environments with hands-on jobs
Fast-learner and eager to acquire new skills, very curious and inquisitive, willing to try herself and face new challenges
Age
38
What else ...
I have a BA degree in Foreign Languages and Literature (English and French). I possess language certificates such as the FCE, DELF and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). While I was still in Milan after graduating, I studied Japanese for 8 months and I'd like to resume it and practise it next time I go to Japan...because, you bet, I'll visit the country again!

In Milan and in London I took Rock Music History and Music Journalism courses and I participated in a Film Criticism workshop.

In Milan I took kick-boxing lessons for four years and I'm a blue belt. During my time in Melbourne (Australia) and Revelstoke (Canada) I went swimming at least twice a week at the local aquatic centre. I like a good game of badminton when I get the opportunity.

I love pets (my family in Milan has two cats). I had the chance to pet sit during my time in Perth (Western Australia). Furthermore, while in Malaysia in August 2018, I volunteered at an animal shelter in Langkawi, looking after stray dogs and cats for five weeks.

I'm a keen amateur photographer and I like travelling. I enjoy being indoors as much as being outdoors, I like hiking and nature and I like going off the beaten track to explore my surroundings.

I love all things culture (music, cinema, theatre, art, literature etc.). I like meeting new people to have deep, stimulating conversations with them.

I'm determined, hard-working, precise, responsible, focused, driven and independent but I also work well in a team. I'm funny and outgoing, honest, polite and reliable.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian

Feedback

9 Feb 2023

Left by host (Help out with a vintage motel ...) for Workawayer (Rita)

It was a great experience to host Rita ! she was a very positive presence in many ways...very respectfull of others, hard working, showing leadership by exemple. she will be forever welcome to come back as a friend or as a worker. I can say that she brought maturity to the group with her work ethic and her positive attitude . Thanks a lot for… read more

(Excellent )

1 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (Help out with a vintage motel ...)

Oh my goodness, sorry, this is long overdue! Where to start from? I'd gotten in touch with François way before even getting to Québec, and we both agreed I would be volunteering at his motel during the month of September long in advance. When the time came, I went with no expectations even though, of course, I had previously read the profile and… read more reviews thoroughly. Well, let me tell you, future Workawayers, that this experience was everything and more than I could ever hope for.

François owns and runs a 13-room vintage motel, and on top of that he has a bicycle/e-bike/scooter rentals and guided tours business which he also operates from the same premises - this man is unstoppable! He's so very busy, and things may feel a little up in the air at times, but he's always bursting with energy, enthusiastic, motivating, generous, knowledgeable, and super-duper funny, so you quickly forget about it! With some organisation, everything is possible. The motel is the perfect gateway to exploring both Île d'Orléans and Québec City.

I spent a month at the motel in September 2022. Every Sunday, a schedule was prepared for the following week, clearly indicating days off. We typically volunteered 5 days a week, 5 hours a day between 9am and 2pm - never longer, sometimes starting or finishing earlier. But, trust me, there's always something to do around there. Rooms have different sizes but mostly the same arrangement, and are easy to tidy up and clean. When we were done with our housekeeping duties, we sometimes did landscaping outside or gave the bikes some TLC (provided the weather was good, which it was most of the time while I was there, luckily!). So we were never bored, but we were never pressured either and François was a fair boss (although the "real" Boss was Antonio haha).

On days off, I would either hop on one of the e-bikes to go exploring Île d'Orléans or reach Québec City, so I got the best of both worlds - I enjoyed the tranquillity of the island and discovered a lot of cute little shops, cafes and farms, but I also liked the hustle and bustle that even a small city like Québec can offer. When I wanted to go to Québec, François would usually drive me to Montmorency Falls in the morning, where I was able to take the 800 bus into town, sometimes taking me even closer to the centre. However, it is advisable to ride a bike instead so you can have complete freedom and not have to rely on public transport (which also doesn't take you all the way back to the motel at the end of the day when François is already home, finally unwinding as he should).

With regard to board, food was never lacking on our table and we ate well. François let us order whatever we wanted - we would make a grocery list online, and he would then go pick things up at the supermarket and bring them over to the loft. Speaking of which... Us Workawayers all lived under the same roof. Sure, there was not much space and very little privacy, but I was lucky to share it with very laid-back, respectful and interesting people, some of whom I now call friends :) We spent most of our time together, talking about our cultural backgrounds, past experiences and future plans, watching movies (though falling asleep without fail soon after, lol)...

What else can I say? Mon seul regret c'est de ne pas avoir voulu practiquer mon français parce que j'étais trop timide! François, merci beaucoup pour tout... Et qui sait, peut-être on se rencontrera encore tôt ou tard si je suis la bienvenue!

(Excellent )

12 Jan 2023

Left by host (Create nice memories and ...) for Workawayer (Rita)

Thank you so much Rita for your detailed comments. It was really nice to have you here and share moments with you. I hope that you will be back some day. I wish you the best , and also happy new year :)

(Excellent )

2 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (Create nice memories and ...)

A little late, but better late than never!

I'd been chasing this place for two years. This was THE place I absolutely wanted to go to while in Canada, whether as a worker or a WOOFer I did not care - I just knew I had to go... and I'm so glad I finally did! I spent four weeks there in October 2022 and I had a wonderful time.

First of all, I did… read more not have it in mind when deciding the time frame, but once I got there I realised I went at the perfect time to see the foliage in all its glory. Words cannot possibly describe the magic that the leaves' vivid colours created. I often spent my days off wandering around (I became known as the crazy girl who likes to go on 20 km-walks for fun haha) and landscapes were glorious left and right.

Secondly, tasks were never strenuous. We would work five days a week from 10am until 4pm each day with a one-hour lunch break, mostly doing housekeeping but really lending a hand wherever needed, so duties were also varied and never boring. And the whole resort truly epitomises the glamping style which Simon and Jon advocate - eco-friendly and minimalistic yet stylish. The two brothers were away during the first two weeks I spent there, but then I had the chance to meet them both and I enjoyed listening to their stories as they welcomed us to their place once a week for a delicious, hearty meal. Simon and Jon would invite us over dinner but it was always so much more than that, as they are caring, interesting and entertaining hosts.
I also appreciated Sarah's and Julie's constant efforts to make us feel at ease and for creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere, providing an authentic sense of community that was integral to the success of my experience there. Everybody also encouraged me to speak French and never judged me when I made a mistake, so I am thankful for this opportunity to practice the language!

Last, but not least, I am grateful for the people who shared this adventure with me. While it wasn't always easy to get along with everyone all the time, I sincerely took pleasure in spending time with them all. We were constantly busy, and that was a plus for me! There was hardly a dull moment. After work, we were often going to play volleyball at an outdoor court in Saint-Irénée, we would take turns preparing dinner (and we never starved, we were actually sooo spoilt!), and we would watch/sleep through (lol) a movie or use the spa before going to bed nearly every day. Basically, we became a little family :)

I look back on my time at Repère with nostalgia, and I hope to be able to go back one day.
Merci beaucoup à tous, on se reverra tôt ou tard!

(Excellent )

1 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (We are looking for friendly ...)

First off, I wish to apologise for taking so long to provide my feedback, but now that I finally have some time I really want to leave a few lines about my experience volunteering at the HI St. John's hostel!

I spent a week here at the end of August/beginning of September 2022. I had been volunteering at the sister hostel in Bonavista but wanted… read more

(Excellent )

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Friends

Photos

Pet and house sitting in Perth, Australia - August 2017

Volunteering at the LASSie shelter in Langkawi, Malaysia (July-August 2018)

Painting the cottages' toilets at the Nature Resort in Shimanto (Kochi Prefecture, Japan - April 2019)

Housekeeping at the Nature Resort in Shimanto (Kochi Prefecture, Japan - April 2019)

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Volunteering in Imuta, Itoshima (Japan), helping to create a 'Garden of Five Continents' (May/June 2019)

Feedback

9 Feb 2023

Left by host (Help out with a vintage motel ...) for Workawayer (Rita)

(Excellent )

1 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (Help out with a vintage motel ...)

(Excellent )

12 Jan 2023

Left by host (Create nice memories and ...) for Workawayer (Rita)

(Excellent )

2 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (Create nice memories and ...)

(Excellent )

1 Dec 2022

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (We are looking for friendly ...)

(Excellent )

20 Jun 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Rita)

Rita stayed with us for about six weeks and it was great to have her here. Rita worked hard and attempted to do many things that she had not done before, which she did well, and although some of the really heavy work was difficult for her she always did her best and wasn't afraid of a challenge. Rita is friendly, easy to get on with and to talk… read more

(Excellent )

14 Jun 2019

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (Help create and maintain a ...)

I left Imuta (Itoshima) a couple of days ago after spending 4 and a half weeks volunteering there and truth is I could have easily stayed longer! I'm already thinking of returning at some point in the future!!

The whole experience was absolutely positive. We only worked from 7am to 1pm (with an hour break between 9am and 10am for breakfast, and… read more

(Excellent )

16 Jun 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Rita)

Rita!
Thank you very much for your review!

Your leadership & organization helped a lot, as well as your smile ^^
I'm glad you enjoyed your time at the resort, and I hope to meet you again!
Take care

(Excellent )

14 Jun 2019

Left by Workawayer (Rita) for host (Resort at Shimanto River, the ...)

Sorry for posting this so late!

I spent nearly four weeks volunteering here between mid April and mid May 2019 and I had a lovely time there :)

The workload was very reasonable and sometimes the other volunteers and I finished even earlier than expected but, in spite of our own requests to help more, we were never asked to do extra time.

Tasks… read more

(Excellent )

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