Maya

Denmark
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Travel information
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At home
Description
DANISH FORMER MEDICAL STUDENT FROM COPENHAGEN TAKING A BREAK TO EXPERIENCE AND LEARN NEW THINGS

Hi my name is Maya!
I'm 28 yo and I just decided to drop out of my masters in medicine in Copenhagen. It's been a tough decision but also the right one! So right now I'm on a path to find out what I want to do instead. I know I still want to be some kind of healer who helps and treats people, but in a less square and academic way than University. In the search for this I'm very curious to meet new people, learn new things and explore the world.
This past years I've done a lot of soul searching which has led me to many destinations - most recently Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. Here i really got in touch with my spiritual side in Nepal both hiking on my own and doing a 10 day Vipassana, then I had a heartfilling and tough experience volunteering with animals in India and in the end feeling very independent traveling by bike on my own through Sri Lanka.

I love doing a lot of creative stuff, drawing, painting, making clothes etc. I grew up with my parents being musicians, so I have always enjoyed music and creative energy. The things I think I love the most in this world is traveling, food, animals and my family (a little cliché i know). My family and my dog Luna means the whole world to me! I'm so lucky to have traveled to so many places around the globe already, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people and eating new kinds of food is just the most joyful things I know.

In general i love being social and meeting people, but I also love being alone in my own company. I like peace and quite and just being present in the now and enjoying the small things. I have always enjoyed living in a big city, but as i have gotten older I feel more and more connected to nature and don't see my self living in Copenhagen for the rest of my life.

I have tried Workaway twice in Turkey working at a dog sanctuary, which is the most amazing experience. Working with animals is a big passion of mine that I would love to expand! Besides Turkey I've also volunteered with the locals helping street dogs in India and I've helped at farm for a week in Nepal.
Interests
Plant care
Sustainability
Mountain
Yoga / Wellness
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Pets
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Culture
Charity work
Cooking & food
Books
Beach
Art & design
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
Danish: Fluent
English: Fluent
Hebrew: Beginner
More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Art Projects
Able to teach about:
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Animal Care
More details about your skills
I have a lot of different work experiences:
- animal care (mostly dogs)
- farm work
- children, nursery and kindergarten
- café and bars
- cooking
- medical research projects
- student jobs at different doctors

I would describe my self as a vigorous person who gets things done and I'm always up for learning new things. I'm really good with my hands when it comes to creative stuff and in general creating and making things. I'm also really good at making food, and i love making it for other people.
I'm also really good at talking to people and I have a lot of different experiences with that through all my versatile job experiences. Especially through my student jobs during medical school has made me grow a lot. Helping people who are feeling sick and need help made me become stronger and more empathetic. Helping through your knowledge and skills is really rewarding.
Age
29
What else ...
I love swimming in the ocean, in a lake, in a pool - you name it (i wanted to be a mermaid when I was little). Unfortunately the weather in Denmark makes it very cold to go swimming outside most of the year. But being close to water makes my everyday life better.

My FAVORITE place on earth is the Sinai desert in Egypt close to the border of Israel. I love the place because of the calmness, not worrying about having wifi, what time it is and in general the outside world. It is the ultimate bliss!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  vegetarian

Feedback

22 Nov 2022

Left by Workawayer (Maya) for host (Help us with the children, ...)

I spent 4 days with Tanka, Asmita and their son Ankit. I was warmly welcomed in to their home and they made you feel like a part of the farm very quickly. We ate dinner together every night and had some very nice times. There is a really nice river just by, where you can go to take a swim and shower. If you want to experience the countryside of… read more

(Excellent )

3 Nov 2021

Left by Workawayer (Maya) for host (Help us at our street dog ...)

I don’t even know how to begin writing this… I had the most amazing stay, more than I could ever have wished for! When I read the Workaway profile something about it felt like this was the place I needed to go and I’m so happy I did. I stayed for 2 months and I wish I could’ve stayed much longer. I felt more like the dogs and people became my… read more extended family and I felt so at home.

I was welcomed by Sara with open arms and she was the most amazing host. She was there both to have a laugh with and also to talk about more serious things. Sara is so open, warm and lovely to be around and she makes you feel like you’re not a guest in the house but more like a part of it. Her cooking is amazing and I enjoyed making food together with her or just keeping her company in the kitchen while she was making some of her delicious vegan meals. Sara is such an inspiring woman, I admire her drive, courage and positive energy towards everything and her deep love for all animals. You don’t meet a spirit like hers every day.

Mike is really doing some of the heavy lifting in the sanctuary being the person who gets all the dogs to their forever homes. Although being on the road through Europe day in and day out and then coming back to the sanctuary to stay for a week or so, where he then fixes everything that needs fixing and helps around wherever it’s needed, he never complaints! It is so admirable how driven he is, and it really shows how much he loves all of the dogs. You can really feel the difference when Mike is away and when he’s home. He really lightens up the sanctuary with his always positive energy and he makes everyone feel so comfortable and welcome. He is like the steady anchor of the sanctuary and such a big and important part of it.

Sam and Joe are the ones you get to work closely with while you’re staying. They have so much kindness in them and I feel so lucky to have met both of them! They really made an effort to get to know me and make me feel at home. Coming as a new volunteer you can feel very confused and a bit awkward in the beginning, but Sam and Joe really make an effort to help you get into the rhythm and are happy to explain the same thing over and over again without getting the slightest bit inpatient haha. I admire how they keep a positive mindset and make time to give love to ALL the dogs, never putting themselves first. I miss seeing them every day and working with them as well it was such a joy! They don’t put any pressure on you to do what isn’t comfortable for you or ask you to do more than required, but seeing how much of themselves they give to the dogs everyday makes you want to do the same.

And last but not least the around 110 doggies of course need to be mentioned. I don’t know how to put into words how much the dogs gave me, I fell in love with each and every one of them. All of them have a story, a personality, a certain bark, special places they like to be scratched, likes and dislikes - they’re not “just” dogs they are just as much a person as any human being, but opposite to humans their love is so unconditional and pure. Being around so many dogs just made my love for dogs grow even stronger and I figured out I love being around animals much more than humans haha. My heart breaks just from writing this because I miss all of them so much, and if I could jump on the next plain to Turkey just to see all of the doggies again right now I would.

When I came to the sanctuary, I didn’t really know how it would be, but it exceeded my expectations in every way possible! The warmth, kindness and love I received from both Sara, Mike, Joe, Sam and of course all of the dogs made me feel like I wanted to give so much to the sanctuary, and I feel that I got so much in return as well. I can’t even put into words how thankful I am and I’m already looking forward to coming back and seeing everyone again!!!   

And a couple of tips when you go: bring A LOT of clothes that can get dirty and ruined, more than you would think. Don’t bring anything white that you like, because you won’t be able to wear it anyways haha. Don’t count on bringing home the shoes you’re planning to work in. When you get introduced to the dogs for the first time it’s a good idea to wear something that covers your arms and chest a bit, that will make the chances of getting a lot of scratches smaller. Be patient with the dogs that are a bit frightened and may seem scary in the beginning, they just need a bit of time and you will get as close to them as everyone else.

(Excellent )

29 Oct 2021

Left by host (Help us at our street dog ...) for Workawayer (Maya)

We knew Maya would be different when two of our wariest dogs straight away loved her — I'm talking dogs who usually spend days only barking or running away from new people, just jumping up on her for a cuddle first time they see her.

Since the beginning she wanted to fully understand the rhythm of the sanctuary, not only of what we asked her but… read more

(Excellent )

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