Maksym

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I can offer hands-on help with gardening, DIY/renovation, and animal care. Also happy to assist with youth/teenager projects (pedagogy background) or give digital/tech advice (IT background).

Description

Hello Workawayers! My name is Max. I am 41 years old originally from Ukraine.

Right now I am in a period of transition leaving the old behind while actively building the new. I am giving myself the time and opportunity to try things I haven’t done before as well as searching for a place where my family and I can finally drop anchor.

For me, Workaway is a wonderful platform to experience new ways of connecting, see how other people live, share my skills and experience, and learn something new. A month ago I had my very first Workaway experience, and it was truly amazing.

Further down some reflections to present myself ;)

Grew up in a house with a garden, and until 25, I used to help my parents with yard work and gardening. Back then, I wasn't really into it saw it more as an annoying chore that distracted me from real passions like books, music, and computers. It’s been over 15 years since I left my parents home to live in urban apartments. Occasional one or two week visits to my parents or my wife’s family were always enough to get my fix of garden life and that slow-paced, authentic lifestyle.

However, over the last few years, something has been shifting. Perhaps as we grow older and a bit wiser 🙂. The constant need for city buzz is fading, replaced by a growing desire for peace, nature, and natural rhythms. On top of that, I really want my 6 year old daughter to be more connected to nature, animals, and plants. Having that in own childhood, but see how little of it she has now . Who knows, maybe this is the direction we'll want to take in the future.

How can I contribute

I’m pretty sure my skills with a shovel and basic gardening haven't gone anywhere. These days, I actually enjoy it much more than I did as a kid (mostly because back then, it felt like an obligation). As a young man, I also worked part-time with my father in construction, doing roofing. I genuinely loved that job. I have a decent relationship with a power grinder, a rotary hammer, and a hammer. We aren’t best friends, let’s say we’re good acquaintances keeping the door open for a closer friendship 😋 . Unfortunately, I can't do intense, heavy physical labor every single day. I have chronic pancreatitis, and my pancreas doesn't react well to extreme overexertion. Over the last few years kinda learned to tune in to its needs.

Other than that, I’m generally a good playmaker and can help around the house with various tasks. Get along great with animals and kids. Love kids energy (which some sometimes out of borders:) and know what parenting is like first-hand, not just in theory.

For the past 12 years, I’ve been working in IT and know the field inside out. So, if you ever need technical support or help in this area, I can certainly be of use.

Despite spending most of professional life in IT, I’m a big enthusiast of psychology and Gestalt psychotherapy. Hold a degree as an educational psychologist and even worked as a school counselor for a while. Studied Gestalt therapy for a long time before taking a break, but now looking to complete training, get certified, and start practicing as a Gestalt therapist. Also have extensive personal experience in both individual and group therapy. So happy to share the knowledge and insights gained over these years of learning and practice.

Living in native city often hosted foreigners through Couchsurfing, and traveled and lived as a guest in different corners of Europe. Understand this vibe, and will be glad to meet the Workaway community! 🙂

Interests

Events & social

Self development

Politics / Social justice

Culture

Farming

Plant care

Music

History

DIY & crafts

Books

Art & design

Photography

Languages

Gardening

Cooking & food

Animals

Performing arts

Writing

Hitchhiking

Drawing & painting

Team sports

Nature

Camping

Mountain

Dancing

Beach

Water sports

Outdoor activities

Hiking

Cycling

Languages

Languages spoken
Russian: Fluent
Ukrainian: Fluent
English: Intermediate
Polish: Intermediate

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:  

Art Projects

Eco Projects

Light gardening

Creative DIY projects

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

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Some knowledge of:  

Languages

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Able to teach about:  

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

Here is how I can contribute to your project or home:
Hands-on & Nature: I am eager to help with daily household chores, light renovation, DIY projects, gardening, and taking care of animals. It’s a perfect way for me to ground myself away from the screens.

Family, Kids & Teenagers: I have a university degree in Pedagogy and Psychology. Years ago, I co-organized youth summer camps and worked closely with teenagers. On a personal note, I am a father to a 6 year-old daughter, so I have plenty of daily experience interacting with younger children, too. I would love to be part of family, educational, or cultural initiatives.

Art & Creativity: I have a deep appreciation for art, music, and creativity in all its forms. It would be amazing to become part of a creative environment, assist with artistic projects, or contribute to any cultural and local initiatives you might be running.

Digital Consulting: While I’m seeking offline balance, I'm happy to share my long-term IT experience. If you have a website, a local business, or a digital project that needs a technical perspective, I can provide practical advice and consulting.

Age

42

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements