Teresa

Germany
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Reply rate
75.0 %
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Easygoing team player looking for voluntary hospitality work in Panama. Experience in guest management, reception, service & kitchen, strong local knowledge after living one year in Panama.
My next destination:
Panama - from Jan 2026 until Apr 2026
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Description
What truly motivates me is living close to nature and being part of something real and shared. I feel a deep connection to the sea and the forest – sailing, being by the ocean, and spending time in the tropical rainforest give me balance, inspiration, and energy.

I’m an open, empathetic, and easy-going person who enjoys adapting to different environments and people. Traveling with light luggage reflects how I like to move through life: flexible, curious, and present. I consider myself a generalist – comfortable performing different tasks simultaneously, learning quickly, and improvising creatively when situations change.

My creativity, adaptability, and hands-on mindset are strongly shaped by living and working for five years in Argentina and one year in Panama in the past decade. These experiences taught me how to communicate across cultures, stay calm in dynamic situations, and contribute wherever help is needed.

I love speaking Spanish and being immersed in Spanish-speaking cultures. Co-working and exchanging stories are essential parts of how I connect with people. I’m happiest during productive days followed by good conversations, shared food, and moments of calm – whether by the sea, in the forest, or around a table.

For me, Workaway is about trust, mutual respect, and genuine exchange. I’m motivated by being useful, learning through experience, and contributing my energy, empathy, and creativity to a shared project and daily life.
Interests
Events & social
LGBTQ
Politics / Social justice
Sustainability
Charity work
Plant care
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Animals
Writing
Performing arts
Hitchhiking
Drawing & painting
Astronomy
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
Camping
Sailing / Boating
Dancing
Beach
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Beginner
Italian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I’m genuinely passionate about languages and cultural exchange. Speaking Spanish, English, and German fluently has shown me how much language opens doors to people, places, and deeper connections. I enjoy learning languages through daily life, conversations, and shared experiences, and I’m always curious and motivated to pick up new languages along the way.
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Being an elderly companion
Able to teach about:
Languages
More details about your skills
Professional background in project & event management – experience in hosting, coordination, guest care, and smooth daily operations

Versatile generalist with a strong work ethic – able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, learn quickly, and adapt to changing situations

International work & life experience – 5 years living and working in Argentina and 1 year in Panama; comfortable in multicultural, dynamic environments

Languages – fluent in Spanish, English, and German (spoken & written); confident communication with guests, teams, and partners

Sailing experience – practical experience on sailing boats; familiar with onboard routines, teamwork at sea, and life close to the ocean

Water sports enthusiast – enjoys snorkeling, surfing, and diving; confident and comfortable in and around the water

Nature & outdoor-oriented – strong affinity for the sea, forests, and nature-based projects

Guest-oriented mindset – attentive, empathetic, and professional in guest interaction; experienced in creating welcoming and safe spaces

Hands-on & operational skills – general maintenance, physical work, setup & breakdown, and daily operational support

Creative & solution-oriented – strong improvisation skills, especially in live settings, events, and changing situations

Responsible & self-organized – takes initiative, manages responsibilities independently, and follows through reliably

Team player with empathy – easy-going, open, and respectful; integrates smoothly into shared living and working environments

Cooking & communal support – enjoys cooking, helping in the kitchen, and contributing to shared meals

Sport, yoga & body awareness – physically fit; sports and yoga support endurance, focus, and mindful work

Low-maintenance traveler – travels with light luggage; flexible and comfortable with simple living conditions
Age
35
What else ...
I’m passionate about theatre and opera and love being involved in cultural spaces, whether as a visitor or working behind the scenes. I enjoy the atmosphere of festivals and feel comfortable both contributing to their organization and being part of the creative energy they bring.

I’m deeply interested in alternative ways of living, especially self-sufficiency and community-based projects outside of purely capitalist structures. I’m curious about shared resources, collective organization, and learning practical skills that support more independent, sustainable ways of life.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No.
- Special dietary requirements
  No.

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2 Apr 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Lovely hostel welcomes ...)

The hostel in Valle de Anton is just an amazing place with amazing people! I spend one week there as a volunteer organizing activities such as morning yoga, Panamanian dinners, hikes, etc. The hostel staff is overly friendly and sympathetic and will make you feel part of the hostel right away. The workload is super chill with 4h/day 5 days a week.… read more

(Very good)

6 Mar 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Live and share our off-grid ...)

I stayed at this place for about three weeks. The place itself is located in beautiful nature and the surroundings are truly special. It is quite secluded, about 20 minutes from Bocas Town, which can be both a peaceful aspect of the location and something future volunteers should be aware of.

There were also some wonderful people and aspects of… read more the experience that I would like to highlight positively. The guests were generally lovely and it was always nice interacting with them. The dog Vampi was an absolute joy to be around, and Juanita, who prepares the breakfast, was incredibly kind and welcoming. She really made mornings a lovely part of the day.

However, there were several challenges during my stay that future volunteers should be aware of.

The expectations regarding work and responsibilities were significantly higher than what I understand to be the usual Workaway guidelines. The role often involved a high level of responsibility that felt closer to a full job than a volunteer exchange.

Another difficulty was the collaboration with the on-site maintenance staff member. As a female volunteer, I experienced several situations where my privacy was not respected. On multiple occasions he entered my room without prior notice. In addition, agreements regarding guest transfers and work around the house were sometimes intentionally ignored, which made coordination very difficult.

I tried to address these issues through several conversations. My colleague, the manager Richard, and the owner Sara also attempted to resolve the situation, but unfortunately the cooperation did not improve during my stay.

The communication style within the workplace was also challenging. During my stay I witnessed several situations in which staff members were spoken to or shouted at in a disrespectful manner, and I experienced similar situations myself. This atmosphere did not improve even after the owners, who are usually not on site, had left again. Because of the overall situation and working environment, I decided to end my stay one week earlier than originally planned.

It is also important to know that it is still a very new project. During my stay it was the first time the owners were testing whether the property could operate without a manager on site. In practice this created a lot of additional responsibility for volunteers.

There were frequent technical issues with electricity and water. The property relies on solar power and a generator, and we often had to deal with problems with the system, sometimes late at night. It was often necessary to turn the solar system off and on again or run the generator to restore power. Towards the end of my stay there were also situations where water had to be rationed and temporarily turned off for guests due to shortages.

Future volunteers should also be aware that the location is only accessible by boat. Transportation is organized with the house boat, but volunteers are expected to pay for each ride, even when it is done by the on-site maintenance staff using the property’s boat.

Accommodation for volunteers is something that should be clarified in advance. There is not always a dedicated private room for volunteers. When the property is not fully booked, volunteers may sometimes stay in a guest room. However, when the rooms are occupied by guests, the sleeping options for volunteers are very limited.

The alternative sleeping arrangement is a loft-style bed in a small storage/laundry room, which also contains a toilet used by other staff members, so there is very little privacy. Another option that was suggested was sleeping in the living room area with the dogs.

Food arrangements are also something that volunteers should clarify in advance. Breakfast is not included as a prepared meal for volunteers. While it is possible to use some of the breakfast ingredients, volunteers are expected to prepare their own food. In addition, volunteers receive around $50 per week to buy groceries. However, during my stay I had to repeatedly ask for this money, and it was not clearly communicated who would provide it or when it would be given, which sometimes led to delays.

Overall, while the location itself is very beautiful and there are some truly lovely people there, the working conditions, accommodation situation, communication style, and level of responsibility were not what I expected from a Workaway experience. Future volunteers may want to clarify expectations, accommodation, food arrangements, and responsibilities in detail before committing to a stay.

(Neutral)