Daily life and cultural exchange in Koh Samui, Thailand

Infos

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  Description

  Help us take care of the house and our pets (2 dogs and 3 cats) 🏡🐶🐶🐱🐱🐱.
  
  Important update — We are moving to Thailand the beg. of April 2026! We are no longer accepting work-away applications for our beautiful home in Aschbacherhof, Germany. We will continue hosting in our new home in Koh Samui, Thailand, starting from May 2026 onward.
  
  We are very excited about this new chapter and will update the profile with new photos soon. In our new home, Workawayers will still have a private bedroom, access to a shared bathroom, and use of our saltwater pool. The house is located in the peaceful area of Maenam, about a 15-minute drive from the beach.
  
  Our animals are of course coming with us, so the main tasks will stay similar — helping around the house, caring for the pets, and daily life support. The exact setup will be slightly different at first while we settle in, but we are looking forward to continuing the same friendly, relaxed hosting style we have had in Germany.
  
  Hey everyone!
  
  I (she/her) am a 34-year-old bi-lingual German and American who has five pets. Since 2022 we have been hosting Workawayers and it has been a really positive experience for us, which is why we plan to continue hosting after our move to Thailand. We mostly need help with daily housekeeping, cooking / meal prep, animal care (dog walks, feeding, brushing), small errands, and sometimes gardening or small DIY / creative projects. The workload is usually well under 20 hours per week, but we appreciate people who are reliable, careful, and pay attention to detail. Food is included.
  
  Next, let me introduce you to your would-be housemates / my mini "zoo":
  
  🐶 Milo Thatch Mars (aka Milo) is a five-year-old Australian Shepherd and was meant to be my service dog, though he really just acts like a normal dog most of the time (one who has been trained to help me when needed - although lately he has been really stubborn - we are working on it lol). He's an energetic, sometimes crazy, smart, sweet, loving doggo ❤️ You definitely shouldn't be expecting a calm or timid dog though and should be comfortable with a playful, talkative (barkative? lol), and happy dog. Recently we have had some reactivity issues on walks where he might bark and pull and we are working on it as it seems to be protection-based reactivity (he's a pandemic puppy so socialization has been hard) but it's also very random - you can take 9 walks where he's a perfect Angel and then on the 10th he'll suddenly bark and try to jump at a random passer by / horse / bike / etc. I hope this won't scare you away though because as anyone who knows him will tell you he is such a sweetie pie - sadly these reactivity issues mean he doesn't do much work a service dog anymore, but he will always be our beloved, mischievous, handsome boy anyway... and he has gotten calmer in the last year! So who knows maybe one day he'll remember all his training and stop acting like a silly goose - maybe not - we love him either way... Still, if you are afraid of dogs I don't think this is the right house for you. Benny, the beautiful beige pug that you can see next to Milo in some photos was my 13-year-old boy, who sadly passed away at the end of July 2023… ❤️
  
  🐶Mojito B. Franz (aka Mojito, Mojito Burrito, or Hito), our 4-year-old little black pug, who we unexpectedly adopted in September 2023 from a rescue here in Germany (Mops In Not) - is a healthy, rambunctious little guy. Shy at first but really sweet once he warms up to you (though a bit of a momma's boy), he's got his own little quirks (he barks too much at random noises >.< especially when we watch TV and can sometimes bark at people or dogs or horses etc. on walks but he's VERY food motivated and sweet overall). It has been great getting to know him and having him become a part of our little family. He is Milo's affectionate and sometimes annoying (Milo's words - not mine lol) brother - they play with each other and sometimes cuddle too. He is totally "verfressen" - he loves food, I mean really loves it, and also acts like he is starving even if he just ate - which is a very normal thing for a pug haha (he also tries to steal food so we have to be vigilant - can't leave anything unattended). He walks great off leash though and is the cutest little snoozy boy for most of the day.
  
  🐱🐱🐱Then there are the spice cats - Cinnamon, Pumpkin, and Nutmeg, rescued together about five years ago, these orange Persians came from a hoarding situation. They are still quite shy having been through such a terrible situation so it takes a while for them to warm up to people - well, at least it takes the girls Nutmeg and Pumpkin a while - Mr. Cinnamon can be a bit more adventurous/feisty. I may occasionally need some help grooming them as they can be a bit tough to catch/hold on to. They love their morning and evening treats, and we plan on setting up a catio for them at the new house - they will not be allowed outside unsupervised.
  
  One of the main reasons for the move into this house with my mom is my health. I am disabled and had been struggling a bit to live on my own. I have limited energy on a daily basis and I'd like to be able to spend that energy on things that bring me joy rather than burning out trying to keep the house clean/everyone fed, so that is a big reason why we'd love some help. I do not need any help with personal care or anything like that, just around the house, in the yard, and with the animals. My mom will not be living at the house in Thailand full time yet - she will be visiting and plans on moving in about 6 months time.
  
  I want to say that my house is LGBTQ+ friendly, I believe in BLM, and a Free Palestine/Congo/Sudan. I am fully vaccinated, as is my mother. I am also immune-compromised so we expect you to be fully vaccinated and safe (regardless of what regulations are in place - please if you can help it don’t come here contagiously sick as I will catch it and have a hard time fighting it - if it can’t be helped because stuff happens when you travel then just let us know in advance so we can set you up upstairs in a sort of cozy quarantine away from me until you’re better 💖🙏 we’ll make sure you’re safe and taken care of and I am too). We are tolerant of all religions and expect those who visit to be the same. Basically the only thing we don't tolerate is intolerance - its a paradox I know :) I care about equality, human rights, and freedom, and want this to be a safe space. We can always learn more about the world and different people / beliefs :) Open and honest communication is important to me - I'd rather try and over-communicate something (if you can't tell by my profile lol) than under-communicate and I don't believe in "beating around the bush" It's better to be direct than be misunderstood (though we always strive to be kind in this house and also believe in the rule of treating others how you wish to be treated).
  
  There are a few house rules, always be kind and respectful to all, including the animals - we do not do negative reinforcement in this house (but we do set boundaries and sometimes yelling is the only way to stop mojito from stealing someone else’s snack 😂). My animals are my world, if you mistreat them in any way you will be asked to leave though I'm sure this won't be an issue :D Parties are also not allowed in the house (small gatherings or guests are fine *if* discussed beforehand), and neither is excessive drinking. I feel I shouldn't have to say it but illegal drugs are not allowed either and will not be tolerated... that includes weed (in general be smart and respectful when traveling in Thailand). In general, we do expect you to be mostly sober, on most days (I mean you can go out and party on your days off just be respectful of the house / your housemates / the animals, etc). Smoking cigarettes is only allowed outside, away from the animals (out front in this case) and with any cigarette butts properly disposed of. Littering is not ok ☺️
  
  I am home a lot and prefer to have a quiet/peaceful home. I like to chill in the yard, on the couch, in the kitchen. I don't mind if you chill with me :) There is no set daily schedule here and that includes no set work schedule - we don't usually rush in this house (unless we are late to appointments (adhd time management issues) or someone is coming over lol which does happen now and again but not that frequently, and I think in general we are pretty laid back about things - there is a chores list, usually I mark chores that need to be done, or we just discuss what needs to be done and work things out - basically family life 🏡 we love to end the day with a tv show or movie 🍿
  
  For entertainment in the house we currently share a TV in the living room which has Netflix, Prime, and Disney, along with a PS4 and some games - I enjoy watching TV/movies pretty regularly, reading, writing, and sometimes playing games (card games, board games, tabletop, PC, and PS4). I enjoy theater, LARP, and fantasy/fiction in general. I like hiking when my body lets me. I love to swim and we have a lovely salt water pool at the house! Hmm, what else, I have a BA in Anthropology and a minor in creative writing. Pursuing a Masters in Archaeology ending Feb 2026. I have a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and I am a self-published author of a children's book and a book of poetry and illustration. I have worked as a barista, and in the hospitality industry for a big hotel chain. I've lived in 3 different countries (US, UK, and DE) and Thailand will be my 4th - I've traveled to over 18 (my favorite so far is Thailand but I can't wait to explore more of SEA). I'm happy to share (and sometimes overshare) life stories.
  
  My mother is awesome / very welcoming and kind. She grew up in Germany and married an American (hence my dual citizenship). She enjoys hiking, swimming, and ballooning. She's a pretty good cook (can maybe teach you some German recipes on weekends) but she does work a lot which is why cooking is one of the main tasks here. She can teach you a lot about growing up in Germany / life in Germany and what it was like to be an immigrant in the US. She works as a secretary at a huge construction site but has also worked in the automotive, hospitality, and construction business. She speaks German and English like me.
  
  We'd love to learn more about gardening, foraging (the house is right next to the woods), and cooking (especially about veggie / anti-inflammatory diets).We are still getting to know the area in Koh Samui, but there is a lot to explore here — local markets, beaches, temples, nature, and great food. We enjoy cooking, learning new recipes, and trying different cuisines, and we are always happy to exchange ideas about food, travel, and culture. In terms of food we are a sort of semi-veggie household but we do eat poultry regularly and sometimes fish (no beef or pork). My pups occasionally get meat treats and bones.
  
  We plan to get a car and motorbike eventually but Grab, Uber, and TukTuks are your friends in Thailand.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Montagne

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Randonnée

  

  Histoire

  

  Ferme

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Vie en van

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Films et télé

  

  LGBT+

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Musique

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Photographie

  

  Écriture

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Livres

  

  Astronomie

  

  Art et design

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Plage
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  As mentioned above, I speak English and German, and have dabbled in a few other languages as well. I am a TEFL teacher, author, and researcher (archaeology), and I enjoy cultural exchange, travel stories, and learning about different ways of life.
  
  I’ve lived in the United States, Scotland, and Germany, and have traveled through much of Europe and beyond. We are currently in the process of moving to Koh Samui, Thailand, and will arrive in April. This will be my first time living in Asia, so this is a big adventure for us and we are excited to share that experience with the people who stay with us.
  
  I’m always happy to explore the area together, share travel experiences, cook together, or just spend a relaxed evening talking about life, culture, books, or future plans. Definitely want to learn more about Thai culture and spend lots of time at the beach. Workaway for me is not just about help around the house — it’s about creating a friendly, welcoming environment where everyone feels at home. I like my house to be a sanctuary, a place of peace and relaxation, late night talks, swims, hikes, and movies are all on the table.

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  Aide

  Its mainly house keeping/animal care... here are some examples of the chores:
  
  Daily (ish):
  Walking / playing the dogs
  Dishes (load /unload the dishwasher)
  Tidy the kitchen / living room
  Clean kitchen surfaces as needed
  Preparing dinner most days
  Rinse out / Refresh pet water bowls
  Clean cat litter boxes every other day
  Check cat food bowls are full / clean
  Wash pet food bowls
  Take out trash
  
  Weekly (ish)
  Replace / Wash blankets on the couch (every two ish weeks or as needed)
  Laundry (washing / folding)
  Check plants / Water as needed
  Vacuum and mop floors
  Dusting / Spot cleaning
  Spot clean bathrooms
  Wash / Refresh bedding - as needed / monthly
  Dusting / Spot cleaning windows
  Deep clean oven / Microwave - as needed -
  
  
  - Dog walkies with Milo & Mojito and playing with them.
  
  - Getting to know the cats and giving them treats.
  
  - Help here and there feeding the pets (though I can usually manage this on my own)
  
  - Help with groceries and other errands occasionally
  
  Other things may pop up now and again but that is the basics.
  
  We don't really measure the "time" it takes to do these things but it probably averages to less than 15 hours a week usually.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Allemand: Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Thai: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I speak English and German - I have a TEFL certification and have experience teaching English and tutoring spoken German (not German grammar). I am interested in learning Thai.
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  Hébergement

  Our Workaway room is a comfortable, private room with a double bed. It includes a built-in desk, chair, and closet. The room is located next to a shared toilet. The toilet may be shared with my mother when she is here, or with other guests staying in the second room. It is lockable from both sides for privacy, and it will not always be shared, depending on whether we have other guests at the time.
  
  If my calendar is red - I have no availability - if it is yellow, I may be able to host 1 single person, and if it is green, I may have either one or two rooms available. The house has three rooms in total - the first is mine, the second room is technically my mother's, and the third is for work-away and guests. When my mom is in Germany, her room will be used for family and friends who want to visit, so they get priority access to it, however, if no one is visiting, then I may open it up to work-away folks.
  
  Please feel free to message me and tell me about your self.
  
  I do apologize if we can't host you for any reason and wish you well on your travels!

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  Autres infos...

  Things to do:
  
  beaches nearby (about 10–15 minutes by car depending on which one you go to)
  
  swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving
  
  island trips to places like Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Ang Thong Marine Park
  
  Thai cooking classes
  
  Muay Thai gyms and fitness classes
  
  yoga, wellness, and massage places all over the island
  
  night markets, street food, cafes, and restaurants
  
  waterfalls and jungle walks
  
  boat tours and sunset cruises
  
  temples and cultural sites
  
  shopping areas and malls (Central Samui, Fisherman’s Village, etc.)
  
  ethical elephant sanctuaries - please do not visit any that allow RIDING (BIG NO), or swimming with elephants.
  
  scooter rides around the island (if you are comfortable driving)
  
  pool at the house for relaxing days
  
  just chilling, reading, swimming, and enjoying island life 🌴
  
  Samui is a great mix of nature, beach life, and town life — you can have very quiet days here, but there is always something to do if you want to explore.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Your room has a built in desk - I will update the internet upload/download speeds in April after we move in. In general Thailand has pretty good wifi / mobile data networks.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

  

  The "Spice" Cats - Cinnamon, Pumpkin, and Nutmeg.

  The spice cats come from a hoarding situation - I adopted them in 2020 when they were approximately 3 (Nutmeg), 5 (Cinnamon) and 6 (Pumpkin) years old - they have come a long way but the girls can still be quite shy. Cinnamon is definitely the most adventurous of the bunch and you can certainly win him over with treats!

  

  Mojito B. Franz (4 ans)

  Mojito B. Franz is an old school pug (with a longer snout) who we unexpectedly (in late September 2023), ended up seeing and then adopting from a pug rescue here in Germany (Mops In Not).He is a healthy, rambunctious little guy (and a bit of a momma's boy), he's got his own little quirks (he barks too much at random noises >.<) but it has been wonderful having him around - him and Milo play a lot! He is totally "verfressen" - he loves food, I mean really loves it, and also acts like he is starving even if he just ate - which is a very normal thing for a pug haha (he also tries to steal food so we have to be vigilant).

  

  Milo Thatch Mars (5 ans)

  Milo Thatch Mars (aka Milo) is an Australian Shepherd and was meant to be my service dog, though he really just acts like a normal dog most of the time (one who has been trained to help me when needed - although lately hes been really stubborn - we are working on it lol). He's an energetic, sometimes crazy, smart, sweet, occasionally stubborn, loving doggo ❤️

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