Many people have wondered how I am traveling and finding these places to stay in. My answer in one word: Workaway. I didn’t want to share this post until I had some experience with it under my belt. As I sit in the room I’m staying in for my second workaway, I feel confident that I can share a couple of tips. Though, as with most things as I travel, I am not an expert and still have more experiences to learn from. Without further ado, here’s what I know.
Workaway is a site where you can find places to stay where you volunteer your time in exchange for accommodations. When you register, you do have to pay a fee that gives you a profile for a year. With that you can find people to stay with in the areas you want to visit. What is included in your stay varies from host to host, but you get the chance to contact any host based on what help they’re looking for and where they live.
Likewise, your profile will include certain things hosts from all around can see, and they may contact you if you fit what they’re looking for. From there, you work out the dates, what is expected of you as a workaway, and what you can expect from them as your hosts.
Services wanted range from helping out on a farm to giving English lessons, which is what I did at my first workaway. Workaway is not liable for anything that may go wrong in this exchange. Therefore, you must be cautious and trust your gut in some cases. There is a section where past workawayers leave feedback of their time with that particular host. If you choose to use Workaway, I recommend you read that section for your safety and don’t be afraid to ask any and all of the questions you have. This should be mutually beneficial and should not be an abuse of your free labor.
As a girl, I opted to search for reviews by other girls, especially those traveling alone. When I felt the host was adequate in the safety department, I would send a message saying the dates I was available, a little bit about me and my experience, and asked what was included with my stay. Some hosts only provide a room or just a couch, while others provide a room and food. Some live outside of the city while others live right at the center. Decide what you’re truly looking for and find it. Don’t choose to settle just because you’ve searched for five minutes and nothing has caught your interests.
My experiences
I’ve been abroad for a month and a week. The first 25 days were spent in Alella, a small village about 15 minutes away from the city of Barcelona. I was a workaway for a single working mom with two boys, 7 and 8 years old. My job there was to practice English with them 5 days of the week. In exchange, I got my own room, shared the bathroom with them and the housekeeper, and got all of my meals taken care of, unless I went out to eat. During the week, I had free time until they got home from school. Since they got home late on Friday, I was basically free that day but had to “work” Saturday morning. My duties included reviewing their spelling, reading a book with them, and talking and playing with them afterwards until after dinner. I was done at around 9 most days. I was off the rest of the day on Saturday and all of Sunday.
However, it wasn’t all good. The work was fine and the accommodation was more than enough. But to say the boys were not the most well-behaved would be a very heavy understatement. The mom was sweet but wasn’t around much while I was there. I was told I should expect to feel part of the family, but in reality, I felt like an employee. I ultimately bonded most with the housekeeper, who I treated as a friend and bonded over novelas with.
Eventually, the youngest of the two boys became more welcoming, even sweet at times. One day, he climbed onto my lap to finish his math homework just because.
Despite some insults and unnecessary commentary, I actually learned a great deal from these two little boys and shared good moments with them. Their mom was happy with me when I left and extended the invitation to stay with them in the future if I ever needed another workaday stay.
I like working with kids and this was difficult most of the time. So, if you’re even the least bit turned off by the idea of rugrats, maybe avoid workaways that involve you teaching or caring for little ones. Also, don’t always believe parents’ profiles that say the kids are quiet or very well-behaved. They might not want to admit it or might not even know that their kids are the exact opposite. I took a risk and went with it, despite the mom not having any feedback. Maybe if someone had left a review that the kids were a little more rambunctious than led on, I would have been more prepared. However, I did Skype with her beforehand to ensure she was telling the truth and to go over details.
All in all, I’m happy I got to work with this family. Not only was the location exactly what I wanted (a village close to the city, the beach, and the mountains), but I really did learn a lot about myself.
Now, my second workaway has been completely different from the first. I was sold on this village and host when I read a review that said the workawayer learned to make Tiramisu with her. The family is made up of a single mom as well, with her daughter and a foster daughter. I have cooked and baked with the family. I have eaten various cuisines. I have heard many of the mom’s stories, wide-eyed at her courage and how interesting her life has been and continues to be. And, I have heard of the many characters that make up the small village that is Azille, France.
My job at first was to work on the haunted house, as talked about in my post, Halloween in Azille. After a few days of helping out from post-breakfast to pre-dinner, my host gave me a few days to myself which were used to read, write, and visit the nearby cities with one of her friends.
Since the haunted house, my job has been to help clean up post-Halloween, help pick up wood to burn in the fireplace (sidenote: I broke a nail doing this, so no matter how hard I try, I don’t think I’m cut out for the outdoors), and help wherever I’m needed. We haven’t had a chance to go over the job I’m supposed to be doing (editing the websites she’s made for her businesses).
Sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough, but I think it’s the circumstances. I had never noticed how much running around is involved when you’re the sole caregiver of two, sometimes three, sometimes four, girls. Hats off to those moms and foster moms. In the meantime, I try my best to be helpful and not a disturbance.
At this workaway, I feel more like I’m part of the family. The mom kept warning me that the village is super small, that it’s hard to get out to the nearby cities, that may girls of my age before me had left after days due to boredom. I continuously assured her that a slower pace is exactly what I needed after three years of non-stop, go-go-go, at UT.
Two weeks into it, I am still happy I chose Azille, and that it chose me. Yes, it’s quiet. And the silence can consume you if you let it. Or you can let it relax you. You can let it push you to find your own adventure instead of waiting for adventure to find you. Ask questions. Listen to other people’s stories.
For the first few days, I hadn’t even gone outside of the house because we were so busy preparing for Halloween. But, I met many people from various backgrounds: French locals, an English family, an American who was ready to live in France yesterday. I got to hear their stories and accents and share laughs with them. It’s interesting that you don’t always have to leave the house to see the world. Sometimes the world shows up to your doorstep in the form of different people with different cultures from different walks of life.
Conclusion
I would definitely recommend workaway, but only to people who understand that you’re not just there to visit, you’re there to work. It shouldn’t be an easy way to get free room and board. People will be different from you, so disagreements are likely. Embrace it and figure out how to communicate and solve problems fairly.You might also feel uncomfortable at times. I have because I do feel like I’m intruding sometimes since I don’t actually live there. That is where your work comes in. Do the work, earn your accommodation. But again, neither you nor your host should be or feel like you’re taking advantage of the other. You should get time for yourself, to venture out or relax. Just as your host should get the help they asked for. If you want to be able to be a tourist whenever you want, book a hostel or hotel instead. If you want to learn from families, see their varying cultures and their dynamics, consider workaway.
Just be sure to:
-Be thoughtful and considerate: always remember you are getting free accommodation.
-Be dedicated and honest: if you’re not true to your interests and desires, it’ll be hard to commit to the host you’ve picked.
-Finally, be ready for anything. Just because you do the prep work doesn’t mean it will turn out exactly as you imagine, and that’s okay. You’ll either win some or learn some.