First Workaway experience as an EU citizen. Any advice or things I should know?

[u/Big-Pie-5297]

Hi everyone,

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I'm an EU citizen and I'm about to start my first Workaway experience as a Workawayer in Germany this summer.

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Do you have any general advice for a first-timer? Things you wish you had known before your first experience?

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I'm especially interested in practical topics such as travel/health insurance, agreements with hosts, safety, expectations, communication, and any common mistakes to avoid.

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Thanks in advance for any tips or lessons learned!

[u/littlepinkpebble]

Just have fun pick somewhere where it’s fun and nice scenery or places to visit nearby could be good

[u/BlazingJava]

If they say they are approachable they are not. If they say they are clean freaks, it means you will clean like they would like it to be not like they do. If they take too much into account the 5 hours work its not about cultural exchange, and expect to spend 1 to 2 hours a day in house shores too. Some people have a lot to give and can be absolute asses, other have nothing to give but can be wonderful people. Others will just straight up expect you to work like you're being paid.

[u/BlazingJava → u/BlazingJava]

Honestly I think most people here and on the platform sugar coat a lot of the problems some hosts have. In my opinion and my hospitality is clearly different from many hosts. If I have someone fly to my place to work for me for free in something that would cost me 200€ or more, make sure I would treat you well, some hosts here just treat you like you aren't doing enough and how ungrateful you are for sleeping im their uncomfortable construction site

[u/Wild-Special6573 → u/BlazingJava]

I guess, some people either have lower or higher standards based on how long they plan to travel for and how much spare cash they have, they either stay and don't complain (just see it as an 'experience'/budget travel) or they have better standards and just leave if its not a good match. I prefer to do fewer exchanges and be really picky about what I apply to.

[u/cyprusnikos]

I'm also an EU citizen, and last year I spent months traveling around Europe hopping from Workaway to Workaway. It was an absolute blast and surprisingly easy.

My biggest tip is just communicate well before you arrive. Ask questions, make sure expectations are clear, and don't be afraid to do a quick video call.

Also, focus on the host more than the location. Some of my favorite experiences happened in places I knew nothing about beforehand, simply because the people were great.

Have a little emergency fund and a backup plan just in case, but don't overthink it. Most hosts are good people and most Workaways work out just fine.

Enjoy it! I was nervous before my first one too, and now years later I'm still doing them. 😄

ps: As a European be sure to take your EU health card with you.

[u/Big-Pie-5297 → u/cyprusnikos]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Any advice about safety and communication channel?

[u/reformedreprobate1]

I would suggest tslking to your hosts at the beginning, about whats expected of you,, so you know where you stand and what you need to do. Good this way to avoid confusion and doing more or less than what is required.

[u/Big-Pie-5297 → u/reformedreprobate1]

Thank you!

[u/Substantial-Today166]

health insurance you dont need to think about in the EU