Workaway at elbēn

In short, Workaway is a platform connecting hosts and volunteers for different types of volunteer work around the world. In exchange for your help, you will receive accommodation and often meals as well. Whether you want to teach English in Nepal, help out at a permaculture farm in Slovenia or work at a hostel in Costa Rica, Workaway has just the project. The stays vary in length as well, so there is definitely something for every taste. 

Experiences!
Workaway mit Daniela

Aber eins ist sicher: die beiden Herzen bleiben zusammen.

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Workaway with Joseph

I've been on the road, from Asia to South America, for 2 and a half years. It's hard to believe sometimes when I say it out loud.

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Simone: It's not goodbye, it's a see you later

But it still hurts. Goodbyes always hurt, and this one with a power of unforeseen strength. Staying in elbēn is dangerous, trust me, because it binds your heart, convinces your brain and addicts your stomach.

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Workaway with Simone

Have you ever heard of manakish? Before reading about elbēn on workaway and later on their website, it was all news to me.

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But Workaway is so much more. Travelling and volunteering might be the foundation of Workaway and might even sound pretty cool as such. But the force of Workaway lies in the synergy between the two. As a workawayer, you not only get the change to discover a new country, culture and language like a regular tourist possibly would. When travelling, you often gain new perspectives of the world or life itself, but with Workaway these perspectives have a dimension of growth, how pretentious it may seem. This synergetic energy field catalyses purpose, learning and development for both parties. Your stay will strengthen these perspectives; you don’t just visit briefly to take a selfie and move on, you emerge yourself in the life of others and in the country. It’s exploring and travelling made purposeful; the exchange transcends its practical perspective. 

 

FAQ

  • Short answer: no, you don’t.

    Speaking German will naturally be a big advantage and ease communication, but it is not as such a requirement. The majority of the team speaks English as well, and (in general) Germans usually don’t have difficulties when it comes to speaking English, so in shops/restaurants etc. you’ll also be just fine. In elbēn there’s room for everyone.

  • Your positive energy! You’ll live in the giant flat, and elbēn even provides you with a bike. When you arrive in Münster, someone from the team will pick you up at the train station and show you all you need to know. The flatmates are always there to help, and the team is always there if your positive energy needs some company.

  • The two workawayers share a room, so if you’re the only workawayer then yes.

    In general, five residents will form the life of the apartment; two workawayers, two from the project and one Munsteranian (a fancy word for an inhabitant in Münster). Furthermore, the guest room will occasionally be used by different people from the project.

  • You decide - in elbēn every diet is possible. Meat, vegetarian, vegan or something in between? You got it. You are always welcome at the bistro for a chat and/or a - delicious - meal, so even potential manakish-addictions won’t be a problem. You are of course also free to cook your own food in the kitchen (there is a well-assorted supermarket nearby) or enjoy the tasty food of Geisler - your Brasilian/Portuguese/German/global citizen chef-roommate. It also occurs that members of the team pop by randomly to cook dinner and have a drink together.

    Münster is also filled with cozy cafés and restaurants for every taste and diet. The possibilities are endless.

  • Whatever you set your mind to. elbēn is not a regular workaway experience in that sense. Here it’s about encounters and the outcomes of such interactions. You can help out at the bistro, work in the food trucks, transform the apartment, come up with creative ideas at co-working (chill team meetings), initiate encounters and so much more. There are always some projects going on where an additional hand is needed, but the answer lies in the way you yourself would respond to the question ‘What can I bring to the project?’ You actually create your own role at elbēn in open cooperation with the team - so what do you want to do?

  • Working time is just as flexible as the project itself. This is no 9 to 5-job. It all depends on your answer to the previous question. Some days will naturally be busier than others, but it is balanced to fit each individual as well as the collective.