Workaway on our farm: How the world comes to us in Finland

Sometimes it's precisely these encounters that have a lasting impact on one's life. Patrick experienced his first Workaway adventure in Canada, and during our cycling trip, we also spent several winter months in Cyprus with a Workaway host. These times were inspiring, enriching, and often surprisingly beautiful. It quickly became clear to us that when we eventually have our own farm, we would also like to welcome Workawayers, people who would help us, live with us, and bring a piece of the world and their stories with them.

What are Workawayers actually?

Workawayers are people who work with families, on farms, or in projects for a limited period of time. In return, they receive accommodation, meals, and a glimpse into everyday life on site. They often come from different countries, are curious about other ways of life, and contribute their time, energy, and talents to help, whether in the stables, in the garden, with childcare, or on construction projects.

Workaway is a platform that connects hosts and travelers worldwide. For many, it's an opportunity to get to know a region more deeply without simply traveling through it, while also learning practical skills. For hosts, in turn, it often means valuable support and an enriching exchange that makes their everyday lives more colorful and vibrant.

Why did we want helpers from all over the world

Before we moved to Finland, traveling was our shared passion. Patrick fulfilled his dream by traveling through Canada and the USA for several months, while I spent eight months backpacking through South America on my own. In between, we also took shorter trips that gave us new impressions and encounters. In 2019, we finally set off together: We started on our bikes in Switzerland and cycled all the way to Turkey. I've always found it a great joy to meet and interact with people and cultures from all over the world. When we decided to build our lives in Finland, we knew that we would have to forgo certain things. Due to our animals and financial reasons, we can no longer simply set off and travel for weeks or months. But we live in a beautiful place with plenty of space, and that's precisely why we decided to continue traveling in a different way:

Instead of traveling to other countries, we now invite people from all over the world to live with us for a while and share our everyday lives. Precisely because we live in such a rural and remote location, we enjoy the time we can spend with other people all the more. The exchange, the conversations, and the little moments of everyday life together are very valuable to us. Of course, there is also a practical aspect: On a farm, there is never a shortage of work, and the support of our workawayers is a huge help to us. In this way, our home becomes a place of exchange, where we bring a piece of the world into our lives and at the same time share how we live and work here in Finland.

What we offer our Workawayers

It is important to us that our workawayers feel comfortable here and truly become a part of our everyday life. We offer not only a place to sleep and good food, but also the opportunity to immerse themselves in our everyday farm life, learn new things, and experience Finnish nature at its own pace. The work is varied: depending on the season, it might be stable work, chopping wood, gardening, helping with our renovations, or assisting with the hay harvest. We often cook together, bake bread, or spend the evenings around the campfire. We welcome our guests to contribute their own ideas and skills, whether through cooking, craft projects, or creative work around the farm. It is important to us that workawayers don't just work, but also have time to explore the surroundings, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet here. Many take the opportunity to swim in the lake, visit the nearby national park, or simply spend time with our animals. Everyone who comes to us leaves a small mark, be it a story at the kitchen table, a shared laugh in the barn, or a helping hand that makes many things easier. For us, it's a give-and-take that enriches our everyday lives and continually shows us that there are many ways to discover the world, even when we're not out and about ourselves.

Our previous experiences

We've already had the honor of hosting people from many different countries. Great helpers from Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Norway have already been here, but people from Japan, Canada, and the USA have also found their way to us. And summer is far from over: We're already looking forward to welcoming guests from Spain and Australia, who will be arriving soon. To be honest, I'm always quite nervous when we pick up our helpers at the bus stop, train station, or airport. After all, you never really know what to expect when you invite people you've only known through a few messages into your home. But in the time since we started hosting Workawayers, I've been able to learn an incredible amount. We've shared many wonderful moments together, laughed a lot, and shared everyday life together. Of course, I initially underestimated how challenging it can sometimes be to properly assess people from another country and culture. Every encounter is different; everyone brings their own ideas and habits, and sometimes it takes a little time to adjust to one another. But that's precisely what makes it exciting and enriching. Every person leaves a mark on our farm and in our hearts, and we are grateful to be able to walk this path together with so many different people.

We would do it again and again

For us, it is a great gift to be able to bring a piece of the world into our home in this way. The shared experiences, conversations, and togetherness enrich our everyday life here in Finland, bringing new perspectives and often new friendships. It is wonderful to see how strangers feel like part of the farm community in such a short time, how much we learn from each other, and how these encounters remind us again and again how valuable exchange and mutual support are. We are grateful for every helping hand, every laugh, and every conversation at the kitchen table that shows us: Even though we live in a quiet place here, the world always remains a little bit with us.

Would you like to have such an experience on your next trip or even as a host?

Then sign up at www.workaway.info