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Immersion in Finnish Culture volunteering in Helsinki, Finland

4.5
(8 reviews)8

The experience

Do you want to experience a Finnish traditional house and city of Helsinki at the same time? At our homestay it is possible! We need help with regular house activities, like window washing, paint removal, painting, gardening, vacuuming etc. We'll provide you with instructions and help.

What you offer

20 hours of help per week

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Kitchen Hand: Help prepare, finish and serve meals.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

What you get

2 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Swedish

Over 21 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

We are a Finnish family consisting 2 adults and 2 dogs, living in a traditional Finnish house in Eastern Helsinki. We speak Finnish, Swedish, English and, so you can practice any of them with us.

As our volunteer, your work will happen around the house, both inside and outside and tasks depends on season and what area currently is being worked on. We do also have own green garden where we grow some vegetables etc for our table. You'll learn various skills useful when you live in a single house, renovation etc.

Our house is located right next to public transport. You can reach city center of Helsinki in 30-40 minutes.

Your daily programs varies depending what activities we have. Our meal times are typical Finnish, approximately: breakfast 7:30 (self service), lunch 11:30, dinner 17:30. Meals are provided when you are at home, meal preparing responsibility is shared equally among the people who are staying.

Activities & Shift

4h daily, 2 days of week free. If your stay is shorter than a week, you are eligible 1 free day.
Example tasks: Gardening, paint removal or painting, vacuuming, window cleaning, cooking.

Rules

- Silent hours 22-07
- No shoes indoors
- No smoking indoors, only in the designated area away from windows
- We are pet friendly place - you'll be living with two spaniels, not suitable for dog allergic. We also expect some prior experience and liking to dogs with staying around dogs as they are full family members. We cannot host anyone afraid of dogs/uncomfortable around dogs.
- Communication is a key, we expect you to ask questions when something unclear.
- Vegetarian or milk free diet can be followed at our place (please inform), we cannot accommodate gluten free or severe food allergies. Meat products are stored in the same fridge.
- No extra guests
- Room in picture is an example volunteer room, and it may be another one
- As we are a Finnish family, we expect our volunteers to socialize with us, e.g. normal talking with us during the meals. A little bit of socializing can go a long way in building connection and making the experience more enriching for everyone
- Volunteers do have quite much freedom in their volunteering hours. However we expect responsibility and commitment from your end
- Clean after yourself
- We are not your parents. Certain adulthood is expected.