WWOOF | 10 Tips for 1st Time WWOOFers

I spent that entire month of July in Switzerland because of the wonderful opportunity I found on wwoof.net. WWOOFing stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Here are some tips from my experience and things I think it is important to note.
If you have ever been WWOOFing, I would love to hear about your experience or any additional tips you have! If this will be your first time, please come back and tell us all about it. Be safe and travel more!
Thank you for watching.
P.s. That hill in the beginning was STEEEP... sheesh
wwoof.net
wwoof.ch/en/
My stay - wirkstatt-auboden.ch
• Wirkstatt Abouden | Sw...
Other Links:
Säntis - • Climbing Säntis Mounta...
Summer in Switzerland - • Summer in Switzerland ...

[@wwoof_uk]

What a great video! Ida, thank you for making and sharing this film which will surely help those who are thinking about WWOOFing but have doubts and questions they need answers to. We have lots of info on our website but listening to someone who's been there and done it is much more powerful. Thank you again and we're so happy that you've had so many positive experiences through WWOOFing. If you're still in Europe, why not pop over to the UK? (and make another video here 😊)

[@idaroseco]

Thank you so much! I’m so happy to be able to share my experience in hopes of helping others! I will definitely be WWOOFing again and I’ll be sure to make UK one of my stops in the future!

[@wwoof_uk]

@@idaroseco That would be fantastic! WWOOF! WWOOF!!

[@institutfurgelebtenwandel2799]

Hi Ida! What a great video, it was so amazing hosting you two! Missing you two and wishing all the best!! With a big deep Swiss hug! Sandra

[@idaroseco]

Thank you! Miss you and the team lots!! I hope all is well Sandra 💗

[@institutfurgelebtenwandel2799]

Well I really miss you two as well! It was such a special time and your laughing is so nice to hear! We have snow now and the seeding process is going on for new plants, vegetables this year. So amazing to see! We are good and busy, next month there is probably a woofer coming from Argentina. Greetings and big hug to both of you! Sandra😘

[@Time2DoIt]

Thanks for the great info! Definitely planning on doing some WWOOFing myself soon and really appreciated some of things you pointed out. Glad to hear you had a great experience! Safe travels!

[@doingitwelldotbiz]

Thank you so much! This video put me at ease. I've been considering it for a while, but finally have the opportunity. I'm gonna do it!

[@paulina-cp6uw]

thank you so much for sharing your experience!!

[@reamondnuudles9905]

Wow, I just learned about WWOOF today, and I’m really interested in getting into it. Thanks for the tips and advice. It definitely sounds like a worthwhile experience that I would want to participate in!!

[@martinarenzi4744]

Thank you so much friend ❤ your suggestions are so useful and thoughful ❤ thank ypu

[@sabinadrapalova1711]

very helpful video, many thanks!!

[@okanalas3650]

Thanks for the video

[@evynbanawoye4353]

!!!!! the scenery

[@idaroseco]

☺️☺️ perfect day under the apple tree 🌳

[@Car__ter989]

Great video. New sub

[@tatumteems3393]

Definitely have inspired me to gonget on w it and make this dream happen this year! Been purging like it’s the apocalypse trying to sell everything! Got any tips? Also I love your side elbow tatttttt!!!

[@idaroseco]

Ahh I’m so happy to hear this!! Go you! I literally just went through getting rid of almost everything I own. One thing I would say - I went to Switzerland with a XL suitcase with the mindset that a month is a long time so I’ll need a lot of clothes…no lol I literally wore like 1/4 of the clothes I brought, washed, and wore it again. So whatever you are left with, really look at that stuff and see if you can reduce it even more! I wish you the best of luck on your journey!!

[@idanlewenhoff2295]

thanks for all the information on the video, it was really well made, just a small question. how long would you recommend staying in one place? is it maybe a more "complete" experience to switch the places i stay at? and how long were you in Switzerland?

[@idaroseco]

Hi Idan! I stayed in Switzerland for a month. I think that was a wonderful amount of time to really learn the flow of the place I was staying at. Over a month period you really get to see some of the progress you’ve made. A lot of farms ask for a minimum of one month but some don’t mind if you stay for shorter periods of time. I think 3-4 weeks at a place is a good amount of time to really learn new skills from your peers!

[@catalinagomezrosales1409]

Hi ...thanks for the information. Do you know if you would need any work permit??

[@jinniebennette7495]

Hi, thanks for the great tips.👍🏼 just wanna ask if they do cover airfreight in going to their place?

[@idaroseco]

Hi! This place did not. We bought our own plane tickets and train tickets everything else was included!!

[@tomasbirkhofer1365]

Thanks!! Great advice. I have 6 months before my master degree in September 2024 and I’m torned between doing an internship or woofing. What would you suggest me? I’m more keen to woofing since I wanna travel, learn german (wanna go to germany) and enjoy before working full time. Thanks again, Tomas

[@idaroseco]

Hi! Sorry this took me so long to respond! I would definitely recommend doing both! If you’re looking for a career maybe do an internship that is closer to the job you want but maybe if you have some time to take two weeks or something off or maybe the following summer - i would suggest WWOOFing at some point. Do what feels most right for the path you want to follow!

[@sophie-sm9qr]

This came up in my feed and I don’t think you’ve mentioned that so far, but you do have to pay the membership fee before contacting the farms right ? So do you recommend picking a country you want to go to, before picking a type of farm that you wanna work at ?

[@idaroseco]

Yes! I would recommend deciding which country you want to go to before creating a membership

[@Splatterbrain7]

My girlfriend wants us to go WWOOFing. Would you recommend doing this as a cheaper way to travel and learn?

[@idaroseco]

Yes absolutely! It’s a great way to learn. Especially when your host is very hands on with the learning process. I knew nothing about permaculture when I started and I learned so much!! All I had to pay for was transportation. Every host will be different but when you speak with your host you can find out what’s included and don’t agree to anything until you’ve had a chance to speak with them over the phone or video chat if possible! - that’s just my recommendation because that ensures you feel comfortable with the hosts. Don’t be scared to ask whatever questions you have!! I hope this helps and good luck on your travels (:

[@laurenb9019]

Hello! Did you need a working permission / visa? How did this process go? I’m looking to WWOOF in Switzerland as well. Thanks!

[@idaroseco]

Hi! I did not need to obtain a working visa as I stated I was a tourist. We were not paid for our work, instead we got to visit Switzerland and explore in exchange for helping out on the property. I hope this helps (:

[@laurenb9019]

@@idaroseco What if they ask you follow up questions after you say you are a tourist?

[@idaroseco]

@@laurenb9019 You can tell them where you are staying and that you plan to stay there while exploring the area. You shouldn’t run into any problems unless you are staying over 90 days I believe.

[@laurenb9019]

@@idaroseco Thank you so much!

[@JakeG-gp4qt]

When WWOOFing did you make sure you had a certain amount of funds before going so you could still do things on your free time?

[@idaroseco]

Hi! Yes I did. We chose to do things that were mostly free but for example one of the weekends we stayed in a hotel in Zurich and went out for a nice meal. It’s always good to make sure you have some spending money and some emergency money. The amounts will be based on your spending habits and needs! Hope this helps (:

[@unofficialobserver]

I'd like to be a host. I,m rebuilding my organic life.

[@elliejane4372]

Hey! Is it possible to have a look at different woofing destinations before paying the fee and signing up for an account?

[@idaroseco]

Yes! You can get a bit of a glance of different places before actually signing up. To really reach out to hosts though - that’s when you need an actual account.

[@pipzstv]

Do the host pay you for the work you’ve done? If yes, mind how much are you earning?

[@idaroseco]

Hi! They do not pay you. In exchange for my work, I got free accommodation and 3 meals a day. This was a great way to explore a different region while spending minimal money !

[@pipzstv]

@@idaroseco great! Thank you!

[@prolifepinay]

Do you need to have a work visa to WWOOF?

[@sigiXmund]

No.

[@user-xj6wd7kj9g]

I really want to know as a Chinese, is it easy to be accepted?🥹

[@idaroseco]

Hi! It depends which program you work with! When looking for hosts make sure to speak with them beforehand to make sure they are inclusive! My stay was very inclusive and if you speak English or German they are more than happy to work with you. Their main language is German so at our stay we often helped them better their English! 1st step is reaching out!!