Job Discussion Forums

[everformal]

Dear ESL Cafe,

I'm excited to be a part of this thriving community!

My whole life for the last eight years has pretty much been one big cultural exchange. From staying in remote villages in Fiji (2001-2002) to half a year in India (2004), living and working in China (2006 - 2008) and Thailand (2003 - 2005), hopping around North America, etc.

In the third week in May I'm flying to Greece. My idea is to spend three entire months in Europe. I think that teaching in Europe is pretty much out of the question. I've read on these forums recently that some people have had luck in Poland and the Czech Republic. I'm sure people with even greater credentials than mine have had luck in all of the countries in Europe. My CV mainly consists of my travel experience, teaching experience, a TESOL certificate, and a BS in Sociology. Nothing really special. So that's why I'm looking for other possibilities...

House-sitting in Asia would have been hard, however, I've read that Europeans are generally open to the idea of house-sitting (just like in some parts of the U.S). I've house-sat and taken care of people's cats and dogs in San Francisco (2003), Portland Oregon (2005, 2006, and 2008, 2009), and Seattle (2002). It's always been in between my time overseas. I was kind of hoping to find a similar opportunity house-sitting somewhere (anywhere) in Europe whether for days, weeks, or even months at a time. I'm flexible. It doesn't really matter which country. Although, I'd love to stay somewhere long enough to get to know a place and the people.

When I went to Australia in 2001 there were already lots of Aussies who I 'knew' who were mainly friends of my Australian roommate. When I went to Thailand in 2003 it was easy because life was pretty affordable. But now that I have my flight to Europe booked I'm starting to get cold feet because I'm starting to wonder (too late) what I'm going to do for the void of three months that I have to fill. That's how I came up with this idea in order to perhaps have a stable place to stay somewhere in Europe.

I've taught English in Thailand, Laos, China, and Taiwan over the years that I've been away from the U.S. So I figured that I may as well try offering to house-sit for people on Dave's ESL and pose this question regarding house-sitting in Europe. I had someone stay at my apartment in Dalian, China while I was traveling for winter break 2007 / 2008. I'm going to post a similar thread on Craigslist, Couch Surfing, and some of the expat web sites also.

Of course, there's no way for you to know who I am. But I'd be happy to correspond, provide several references for house-sitting, and also give you a copy of my passport. I realize it's a long shot even with getting a reply. At the same time, I figure that there must be at least some people traveling this summer who need their flat / apartment / dogs / cats / fish / birds / plants, etc.. take care of while away.

Send me a message and I'll at least respond. I'll give you the link to my online 'life resume' and my MySpace or Couch Surfing profile which has photos of me traveling, house-sitting, and teaching.

I'm 28 years old, very clean and pretty easy-going, and pretty much a homebody. I live a boring life in the U.S and I would expect to live a fairly boring life if I end up living somewhere in Europe too, hehe. I'm working on my editing and getting published my fourth poetry book. That's one thing that I'll work on if I get the chance to house-sit for someone over the summer. I travel with a labtop computer. It's mainly the day-to-day life in Europe that interests me.

Please feel free to send me a message to touch base even just to say hi.

Cheers,

Shaun

[spiral78]

I think most homeowners are going to expect you to pay rent
It's rarely a matter of just watering the plants and taking in the mail and living for free...

If you have a home in an attractive area, I have heard of many Europeans house SWAPPING - but if I understand your post, you're not offering anythink in return...right?

I think this is more often done in North America, where homeowner's insurance often requires either someone to live in the house, or a bonded company to check it regularly to ensure that it's not a target for burglars and etc.

As for teaching, there is very little work over the summer in any case...this is when teachers here on the ground scrape around to find anything to tide them over until September.

[SueH]

Try these people:

http://uk.cameloteurope.com/

[anyway]

The Caretaker Gazette is another pub which pairs housesitters and sittees. The subscription isn't cheap and they don't have a lot of foreign ads, but it might be very useful for you in countries besides Greece...Luck!

[naturegirl321]

try www.houseswap.com

[Teacher in Rome]

Supposing you got stung by one of our low-flying aggressive hornets. Would you sue me? I think some sort of insurance policy would be helpful for Europe, though many people here also have third-party "civil" insurance.

As far as I know, though, it's not common here to have someone you don't know living in your house while you're away. If you've got animals, your relatives or neighbours come by to feed them...

Good luck though. You could also try this site:
http://www.mindmyhouse.com/

[spiral78]

naturegirl, the OP has nothing to swap Just wants to be on the receiving end of the deal.

[superturbo]

Hi Shaun

Try a website called www.couchsurfing.org

It's full of likeminded people who love travel and to experience new cultures.

[Scarlet_UK]

Try also www.housecarers.com
It IS possible to housesit and not pay rent or offer your own home in return (to the naysayers!)

[aformoftruth]

Or you could try.... HappyHouseSit.info as it is a FEE-FREE online resource for connecting house and pet (dog & cat etc) sitters with people who need house sitting.