WWOOF (Organic Farms)
This might be a long shot, but I was wondering if anyone's had experience doing WWOOF? (World-wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) If so, what was your experience like? It sounds like it could be an interesting way to get work experience; I like being outside and working with plants. But I can also see how it would be really difficult to deal with, depending on the situation...
Yes,I WWOOFed last year.Make sure the place you want to be woofing is actually a farm! I ended up at a beautiful,isolated house in the Netherlands working for a mom and pop B&B company! Two weeks later, I got swine flu, and they abruptly kicked me off the "farm",sending me to real a farm, which I loved.In fact, I loved it so much I remain dear friends with the owner and his girlfriend,and returned this summer as their friend.
If you decide to work on a farm,be VERY clear with the host.Write as many things down as possible,and be very vocal and in good communication with the host.If you are uncomfortable or unsure about something, let it be known. Working on a farm is hard, long, and physically tough, but it surely is the most rewarding work I have ever done.It is something really pure to see the plants and vegetables and fruits grow daily,to be part of the whole natural process.It gave me a huge appreciation (I already had it though) of the field and farm life.
It is a great way to experience another country and its people and culture.Make sure,on your days off,to visit places of interest,and get your host to tell you where to go. I really grew thanks to this experience...but make sure not to go Het Kleine Paradijs in the Netherlands! Also be very aware,as some of the "farms" are actually slave farms...yes,they still do exist in this day and age.
Good luck!
If you decide to work on a farm,be VERY clear with the host.Write as many things down as possible,and be very vocal and in good communication with the host.If you are uncomfortable or unsure about something, let it be known. Working on a farm is hard, long, and physically tough, but it surely is the most rewarding work I have ever done.It is something really pure to see the plants and vegetables and fruits grow daily,to be part of the whole natural process.It gave me a huge appreciation (I already had it though) of the field and farm life.
It is a great way to experience another country and its people and culture.Make sure,on your days off,to visit places of interest,and get your host to tell you where to go. I really grew thanks to this experience...but make sure not to go Het Kleine Paradijs in the Netherlands! Also be very aware,as some of the "farms" are actually slave farms...yes,they still do exist in this day and age.
Good luck!
Thanks for the comments! I live in the US, so I'd probably be starting here. There seem to be a lot of farms in my area, so maybe I could visit one before committing to working there. On the WWOOF site, they talked about the importance of communication as well. Sometimes I'm not good at making myself understood verbally. I worry about that, but it encourages me to know that someone else on the spectrum has done it.
Yes, I emphasize verbal expression to you! that's very important,especially with the assortment of tasks you will be doing,possibly sharing a room/cooking for or with others.You have to make yourself heard! It would be shame to get that far and not be able to make yourself heard,and that would cause a lot of problems.What state are you in?
I'm in California, so, lots of farms here. I do like talking about cooking. I'll keep your advice in mind.