WORKING & VOLUNTEERING

🌍 Life behind the Instagram posts – how I actually make it all work.

So, a lot of people keep asking me – “How do you find these jobs?”, “Where do you even start?”, or “Can I come and join you?”So, okay – let’s go from the very beginning.

✨ STEP 1: BURNOUT (just kidding… kind of 😅)

You don’t have to burn out to change your life – but for a lot of us, that’s the push that makes us finally do it.I’ve always had that wild, curious, “gypsy” kind of soul. I love meeting new people, trying new things, and living a bit differently… free, messy, unpredictable.

🧳 HOW IT ALL STARTED

At 17, I went on my first exchange to France and worked in a restaurant.I didn’t speak English or French – literally zero. But somehow, I managed. It was chaotic but amazing.

At 19, I packed my bags and moved to England. That “short adventure” turned into 13 years 😅.But after a while, even that lost its sparkle. The same streets, the same people, the same conversations – I was done.

So I went back home to the Czech Republic to stay with my parents for a few months…Well, that lasted like two weeks 😂

As soon as I got home, I started looking for something new. After sending approximately 4,376,594,873 emails, I got a message back from a surf camp in Portugal – a volunteer spot in the middle of surf paradise.

🏄‍♀️ MY VOLUNTEER LIFE IN PORTUGAL

It’s a volunteer gig, which means:🏠 free accommodation🍳 free breakfast🏄‍♀️ free surf lessons, bikes, skateboards, wetsuits – literally everything

So yeah, I said yes right away. Because if you ever get the chance to move somewhere warm, live by the ocean, and try something totally new – just go. You can always come back later.

🌞 WHY I LEFT

Honestly? Because I hate the “standard life plan.”You know the one: finish school → get a job → get married → buy a house → two holidays a year with a travel agency showing you what they want you to see.

That’s not me. I want to live for real.

As we say back home:

“Money will come and go, but we won’t be here forever.”

For years, I’ve lived by this motto:

“There are two things I’ve never had – fear and money.”

I’ve learned to live with the bare minimum, and somehow that made me feel the richest I’ve ever been. Rich in moments, not things.

That’s probably why I’m obsessed with photos and videos – I want to freeze those real moments that remind me what it feels like to really live.

☕ RIGHT NOW

I’m writing this while sitting on a rock by the ocean, drinking cold barley coffee (budget life 😅).It’s October 17th, 23°C, the water is 18°C, and life feels simple and perfect.

Yeah, I work six days a week for free, 4–5 hours a day.But honestly, I don’t care. If you’ve ever surfed, you know how expensive that sport is – so this is the best deal ever. Work, surf, eat, sleep, repeat.

💡 HOW TO FIND VOLUNTEER JOBS

People always ask where I find these gigs, so here’s my list:

1. Workaway – great platform (I’m still waiting for my first hit though 😅).

2. Google – pick the area you want to go to, find hostels, surf camps, farms, cafes, bars… email them directly.📄 Have your CV in English and a short cover letter ready (nobody wants to read a novel).

3. Worldpackers – similar to Workaway, but paid.

4. Social media – I’ve met so many people through Instagram and travel pages who’ve helped me find work.

5. Travel connections – the more people you meet, the easier it gets. Travelers help travelers.

6. Facebook groups – great for short-term gigs, just make sure they’re legit.

🗺️ LITTLE TIPS BEFORE YOU GO

• Plan ahead: where you want to go, what kind of work you want, and for how long.

• Be clear on conditions: hours, meals, accommodation, pay, etc.

• Stay flexible: some offers are super last-minute (I flew to Portugal 4 days after getting the offer!).

• What to pack: based on location and season, i travel with backpack only, so I am easy on clothing and essentials.

• Negotiate first: talk about everything before you go.

• Visas: check if you need a work visa for your destination.

🌴 WHAT IF I WANT TO MOVE HERE FOREVER?

Alright, let’s talk about the other side of the story...Personally, I think I’ll be relocating here for good. Honestly — this city is tiny compared to London, but it has everything I need. It’s a surfer city! Not a touristy place, no old people wandering around historical sites, no families with annoying kids — just young people doing what they love, and the whole city is built around that vibe. You can literally feel the energy everywhere you go!

So, if you want to move here for good, the first thing you’ll need is a NIF number.

🧾 What is NIF?

NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is a Portuguese tax identification number, and you’ll need it for almost everything — renting an apartment, opening a bank account, getting a job, or even buying things in installments.

How to get it:

• You must have a Portuguese address (even a temporary one — it can be a friend’s address, a hostel, or an Airbnb).

• The Finanças office (tax authority) issues the NIF.

• You’ll need a valid passport or ID card.

• If you don’t have official residency yet, you can apply through a fiscal representative — usually a lawyer or an agency that handles it for you.

• It only takes a few minutes to issue and is free or costs a small fee (around €10–15).

You’ll also need a job — unless you’re a digital nomad and can work remotely from anywhere.If you don’t speak Portuguese, it’ll be much harder to find one. Many people here do speak fluent English, but still — you’re in Portugal, and you should show some effort and respect to locals by learning their language. It’ll help you find a job too.I personally don’t speak Portuguese (yet), but I’m working on it… 😄

💶 Salary and Cost of Living

The economy in Portugal is a bit shaky right now.The average salary here is €1,741 per month, and after tax around €1,264.

Now, rent in cities like the one I live in is around €900–1,200 for a double room, or €700 for a single.Add travel, groceries, and other daily expenses, and it adds up fast — so plan before you just come here!

Here are some example grocery prices:

• 250g quinoa – €3.86

• 2x cucumbers – €1.36

• Onion 1kg – €2.29

• Papaya – €1.26

• 12-pack of Super Bock beers – €8.89

• Meal in a restaurant – €12–15

People here work hard, especially during the season.You don’t work 9 to 5; you work all day, sometimes 6–7 days a week during peak season.So be realistic — but honestly, who knows? You might find an absolute gem and live your dream life before you even realize it. 😄

But without taking a risk, you’ll never find out… 😉

🚗 TRAVEL

Now a little chat about getting around… So, I don’t have a car at the moment (actually, I’ve never owned one, but I’m on the hunt for my dream ride). If you’re volunteering and working six days straight, honestly, you don’t have much time for sightseeing – you’re not on vacation, you’re here to work, you get the difference 😅.

When I have some free time or after work, there’s public transport. Pretty cheap, but the connections are… well, not great. In my opinion, renting a car is the fastest way to get from point A to point B.

Then there’s my favorite way to explore 😎 – a bit unconventional, but so much fun: hitchhiking! You meet new people, hear new stories… I haven’t run into any weirdos yet, because Portugal is full of genuinely nice people.

And another tip – a trip through a dating app 😆. You just plan it with someone, they pick you up, and off you go on a little adventure. Sometimes these random trips end up being way more memorable than any planned ones.

And when you’re heading out on your travels, don’t go with an empty wallet – you never know how much food, beer, or just a backup fund might cost in a new country if something goes wrong.

YOU & VOLUNTEERING?

1️⃣ It was your decision to come to another country, city, or place — and it was your decision to come as a volunteer. So don’t jump to the blind conclusion that “working for free means doing nothing.” It doesn’t. On this journey, you’ll meet all kinds of hosts and different expectations, but that doesn’t mean you’re on holiday.

2️⃣ Work exchange — you are given a place to stay rent-free, in a clean house, with a hot shower, a comfortable bed, and usually one meal (like breakfast) for free. In my case here in Portugal, I even get free rentals and lessons.So, let’s do the math:

• Rent for one month: €750–1000

• Breakfast and a couple of coffees per day: €5–10 → around €200/month

• Surf lessons: 3× per week = €120 × 4 = €480

• Or, renting surf equipment: €200 for 10 days × 3 = €600

Now, someone offers you all that in exchange for a few hours of help. That’s a great deal. So, be respectful. This is someone’s business, someone’s reputation, something they’ve worked hard to build. No one is asking you to work like a slave — but you should do the tasks you’ve agreed to, be proactive, and be helpful. No one is forcing you to be here. If it’s not the right job for you, or if you think you’re “too good” for it, then maybe it’s time to go home… or pay for your stay like a regular guest.

I’ve met many great volunteers here, but the last one I’m sharing a room with is a perfect example of taking the piss. She has zero respect for the business, doesn’t do the basics, her attitude stinks, and she’s even proud to say, “It’s just a hostel, not a hotel — I don’t care.”It really breaks my heart to see this useless Gen Z attitude — no work ethic, no respect, nothing to give back.

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

Working and volunteering abroad isn’t for everyone. But if there’s even a tiny part of you that craves freedom, sunshine, and adventure — follow it.

Because sitting on the couch at home won’t create memories you’ll tell stories about later. 🌅