Michael and his Family’s Experience at “O nosso Fado” Beta

We are thrilled to introduce you our first trainee!

We were delighted to have Michael and his family stay with us for six months, and we are even more thrilled to share his feedback with you in this article! Providing professional development and hands-on experience opportunities is something that we take great pride in at O nosso Fado. It was an honor to co-build "O nosso Fado” Beta with Michael and his family and embark on this journey together. We look forward to seeing them again! Obrigado!!!

“ My name is Michael and I have been an Erasmus+ Intern for six months (Oct 2022 until March 2023) at O Nosso Fado (= In the following I would like to tell you a bit about my experience in the Portuguese mountains ❤ and encourage you to spend some time at this beautiful place. We came over with the whole family- my partner Elisabeth, our baby boy Emilean (just turned 1 year when we arrived) and our three years old dog Mufasa.”

“ During my time in Portugal, my tasks were diverse and varied. As expected, we dynamically and effectively adapted the structure and timetable that we established at the beginning to external circumstances that were beyond our control.

One area in which I was active was related to construction and gardening. We were not able to do very much on the main building due to the long-pending final building and conversion permit. That’s why we renovated the outbuildings at the beginning of my time. These are three rooms that are now used as a workshop, storage, and production room. We removed the old roof, repaired the roof structure, and re-tiled it with used tiles that were in much better condition. We also replastered the walls partly with clay, partly with lime, and renewed the floor and the entrances. We have always followed clear guidelines. Basically, we first used materials that were already available and could be recycled. We then tried to get used materials, and only in exceptional cases did we acquire new material, making sure that this was compared from a sustainable point of view.

In addition to this large project, there was always smaller construction and repair work.”

“ Moreover, there was always work to be done in the expansive garden. During my time there, we harvested bountifully and vigorously removed weeds. Additionally, much woodwork was necessary as the winter approached, including heavily cutting back many trees. As individuals can only light fires during specific times to avoid forest fires, we had only a few burning days. A tractor was ordered in the spring season which plowed the entire garden area. We then hand-tilled new garden beds, cleared the soil of roots and rubbish, and selected organic seeds for planting. We also planted various trees and shrubs and carried out general planning for the garden's division and organization along with the communal spaces in it.

Another task we actively pursued was our own production. Especially around the holidays, Ricardo and Romane put together gift baskets. For this purpose, we made sponges out of used fabrics, produced organic soap, and prepared orange jam (a few weeks beforehand). Otherwise, I also participated in the kitchen, baked bread and helped with the cooking. I was also involved in day-to-day work and management. I was able to discuss plans and visions with Romane and Ricardo and, in the process, contributed a bit of my know-how and experience. I really enjoyed learning a lot about the bureaucratic processes in Portugal. Otherwise, I also participated in the kitchen, baked bread and helped with the cooking.

I was also involved in day-to-day work and management. I was able to discuss plans and visions with Romane and Ricardo and, in the process, contributed a bit of my know-how and experience. I really enjoyed learning a lot about the bureaucratic processes in Portugal.”

“Another activity that I enjoyed the most was exploring the area. Together with Ricardo, I have done many tours on a racing bike to test routes which can be recommended to guests. We also did some walking tours to see how we could reach the adjoining slate villages from the hostel and where the connections to existing and advertised routes in the region were.

In summary, no week was like the other and I appreciated this variety very much. I had a lot of freedom in the way I did my work and always felt involved in the discussions and reflections. I have worked or helped in hostels outside of Germany in the past. Since I started my master’s degree in 2019, the sustainability aspect has increasingly entered my life and is now an integral part of my everyday life and my decisions. This combination made the internship a stroke of luck for me.

In general, I would say that my course (Sustainability Economics’ Management) is aimed more at training political actors and sustainability managers for medium-sized and large companies. I don’t yet know exactly where my path will lead me, but I see myself more in niches. In this context, the internship gave me additional, valuable content and insights. I wish for a life plan where family, free time, gainful employment, idealism and contentment can coexist in combination and where sustainable life is not based on efficiency and "green growth" but on sufficiency and frugality. This includes all areas of everyday life, but above all nutrition, consumption and mobility.”

“In Portugal we lived in the mountains for half the year, in a village that had a high average age and vacancies. The social integration was therefore not very well developed. Nevertheless, life was closer to the pulse of nature and natural needs. Because my partner and our son were there with us, this time gave us the opportunity to experience family and everyday life differently. And these experiences will certainly have an impact on the present and the future.

Overall, the organization of the stay abroad met my expectations. It took some time and preparation, but it wasn’t complicated or nerve-wracking from my point of view. Both the Erasmus office in Hanover and the host organization in Portugal have made a very positive contribution.

We were also integrated in many activities and therefore got a very authentic insight into the cultural way of life in the region. We were invited to family celebrations, taken to public celebrations and events and saw a lot of the region. Also, I shared many sports activities with Ricardo and on some weekends we explored the country outside the region.”

“In conclusion, I can and would like to say that it was a great experience and that I rate the value of intercultural experiences and the skills derived from them as extremely high.

Hence my appeal to everyone: go out, gain experience, take care of yourselves and your environment and enjoy the European diversity!

Thank you Romane and Ricardo and may your Eco Hostel turn into a paradise ❤

Much love,
Michael with Easy, Emilean and Mufasa.”