Rui

Portugal
Login to see last activity

Badges (2)

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
Hi everyone!

I'm Rui, 31 years old, born and raised in Portugal.

I've always been curious about different realities and lifestyles, but it was in 2018, during my first trip to Southeast Asia, that I began to realize how much I love traveling. A big part of my excitement for travel comes from this curiosity to explore the unknown, immerse myself in different cultures and establish connections that help me grow as a person. At the same time, as an eternal enthusiast of the world, nature, and all people who inhabit it, it also feels right and fulfilling to me to leave a part of myself in the places I visit and somehow contribute to other people's lives.

I am an easygoing, adaptable, and flexible person who easily blends into any type of environment. I enjoy exercising, reading and chilling as much as I like hanging around with people. Despite being an orthopedic surgeon and healthcare being my line of work, I also have a strong passion for technological advancements.

At the moment, I am taking a break from my job to spend a few months traveling and exploring new cultures. I am motivated by a desire for self-discovery, personal growth and I'm particularly interested in learning more about my own mind, beliefs and how they shape my life in this world.

I hope that my skills and experiences can also, in some way, be useful to the people I find along the way.
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Van life
Technology
Team sports
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Performing arts
Pets
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Mountain
Movies & TV
Languages
Hiking
Fitness
Drawing & painting
Culture
Cooking & food
Charity work
Camping
Books
Animals
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Beginner
Italian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I love the cultural connections that language learning provides and am always eager to improve my skills or help others in their journey. Whether it’s exchanging ideas, teaching what I know, or exploring new languages together, I’m excited to make meaningful connections through language!
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Babysitting and creative play
Life at a Farmstay
Hospitality/Tourism
Some knowledge of:
Charity Work
Eco Projects
General Maintenance
House sitting
Helping around the house
Able to teach about:
Languages
Being an elderly companion
Teaching
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
- Apart from Portuguese (my native language), I'm totally fluent in English, proficient in Spanish and capable of basic conversational Italian.
- I belonged to a ~75-100 member portuguese folk music band (Tuna) during my 6 university years having been the main manager during one year. Some of the activities I was actively managing included: direction and management of band activities and staff; supervision of the organization's budget; fundraising, production, and recording of the band's 2nd studio album; planning and direction of music festivals and an European Tour; management of the band's public image, including social media
- I'm good at handcrafts and enjoy working with my hands
- I work as a doctor, so I'd be happy to share my knowledge if the chance comes along
- I like learning new softskills and I'm a fast learner, so I can help in different fields according to the needs
Age
31
What else ...
I'm very open-minded and always up for a new challenge.

If you have any question, feel free to text me! :)
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

Website Safety

Friends

Feedback

25 Jun 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Chat with our students, ...)

I spent two weeks at Harim’s space in Casablanca. Mr. Harim is responsible for coordinating volunteers and distributing them across various schools around the city. In my case, I was placed at a school located a bit outside the city center, in a more peripheral area.

During my stay, I had the opportunity not only to get involved in the daily… read more life of the school where I was based, but also to meet volunteers from other schools, especially on weekends. On weekends, Harim organizes trips to different parts of Morocco, open to all volunteers, which gave me the chance to explore the country and connect with other people.

Even so, the environment within my own school was truly exceptional. I was lucky to live and share experiences with people from different countries and backgrounds, forming strong and meaningful friendships. We shared unforgettable moments, exchanged life experiences and learned a great deal from one another. I also had the chance to get to know some of the teachers at the academy. They were not only excellent professionals, but also genuinely kind and open people.

As for the classes, we worked from Wednesday to Sunday. The schedule varied from day to day — for example, on Wednesdays we only had a 1h30 class, while Saturdays, being the busiest day, included classes throughout the morning and afternoon. Despite this, the workload was always manageable and left plenty of time for rest and exploration.

During our free time, we often took the opportunity to explore the city. Local transport, especially taxis, was very affordable — a ride to the city center cost around eight dirhams, making it easy and inexpensive to get around. Aside from the meals provided on certain days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), we were responsible for preparing our own food. Thankfully, there is a local market just below the school, where we could buy fresh ingredients at very low prices, especially vegetables. On the days when meals were provided, we were lucky to have them prepared by a lovely woman named Hassania. She was extremely caring and her cooking was amazing!

On a personal level, I joined this experience with the goal of connecting with a culture different from my own — to gain a new perspective on life and the world, to experience a reality beyond mine, and to grow from it, while also hoping I could give something meaningful in return. That human and cultural exchange was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful parts of this experience. I had the chance to engage with people of all ages, from children as young as 7 or 8 to adults in their 40s and 50s. With the younger ones, we often followed the teachers' guidance and helped them practice what they had learned in class. With the older students, there was more flexibility — we engaged in free-speaking sessions, discussing a wide range of topics including their culture, religion, and daily life. These conversations were enriching for both sides. For the students, it was a valuable way to improve their English and broaden their perspectives, while for me, it was a unique opportunity to better understand Moroccan society, its values, and ways of thinking.

If anyone is uncertain about whether or not to try a volunteer experience like this, I can only say: absolutely go for it. As my first WorkAway experience, I couldn’t have asked for a better one. It was incredibly impactful. I made lifelong friends, and I carry with me a deep appreciation and understanding of Moroccan culture. I’m extremely grateful to Harim and Khalil for welcoming me, to the teachers and staff, and to all the amazing people I met along the way. It won’t certainly be the last time we meet.
Thank you so much.

(Excellent)

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online