Work and Travel in Hamburg

WORK IN HAMBURG ALL YEAR ROUND

Please edit this section to tell travellers what kinds of short term work is available in Hamburg all year round. Mention skills that are in demand here more than other places. For example, if you can get some work as a translator in Hamburg but it is as hard as anywhere else, don't list it. If it's a region in China that cannot get enough English translators.... I think you get the idea.

SEASONAL WORK IN HAMBURG

SPRING

There are food producing areas around Hamburg which are in need for workers especially in spring time. Especially the "Vier-Marsch-Lande" East-South-East of Hamburg is such an area. Work will be things like weeding, setting up green houses, sorting and selling things on the farm itself. Simple work, not many skill required, but you must be willing to do the work...

SUMMER

Work that is needed by hosts in the summer in Hamburg

AUTUMN

West of Hamburg, in the so called "Altes Land" ("old land") there are huge fruit producing farms. Autumn is their busiest time and you can certainly find a job picking apples or similar. No special skills required, except that you must be willing to work outside at any weather...

WINTER

Skiing in Hamburg - does it exist? Are there plenty of opportunities for people to get work in Hamburg in the winter? What kind of skills are needed at this time of year? Please update this section and let fellow travellers know what you have learnt if you have worked in Hamburg in the winter or if you are a Host and live here and can share your knowledge.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING IN HAMBURG

Hamburg is an old international trade center (one of the most important "Hanse cities" in former times), it has always been driven by its bustling harbor (second biggest in Europe). That means that people here are used to international contacts and open to them. Exchange and trade is valued in a positive manner. This is amplified by some universities of international grade and a growing ecosystem of marketing, advertisement and television companies and startups especially in the IT business. Such are international fields, foreign languages are common and won't cause a frown here.
Locals are sometimes referred to as withdrawn or uncommunicative. But that is not doing them justice. Indeed people around here do not share the loud and open attitude you will find in many places in southern Europe. Locals are more influenced by the Scandinavian attitude which is more silent, more subtle. You will always receive help when in deed and people will take time to assist you. But they will not force themselves onto you. You will be left alone unless you look for exchange.
However keep in mind that Germany in general is a very strict place when it comes to rules. Work force usually is very expensive in Germany so many operators of some smaller business will have to be pushed a bit to accept the idea to hire someone. The idea of exchanging part time work for a place to stay and eat is not exactly well known in Germany. So be prepared to clearly point that out and show a relaxed attitude when asking for a job on some farm or similar.