Well it all begins!

By: Kenan Manthe

And so my adventure begins! After trying to board a cruise liner for the past 2 years (as in working aboard a cruise liner) and not being successful a long distance family member of mine who had been on the Workaway program suggested the program to me! And all I could say after going on to the Workaway website was WOOOOOOOW! I applied online immediately and the following day I received a phone call to please attend the presentation. After attending the presentation and the screening process as well as the interview with Workaway it was not long after I received a phone call to notify me that I had an interview with BOCA WEST all this happened in a space of two months! I was amazed
(Actually still am)!

After my interview with BOCA WEST it was not long after that work away notified me that BOCA WEST had a job offer for me (dreams do become true)! After attending the orientation which was really informative it became a little daunting filling in the infamous DS-160 form as well as doing the whole medical examination but hey mine is now complete it’s all a matter of visiting the consulate!

I have loved every moment so far of my journey with Workaway its truly amazing and surely plenty more good times to come I will keep all updated on the fun travels

The clock is ticking....lol

By Ndileka Nonose

It’s almost here; we’re almost that time of the year again. Where excitement is brewing, as for many of the people it will be their very first time abroad. And returners can’t wait to be reunited with old collegues, past roommates and all the amazing friends that they have made the previous season.  I have already made a few new friends through my blog, it’s very nice to ‘meet’ you all and I cannot wait to hang out soon.

Even though it will be tough to say goodbye to all your loved ones. There are a lot of things for you all to look forward to. Excluding of course the +-20 hour flight to get to the other side lol. Look forward to the wonderful work experience you will gain, as you will be working at thee most exclusive country clubs in the U.S. Look forward to the Many Wonderful friends, from all walks of life, that you will have the pleasure of meeting, knowing and sharing all of your experiences with. Look forward to all the shopping you get to do, and I for one did a whole lot of it.

There are so many places to see and experience and in due time you will be there to take it all in. Just remember to work hard, stay motivated and have fun. Then you too will get to experience the NIGHT LIFE IN MIAMI, PARA-SAILING AND SNORKLING IN KEY WEST, PARTYING IT UP IN LAS VEGAS. And even SHOPPING AND SIGHT-SEEING IN NEW YORK CITY.

I wish everyone success during their visa appointments. Have a safe flight over, see you all on the other side.

Few weeks!!

By Jasper Burger

It’s all happening right now and in a few weeks planes here in Oliver Tambo International and airports in Cape Town and Durban will be full of hopeful young South Africans embarking on an adventure of a lifetime in USA. We all have been so busy since the orientation juggling work and getting the final formalities done that we forget that we are but a series of moments away before heading to sunny Florida.

Everybody at the orientation got to meet some of the people you will be working with, staying and socializing with in the upcoming season. It was good to see friendly conversations taking place and bonds already being followed. Yes the many steps taken seems never ending with continuous forms to be filled in and interviews to be attended but do not worry my friends as our time of completion is near. You will soon realize that all this effort is well worth it.

Not to be cheesy but the saying “the juice was worth the squeeze” will eventually be realized. So be patient and keep doing what needs to be done and before you know it you’ll be on a plane with a flight attendants saying please fasten your seatbelts…

The time has finally come!!

By Ndileka Nonose

When I woke this morning, I realized that I might only have about 6 weeks left in the country… And how do I feel about that? ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, EXCITED, THRILLED all these rolled into 1. Kind of like the time my friends and I decided to go to Las Vegas for a week long vacation. What an amazing time we had. After seeing New York for the first time of course, nothing could ever replace that. But my trip to Las Vegas is a very close second.

After another amazing summer at my club in New Jersey, friend of mine from India suggested that we go to Vegas. I was reluctant at first, but after much convincing I was on board. So we booked our accommodation, flights and were soon on our way. We decided on the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino, which was a 5 star hotel. We weren’t going to settle for anything but the best. What a beautiful and luxurious resort. OMG. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I felt like I was in Italy. I won’t however indulge you all on our shenanigans after all you know what they say ‘WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS, STAYS IN VEGAS’. LOL. All I will say though is one should definitely put that on their to do list once they’ve arrived. Save. Save. Save.

I have to say though that my summers up North were one of the best times in the States. That to me felt like more of America. Beautiful houses with white picket fences, an American flag outside most home post boxes, gorgeous trees that are green in the summer and turn an orange/red colour in the fall. And obviously the endless trips to New York City. Whether it was just for a bit of shopping, or a little sightseeing or even just for a good old South African meal at Madibas in Brooklyn. All in all it was a wonderful experience, everything I ever imagined.

So you all can imagine how excited I am about the upcoming trip back. Im gonna start packing soon. Abit early I know, but don’t judge lol. Im soo looking forward to meeting all the new recruits, meeting my new housemates, and sharing all that I know. So next time you reading my blog Ill be in Sunny Florida.

The Countdown Starts....

By Andre Smith

Since my last blog we started the process of the Country Club manager coming out to South Africa to make their selections to fill the many positions for the up coming season at the clubs.

It has been a long process to date of presentations and interviews across the country to reach this point.

The day finally arrived that the club managers where here three weeks ago and everyone arrived for their interviews looking ever so smart and presentable; filled with nerves and hoping that they were the lucky ones to get chosen. I always imagine that this is what is must be like for the hundreds of people that turn out with the hopes of becoming the next South African Idol.

Eventually the selections started coming in as the clubs made their decisions and we were able to make offers to the many hopefuls. The calls were often met first with surprise and then a shriek of glee from the other side of the phone. I remember those days when I went through this process ten years ago. Wow! I can’t believe that ten years has gone by since I took that step and went abroad for the first time.

I will again be going back to Florida for another season at the Country Clubs and understand just how exciting it must be for a first timer taking that leap, well at least a very long flight to a new world.

As we now prepare for the orientations next weekend, it will be great to meet with all the excited participants that have been selected. The best part is to see their interactions as they get to meet their teammates for the next six months as well as watch friendships start to form.

If you are fortunate enough to have been selected for this season, CONGRATULATIONS… I know that you are about to embark on a new opportunity of a lifetime.

About that time again!

By Jasper Burger

It’s about that time again where we are all getting more and more excited as the upcoming 2012 winter season is upon us. We are close to the end of our recruiting faze and I mentioned in my blog a few weeks ago about how well the recruiting is going here in the Johannesburg area.

Well I am pleased to say that I have met some outstanding applicants and cool people over the last few months whilst promoting Workaway. I am feeling the excitement in the air amongst everyone at our presentations gets me every time. People ask me questions about the program on a daily basis and it is my job to answer as best I can. Truth be told I sometimes get too excited myself when asked about my time there in Florida and New York. I myself now know what you as a applicant are getting yourself into.

Talking about the program at presentations or even on a one on one wherever it took place  either way has been a privilege and a joy and I hope whoever gets to go on this program tackles this opportunity  with both hands. Like I said before meeting all of you new applicants has been awesome experience and to think we will get to know each other a little better over there in the USA is also a welcoming thought!!

Spending as much time in Cape Town!

By Jacqueline Villet

My name is Jacky Villet I am 21 years old. I am your usual 21 year old and I love spending time with my friends and family. The only difference with me is that I have a job and need to juggle friends who live in the Southern suburbs in Cape Town and family and my home that is in the Northern Suburbs in Cape Town.

My usual weekend consists of driving through to the South which is an easy 32km drive to see my friends. (With my camera in my bag and fully charged at all times) because you never know what the weekend might hold and which adventures you could encounter.

I have done travels into the United States and hopefully will be returning in October with the help of the Workaway team, but until then I will be enjoying the beauty of Cape Town and spending as much time as I can with my family and friends.

The picture below is one of many (girls night out), I enjoy spending time with my girls gives me a chance to unwind and chatter and yes that’s what we do best we chatter.

Great night out, we got all dressed up which is very seldom for me as I am not your run of the mill girl with all the make-up and getting all dressed up. For this occasion I made an effort and had a great night.