Are you going up North?

By Megan Nevett

So everyone keeps talking about going up North. Well when you first arrive, this is the last thing on your mind but time goes by so quickly, before you know it, the big question is asked: "Are you going up North?"

My response... Boston! In just a few months that will be my new home. The process of interviews and meetings with representatives of the new clubs was rather daunting. Lucky for me however, it ended up being a very quick and easy process.

We were fortunate enough to have a club manager who was able to get us an interview with Pine Brook Country Club in Boston, and within just two days of waiting patiently, well, trying my best to, we got the good news!

Just as things start to get a little monotonous, a breath of fresh air is within reach. A new adventure filled with meeting new people, seeing different things and experiencing more. A whole new world has opened up again.

This certainly is the greatest feeling, so bring on May and Bring on Boston! Where a whole new adventure begins :D

My future after Workaway!

Blog about Wynton Fortune

It has been just a few months since Workaway International recruit, Wynton Fortune, returned from the United States and already he has set so much in motion for himself.

Wynton graduated from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University at the end of 2013 with a Diploma in Tourism Management. After his studies he realized the difficulties of looking for as newly graduated member of the workforce and ended up bartending in at a restaurant and bar in Port Elizabeth.

It was not long before Wynton decided that he was in need of a change in order to kick start his career. This is when he decided to investigate the Workaway International program that he heard about through some friends who enjoyed the program.

His efforts were successful and at the end of 2014 he left for the United States for a season at Addison Reserve Country Club, where he was a server in their restaurant. When talking about the positions he held at Addison Reserve, Wynton said that the club was very accommodating in finding him his best fit in the restaurant so that he truly felt that he was where he belonged. While in the USA, Wynton managed to visit 10 different States before ending his time in America.

After returning to South Africa, Wynton got the Job as Duty Manager at the Beach Hotel in Port Elizabeth. Looking back at his journey, he talks about the tremendous amount of life experience and work ethic he gained by going abroad with Workaway. “You receive the tools you need to be successful, after that it is up to you to use them” he said, reflecting on his journey.

This is not the end of the road for Wynton, who hopes to further his experience in hospitality and remain in the hotel business. With some more hard work, possibly another season with Workaway and some more international exposure, Wynton hopes to accomplish his goal of building his career and hopefully becoming a General Manager of a hotel in the future.

For more information on the Workaway International program, visit www.workaway.com  or call (021) 671 8808.

By Workaway International

2016 - Workaway Florida Experience

By Melissa Chauvet

I’m glad to say we have arrived safely in Florida, United States. The Workaway group encountered somewhat of a delay with regards to the weather up in New York.

Due to the delay and the backlog in flights, we were held up in Johannesburg for five days. This however, was a small blessing in disguise, as all the new applicants had the opportunity to finally meet each other and get to know one another.

Arriving in New York we encountered cold temperatures of -1 degrees Celsius which was fairly "chilly" to say the least. Regardless of the weather, all of the applicants made it to their flights with time to spare and morale was at an all time high.

After we arrived in Fort Lauderdale we were warmly welcomed by the Palm Beach representative, who then took us back to our apartments where we were met by Angela, she was very welcoming and efficient at getting all of us to our accommodation.

We were all pleasantly surprised to know that we had the weekend off to recover from the jet lag and travel time.

Training started the following Monday. It was great seeing all the staff from my previous season, as well as meeting the new staff at Mirasol country club.

After completing a vigorous week of training, the new applicants where all eager to get on the floor and prove themselves.

The renovations at Mirasol are coming along at a rapid pace and should be completed by the end of March. For the meantime, we all eagerly await the grand opening!

Overall it has been an amazing journey, with all its speed bumps and hurdles and we are privileged to have been given this opportunity.

We finally made it!

“Sometimes it's worth lingering on the journey for a while before getting to the destination.” 

― Richelle Mead

Our flights where scheduled for January 23^rd, so that morning with all my bags packed and all the sad goodbyes, ready to go, I took my first flight from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. The flight went really well, however when I arrived at Cape Town International, the lady at the front desk gave me news of Snow Storm Jonas, The snow blizzard that happened only a day before our departure. To cut a long story short we all landed up staying in JHB for 3 extra days before departing to JFK international. After a very long 16 hour flight we finally arrived and it was freezing!

For some of us it was the first time seeing snow, I guess it wasn't such a bad start to our trip. With our flight being delayed, we went from having a three hour layover from New York to Fort Lauderdale, to a ten hour layover, which in turn wasn't the end of the world because all I did was watch series and eat American food.

The flights to Fort Lauderdale left at 5:15pm and we arrived at 9:15pm.

Someone one picked us up at the air port and brought us to our apartments at the Fountains, West Palm Beach.

So as it may seem it’s one of the coldest winters Florida has had in ages, and all those jeans and jackets I so happily left behind are in great demand at the moment. Never the less it’s been truly amazing to see all of my friends from last season, and the handful of new people that have joined the Mirasol Family.

I hope that everyone is all settled in and are having as much fun as I am. Here’s to a great season and making loads of new friends.  Work hard and play hard!

xoxo

By Amy Bruigom

Life lessons 101!

By Megan Nevett

Yes, I agree that everyone comes to the USA for the International experience…. And of course to make money (especially now with the Dollar / Rand Rate of exchange), which now works out to be exceptionally good money!!!

But besides the work experience and making money part of it, the most important thing you will learn is Real Life Experience.

I knew that when I left South Africa, I was leaving my family and the comforts of home, and for me that was the most daunting aspect of travelling overseas.  I was scared that I would miss home too much and that I was not strong enough, emotionally or mentally to cope with working and living with strangers in a foreign country, many, many miles away from home.

But I also knew that this experience would teach me to become a much stronger and independent woman. To what extent would I become stronger and more independent, I wasn't sure, but bit the bullet anyway and signed up.

I can now tell you that after being away from home for a mere 2 months I feel that I can safely say that I have learned to stand on my own two feet, even though it has been hard and there have been many occasions that I have missed home, friends and family so much that I even contemplated coming home.

In Florida, I have learned to survive and thrive, simply by having a good attitude, not taking things too seriously (I mean people… not work), to laugh at myself and most importantly being true to myself.

No matter what happens, no matter what situation you are faced with and it doesn't matter how hard it is- You will be just fine as long as you stick to you core beliefs and are true to yourself!

So, that is my life lesson that I have learnt from being away from home in a foreign country.  I will carry this lesson with me in the future, and hopefully grow from strength to strength!!!

Counting down the days!! - America!!

By Melissa Chauvet

Firstly I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New year and all the best for 2016, getting to spend the festive season with family and friends was amazing, but on the other hand saying goodbye is not easy.

With only a week and a half left to go before I leave for America, although I have done a season before, I'm excited and looking forward to what this season has in store for me, and can I say I'm ready to earn some Dollars again!

Getting all my things in order and doing some last bit of shopping and making a little check list before the time helps me keep things a bit more organized, seeing what to pack and what not to pack can be a headache but then again I've definitely learnt my lesson from the last time, NOT to pack so much clothes and unnecessary things (easier said than done) but two weeks of clothing is more than enough, considering you will be tempted to buy a couple of new outfits or shoes, accessories etc. (girls you know how it is).  With limited space in our bags, having to throw out things at the end of the season to return home is heart breaking, so making sure you have enough space for some extra little goodies is a must.

Safe travels to all leaving on 23 January 2016. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Season to be jolly

By Amy Bruigom

Firstly I have to start off by saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Although this season is pretty much over, I have to admit being able to celebrate with all my friends and family has been a high light of my year.

Having received my new approved visa and starting the “packing” stage of my great adventure  I can honestly say that I at least have a small idea of what I should and shouldn't pack.

Going over the first time with absolutely no idea of what to expect and what to pack, you really seem to take alot of the more unnecessary stuff that actually end up never being used such as winter coats, boots and far to many pairs of jeans. I feel lucky enough to say that I will be experiencing a full year of summer for the first time in my life, being that of Florida's winter feeling the same as South Africa's summer J

Just knowing that i only have a few days left in beautiful South Africa definitely leaves a bitter sweet taste, but just knowing of the great adventure that awaits me makes it all worth it in the end.

To all those who may only be leaving now, may this year be filled with great expectation and may it be a year to remember. 

xoxo