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.

My holiday to USA via Workaway International

By Yvonne Gubangxa

The first time when I went to Workaway offices, I thought "Maybe this won't be possible for me” It was like a dream. My gut instinct however, told me ‘Yes - stick with Workaway’.

I've been with Workaway International from 2007 until 2012.Through all these years with them, I've had great adventures and gained fantastic experience in the hospitality industry - working with different people from all over the world. With Workaway International, you are guaranteed return flight ticket, LUXURY accommodation with a fitness room (swimming pool, tennis court etc) and you are fully protected.

I found that working in AMERICA is a lot more fun and enjoyable than here at home, especially if you are in hospitality industry. The respect, team work (both with colleagues and the management) as well as the professionalism is something that needs to be experienced.
For those who like fun, brands and clothes, WOW... this is the place to be for you! The shopping is incredible and earning dollars definitely has it’s advantages!

My advice to you all is save, save and save!

Embark on a new adventure, get out of your comfort zone, join Workaway International and have lots of FUN!

Trains, planes and automobiles

By Andre Smith

It's early morning. Very early morning and I'm writing this blog from 30 000ft in the air.

I'm on my way to Durban to conduct the last round of interviews before the country clubs are here over the next two weeks to select a new group of excited applicants for the adventure of the lifetime.

The last ten weeks have been an intense whirlwind of planes, trains and auto miles as I have been all around the country hosting presentations and interviews in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Often I am asked if this does not tire me out, but my answer is always that I love to do this as it is interesting meeting so many different people from all over South Africa as well as getting to know them.

The most rewarding part is is to see who is selected by the country clubs and knowing that for each of these new applicants that they are about to embark on the opportunity of their life.

I remember being part of the process ten years ago and taking that first step into the unknown. It was also my first time oversees like it will be for most of our applicants. I looks back at those early days and cant believe how much I have experienced and the rewards that the Workaway program has awarded me. Not just the experiences like going on a private jet to Key West for dinner and also the exhilaration of standing in Times Square, but also the career opportunities and the dynamic people I have met along the way.

I can only hope that for this seasons applicants the program can provide such opportunities to them and the one day too they will look back and see what an experience this was.

I wish all this seasons applicants good luck and remember that first impression is the most important when meeting the management of the country clubs.