The season is coming to an end....

By Melissa Chauvet

With Mirasol Country Club undergoing renovations for the past year, we were proud to announce the grand opening of the club on Monday!

Members, as well as staff, were really excited about the opening.  Staff were under a lot of pressure to make sure everything was going to be perfect. Long hours and hard work were put into this with us all working late each night! The staff did a great job and kept a positive attitude throughout the season.

We were able to hold our first event in the club with "Passover" and then again Mother's Day. 

The season is coming to an end with members starting to leave to go to their homes up north. The season has been great and to those who have already left, it was a pleasure working with you. Safe travels!

I look forward to working with those that are going to be returning next season and to those taking a different path, all the best!

HUNTERS RUN - Where Champions are made!!!

By Nasiphi Sobahle

Just like that, the season has come to an end! 

Please allow me share my personal experiences while working at Hunters Run. 

Believe me, I'm not being subjective when I say that Hunters Run is the best Country Club around, with the overtime being the cherry on top! It's a powerhouse where champions are made and groomed above and beyond everything and anything. 

I first joined the club in 2013 and I have been with them ever since. The experience differs from season to season and of course, the more you return, the better your experience will be.

I remember walking onto the premises of Hunters Run for the first time back in 2013 for orientation. It all seemed so different from what I knew. At that time I had no experience whatsoever in restaurants, but after a couple of days of training I figured out that it's not rocket science to be a server. It's your attitude that takes you that extra mile! I've never relied on my personality more than I did when I started going on the program. 

Today, I can safely say that my personality has allowed me to establish myself in the hospitality industry. I never, for one moment, imagined that I would be so close to the golf and tennis members, my co-workers (both local and internationals) and the management team of Hunters Run. 

At Hunters Run it has been emphasized over and over again, how important the steps of service are. We are taught and trained to look at "service" with a different perspective.

Firstly, the perspective of a doctor offering therapy, because you encounter different members every day and not everyone is always happy. You will deal with difficult members and you can't keep everyone happy, but giving good customer service, can make their day and lead to lasting impressions.

Secondly you must see it as art. Have you ever heard the saying "Do what you love so that you never have to work a day in your life." Customer service is exactly that! My art is my personality where I add my own salt and pepper to leave lasting impressions.

 The little things that we tend to disregard in service are those that matter the most. Little things such as acknowledging your table on time, table maintenance and following the steps of service, can add to the personal touch of creating good impressions and thus leading to customer satisfaction.  

This has been the best season for me as I witnessed all the Workaway participants (Irish, South Africans and Romanians) grow in their own unique ways. We had such a lovely group that ultimately became like family and you can only imagine what everyone went through when we all had to part ways. I've never experienced such unity in all the seasons I have done. That was the beauty of the season. 

We have now all gone our separate ways, some up north and some have returned to their respective countries, but I must admit that everyone has won my heart this season and I hope to see the majority of you at Hunters Run again next season.

Only a few weeks left in Florida!

By Amy Bruigom

So with only two weeks left in Florida and having the new club house finally up and running, the hours have been long and the shifts have been tiresome, but I can honestly say it has all been worth it.

The past few weeks have been filled with new experiences, meeting new people and being a part of a new beginning for Mirasol Country Club. With it being the end of the season, we have been able to attend festivities such as Sun Fest and start all the whole packing process once again. Some applicants will be going home, while others have the opportunities to go up north for the summer season.

Sun Fest 2016 – West Palm Beach

It’s crazy to think that I’ve already been in Florida for almost 6 months, when it’s honestly felt like a matter of moments. All the cool and exciting things I’ve seen and done have only been possible because of the program Workaway International has offered me and many others. Being able to extend my H2B visa and going to work in an up north Country Club, not only gives me the chance to see and experience New York, Boston, New London and many more places, but I get to start a whole new chapter in my adventure story. Being young and able to travel and broaden my horizon in hospitality is great. It’s so good to be confident in yourself, knowing that not only do you get to experience this for yourself first hand, but you make memories that will last a life time.

If I could give anyone one small bit of advice, if you have the urge to travel and work, Workaway International is definitely the best way to go about doing so. Yes you work hard, and you sometimes work long hours, but the things you experience and see along the way is worth every bit of effort you put into it.  You make lifelong friends and you learn to become very independent as a person.

xoxo

It's not good bye, it's I'll see you soon!

By Megan Nevett

How true that is. The family you have bonded with are now all going their separate ways. Some are heading to New York, some Connecticut and some to Boston with me. The feeling is surreal.
The last few weeks have been nothing but slow days at work, packing and trying to fit in as much as possible in the days before we leave. There are farewell parties, and endless soppy hugs of "I'll miss you".

I'm looking forward to heading to a new place now. It's time for a new adventure. Meeting new people, learning different things, growing accustom to the typical Boston accent and growing in a strange environment which no doubt, in a few months, will become home.

The process is simple. Various clubs chat and give you the date you are needed, next thing you know, your flight is booked and you’re on your way. Visa extensions have been a slight hassle at times, but other than that, it's all taken care of for you.

In the beginning of this new journey, I said I would only be going for a year. The plan was to do a few new and exciting things, make some money, gain some experience and head back home… Now, after being here, I can honestly say that I don't think I want to go home anytime soon. I feel as if I still have so much to gain from this experience… My time for adventure has just begun.
 So, here's to the new family I have gained and the one I’m looking forward to meeting, the memories that I'll treasure forever and for all the nights of laughter and fun.

It's all been incredible, and I am truly honoured to have met the people that I have. Thank you doesn't begin to cover it.


I'll see you all soon♡