“Work”away…Ahem…what work?

By Emma Seager

I leave for Florida in roughly 3 weeks. It has not even hit me yet because getting to this point has been one hell of a roller coaster ride… ‘DilEMMA’ is clearly my middle name! I am quite possibly the most frustrating candidate that Workaway International staff have had to deal with to date!

From being declined… to going for an interview and being accepted… to having my exam dates changed to December and having to pull out of the program… to organising to write early with my University (who would have thought)… to thankfully securing a job as a Cocktail Server at Boca West.

I have pestered Workaway more than one could think imaginable, I am pretty sure they have my number on speed dial! Through all the craziness and back-and-forth regarding the status of my situation, this process has been somewhat effortless, regardless of all the hurdles and obstacles.

The Workaway employees are clearly superhuman! I am so thankful for all the speedy responses and efficiency on their part. What is this ‘work’ you speak of??? I guess I will be finding out shortly! But so far so good - thanks to Workaway :) America here I come!!!

EmmaDilEMMA

XXX

Happy Home, Happy Workplace and Happy Days!

By Marvin Seekoei

Moving into an apartment on the Workaway program with strangers can be a very stressful situation but as an 8 season veteran I just thought that I would like to share some of the tips that have worked very well for me over the seasons.

1. Get to know your housemates and especially your room mate as soon as possible.

2. First impressions always lasts so enter your home with a positive mind-set. Homesickness is real so try to be as polite as possible.

3. The first few weeks can be very hard as some people will be missing home. Try to post everyone’s schedule up in the house weekly so that everyone can know each others work schedule to avoid that the other housemates don’t have a late nights at home with guests which could disturb that housemate’s sleeping pattern for the next working day.

4. Try to have a petty cash for the house of minimum $20 per pay check to cover things like cleaning products, washing powder, toilet paper, milk, coffee etc. because there’s certain things you will always have to share.

5. Try to have dinner once a week with your housemates and use it as an opportunity to keep a channel of communication open.

6. Agree on a general cleaning schedule for the month as a clean house always causes less tension and irritation between housemates.

7. Keep all bedrooms private and a no-go zone for any visitors and use communal areas only for guests.

If you follow these tips I can guarantee that you will have the best time of your life and make friendships that could last for a lifetime!

KE NAKO (IT IS TIME)

By Nasiphi Sobahle

Finally, the time for departure is here.

Please allow me to take you back four months ago. Remember when you walked into Hotel 64 on Gordon for your first presentation? It was stage one of the recruiting process, and you were filled with all those hopes and dreams, and nerves. Some of you may have been too nervous to even see yourself reaching the last stage.

Niwakhe Magau is a successful Boca West candidate. When I asked her halfway through the selection process how she was feeling, she replied: “I am very excited and nervous at the same time. My visa interview is coming up and I get butterflies in my tummy every time I think about it but faith keeps me positive.”

Patience and faith are definitely prerequisites for every successful candidate. Those character traits got you through to the very last stages of the Workaway International recruitment process, as much as your professionalism and hospitality skills and experience.

Congratulations to every candidate who was granted a visa – what an exciting moment it is to receive that documentation and finally be assured you that you will be able to set foot in the USA.

Yes, it is happening. Enjoy the adventure. You’ve worked hard for it and you deserve it. Make the most of every opportunity, and make us, your families, and your country proud.