A New Chapter

By Tara Clampett

It is always a bittersweet feeling leaving your home country, your comfort zone, your family and friends. This season it was especially tough saying goodbye to the amazing ladies at the Workaway office. I am eternally grateful to each one of them for making the past five months so enjoyable.

Now for the start of a new chapter… This season I am a part of the wonderful team at the nation’s number 1 private residential country club, Boca West Country Club. All the staff are so friendly and always willing to help, which makes adjusting to a new work environment much easier. I am sure many of the first-time participants are feeling very nervous about their first day at work, however as Mr Linderman, President, COO and GM of Boca West says, nerves are a good thing as they show that you care about your job and that you want to perform well. It is also important to remember that ultimately, we are all representing South Africa while we are working in the USA so let’s represent our country well!

I believe that it is important to start your season with a goal in mind…for many of us, saving money is the main reason for joining the Workaway International program and a goal such as this helps keep you focused throughout the season. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing your bank balance grow and all your hard work pay off. You could be saving money for a car or house when you get home or maybe for a vacation at the end of the season… whatever it is, do not lose sight of your goal!

I wish all the new participants the best for the season ahead and I hope that it will be a successful season for Workaway South Africa!

Pure Gratitude

By Christiaan Haasbroek

Time has flown by so quickly! I cannot believe that I will be applying for my visa again, to return to Admirals Cove Country Club for another season.

Since I landed in South Africa it has been an adventure.  I took a trip to Cape Town to meet up with all the ladies behind the scenes of Workaway International, South Africa, who works long hours every day of the week catering to all the participants needs.

As a participant and not an employee I would like to thank; Charlotte, Lucy, Michelle, Tahira, Tara, Robyn and Amber for the amazing work that they do. They are truly making dreams come true by making sure that every candidate is taken care of.

No one really realises the amount of work that goes into each candidate, from each region. Participants always feel that once they start the process things do not happen as quickly as they would like, and then suddenly you get that call and everything is happening all at once. It can be a bit overwhelming and stressful, but trust me, once you arrive at the country club all the stress, anger and tears will be completely worth it.

Over the past 5 months I have met some amazing people that will be joining us on the Workaway International programme. I have to say that I am thoroughly excited to work with the new candidates. The other recruiters and I have come to learn who you are, and we truly look forward to joining everyone at the country clubs. If we do not work together we might end up seeing you around Florida at the local supermarket or mall, maybe even at the beach 😉.

It has been an honour to work for Workaway International these past 5 months and a real challenge. I wish you all the best for the next few weeks: with visa appointments coming up, packing and getting ready to head out on a brand-new adventure!

Here’s to a New Season!

Sonia Marques

In about 2 weeks I will be leaving for Delray Beach, Florida - to work at the Addison Reserve Country Club for my third season!

Even as a returner, the excitement is still there. There is so much to look forward to, especially in the beginning of the season – a new season is like a new year.

Who am I going to be working with? Who am I going to meet? Who will become my closest friends? What will the theme of the Season Opening Party be? What will our staff party be like? Where will I go explore this time around? All these questions are getting me excited for what’s to come.

The most exciting part of a new season is meeting new friends, who will be making your experience even more worthwhile - these friends become your family. You will meet people from all over the world; South Africa, America, Ireland, Austria, Germany and Portugal, to name a few.

A new season is also a new opportunity to prove yourself to your country club and to yourself and it allows you to excel in your strengths and grow even more as a person. The learning never ends.

Although this can all be very exciting, there is still sadness in leaving home. However, time flies and before you know it, the season is coming to an end and you will be reunited with your loved ones. It is important to remember that this is an opportunity of a lifetime and your family is so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself too.

Good luck, work hard and have fun!

Bitter-sweet moments

By Robin May

We are currently in the final stage of the recruitment process - Visa Appointments; which means our dreams are slowly becoming a reality. Control your nerves, look and speak professionally and be punctual. First impressions are extremely important.

For some it will be their very first time going to the USA, which can be nerve wrecking yet exciting. For the Workaway returners, it will be like going back to our “home away from home”.

My advice to candidates going on the Workaway International programme for the first time is to be yourself and keep a professional working balance with your employers. This is key for the next season when your country club offers you another opportunity to possibly come back and gain more experience 😊. 

For me personally it is bitter-sweet. I have been home for 5 months and in just a few weeks I will be on my way to Florida! I am thankful for this golden opportunity and to be part of such a prestigious programme. It is always sad having to say goodbye to family and friends, but nothing is more encouraging than support from people that believe in you and your dreams – so make them proud!

Soon we will be jet setting to Florida on a 24-hour flight. You will be exhausted and completely amazed at every leg of the journey. Stick together, wave your Workaway Travel Wallets with pride and fly the South African flag high!