“We could have never predicted what was to come for our very first season at the magnificent Club at Mirasol” - Ashley Garrity and Claire Knepscheld

When we applied to The Workaway International Program we could have never predicted what was to come for our very first season at the magnificent Club at Mirasol. The whole Workaway International experience from applications to our flights being booked seemed to be the easiest and fastest process.

We can never forget our very first day landing in the Florida humidity – that was an experience (we are from Durban so for us to say it was hot, it really was hot!).

Buying our first groceries, settling into our beautiful apartment and meeting the people who would contribute to the epic season we had to come. 

 

The service industry in the US is unmatched, in South Africa the hospitality industry most commonly employs school leavers who don’t intend on pursuing it as a career whereas Americans hold quality service at an extremely high calibre and in turn creates careers out of the service industry, so for us this experience was like nothing we had ever experienced in South Africa. 

Alongside learning so much and making great money we were also able to experience so much! From spontaneous trips to Miami and getting surprised by Claire that we are going to watch The Miami Heat’s play live, taking an all-expenses paid cruise to the Bahamas and visiting Universal Studios in Orlando. Did I mention that we did all of that in 1 season?

All of what we have experienced is thanks to The Workaway International Program. 

 

We are beyond grateful for everything that The Workaway Team does for us and we cannot wait to get back!