From Workaway Participant to Recruiter!

By Tara Clampett

Hi everyone!

As the Cape Town recruiter for the 2018/2019 season I am very excited to meet both the new and returning participants over the next few months! Over the past few weeks I have had a great time with my colleague Michelle, travelling around Cape Town while marketing the Workaway International program. We travelled from Kloof Street in the CBD to the beautiful Paarl and Stellenbosch to Strand. When we got to Strand I told Michelle I felt like we were in South Beach in Miami... the clear blue ocean, the white sand and the high-rise buildings.

I was fortunate enough to go on the Workaway program myself during 2016 and 2017 and although everyone says this, it truly was an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. The program not only offers the obvious rewards such as earning dollars, gaining international work experience and travel opportunities but it also allows you to really get to know yourself, grow, mature and learn life skills that you cannot be taught at school, university or college.

I went to the New York City alone and on my last morning the subway line that would take me to the airport had been closed for construction. I had a moment of thinking what on earth am I going to do, I am going to miss my flight! But then I decided to put my big girl pants on and I asked "my fellow New Yorkers" which other subway lines would get me to the airport and ran from one platform to the other and when I made it on time to the airport and was standing in the queue for security, this is the moment I realized how much I had matured and grown up.

With that being said; I am looking forward to seeing all the new faces at the upcoming presentations and getting you started on your journey to the USA and on your journey of self-discovery. Trust me, it is the experience of a lifetime!

On the job in the USA.

View of NYC from Central Park.

Saying Goodbye to Florida

By Emma Seager

This is the end of my third season and goodbyes are always bitter-sweet. I cannot believe how quickly the time went.

I am so lucky to have had my mother visit me during my last few weeks at the Polo Country Club. I was able to take some time off to show her Devils Den Spring, where we went snorkelling. We also went kayaking in clear kayaks which were so beautiful and peaceful; I would definitely recommend this to all future participants.

Last but not least, we went to Key West! We started off our road trip at No Name Pub which is covered in one Dollar bills, from the floor to the ceiling. We saw wild dolphins, snorkelled in the ocean and saw the famous Key West sunset. I also managed to get my mom to parasail, which was so much fun!

I only have a few days left at the Polo Country Club and then I am off on another road trip to Chicago with my friend Michelle - we have a lot of exciting things planned and we cannot wait!

It has been a great season and I have learnt so much working at the Polo Country Club. I met some amazing country club members who I really am going to miss. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience and I am excited for the next adventure!

Memories

By Megan Volker

As the season is coming to an end, I look back and reflect on the memories and experiences and I look forward to what is to come.

Who knew this season would have gone so quickly. The memories made on the Workaway International programme are ones that you will cherish forever - whether it be at work with your colleagues or at home with your roommates. There is always something exciting going on.

I am so happy to have been a part of such and amazing experience and to have worked at such a fantastic country club. I would definitely recommend this programme to anybody.

Soon everyone will be parting ways, some are going up North while others are returning home. I can definitely say it is going to be tough as it feels like you saying goodbye to your family. 

However, it is not goodbye; it is ‘see you soon’.

New memories and adventures await

By Latella Smit

What a year this has been, I never thought I would be where I am today. I am truly blessed with this opportunity, which is allowing me to grow as a person and experience life in the US.  Being away from home is really hard and you miss your family so much but it makes you stronger.

Workaway International organised a bus trip for us to go up North to Orlando Universal Studios and it was such a wonderful experience - this has been my best experience so far. I have also been trying out local places and experiencing the nightlife at Delray. I would recommend Mizner Park, Blue Martini, Delray Atlantic Ave and Brickyard, if you are looking for a night out.

We discovered a factory shop called Burlington Coat Factory in Turtle Den. The factory shop sells name brand shoes for $20 to $35! You can also find branded shirts, gym wear, handbags and so much more. I usually spend about $100 and it is definitely money well spent.

In exactly 30 days I will be taking on my next journey to New York. I truly cannot wait to be a New Yorker for 6 months - it is a dream come true.

October Feels Like Yesterday

By Arthur Petersen

I have just over a month left at the Boca West Country Club and I am astounded when I realize that my journey started in October last year and it is already coming to an end.

Between restaurants closing, sorting out contracts and visa extensions, it is still as busy and as lively as it was when I first started the Workaway International programme. Now that we are nearing the end of the season, time seems to be flying by.

I am so happy and grateful to be here. I am just sad I did not get to see every inch of Florida. I am so thankful for the friends I have made and influential people I have met. This experience changes everything for me going forward and I thank the Workaway International team for that.

I hope that I have secured a position up north - however until then, I will continue to work hard and enjoy the rest of my time in Florida.

All the best to everyone who is applying for the 2018/2019 season!

As the season comes to an end…

By Nasiphi Sobahle

As the season comes to an end, it is time to embark on a new venture - whether you are returning home or going up North for the summer season.

I must admit, the hardest part for me is saying goodbye to the local staff, my managers and all the members of Hunters Run Country Club as I have developed such wonderful relationships with them.

I know I speak for many when I say that it has been a long and challenging season, in our case at the Hunters Run Country Club, the membership has been increasing season over season and has resulted in longer hours and lots of overtime. However, it is all worth it in the end.

Towards the end of the season is the perfect time to take that much needed vacation and engage in all the activities that you have been planning to do with friends from other clubs. As a reward for my hard work, I decided to take a trip to New York for a fitness camp, which was hosted by one of my favourite fitness celebrities, Ashley Horner. This was the perfect way to end of a fantastic season!

My annual season vacation - this year the BAHAMAS!

By Claire Smith

This year my friends and I decided to take a cruise to the Bahamas. Travelling is so convenient and much cheaper while in the USA.

Cruises are great as all food is included. You can also purchase a drinks package and all your entertainment is just steps away from your room. You get to meet great people along the way and experience a whole new world. 

I highly recommend that Workaway International participants travel as much as possible while working on an H2B visa. Remember, you are only allowed to travel abroad and return to the USA on your first H2B visa. Once your visa is extended, you will then only be allowed to travel within the USA.

For those of you who have not experienced living the Workaway dream - I recommend that you go on to the Workaway International website (www.workaway.com) and find out when the next presentation dates are and in a few months you might be cruising off to the Bahamas on an annual vacation too.