Monday 29 May 2017

Busy times ahead...

By Chevonne Kieser

It has been a busy week since my first blog post. Some of you might have seen me in the Cape Town offices, interviewing a few candidates. Honestly, it was great having the view of Table Mountain for a change and taking a break from the ice cold weather in Johannesburg.


This past weekend we had our first presentation at The Capital Moloko Hotel in Johannesburg. What an awesome turn out we had! We were only supposed to have two presentations, but the turnout was so big that The Capital Moloko allowed us to have a third presentation to try and accommodate everyone.


All three presentations were filled to capacity. We even had to start a sign-up sheet for the next presentation. Please note that we will be back at The Capital Moloko Hotel on the 10th of June. We will have three presentations on that day as well. 

It was so nice seeing some of the returners at the presentations and catching up with you all.


This week I will be hosting presentations at a few hospitality schools in different cities. Interviews will also start taking place at The Regus in Sandton soon. I look forward to getting to know everyone on a more personal level.


Start spreading the word to all your friends that you think might be interested and have the right skill set for this program. We still have more presentations coming up and would love to see you there!

Friday 26 May 2017

Create your own journey in the Sunshine State!

By Claire Smith


Hi everyone, I am Claire Smith and I've recently completed my fifth flight from sunny Florida to Durban, South Africa. It is my third time doing it solo and I've become quiet the travelling pro!


My American adventure started in 2012 and with 5 successful seasons at the Mirasol Country Club under my belt, I am now home to tackle the role of Durban's Workaway International Recruiting Representative for the upcoming season! I want all of you to experience everything I have over the last few years and more!

5 years ago I completed my studies and decided that I need a change of pace. I had no hospitality experience but I was determined to go on this programme. I landed a job at a local restaurant and a few months later went to a Workaway International presentation. Shortly after, I attended orientation and was boarding a plane weeks later.


For the next few months, all 1.56m of me was nervous, anxious and scared. Well, 5 years later and Florida feels like my second home!

This program has allowed me to challenge myself, explore my surroundings and meet the most amazing people.

During my time at Mirasol Country Club, I have gone from a Server to Server Captain and most recently taking on a management role in Food and Beverage.

        
I have had the opportunity to travel to the Bahamas, Cancun, Mexico City, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Key West, Las Vegas, New York City and I recently celebrated my 30th birthday in Puerto Rico.




Through this program, I have made lifelong friends. I would never have thought that my first roommate would later become my best friend and I would later be her Maid of Honour! I was still working at the same Country Club with many people who started this journey with me all those years ago!


If you need a change, an adventure, work experience or looking to earn good cash and travel – then I highly recommend joining this program, it is life changing!

Monday 22 May 2017

Should I or should I not?

By Carmille Cole
These are the words that kept playing in my mind. Nevertheless, I took on a new challenge and this is where I am today. My name is Carmille, I am 34 years old and this is my story.
In August 2016 I accepted a job to work in Dubai. I was very stable and quite set in my career. However, I was still thinking; “Should I or should I not?". I went on vacation that month, after returning home, I did research and decided to pursue a different career path with Workaway International.  In October 2016, I found myself at Fountains Country Club. It has been such an amazing journey so far!

I boarded the plane and happened to sit next to Workaway participants. Little did I know that one of them will eventually be my roommate.
We arrived in New York and decided to hop on the sub-way. We didn’t even know each other yet, but we had a blast! The autumn weather was perfect – the leaves were perfect shades of yellow and orange. I still couldn’t believe that I was in New York City!


My first day definitely set the tone for the rest of my stay. Since then, I have enjoyed working and spending time exploring with the rest of the group. I worked a Halloween Party for the first time - with face painting and all. The events are on another level here, it is always very interesting and exciting and I always look forward to the next one.  Guests were fascinated and intrigued by our beautiful South African accents. While the work was hard, I definitely had much more fun.  
This experience has given me the opportunity to travel. Places like Miami and Cuba have always been on my bucket list and I am happy to say that it has been ticked off. Cuba was mind-blowing. The warm welcoming locals, their culture and cuisine is amongst the best I have ever come across in my time traveling. It didn’t hurt that Cuba is also the birthplace of Mojitos and Cigars.

I am happy to say the end of my time in the USA brought along something better - I have landed the position of head recruiter for the Workaway International office in Cape Town. With this, another adventure awaits. I get to meet new people from all walks of life and this is one of the biggest reasons why I enjoy hospitality so much.
With that said, I am looking forward to meeting you and sending eager, passionate people to the USA. Remember that you should be willing to go the extra mile and work hard while having fun! This opportunity is not just mind blowing but an experience of a lifetime.

Monday 15 May 2017

And then there was America

By Chevonne Kieser

My name is Chevonne Kieser, 28 years old and from Boksburg. I am thrilled to officially introduce myself as the Head Recruiter in Johannesburg for Workaway International for the 2017/2018 winter program.


I recently returned from America and I can honestly say that it has been a life changing experience.

When I left high school, I decided to study Tourism as I always had a passion for travelling. Part of my studies required me to do a six months practical outside of South Africa.  That was the first time I got a taste of the American lifestyle. Although my first working experience in America was not through Workaway International, it was Workaway International that kept me going back for five seasons. 

Having international working experience in hospitality was enough for me to be accepted onto the Workaway International program. I was hired as a hostess at Boca West Country Club, where I worked my way up to Hostess Captain.


This program pushes you to be better. You meet people from all around the world, and they end up becoming family by the end of the season. 

This program is not all fun and games. Yes, work sometimes does not feel like work because of the familiar atmosphere that you are in; but this program does push you to limits you never thought you could reach. It opens up your eyes to things you would not normally see and changes your prospective. You can only grow while being on this program.


I am so excited for the upcoming season and to see what the Johannesburg candidates have to offer. I really look forward to meeting everyone and hope to see you at the upcoming presentations.



Sunday 14 May 2017

New Beginnings

By Emma Seager

I have one more day left until I begin my journey to Long Island, New York. I cannot believe how quickly the past 6 months have gone! I have made some amazing memories and have had an experience of a lifetime. The Workaway International program has made so many things possible.


The hardest part is saying goodbye to all the amazing people who I have shared this experience with. If you considering doing this program alone, I can assure you, you will never be alone. You will make friends that become like family.

My roommate became like a sister to me. She left this morning to fly home and I am heartbroken. I am going to miss her so much. However, I know it is not goodbye but rather, “See you later”.



As one door closes, another one opens and I am so excited to see what New York has to offer. I will be making new friends and experiencing so many new things and I cannot even begin to describe my excitement. New York, I hope you are ready for me!

But first - I need to figure out how I am going to get all my stuff into one suitcase ;)

Wish me luck!

Tuesday 9 May 2017

What a season!

By Nasiphi Sobahle

It feels like it was just yesterday when we were packing our bags, getting ready to leave South Africa and head to the United States to work at our respective and prestigious country clubs in South Florida.


However, the season is slowly coming to an end and I would like to congratulate each and every candidate that made it through the winter season, regardless of which country club you are at. I know I speak for most when I say that it was not as easy as we had imagined it to be, but it was definitely worth it.


There are a few people I would like to thank - each of you have impacted my life, my experience and my career in more ways than one and for that I am forever grateful.
To Ms. Watkins (COO of Hunters Run Country Club):  Words fail when I reflect on the five seasons I have completed at Hunters Run. It has been the BEST! Thank you for all that you and your team have done for the Workaway Group. I speak for the majority when I say we are truly thankful for the opportunity.

To the F&B Management staff (Jadranka, Courtney, Todd, Luis & Steve): You are one of a kind. You have created such a pleasant and conducive working environment for us. Nothing warms my heart more than being assured that we can count on you and that you have our best interest at heart. It has been another successful season under your wing and I have learned so much from each and every one of you as you have all impacted my life differently. I have grown and discovered myself under your watch.

To the members of Hunters Run Country Club: WOW! I have developed and established such good relationships with all of you over the past five seasons. I do not only see myself serving members of the club, but serving my “family”.

To my Workaway International colleagues: Thank you for an amazing season, we had our ups and downs but we were able to remain united. I hope you found what you were seeking and I hope your experience at Hunters Run was nothing short of amazing. I wish you all well on your future endeavors.


Thursday 4 May 2017

My years At Hunters Run Country Club

By Nasiphi Sobahle

I am not sure where to begin, I have so much to say; as I am sitting here, I am going down memory lane and I am reminded of my humble beginnings.  

I joined the Workaway International program in 2012 and was placed at the Hunters Run Country Club. I was still very young and naive, not knowing what this industry had in store for me. I also did not have any experience but I remained positive and was so grateful that both Workaway International and Hunters Run saw potential in me - this alone was reason enough for me to give this opportunity my all.


I strongly believe that putting in an effort is more valuable than anything else. My time at Hunters Run has all been based on effort - I acknowledged that I was new in the industry and was willing to learn by throwing myself in the deep end. I knew I would come out stronger.

I have learnt so much at Hunters Run over the years and as cliché as this may sound, this country club has become my home.

To my colleagues, managers and amazing members at the country club, I am beyond grateful for all that you have done for me, from all your teachings to life lessons and more.