What inspired you to work for World Voyage?
When I was 18 years old, I took a gap year and became an Au Pair in the Netherlands. The experience has changed my life in unforgettable ways. In my mid-twenties, after studying and working a couple of jobs, I always had the need to return to the cultural exchange industry. I realized that there are many agencies; however, agencies that are, according to my knowledge, overpriced and that offer bad service. I decided that I wanted to make a shift in the market and not only give people great opportunities but also give them even better experiences. Our main priority is the safety of our candidates, and I therefore spent years sourcing the best partnering agencies to work with.
Describe a typical day at work.
The job seems exciting on social media, but in reality, I am pinned behind my laptop for the majority of my day! I typically begin my mornings by checking the bank statements and doing some accounting, followed by leading my team into their daily duties. I am in charge of the visa applications and therefore have to check who is next on the list, what documents are outstanding, etc. It is a lot of admin and paperwork! Our days are decorated with celebration moments, glimpses of talking strength and hope into someone who is homesick, and lots of problem-solving.
Mondays are rough as an Au Pair!
Why do you do what you do?
I cannot imagine myself doing anything else. My job is fulfilling in the sense that whenever I see a candidate who went through my hands explore and experience new cultures, I get a satisfying feeling knowing that I contributed to that. I literally watch lives change for the good, and I watch young people grow up in a split second since arriving abroad. It is satisfying to know that I am making a difference not only in someone's life but also in the world.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love it when a candidate places with a family; our team actually celebrates with the candidate. Visa approvals are also something that I enjoy, especially knowing that after a rough paperwork process, I won! Whenever our candidates depart to their destinations abroad, I also feel like Momma Bear whose cubs are leaving for the wild; wildly proud and excited with them!
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I studied BA Languages and Literature. My skills in Dutch have certainly been beneficial, especially with the paperwork. I did modules in translation studies and text editing, which I use a lot, especially when building the profiles of our candidates. My communication subjects were helpful in writing a training manual for our candidates to teach them about the different communication styles, how to resolve conflicts, and how to be an active listener.
What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is that we know we cannot assist every person who crosses our path. Sometimes the programs are really not meant for everyone, as they do not meet the requirements. I overcame it by introducing a new program, which will allow new opportunities for a bigger variety of people.
Having a braai (BBQ) with the South African community in Norway
What are some current projects you are working on?
I am in the process of launching a Digital Nomad program in South Africa, and I am bringing our Volunteer in Southern Africa off the ground. Furthermore, I am always looking at options to expand our Au Pair programs, to grow our database, and, of course, sign contracts with more partners to better the chances of our candidates finding a placement.
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
If you ever hesitate whether you should do something, do it twice and take photos the second time. Don't be afraid and go fully all the way, you can sleep when you return to your home country, never put plans off while you are waiting for friends - learn to do things alone. And my last corny quote would be: "If your dreams are not scaring you, you are not dreaming big enough."
What makes World Voyage special?
In South Africa, we are the only Au Pair agency where the owner has been an Au Pair in more than one country before. Our management has had recent experience in the industry and can relate to Au Pairs. We focus on being efficient and do not buy our clients with decorations and goodies; we provide a fast and honest service that always brings them back for more.
Sweden has the most beautiful streets, and I got to attend a Taylor Swift concert!
Why should someone choose World Voyage over competitors?
We are an agency that actually cares; we know the importance of a gap year, and we value that there will be trials and tribulations; however, we like to keep the damage to a minimum. We are young and can relate with our candidates, we have had recent abroad experience, and we can sympathize with culture shock and homesickness as we have been through those motions ourselves.
What hopes do you have for the future of World Voyage?
I hope to grow World Voyage into an agency that can place not 100's but 1000's of candidates a year. I would like to expand my recruitment efforts to other countries outside of South Africa and also recruit foreigners to come to South Africa. I believe it would be a wonderful experience to educate others about South Africa and have them experience our beautiful country as well.Are there any developments with World Voyage that you would like to share with us?
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to make going abroad and experiencing a cultural exchange program accessible to the masses. We do this by obtaining more partners and launching new programs and opportunities that will give more people the chance to go abroad. We strive to educate people about various countries, and we do this through our Cultural Exchange programs.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope that they grow throughout the program, that they experience life in a different beat than what they are used to.
I hope that it broadens their horizons and teaches them other values, skills, and ways of thinking.
Of course, it would be beneficial for them to gain work experience, learn a new language, and learn to cook different meals; however, the main takeaway should be on a deeper level.
Christmas in Paris
How do you help support participants?
We offer various training to our candidates who are embarking on a new adventure. We offer an Au Pair Bootcamp, which prepares them for life abroad, program rules, and the dos and don'ts. Furthermore, we also give a pre-departure training which gives our candidates a glimpse of what life abroad would be like, we give them advice and tips on how to open a bank account, obtain their permits, etc.
If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I have participated in 2 of our programs: Au Pair Turkey and Norway. Both of these programs are special in their own way, with two different cultures. I have had the best experiences, which I would forever be thankful for. My next program would definitely be to either be an Au Pair in China or teach in Cambodia or Costa Rica.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
I believe that with every travel experience or trip one goes on, one returns a changed person. Embracing new cultures will allow you to learn things that are different from your norm. Sometimes it is good to see how other people go around their daily lives, as it can most of the time be an extremely humbling experience. By understanding how other cultures work, we also grow a sense of understanding and compassion, which inevitably makes us better people.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel goes beyond just visiting a place—it’s about having experiences that create a deeper connection to the destination, people, and culture. It is about experiencing the good, the bad, and the ugly, finding yourself in awkward situations, and making mistakes. It is not always about visiting the picturesque touristy places, but also about roaming where the locals are living their daily lives. It is to educate others about your culture and where you come from, and essentially to leave an impact on the lives of others, while their lives impact your outlook at the same time.