What inspired you to travel abroad?
I heard a lot about the program in the last two years. I saw it on Instagram, and many of my friends did the program before. They always told good stories about the program that made me really curious.
I compared a lot of gap year programs, and this was definitely the program that suited me the most.
Why did you choose the Surfpop Foundation?
Because it really suits my interests. I love spending time with kids. In the Netherlands, I already spend a lot of time with children.
I was and am so happy that I was able to do that even more during my gap year. In addition, I have loved being in the water since I was young. I thought it would be really fun to do this every day with my friends.
With Lulu and Mikulu
What was your favorite part about South Africa?
What I liked most about the country of South Africa was its conviviality. Everyone is so interested, and you talk a lot to the locals around you.
Even though the country has a lot of poverty, it also has beautiful places that I have been able to see. We also went on safari, which was very special. I really appreciate that I was able to discover this country.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Bonding with the kids was the most special thing to me. Because you see them multiple times a week, you really bond with them. I found it very special to combine life here.
Discovering Cape Town with my friends and also volunteering with the kids every day was wonderful. They were really great days, which I was able to experience every day for two months.
Lion’s Head
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
They made the program even more special. Because everybody is so nice, they always take time to have a little talk with you. This way you get to know more about the country, but also about the less pleasant backgrounds that people don't tell you at first.
They were very educational by helping you get acquainted with the country and, importantly, about the less pleasant backgrounds that people don't tell you at first. It was incredibly useful to know.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I have really gotten everything possible out of the past two months.
I have seen and done a lot, such as Signal Hill, Safari, Cape Point, wine tastings, skydiving, quad biking, and much more. There is one thing I haven't done, and that is bungee jumping!
Here in Africa, you can jump from the highest bridge in the world, and I would have loved to do that.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Start your day with a surf lesson. After that, you go to the roof of the hostel for a little tanning session!
Afterwards, you will have lunch together and maybe some shops.
Around 15:00, you go to the lovely kids. It depends on the day–have a surf lesson together or go to their academic school and give them lessons (Math/English).
In the evening you can go to a food market near Signal Hill or go out for dinner and many more things.
Smiles and good times at Surfpop
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
There are plenty of things to do in Cape Town.
Examples: going to a market, Bracing your hair, going to a restaurant, shopping mall, Signal Hill, wine tastings, or even going on safari.
I really tried to discover everything here in two months. There will always be places I still want to go to, but I definitely saw the highlights!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We slept in a hostel. I really liked that, because you always had people around, and you slept with all your friends in a room. Really fun!
I really enjoyed having nice girls around me 24/7. The room was a big mess, but that's part of it. I would also like to share a room with eight girls at home!
Would you recommend Surfpop Foundation to others? Why?
I would definitely recommend the program to anyone else. If you love spending time with kids and in the water, this is the program for you! I have never had such amazing months in my life.
I learnt a lot about Cape Town and the background of the kids. I was so glad I was able to do something for them. It seriously was the best two months of my life.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
You leave everything at home behind. You just forget all the normal rules you need to follow at home and go live your life. Normally, in the Netherlands, you have many obligations, but there, you really live day by day and experience a lot of really cool things.
It's not often that you can escape your normal life for two months during the summer, so definitely take the opportunity if possible.
Happy moment during class time with the students
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I had the most wonderful time of my life. It was so fun to combine spending time with your friends and doing volunteer work at the same time.
I met a lot of lovely people during my stay. In addition, I’m so glad I could do something for the kids and the program. After two lovely months, you really bonded with the kids. I loved spending time with them.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Going back to your own country, knowing that you have made someone else’s life a little bit better. That is why I love doing volunteer work that much.
You can really do something for the children. What they absolutely deserve. Many people want to do something for others, but not many people really take an opportunity. Surfpop is excellent and really does it!!!!
