What inspired you to travel abroad?
After finishing my Bachelor's degree in Paris, I wanted to take a break from studying, immerse myself in a new environment, and learn new skills. I had never been to South Africa, and I heard incredible stories about both the country as well as the people. It was an easy decision to go to Cape Town!
Why did you choose the Surfpop Foundation?
I learned about Surfpop through a friend in Paris, who knew the founder of the organization. I was immediately interested in the nature of Surfpop's program–as it's the perfect combination of surfing, education, and truly making a direct impact in the community. I reached out to the founder that same week and got a spot on the volunteer team a few weeks later!
In the Surfpop classroom
What was your favorite part about Cape Town?
Cape Town quickly had a special place in my heart. I volunteered with Surfpop in 2017 and moved back to Cape Town to work with Surfpop in 2020. Not only was I immediately drawn to the laidback lifestyle in Cape Town, filled with ocean, mountains, and amazing people, but I also knew I wanted to stay involved with Surfpop. The work this organization does is incredible!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Volunteering with Surfpop is the number one reason my stay in South Africa was extraordinary. I got along really well with all the people working for the organization, and Surfpop's beneficiaries all stole my heart. Each kid was special in their own way, and it was very special to me to see that bond grow over time.
Camping in Cederberg, close to Cape Town
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The support from local staff during my stay with Surfpop was excellent. If there was an issue, whether it was related to how to buy a sim card, where to rent a car, or where to have a delicious lunch, the staff was always there to help me out. I have always felt very safe and connected to the whole team!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have stayed longer in 2017. Luckily, I got the opportunity to start working with Surfpop in 2020. The organization still has a special place in my heart, as my time with Surfpop really allowed me to grow. If anything, I wished I had bought a surfboard immediately from the beginning instead of borrowing other people's boards all the time.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day with Surfpop will kick off with a delicious breakfast, followed by a surf lesson. Big waves, small waves, no waves, we always had fun and learned so much! My surfing improved a lot in a short amount of time.
After lunch, we would go to the Surfpop classrooms to help out with the Surfpop kids. Alternatively, we would go surfing with the Surfpop children in the afternoon. Outside of the Surfpop program, I would hang out a lot with other Surfpop volunteers.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
The group of Surfpop volunteers was very close, so we did lots of things together outside of the Surfpop program. We would visit Cape Town's multiple beaches and would go on countless hikes. Cape Town is especially famous for its amazing nature, so being out in the mountains or being in the ocean were definitely my favorite things to do in my free time.
At Cape Point, the most southern tip of Africa
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Back in 2017, all Surfpop volunteers would stay in a hostel in Muizenberg - a sweet little surf town and the perfect spot to learn how to surf. The hostel was right on the beachfront and I would wake up and have my coffee on the beach. Perfect!
I know that later on, Surfpop volunteers would stay in a volunteer house in Muizenberg.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Please bring all of your skills and input to the program! What I really enjoyed about Surfpop is that, next to regular programing, there is so much room to bring in your own ideas.
There was plenty of time to organize your own workshops for the children - whether this was photography, dancing, presenting, or anything else.
Would you recommend Surfpop Foundation to others? Why?
For sure, and 100%! Surfpop has had an incredible impact on me. I learned so much from the staff and the children alike, and I would want anyone else to experience that, too! That aside, Cape Town is an incredible city to live in and I would highly recommend this to anyone. There is so much adventure to be experienced!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Back in 2017, I was so young and new to the world, and it was, therefore, so good for me to go out and learn and experience new things! Even though I had lived abroad for a couple of years before I joined Surfpop, every place is different and will teach you different things about life. It is so important to be out there!
Camping out with friends - one of my favorite things to do
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
As mentioned previously, I enjoyed staying with Surfpop in 2017 so much that I decided to work for the organization in 2020! I think that shows how close I quickly became to the organization, its staff, and its children.
It helped me learn what kind of work I want to do in my life and where my values are. On top of that, Surfpop gave me the opportunity to explore all this, and I will always be grateful for that.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful traveling means to give and take. It's not only about you and your adventurous travel through and to a new country. It's about learning about local cultures and local viewpoints and how to merge well with them.
I come from a place that is so different than where I traveled to, and for me, it was always a top priority to make sure I was blending in with the local culture. It's so powerful and beautiful to learn from other cultures!
