Achiever of the week: Gareth Smith

      Aug 09, 2020 | By Nqobile Mdima 

This week‘s feature is Gareth Smith from South Africa. Gareth graduated from the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) in Durban, South Africa. He holds an Honours Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree specialising in Strategic Management. Gareth is a Dining Room Attendant in the United States of America. He works at Boca West Country Club and Wianno Club. He has been enjoying his experience working abroad, and has had memorable moments in America. 

Gareth shares with us how one can qualify to work in the hospitality industry in America, where to search for jobs, survival hacks for expats and also the pros and cons of living abroad.

Where can one apply for opportunities in your industry/company if they are interested to work in America?

The agency I applied with is called Workaway International.

This amazing agency recruits qualified hospitality students to work in exclusive country clubs all over Florida. The website is https://www.workaway.com.

Click on the website to find out more information to see if this amazing opportunity will interest you. Also follow the facebook page below to find out when presentations are being held: 

https://m.facebook.com/WorkawaySA/

 What are the requirements for legally working in the hospitality industry?

The requirements are you to have a passport, a police clearance, H2B Visa and a petition made by the country club on your behalf as to why you should be given the job and of course your work contract.

These are the most important documents, however the agency once you apply will assist you on all the above.

  What is the name of the visa required to legally work in the hospitality industry and what is the application process? 

The visa is called a H2B Visa which is a visa granted to work for a temporary seasonal period of employment and you apply for it at the American Consulate. I do remember the long visa application you fill in which covers a lot of information so be prepared for that. However, as I mentioned before the agency will give you more information and assist you in preparing for this Visa interview as well. They can be contacted should you need further assistance and they do proivde advice on a step by step process of what to do which made the application easier. 

Please list advantages and disadvantages about your role.

The advantages I would say is that I got to work in a top international exclusive country club and now get to add that to my CV.  I got to learn new things  as well as international hospitality standards and skills. Also the country club is so massive I got to meet great people from all over the world daily.  I also got the opportunity to travel and see great places like Miami Beach, Disney World and many other great places like New York City.  

Disadvantages I would say the work hours are long but I knew that it would be. Hospitality does require that, so I knew I had to expect that. As a dining room attendant you're always on your feet, so I went through three pairs of shoes crazy hey. Lastly I would say the same work routine of everyday gets a bit much especially towards the end of the season. But if you apply for this, you get to realize you are going to have to work hard but as the saying goes: ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ and because I worked hard I got to play hard and travel when I got time off. So the disadvantages are definitely outweighed by the advantages that’s for sure.

Please list advantages and disadvantages about living in America. 

The advantages I would say is you are witnessed to great first world country things like drive-thru ATMs, amazing shops where you can get quality branded clothes for way cheaper than you would back home. Also the dollar store was mine and my housemates’ favourite go to saving store. Their mobile networks offer unlimited data packages which was so awesome. Imagine streaming and not having data issues.

The disadvantages I would say if people know you're foreign immediately because your accent is different. But saying that everyone then wants to get to know you, so then it’s an advantage as it’s a good opportunity to meet and make new friends. A disadvantage is the long flight to get to America and being so far from your family and friends make it hard at times.  But thanks to technology as well as your housemates you stay with and work with who become your other family. One major disadvantage is the price of meat is crazy. However when working abroad you cannot compare all the time as you will not buy anything at first trust me haha. When earning dollars, think in dollars that’s what I say!

What would you recommend as the best survival hacks for expats living/working in America?

 I would say first of all don’t and I repeat don’t take a lot of clothes to America. You work most of the time and you have like one or two days off. So rather take less clothes so you can purchase more. The clothes and their quality in America are amazing. Trust me I wish I knew this. Also you can almost get everything needed for your house from cleaning products to even food products from the Dollar Store. Literally that’s the best tip ever. You will save big time. Also checkout the amazing Ubereats and Amazon deals online. They literally deliver straight to your door which is a bonus and amazing when you worked all day.

When you first arrive go to McDonalds’ they have good cheap deals as well as in the Publix store which is a supermarket - you can build a wrap... they  are delicious and not expensive.