Ellie was working at Warkhurst, a treking business in the north Island, Here are some questions we asked when she returned
How well did you adapt to living in a different culture.
"Very well, .. they were an incredibly nice family. very kind. New zealand culture and people are very relaxed. Although they expected high Standards in their work and business understandably, they managed to be very relaxed in their off time."
Did the placement live up to your expectations
"Yes. I was expecting to work hard and I did! Depending on how busy the days were, we might be riding for 4 hours a day and always untacking, tacking up and feeding horses. We were expected to talk with the clients even if they did not always understand English! All of this Roger (the rep) had described to me over the phone before I went so I was expecting what I found."
How can Changing Worlds improve the programme in your destination?
"When I needed help, Roger Ludbrook was there and very helpful and once settled, it was very easy to just sort things out for myself. The culture is such that it is very easy to adjust to their way of life"
What recommendations and advice would you give future participants going to the same placement?
"Be prepared to work hard because these people are trying to make a business work. Its not just fun all the time. There are hard days and easy days but I found both these were fun."
