BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Cell: 071 935 5765
pe@ovc.co.za
OVC Eastern Cape is currently working on an appointment basis only.
Please join us for one of our virtual presentations where we discuss our programs in more detail and let us assist you with getting your journey started.
OVC offers various Gap Year programs for the Youth of South Africa and we assist with the entire process from the application - placements and visa/flight assistance, etc.
Contact us today to get your next adventure started.
Santa@ovc.co.za | 078 296 1196
“Life is a journey – enjoy the ride!” It has become a bit of a clichè but I believe it is true. So far, my journey has been rather incredible. During my student years, I travelled to Lesotho twice on outreach programs. After graduating, I went to the USA on an internship in the Florida Keys. My year in the US included snorkelling and jet skiing in the Mexican Gulf, enjoying sunset cruises in the Atlantic Ocean, experiencing Broadway, Central Park and going to the top of the Rockefeller Centre in New York. I watched a football and basketball game, both very entertaining, but rugby and cricket are still my favourites! Two of my highlights were visiting Universal Studios and Disney World in Orlando.
My next adventure was visiting Alberta, Canada and falling in love with the Rocky Mountains. I did an ice-walk in a frozen canyon, went white-water rafting in salmon-rich rivers and swimming in glacier-fed lakes. I did a bobsleigh-ride on the 1988 Olympic track and visited Olympic torches in Calgary and Vancouver. I went on an amazing bear-safari and almost got trampled by an elk while picnicking near a river! I went shopping in the biggest mall in North America, saw a rodeo and watched an ice-hockey game.
While working for OVC I have had the opportunity to travel to Mauritius, Thailand and the UK. In Thailand, we spent one night in Bangkok and had a very scary Tuk-Tuk ride. Down in Krabi we saw the famous James Bond Island, climbed 1237 steps to see the sunrise from the Tiger Cave Temple, enjoyed massages on the beach and went snorkelling in crystal clear water. In Chiang Mai, we went elephant tracking, enjoyed white water rafting and shopping at the markets. We also went to see how the hill tribes live. In the UK, I got to see all the big tourist spots in London. We also visited, Cambridge, York, Liverpool, Dublin, Cardiff, Bath, Stonehenge and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the town in the UK with the longest name!
I am addicted to adventure. My current adventure involves exploring my own beautiful country while sending some new travellers into the world to go and have their own adventures. As the South African Airlines coffee cup says "Ukuhamba kukubona" – Travelling opens a window to the world!
Hello everyone
I am Nika Swart from Cape Town. I have been a house hen most of my life, staying close to my family and in my comfort zone, spending as much time as possible with horses. I was home schooled and grew up in a household that was also a daycare. After matric I worked at a creche for a year and when I realised how difficult it was to find work, I decided to chase my dream and become an Au Pair in the Netherlands. I lived in Blaricum for 4 months and then moved to Rotterdam for 8 months. I was taking care of 5-year-old twin girls, but I took every available opportunity to explore: Keukenhhof Botanical Garden with all the tulips was certainly a highlight. I visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and also travelled to Germany and Belgium. I also went to Bonaire Island in the Caribbean with my host family. What an adventure! My time in the Netherlands taught me to become independent, to budget on my own, to make new friends and have new adventures. Now, by working at OVC, I can guide and encourage others to take a calculated risk and have the adventure of a lifetime – like I did!
Travel is to Live!
The greatest adventure is getting onto a flight to the USA, to experience a year as an Aupair and being afforded the opportunities to travel and meet various people along the way. The friends made and friendships kept, memories and personal growth where definitely the highs of the year.
My year abroad, encouraged my further direction to study a Bcom in Tourism and has allowed me to be part of the OVC team and continue my passion with the Aupair USA program. Travelling is my passion, and to pass this on to those who wish to travel abroad, gives me sense of fulfilment and happiness.
“ The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page”
