Bikes ’n Wines

Placement organization

Name of organization: Bikes ’n Wines
Town/city: Cape Town
Country: Zuid-Afrika
Website: http://www.bikesnwines.com

Name of student: Steffanie Bakker

Specialist area: MTT
Placement period: 2013-2014

Information about placement organization

Type of organization: Tour operator
Organization’s activities: Bikes ’n Wines is an organisation that arranged guided cycling tours through the wine lands of Stellenbosch. During the tour the guests will be visiting different kinds of wine estates where they can taste the price winning wine of South Africa. During my time here as an intern I helped in the office to arrange the bookings for the guests, helped with the marketing and promotion and I helped guiding the tours.
Target group of the organization: Dinkies
Company culture: Bikes ’n Wines is a small and chill company. the boss of the company said the first day that I came here; Just wear shorts and flip flops, that is how I do it every day, and he does that every day.
Number of employees: 6
Dress code: casual
Did the organization meet the agreements you made beforehand? Yes

Information about your placement

In which department(s) are you working? During my internship I worked at the office of Bikes ’n Wines. Because it is a small company they don’t have different departments. I helped with the marketing, with the bookings and with guiding the tours they are offering.
Brief description of your daily activities: During the day I have different tasks. If I have a day at the office I will answer all the incoming emails and arrange the new bookings that are coming through. If there are incoming phone calls I help the guests there to find the best tour for them. also I have to keep an eye on the social media stuff, so I had to post new pictures or tweets online so that everything is up to date again.
If I had a day of guiding I first meet the guests at Cape Town tourism and went with the guests to Stellenbosch by train. after an hour and a half we arrived at Stellenbosch, you will brief the guests and you will make everything ready for the tour, help the guests to find the perfect bicycle and start the tour. during the day you will visit different kinds of wine farms and you will have lunch during the day as well. at the end of the tour you will take the guests back to town again.
Brief description of your company assignment: for my assignment I have to find out if it is really necessary for Bikes ’n Wines to use different kinds of hotels, hostels and backpackers in town. Bikes ’n Wines give those hotels 20% commission for every booking, but is this working, will they get more guests through those accommodations or is it better to use the money for other things.
Comment briefly on your supervision by the organization: During my internship I learnt to work hard and do things on your own. not waiting till someone is saying what they want you to do, you have to come with your own ideas. Because it is a small company you are alone a lot and have to do things on your own.

Requirements for students on placement

What kind of personal skills are required for this placement? Independent, flexible
Additional company requirements for this placement? MS Office, writing skills
English: Advanced
Spanish:
French:
German:
Italian:
Other languages: Africaans

The trip

Mode of transport to reach your destination: Airplane and Car

Accommodation

How did you arrange your accommodation? I rent my accommodation with 4exchange, I can recommend this for student in Cape Town or Port Elisabeth
How did you go to work every day? During the first months I used public transport, in the last months I rent my own car.

Visa / work permit / vaccinations

Do you need a visa? Yes you need a internship visa
Do you need a work permit? not really necessary
How did you arrange the necessary documents: You have to go to the embassy in The Hague
How much time did it take to arrange the necessary documents?
Did you need certain vaccinations? Yes
How long in advance? 2 months in advance

Language course

Did you take a language course before you started your placement? No
Would you recommend to have a language course prior to this placement? no

The costs in euros

Travelling expenses (e.g. return ticket): € 900
Accommodation (monthly): € 300
Local transport (monthly): € 100
General costs of living (monthly): € 300 tot 400
Costs of visa: € 1000 (a deposit of 750)
Costs of work permit: €
What did the company pay for/to you? The company gave me a financial compensation of R2000

Culture

How did you prepare for the country’s culture?
I read about the history of South Africa, but you will learn more about the culture when you arrive here in Cape Town. You can’t compare Cape Town to the story’s people are telling in The Netherlands, you have to see it with your own eyes to really know that Cape Town is so much better. The people here are so nice and always willing to help you when necessary.
Did the culture of the country influence your performance during the placement in any way? No

Future students on placement

Future students are free to contact me for further information: Yes
My e-mail address: 120874@edu.nhtv.nl

Other information

Recommendations on what to do and what not to do: I would definitely recommend people to go to Cape Town to see the city for themselves. It is so beautiful and nothing compare to what people say. You will fall in love with the city, the people, the food, the weather, with everything.
Leisure possibilities in the city/surroundings of where the placement took place: In Cape Town and surroundings there is to much to do. you can go surfing, swimming, cycling, skydiving, paragliding and hiking. And if you are in Cape Town, you definitely have to go and do the bungee jump from the highest bungee jump bridge in the world.

Media

Youtube link Youtube placement video link