The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

The show for navigating emigration from South Africa for a better future.Join host Jan Hugo as he shares authentic emigration stories from South Africans who've taken the leap. You'll hear about what drove their decision to leave, the mistakes they made, and how they've built new lives abroad.We'll explore everything from the emotional reality of leaving friends and family behind, to the challenges of emigrating to a foreign country.Relocating isn't always simple, but this show will provide you with the certainty, practical information and support to make the whole process easier.

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 92 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Relocated South African | Emigration stories, a society show with 92 episodes published.

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  The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

  From South Africa to Chile: Love, Language and a New Life-Ep 91 with Wynand Kuhn

  Sep 28, 202648 min

  Wynand Kuhn's move to Chile was never part of a grand plan. Born and raised in Upington, Wynand was working in the restaurant industry in Durban when his brother-in-law invited him to Chile in 2005 to help set up a South African-themed restaurant. He arrived knowing almost no Spanish. Then he met the woman who would become his wife — and decided to stay. More than 20 years later, Wynand lives with his wife and three sons near Santiago and has built an international career in business and renewable energy. In this episode, Wynand talks about arriving in Chile, learning Spanish without formal classes, building a career from English teacher to senior executive, returning to South Africa in 2011 and eventually making his way back to Chile. We discuss life in Chile compared with South Africa, safety, healthcare, education, cost of living, food and wine, raising children between two cultures, and why Chile could be an option for South Africans considering a less conventional destination. Wynand also talks about the Chilean South African Chamber of Commerce, his possible future move to the United States, and whether South Africa could ever be home again. SABLE INTERNATIONAL For over 30 years Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most to you – building your future beyond borders. Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Growing up in Upington 02:50 How Wynand ended up in Chile 05:56 Meeting his wife 06:24 Learning Spanish without classes 07:25 Returning to South Africa in 2011 08:09 Raising three boys 09:03 The challenges of starting out 10:16 Building a career in Chile 12:41 From supermarket worker to general manager 14:31 Returning to South Africa 16:00 Finding opportunities through Spanish 18:00 Why Chile became home again 23:49 Considering another move 25:16 Chilean residency and citizenship 25:40 The possibility of moving to the USA 26:46 The Chilean South African Chamber of Commerce 28:19 Living outside Santiago 29:19 Safety and crime in Chile 32:27 Healthcare and schooling 33:57 Minimum wages and cost of living 34:46 The cappuccino index 36:12 Chilean food and seafood 37:53 Chilean wine 38:54 Staying connected with family in South Africa 40:32 Could Chile work for South Africans? 42:52 Tax in Chile 44:07 Would Wynand ever return to South Africa? 46:01 His advice to young South Africans 47:20 Final thoughts CONNECT WITH WYNAND Wynand Kuhn is active on LinkedIn. You can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynand-kuhn/ THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN The podcast for navigating emigration from South Africa for a better future. www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com If Wynand's story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.

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  The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

  South Africa, UK, Singapore... And Back to Cape Town-EP 90 with Tracey Shearer

  Sep 21, 202646 min

  Tracey Shearer left South Africa in 2003 with an Irish passport, a printer and no real plan beyond seeing what life abroad had to offer. What followed was a 13-year journey through the UK and Singapore before eventually returning to Cape Town. Tracey grew up on Johannesburg's East Rand and spent 13 years running a design agency with her sister before deciding it was time to leave. In London, her original entrepreneurial plans didn't work out, and she eventually found her way into maritime recruitment, a career she has now been in for around 20 years. Singapore became a major part of her life. She ran a recruitment company there for seven years, built an international network and experienced a very different way of living. Eventually, however, her heart was pulling her back to South Africa. In this episode, Tracey talks honestly about leaving South Africa, the realities of starting again overseas, the cost of living in London, Singapore's safety and efficiency, healthcare, building an international career, and why she ultimately chose Cape Town. We also discuss the role of family, the idea that the grass is always greener somewhere else, and how technology has made it possible for Tracey to continue recruiting internationally while living in South Africa. _______________________________________________________________ SABLE INTERNATIONAL For over 30 years, Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most: building your future beyond borders. Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy _______________________________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:01 Introduction 01:15 Growing up in Johannesburg 02:36 Leaving South Africa in 2003 03:44 Arriving in London with a printer 04:17 Trying entrepreneurship in the UK 05:16 Finding maritime recruitment 06:13 Discovering the maritime industry 10:52 The cost of living in London 12:24 Adjusting to life overseas 13:05 Moving from London to Singapore 21:58 Healthcare in London and Singapore 23:27 Why Singapore works so well 29:47 Building a recruitment company in Singapore 30:19 Returning to South Africa 30:52 Working internationally from Cape Town 32:10 Why family pulled her home 32:47 Is the grass really greener? 33:15 Choosing Cape Town 34:00 Building a life back in South Africa CONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN The Relocated South African is the show for navigating emigration from South Africa for a better future. www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com Listen, subscribe and explore more stories from South Africans around the world. If Tracey's story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.

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  The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

  From Durban to Budapest: A South African Finding Home in Hungary-Ep 88 with Connor Jackson

  Sep 14, 202644 min

  Connor Jackson was born in Durban, spent much of his childhood in Tanzania, returned to South Africa, and then unexpectedly found himself building a life in Hungary. At 18, Connor went to Hungary on a Rotary exchange programme. He didn't choose Hungary as his first option, but what began as a one-year adventure became a life-changing experience. He returned to South Africa after the exchange, started studying at Stellenbosch University, but soon realised that he wanted to return to Hungary. He eventually moved back to Budapest, restarted his degree, learned Hungarian and began building a career there. In this episode, Connor talks about: Growing up in Tanzania and living in an expat mining community Arriving in Hungary with virtually no Hungarian The challenge of learning one of Europe's most difficult languages Returning to South Africa and discovering that he had changed Leaving Stellenbosch and moving back to Budapest Studying international relations and starting his career in Hungary Finding community through Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and rugby What life in Budapest is really like Safety, public transport and the cost of living Working for Hungarian companies The challenges of Hungarian immigration and bureaucracy Being forced to leave Hungary after a visa problem How a lawyer helped him return Why he recently became a Hungarian citizen Travelling and building a life across Europe Connor also explains why putting yourself out there is so important when you move abroad, and why joining a sports club or other community can be one of the best ways to make friends and build a new life. And despite becoming Hungarian, Connor says you never stop being South African. ______________________________________________________________ SUPPORTED BY SABLE INTERNATIONAL For over 30 years, Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most: building your future beyond borders. Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy _______________________________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:11 Welcome from Budapest 01:02 Growing up in Tanzania 03:43 Life in a Tanzanian gold-mining community 07:20 How Connor ended up in Hungary 09:08 Living with Hungarian host families 10:59 Arriving in Hungary with no Hungarian 13:35 Learning the Hungarian language 14:51 Returning to South Africa 16:28 Leaving Stellenbosch for Budapest 18:23 Studying and working in Hungary 19:12 Finding community through martial arts 21:35 Living in Hungary during COVID 23:44 Building a social life in Budapest 24:40 What Connor loves about Budapest 27:52 Cost of living in Hungary 30:50 Working in Budapest 32:42 Hungarian immigration and bureaucracy 35:23 Advice for South Africans considering Hungary 36:55 Becoming a Hungarian citizen 38:25 Travelling around Europe 40:00 Committing to your new life abroad 41:28 Braai, biltong and staying South African CONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com Listen to The Relocated South African on Spotify, YouTube and all major podcast platforms. If Connor's story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.

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  The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

  From Green Card Lottery to HR Director: Starting Again in America-Ep 87 With Andreas Pyper

  Sep 7, 202655 min

  Andreas Pyper's journey to America began almost by accident. In 1997, he and a group of friends entered the US Green Card Lottery as a joke. His wife Amanda won. A few years later, they packed up their lives in South Africa and moved to California. What followed was anything but easy. Andreas arrived in America as an experienced HR manager, but found himself starting again at the bottom. His first job was as an HR filing clerk. He had no US credit history, no professional network and no company waiting to welcome him. His wife also had to start over, completing the requirements to become licensed as a therapist in California. The first 18 months tested their family and their marriage. They experienced financial pressure, loneliness and uncertainty. Later, they lost their home during the 2008 financial crisis and had to rebuild again. But Andreas kept going. Today, 26 years after moving to the United States, he is a Human Resources Director for a large county organisation in California. He shares the practical lessons he learned along the way, from building a US credit history and choosing the right employer to understanding pensions, healthcare and the importance of accepting that you may have to take a few steps backwards before moving forward. Andreas also has some strong advice for South Africans considering America: build relationships with Americans, don't expect your South African career success to transfer immediately, be prepared to work your way up, and don't underestimate the importance of having a strong marriage and family partnership. This is an honest conversation about immigration, resilience, humility, career rebuilding, marriage and making a new life work. _______________________________________________________________ SABLE INTERNATIONAL For over 30 years, Sable International has offered solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so you can focus on what matters most: building your future beyond borders. Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy _______________________________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:17 Welcome and Andreas' life in California 02:32 Growing up in Durban and Cape Town 07:44 His political upbringing 09:13 University and national service 10:31 Working in HR and the Green Card Lottery 11:16 How his wife won the Green Card Lottery 13:16 Discovering California 16:07 His father's life after politics 17:10 How the Green Card process worked 19:19 Leaving family behind 21:02 Starting again in America 24:29 Building a US credit history 28:25 His wife's professional re-licensing 29:30 The difficult first 18 months 35:29 Immigration and marriage 37:25 Losing their home during the financial crisis 42:24 Building their lives again 42:41 The importance of government jobs and pensions 45:10 Healthcare in America 47:02 The biggest mistakes South Africans make 49:25 Advice for anyone considering emigrating 52:45 The one thing he would have done differently CONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN www.relocatedsouthafrican.com If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another South African considering life abroad.

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  The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

  27 Years in America: Why He's Building a Base Back in South Africa-Ep 86 with Andries Coetzee

  Aug 31, 202654 min

  Andries Coetzee left South Africa for the United States in 1999 to do a PhD. His plan was simple: complete his studies and return home. Instead, 27 years later, he is still in America. After completing his PhD at the University of Massachusetts, Andries joined the University of Michigan, where he has built a successful academic career. What began as a temporary move became a life in the United States. But his connection to South Africa never disappeared. After becoming an American citizen, Andries found that his South African identity became more important to him. His research shifted towards South Africa and Africa, and regular visits home gradually strengthened his desire to maintain a deeper connection with the country he left behind. A powerful experience during a University of Michigan orchestra trip to Soweto finally convinced him that he wanted a second base in South Africa. He has now bought a property in the Stellenbosch area and is considering spending much more of his time there after retirement. In this episode we discuss leaving South Africa, adapting to American academic life, the differences between South African and American universities, life in Ann Arbor, the cost of living and healthcare, South African identity abroad, and what it means to be at home in two countries. We also talk about Andries' optimism about Africa's future and why he believes more South African and African students should consider postgraduate study in the United States. Most importantly, this is a conversation about something many emigrants eventually discover: you can build a successful life somewhere else without losing your connection to where you came from. "As an expat, you're at home in two places, but not really fully at home in one." _____________________________________________________________ For over 30 years, Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most – building your future beyond borders. Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy _______________________________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:06 – Why Andries went to America in 1999 03:04 – Growing up in rural Limpopo 04:08 – Adjusting to the American university system 08:37 – From PhD student to professor at Michigan 11:00 – Why he didn't return to South Africa 14:48 – Family, loss and building a life in America 18:53 – The South African "soft landing" 20:32 – Why Africa became important again 24:42 – His optimism about Africa's future 27:11 – Why he's considering a base in South Africa 31:02 – The Soweto experience that changed his thinking 34:06 – Buying a property in Stellenbosch 34:41 – Could he eventually return permanently? 38:07 – Retirement, money and exchange rates 40:33 – Healthcare in America and South Africa 43:43 – Afrikaans, culture and identity 46:57 – Being at home in two countries 48:38 – Advice for students considering America CONNECT WITH ANDRIES COETZEE University of Michigan Email: kutsiya@umich.edu Andries also offers workshops and guidance to African students interested in studying in the United States. CONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com The Relocated South African – available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. If Andries' story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.

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