To stay, or not to stay? Relocating overseas is one of the biggest, toughest decisions that one can make. You have to consider your reasons for it, look at the pros versus the cons, and weigh up all of the things you gain (and give up) when making that move.
Relocating from South Africa is not always easy. And today I'd like to share my own experience of going through that exact process.
In this episode, I'll be reflecting on the many insights and lessons learned from both my personal journey and from 24 previous conversations with other South Africans who have relocated. I'll talk about what makes people happy in South Africa, and what happens when those things start to disappear. Whether it's concerns about physical safety, job opportunities, or wanting a better education for your children, I'll cover the main reasons people find themselves seriously considering a move overseas.
I'll also speak honestly about the difficult parts - like missing family, the challenges of starting from scratch in a new country, and the grief that can come with breaking up close-knit communities. But it's not all negative! I'll share the practical things to think about before relocating, the joy of discovering new freedoms and opportunities, and why, after everything, my wife and I are settled and happy with the decision we made.
If you're thinking about relocating abroad, or just want to know what really goes through a person's mind before, during, and after such a big move, I hope you'll find some value in this episode.
“Sometimes it's hard to make the sacrifice now, but five years down the line, you look back and you'll say, wow, I did the right thing.” - Jan Hugo
00:00 Introduction
06:09 Essentials to consider pre-relocation
09:09 Opportunities abroad
11:07 Challenges of family separation
14:04 Making an aligned decision
19:04 Reflecting on leaving SA
If you want to connect with us or share your own story, please contact us on:
relocatedsouthafrican@gmail.com
This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency: