Stefanmuller
Expert Member
As mentioned I think the experience of moving abroad depends a lot on the individual. Things are different in the UK/AUS/US than here in almost every aspect. You will have no family support structure and initially no friends to relate to. These types of changes are one of the most difficult things to adapt to. Here in SA, even though you might hate your job, hate the government and the prospects of the country, you can still go "home" after work, do what makes you feel comfortable, have a braai etc. Over there you have to work on those things and get used to it, apart from falling in with your new work culture. And if you feel you cant cope you have very little if any support structure to fall back on.
That being said, some people absolutely thrive on change and new environment. Usually these people are also younger, unmarried and without kids. You also have to factor in what I would call "dispensible years" which is pretty much anything below 28 years of age, maybe 30. In that age gap you kind of have nothing to lose, and write it all down to life experience.
After age 30, it is very dangerous and difficult to make such a move in the hope of having a better life overseas of you feel you are not on par in SA. If you do decide to leave though, it needs to be long term else you will likely come back dissapointed and put back another 2 years. Cguy had the right idea...keep at it for a few years and build yourself up like you would in SA.
Many people will testify bringing back savings and having travelled all over while working overseas for 2 or 3 years. But they dont often tell how they had to cut down, live in a small flat and eat egg on toast most days. If I had to do that in SA I would also have money to save and for travel.
I am still for moving abroad though, and probably still would, but it should be with the right reasons and with a realistic expectation. It is not a sureway to boost yourself (at least not immediately)
That being said, some people absolutely thrive on change and new environment. Usually these people are also younger, unmarried and without kids. You also have to factor in what I would call "dispensible years" which is pretty much anything below 28 years of age, maybe 30. In that age gap you kind of have nothing to lose, and write it all down to life experience.
After age 30, it is very dangerous and difficult to make such a move in the hope of having a better life overseas of you feel you are not on par in SA. If you do decide to leave though, it needs to be long term else you will likely come back dissapointed and put back another 2 years. Cguy had the right idea...keep at it for a few years and build yourself up like you would in SA.
Many people will testify bringing back savings and having travelled all over while working overseas for 2 or 3 years. But they dont often tell how they had to cut down, live in a small flat and eat egg on toast most days. If I had to do that in SA I would also have money to save and for travel.
I am still for moving abroad though, and probably still would, but it should be with the right reasons and with a realistic expectation. It is not a sureway to boost yourself (at least not immediately)
).
that said I think most people are happy with their choices, you do have to have a strong power of will to accept your choices and make the best of them through good times and bad.
