Thinking about leaving SA

Tander said:
Wait a minute.. you were in the States for two years and decided to leave the 1st world for a very corrupted, crime-ridden, 3rd world country... why?
If you regret it so much, just go back to the States?
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Spot on personal reasons.
It's too late unfortunately but my papers did come through for oz ......
 
Why is it too late?
I hear OZ is nice and closely matches our climate.
 
I studied my masters in the UK for a year. It was such a wonderful and enriching experience. I grew so world savvy and truly saw a great multiculturalism in action. I felt welcome and embraced and was truly happy. coming back to SA was also a bad decision but I will be heading back to do my PhD soon.

I am tired of all our problems here and the politicians not taking responsibility for their failure. I am tired of feeling guilty and unhappy and I recommend that if you can be happier elsewhere do it. In our well connected world it is easy to come back and visit if you have the means to do so. There is just no price that can be applied to finding true happiness and being the person you were meant to be.
 
Pitbull said:
You missed it as you're one of them :p

Joking aside, they have this uptight, snobbish way about them. Especially in London.
Maybe it's just our accents no idea...
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They sneer at people from the "colonies".
 
BeLgaRiOn said:
I studied my masters in the UK for a year. It was such a wonderful and enriching experience. I grew so world savvy and truly saw a great multiculturalism in action. I felt welcome and embraced and was truly happy. coming back to SA was also a bad decision but I will be heading back to do my PhD soon.
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what's wrong with doing your PHD in Stellenbosch?

I've also heard that Stellenbosch is a mickey mouse university compared to other tertiary institutions in the UK.

Would you agree?
 
I have a PhD in electrical engineering, applied for hundreds of jobs in EU, US even Singapore, Hong Kong... nothing...
New visa rules and regulations make it near impossible to get a job overseas. You need sponsorship, hence a company must supply you with a formal letter of employment, but before they can do that they have to show they couldn't find anyone in their own country, or neighbouring countries, that could do the job.

I am still applying, hoping for the best. Even looking for postdocs, as the visa rules are a bit less strict compared to work visas. But the point is: it is not easy
 
je$$ie_jame$ said:
what's wrong with doing your PHD in Stellenbosch?

I've also heard that Stellenbosch is a mickey mouse university compared to other tertiary institutions in the UK.

Would you agree?
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I did my PhD at Stellenbosch, and yes, compared to some universities in UK, US, EU, it is definitely not up to those high standards.
 
There is nothing wrong with doing a PhD at Stellenbosch. However, funding for certain people in this country is quite elusive. It was far easier for me to secure an international scholarship than to get one from a local university. Even if one were to secure funding in SA, it is hardly enough to live off.

I have not personally studied at Stellenbosch so I cannot give my opinion. However, I spoke to the dean of the faculty of engineering at said UK university and he was genuinely impressed at how well equipped and well-regarded Stellenbosch is. He presented a talk at Stellenbosch a few year back.
 
StellenboschStudent said:
I have a PhD in electrical engineering, applied for hundreds of jobs in EU, US even Singapore, Hong Kong... nothing...
New visa rules and regulations make it near impossible to get a job overseas. You need sponsorship, hence a company must supply you with a formal letter of employment, but before they can do that they have to show they couldn't find anyone in their own country, or neighbouring countries, that could do the job.

I am still applying, hoping for the best. Even looking for postdocs, as the visa rules are a bit less strict compared to work visas. But the point is: it is not easy
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impressive.

why not apply for a post as an academic at one of the local universities?

or do you really wanna leave SA?
 
je$$ie_jame$ said:
impressive.

why not apply for a post as an academic at one of the local universities?

or do you really wanna leave SA?
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Not a lot of options locally, that is the problem. Will apply if something pops up, but to date, nothing that excites me. There is just a lot more opportunities in other countries.

I want to leave. I earn enough to live in a nice house in a nice neighbourhood, drive an okay car. I have food on the table every night. I can spend my weekends doing what I like (eating out, braai with friends... whatever). I just feel there is more...
As mentioned, every country will have its problems. Will I have a better live somewhere else? Maybe not, but I want to go and see.
 
StellenboschStudent said:
Not a lot of options locally, that is the problem. Will apply if something pops up, but to date, nothing that excites me. There is just a lot more opportunities in other countries.

I want to leave. I earn enough to live in a nice house in a nice neighbourhood, drive an okay car. I have food on the table every night. I can spend my weekends doing what I like (eating out, braai with friends... whatever). I just feel there is more...
As mentioned, every country will have its problems. Will I have a better live somewhere else? Maybe not, but I want to go and see.
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well atleast you tried locally first before running off.

But all the best mate. I'm sure you'll find a perfect spot soon.
 
marine1 said:
I don't wear a seatbelt unless on long journey.
Ever been hijacked ?
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No. What does a seatbelt have to do with being hijacked?

I'm much more likely to get in an accident where a seatbelt would help me.

Tander said:
Some very valid points here. You need to be happy where you are. Having to worry about crime is not great and I think that is a factor, where ever you go, just at different levels of course. If I could get into the US, I'd be there already. My chances are pretty close to zero... short of marrying a US Citizen, it's not going to happen. Australia looks good but I worry its too much of a nanny state. So that leaves you with a limited amount of options.

The authorised of the coin, like someone mentioned, is focus on getting rich in SA (Not easy) and moving to one of the best areas. However, you still need 6ft high walls and a decent security system. That sort of defensive living isn't for everyone.
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I've asked multiple times but no one has ever given me any reason for that perception that wasn't completely stupid (see Grep's post) or very petty.
 
StellenboschStudent said:
I have a PhD in electrical engineering, applied for hundreds of jobs in EU, US even Singapore, Hong Kong... nothing...
New visa rules and regulations make it near impossible to get a job overseas. You need sponsorship, hence a company must supply you with a formal letter of employment, but before they can do that they have to show they couldn't find anyone in their own country, or neighbouring countries, that could do the job.

I am still applying, hoping for the best. Even looking for postdocs, as the visa rules are a bit less strict compared to work visas. But the point is: it is not easy
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I would take up a teaching job abroad if only to get my foot in the door. Once you're there more and more doors open for you.
 
Pitbull said:
I would take up a teaching job abroad if only to get my foot in the door. Once you're there more and more doors open for you.
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would he be able to maintain his current lifestyle working abroad as a teacher?

seems like he wants to up his lifestyle, not lower it.
 
I'd love to be able to emigrate asap - but I fear I will not have the right qualifications (or connections) in the next decade to do so. Is it worthwhile to emigrate when you're 40? I don't know. Especially when you're single - who would want to hang out with a forty year old?
 
Garson007 said:
I'd love to be able to emigrate asap - but I fear I will not have the right qualifications (or connections) in the next decade to do so. Is it worthwhile to emigrate when you're 40? I don't know. Especially when you're single - who would want to hang out with a forty year old?
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are you a virgin?
 
je$$ie_jame$ said:
would he be able to maintain his current lifestyle working abroad as a teacher?

seems like he wants to up his lifestyle, not lower it.
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No way he's going to walk away here from a cushy job into the same one so easily. And probably the reason he's struggling. All depends on how much you really want to leave. If he's really in a hurry: Teaching. Once he's settled in a year or 2 then he'll definitely get a job that he wants or higher. He has a phd he can be lecturer at a varsity easy. And they get paid very well ;)
 
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