A Better Future in Portugal for Our Children with Rogerio Vieira - E6
Have you ever wondered if moving overseas could really give your children a better future? Or what it’s actually like to leave South Africa behind and start fresh in a new country with your whole family?Today I speak to Rogerio Vieira, who made the decision to relocate with his wife and five children from South Africa to Lagos, Portugal - the same place my wife and I have relocated to! Rogerio shares what it was like to adjust to life here in Lagos, why they felt it was the right move for their kids, and what challenges they’ve faced along the way — especially when it comes to fitting into a new schooling system and learning a new language.As someone who’s gone through their relocation experience, it was great to chat with Rogerio and hear his honest perspective. I really enjoyed hearing about his family’s journey, the ups and downs, and his advice for anyone considering making the same move. I think you’ll find his story both relatable and helpful if you’re thinking about your own future abroad.“The younger they are, I think they pick it up quite easily. Us older people, it's a bit more difficult. It's not an easy language.” - Rogerio Vieira00:00 Introduction04:21 Rogerio’s father’s immigration story06:29 Living in Lagos11:04 The possibility of returning to South Africa13:18 Don’t make the same mistake we did!14:55 Getting his wife’s Portuguese passport18:49 His advice for those leaving SA todayThis podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com
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21:02
Raising Children in The Dubai Desert with Wade Loehmer - E5
Have you ever looked back on a big decision, and realised that you did the right thing, even after all this time? In this episode, I spoke with Wade Loehmer, who moved to Dubai with his wife when she was six months pregnant. Three kids later, and Wade and his family are celebrating ten years in this vibrant city. Initially sparked by a work opportunity and familial ties to the United Arab Emirates, he took a chance and hasn’t looked back.We spoke about what it’s like to live in a place that’s so different from virtually anywhere else in the world. Hearing about the adventures and adjustments that come with raising three children in a foreign land was both insightful and heartening. The challenges were certainly there, but so were the opportunities, and Wade shared some solid advice for those considering a similar path.Join me as we journey through his story together, and perhaps you’ll be encouraged to take a similar (big) step!“We all know we have to leave at some point and I think that's the difficulty in the UAE … everyone has to leave [because] there's no real retirement facilities available to an expat.” - Wade Loehmer00:00 Introduction04:04 Building a South African construction company06:52 Following investment and rental trends10:55 Challenges of emigrating13:43 Longing for South Africa19:00 Safe community for expats20:54 Cycling and running23:41 Hope for change in South Africa27:57 Starting small in financial management This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com
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29:47
Fostering Foreign Family Ties in Australia with Steven Phyffer - E4
All parents want their children to grow up somewhere they can be happy, healthy and thrive – but what if that meant packing up and leaving everything you'd ever known behind? In today's episode, I spoke with father, husband and founder of the travel app Oorsee, Steven Phyffer, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his family when he decided they needed to leave South Africa. We'll explore Steven's fascinating journey from South Africa to the UK and eventually to Australia. He and his wife made this move with their young family, seeking not only new adventures but a place where their children could live their best lives. What strikes me most about Steven's story is his dedication to building a sense of community for South Africans abroad, through his app and online presence.You'll no doubt be inspired, as Steven shares both the struggles and joys of emigration, the importance of creating your own community abroad and advice for anyone thinking about moving overseas. His warmth and enthusiasm for connecting with others are truly heartwarming, and I know you'll find as much value in his story as I did.“I decided that I want to build this app that's going to help bring South Africans together. A social media app, but without all the distractions in it.” - Steven Phyffer00:00 Introduction01:00 Starting Oorsee and emigrating08:17 Navigating emigration costs12:59 Celebrating South African culture17:19 My advice on saving21:11 Buying a bakkie25:01 Finding a common thread28:01 Opportunities abroadResourcesCheck out the Oorsee app: https://oorsee.com/Watch Steven’s interviews on the Oorsee YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Oorsee-appJoin Steven’s Facebook group “South Africans currently LIVING abroad”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/salivingabroad/This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com
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31:01
A New Sense Of Safety In Spain with Siobhan Erasmus - E3
Relocating from South Africa to another country is a big decision, and requires careful planning and adapting to a lot of change.Today, I'm excited to bring you a conversation with Siobhan Erasmus, who decided to leave South Africa for Spain in 2018 after a traumatic home invasion (which is sadly a common story among South Africans today). She and her family took their time to plan the move, ensuring they wouldn't make any rushed decisions they'd later regret. Siobhan's European background gave her options, but her husband preferred a sunny place like their home in South Africa, leading them to choose Valencia. Despite their careful planning, they faced challenges, like adjusting to a new language, social isolation, and Covid delaying the move. Her story is one of a lot of consideration over a few years, and navigating the challenges of adjusting to an entirely different lifestyle. What struck me most was Siobhan's honesty about the difficulties of building new connections and the importance of being prepared for the language barrier.Siobhan's main motivator was ensuring a safer environment for her daughter, and although she misses some aspects of South Africa, the safety and new opportunities in Spain outweigh the negatives.“You can't get into the culture if you don't speak the language.” - Siobhan Erasmus00:00 Introduction05:11 Local language is essential10:53 Navigating foreign healthcare16:37 Illusion of progress17:17 Spain vs Johannesburg, South Africa22:48 Reflecting on trauma25:34 Choosing safety over danger27:04 Settling down for goodThis podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com
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28:09
Adapting To A New Culture In Ireland with Mariette Momberg - E2
In this episode, I talk with Mariette Momberg, who left South Africa to build a new life in Dublin, Ireland. With a background in finance and a thirst for experiencing the world, Mariette's story is sure to resonate with many.Mariette moved to Dublin five years ago for a combination of personal and professional reasons. She desired to experience more of the world alongside her husband (as they're both in finance and wanted to travel more), be closer to family abroad, and expand her career in investment management. She has an EU passport (which definitely made relocating easier), and they wanted to find a place with a lifestyle and culture similar to South Africa. Although the move was emotional, her vision of a better future for her career growth as well as for raising children outside of South Africa means that they do not regret the decision at all.I was truly inspired by her journey and how she embraced the new culture while navigating the ups and downs of relocation, especially during such a challenging time like COVID. I hope you'll find her story as valuable and inspiring as I did.“Once you get your people and you get your support structure, you get closer a lot quicker.” - Mariette Momberg00:00 Introduction03:25 A big career decision07:14 Building a South African network10:25 Debating returning home13:29 Furniture misfits 17:18 Embracing positivity in challengesThis podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com
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.
South Africa