Misconceptions about life abroad and general information about emigration

Nobody can deny that there are serious problems in South Africa which have to be addressed. Unfortunately some people are so fixated on these problems, that they do not realise that negative factors also exist in other countries. Life abroad is not necessarily moonshine and roses. People who leave the country, unfortunately often only realise this when they have already paid the huge emotional and financial price attached to emigration. People considering to leave the country therefore have to take note of the situation abroad before departing, in order that they may make an informed decision.

Many people emigrate without having considered all the pros and cons attached to the process thoroughly. There even are emigrants who had never visited their proposed destination before moving there - not even as tourists! They may become disillusioned, but by then it is hard or impossible to reverse their decision.

The factors mentioned below, definitely have to be taken into account before you consider emigration. Obviously the destinations of South African emigrants differ considerably, and therefore not every factor mentioned below will apply to all countries equally.

Emotional feelings of loss and longing

Emigration tears families apart and causes a break in the ties you have with the people and the country that you know and love so well. Holidays cannot make up for the permanent absence and emotional support system of loved-ones, friends and relatives.

Then there are also things which you will miss a lot in your new home (which often may turn out never to become your true home). Humans are social beings and the company of people similar to you, who speak your language and share your culture, may turn out to be more important to you than you realise. The feeling of loss normally only starts after a few months abroad. Initially the new home will seem exciting and exotic, but once you get used to it, you will start missing your former home.

If you do decide to emigrate, it will help you to know that the acculturation process typically follows a U-curve:

• The first 2 months are the "honeymoon phase", in which everything is new, interesting and exciting;
• The next 8 months are characterised by signs of maladjustment and problems;
• From month 10 adjustment and acculturation will gradually become noticeable;
• By month 25 it will be evident whether the individual/family have mastered the situation and in other words emigrated successfully, or not.

Cost of emigration

The rand is relatively weak in comparison to the currencies of most emigration destinations. The cost for a family of four to emigrate can easily amount to more than R250 000, which includes flight tickets, permits, freight and storage fees only.

Stumbling-blocks for emigration

Emigration and immigration lately are contentious subjects and the bureaucracy of most countries complicates the process. The government of the country of origin may limit the capital and goods which may be taken out by the emigrant, while the destination country may charge large fees for work and residence permits, as well as setting high requirements for legal immigration. According to the points system used by countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia, only the cream of society, in terms of money, education and experience, get the opportunity to immigrate. Large investments are also often required before immigration is allowed. Some countries limit the amount of time which a newcomer has to get permanent employment, or else they have to leave again at their own cost.

Weather, lifestyle and habits

Many emigrants who leave South Africa for the presumably greener grass abroad, do not realise what a drastic change in environment and lifestyle it will be. The weather in the Northern Hemisphere, with its rain, snow and cold, takes a lot of getting used to, especially for someone used to a sunny country such as South Africa. For example, the outdoors lifestyle to which South Africans are used, is unfamiliar in Europe. The proverbial hospitality, extrovert nature and cheerfulness of most South Africans, as well as well-known church denominations are not common abroad.

Cost of living

Often people forget to take the much higher foreign cost of living into account when comparing the astronomical foreign salaries (in rand terms) with local remuneration. One has to remember that not only the salary will be in dollar, pound or euro, but also the expenses. Especially in terms of accommodation and food, South Africa still is quite affordable, although vehicles, electrical and electronic goods are much more expensive here in general. Meat is a luxury in most countries and often also of a lesser grade than what South Africans are used to. For the price of a luxury home in an affluent South African suburb, one can barely afford a simple apartment in a high density residential area in London.

Standards

The standards abroad are not necessarily as high as South Africans tend to believe. Especially the education systems are not always much better than local schools. In fact, discipline in international schools tend to be much worse and there will probably not be the opportunity for your child to attend a Christian state school. In England there is a large class division between state and private schools – high quality education is associated with private schools, which few people will be able to afford.

Another matter to which one has to get used, is the excessive bureaucracy and control to which is not common in South Africa. Medical services may also be less readily available or even of a lower standard abroad.

Second-class citizenship

People who leave South Africa because they allegedly feel like second-class citizens in the country or are aggrieved by the fact that their mother-tongue is increasingly losing its public status, often unrealistically expect to be treated as first class citizens in another country. South Africans frequently remain outsiders abroad, unless they are prepared to abandon their own culture and assimilate the language and culture of the new country completely. Few are however prepared to do so – in fact, they often consciously live a South African lifestyle. This may result in alienation and exclusion and they may feel like second-class citizens in their new home too. Eventually the first generation emigrants could even become estranged from their children and grandchildren, who will be more readily prepared to assimilate.

South African citizenship

It is indeed possible that one can inadvertently lose one's South African citizenship. In the case of people who were born in South Africa, this usually happens when they apply for citizenship of another country without having applied for the retention of their South African citizenship first. The citizenship of people who were born abroad and naturalized here at a later stage, are also influenced by factors such as the number of years spent outside South Africa and when they left the country.

In 2004 it was incorrectly announced abroad that one cannot lose one's South African citizenship under any circumstances. This is not the case! Currently the Citizenship Act does allow South African born citizens to retain the right to permanent residence in the country, but as explained above, it is possible under certain circumstances to lose the citizenship, including the right to use a South African passport.

It is however no longer necessary to apply for written permission from the South African Department of Home Affairs to travel on both a South African and another country's passports. All that is required, is that the South African passport has to be kept valid at all times and always has to be used to enter into and exit from South Africa.

A few points to reflect on if you are considering emigration

• Selection. The best person for the position is not necessarily the best person for the job. The ideal immigrant is adaptable, unprejudiced, an independent thinker, has a sense of humour – also with regard to him/herself – and usually an extrovert. Physical factors also have to be taken into account, for example, tall people have a hard time in Japan because vehicles and accommodation is mostly designed for shorter people there.
• It is necessary to know more about the destination country's marketing, negotiation and decision making culture, as well as their management style and labour legislation. In some countries newcomers are expected to show initiative, in others this is regarded as unacceptable arrogance. Even inter-office humour has to be handled carefully
• It is essential to know more about the country's lifestyle.
• Consider the spouse's adaptability and how he/she will get through his/her days if only one of the two will be employed or will be allowed to work. Find out whether the destination country's immigration legislation allows both spouses to work.
• Consider the children's adaptability, as well as their ages. The closer they are to the end of their school career, the harder it becomes for them to relocate or return. Younger children on the other hand often experience emigration as an emotional trauma, for example resulting in speech problems when they have to attend school in a different language.
• Language barriers. Even though a country's language medium may be English, different accents and idioms may make it difficult to understand it 100%, and language difficulties may be experienced as unfriendliness, stupidity or despondency.
• Know the destination's unique medical problems (such as malaria/yellow fever/legionary disease/pollution/extreme temperatures) and plan for medical emergencies directly or shortly after your arrival. Remember that migration is a stress-filled process which may also necessitate long-term medication for chronic conditions such as depression or blood-pressure problems, which travel insurance will not cover. Also bear in mind that most medical schemes will not cover pregnancies or major operations during the first year of membership. Immigrants rarely have access to the same comprehensive medical benefits as citizens of the host country, who will enjoy preference. Also remember that if you were to return to South Africa at a later stage, you will have to pay additional levies on your South African medical scheme premiums because you were not a member of a South African scheme for some time.
• Get as many quotes for relocation costs as possible.
• Consider the salary scale, tax and cost of living in the country of origin and compare it with the same in the proposed destination country. Use the Big Mac index as criterion.
• Career planning: Which career opportunities are there in the destination country and in South Africa – the latter especially in case the emigration process fails and you have to return.
• Communication with the home-front is essential. Budget for calls, e-mail and flights to South Africa. If frail or aged loved-ones remain behind in South Africa, determine whether you will be able to fly to them on short notice in case of emergency, and what it will cost.
• Personal preferences – are housekeepers essential, will you be able to practise your favourite hobby or sport in the destination country, and if so, at what cost? What about the weather?
• Will you have sufficient provision for your retirement if you emigrate?