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What does it mean to truly come full circle in your expatriate journey? Rob Malitz reveals the unexpected twists and turns of a life spent bridging two continents while never losing sight of his South African heart.

Rob's story begins like many others – a young professional heading to London for what he calls "the partying year." But his path diverges from the typical narrative when he decides to return to South Africa after experiencing crime in London. "If I'm going to be surrounded by these elements, I'd rather actually go home to the country I love," Rob explains, challenging the common assumption that people leave South Africa primarily for safety reasons.

The conversation takes us through Rob's remarkable career transition from "boring old accountant" to successful recruitment entrepreneur. His candid account of founding Red Eye Recruitment during the credit crisis – "My business plan suggested nobody would be silly enough to do it" – reveals the blend of courage and strategic thinking that has defined his professional life. Now operating internationally, his business serves a unique purpose: helping South Africans gain global experience without permanently leaving, while also assisting those who wish to return home.

Perhaps most compelling is Rob's evolving definition of success. Where once it centered on material wealth, it now encompasses family well-being, respect from colleagues, health, and the flexibility to enjoy life. His advice for expatriates – "You are a guest in their country" – speaks to the humility required to thrive abroad while maintaining your South African identity. As Rob puts it, "When you arrive back in South Africa, part of me reattaches to myself," capturing the enduring connection many expatriates feel to their homeland regardless of where life takes them.

Whether you're contemplating a move overseas, currently living abroad, or considering a return to South Africa, Rob's journey offers valuable perspective on crafting a life that honors both your roots and your wings. Join us for this insightful conversation about what it truly means to be a South African abroad.

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What happens when a devoted Cape Town resident who "would never leave South Africa" finds herself making a new home in a small Spanish town? Simona's story isn't your typical expat tale of fleeing problems, but rather a thoughtful journey toward family and opportunity.

After both her adult children settled in Europe, Simona and her husband reconsidered their future. The growing gap between earning in rands versus euros combined with the pull of family abroad led them to Spain's beautiful Costa Blanca region. What they discovered there went far beyond financial considerations.

The most profound revelation came about a year into their new life: "I didn't even realize how much fear I was living in until I stopped just looking around me and clutching my bag," Simona shares. Watching someone leave their phone unattended at a café table—and finding it still there upon return—highlighted the dramatic shift in daily security and peace of mind.

Despite Italian heritage that simplified visa concerns, challenges remained. Spanish bureaucracy proved nightmarish, requiring legal help despite EU citizenship. Learning Spanish continues four years later (with amusing mishaps, like discovering the Italian word for butter means "donkey" in Spanish). And yes, those legendary Spanish siestas are absolutely real!

The move enabled Simona to finally pursue her dream of writing children's books, with her first publication coming this year. Meanwhile, her programmer husband continues working remotely, allowing them a comfortable life in their small town where everything is walkable.

For those contemplating a similar move, Simona offers wisdom: "It's not a question of the grass being greener on one side or the other. It's what you bring to it." Her experience shows that expat life isn't about escaping problems but about creating new possibilities—sometimes in unexpected places.

Want to hear more stories like Simona's? Subscribe to South Africans Abroad and join our community of global South Africans forging new paths while keeping their roots. Share your thoughts or your own expat journey with us at saabroadpodcast.com.

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Roy Bowden's journey from the sun-drenched beaches of Port Shepston to the snow-covered forests of Sweden offers a fascinating window into the dramatic contrasts of expatriate life. As a boat builder who once helped prepare the first blind man to sail solo from South Africa to Australia, Roy's adventurous spirit has carried him through multiple countries before finding an unexpected home in Scandinavia.

The cultural shift proves as dramatic as the climatic one. Roy vividly describes the transition from South Africa's open, spontaneous social culture to Sweden's more structured, reserved society where "you wouldn't just pitch up at somebody's house on a weekend." This adjustment represents one of the most significant challenges for South Africans abroad – recalibrating expectations around friendship and community building.

Brexit introduced a bureaucratic nightmare that continues to shadow Roy's life in Sweden. Despite being married to a Swedish citizen for nine years, the end of EU freedom of movement left him in a precarious legal position, highlighting how international politics can dramatically impact individual lives without warning. His four-year battle to secure legal residency serves as a cautionary tale about the complex, shifting landscape of international immigration.

Yet amidst these challenges, Roy finds profound joy in Sweden's seasonal contrasts, comprehensive social systems, and the vibrant community of 12,000 South Africans who have created support networks across the country. From annual camping weekends to homemade biltong, these expatriates maintain their cultural identity while adapting to Swedish life – embodying Roy's philosophy that "the grass is greener where you water it."

For anyone contemplating a similar journey, Roy's story offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. Success abroad requires thorough preparation, realistic expectations, and complete commitment to adaptation. The expatriate experience isn't simply about finding greener grass – it's about learning to cultivate your own garden in foreign soil.

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