Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Pretoria, South Africa

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Pretoria

Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?

No

SJB Global
Connect

SJB-Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model. Our clients benefit from their country’s most favorable tax environment by utilizing the efficient investment vehicles we offer. Our commitment to quality service is reflected in our stellar reviews, with over 300 testimonials boasting 95% five-star ratings.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

SJB Global

SJB-Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model. Our clients benefit from their country’s most favorable tax environment by utilizing the efficient investment vehicles we offer. Our commitment to quality service is reflected in our stellar reviews, with over 300 testimonials boasting 95% five-star ratings.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?

I speack english but Pretoria is mostly Afrikaans. I didn't learn it.

Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?

No

How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?

We have lived for 20 years in different countries in Adfrica. Coming to South Africa was the worst cultural shock I ever had. I wasn't prepared to face the after effect a=of appartheit.

Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?

I have never settle in the culture. (7 years now). I still get very irritable about the way people interact here. I guess I never left the rejection stage!

What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.

I went through a deep depression. But recovered and looked at other things that South Africa could give me (beside the normal socialisation and cross cultural exchange that I could in the other countries). I did some training and re-opened my art studio.

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Segregation

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

Keep on being curious. And if there is no fit for you in the culture, look around and find other fits somwhere else.