SA expats grab top jobs

31 August 2015 - 09:37 By GABI MBELE

The top three countries for South African expatriates are the United Arab Emirates, Mozambique and Germany. This is according to this year's Expat Insider survey, which polled over 14,000 individuals of 170 nationalities in 195 countries of residence.It found that most South Africans abroad would spend "at least five years living comfortably in predominantly English-speaking social circles, and in top management positions".It said that 25% of South Africans abroad identified as "employees or managers" whereas only 11% of expats of other nationalities stated the same.The report said: "They are also over-represented in the academic field, with 16% of them working as teachers, academic staff and researchers (global average: 9%)."Of the South Africans polled, 22% have children and the three main factors they considered before moving abroad werepersonal safety (62%), cost of living (31%) and economic and labour market (30%).Durban-born Devon Pyoos, 26, said he first went to Saudi Arabia when he was 19 to teach English and "eventually grew into an advertising content writer"."In South Africa there are barely opportunities for career growth."According to the survey, the top three expat destinations were Ecuador, Mexico and Malta.Of the 64 nations listed, South Africa was ranked 49th as an expat destination.But South Africa was rated as the 18th-best destination for families because of the availability of childcare and education.Although South Africa was ranked low for quality of life (42) and health, safety and wellbeing (51), it was highly rated for its leisure opportunities (8).Walter and Este Buchholz have returned from living in London for the past 15 years with their two children aged nine and six. She said the children were adjusting well to South Africa "despite its old-fashioned way of teaching"."Here, exams start at Grade 4 and there is homework. Both these are reserved for much later in the UK," she said.American Gina Sulprizio, 30, has been living in South Africa for the past six years since coming to complete her Masters in Development Studies at the University of Cape Town. She hasn't returned despite visiting her family twice."The quality of life here is great, besides having a boyfriend, I have made friends and I have a job I enjoy. I am not yet ready to go back home but I will some year, just not soon."The only thing I battled with when I got here was locking myself with so many safety doors, it was a shock at first but I am used to it now," she said.Local Lance Lawson, has been living abroad for over 12 years in various places including Monaco, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand, which started off as a gap year after completing his degree.While job opportunities were good for him abroad, he said: "I love travelling but I had to come back because South Africa is my home and this is where my family is. I needed the grounding".On the web: See the full survey here ..

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