At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at South Africa and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Travelling MarLa
https://travelingmarla.com/
Whilst she calls herself “just another product of rural western Pennsylvania”, there can’t be many characters like her running around the safari plains of South Africa. A writer by passion and a wanderluster by night, MarLa shares her expat adventures – which to date include dune bashing in the UAE; lunching with monks on Marble Mountain in Việt Nam; sleeping under the stars at Furnace Creek in Death Valley – and some of the advice she has laboured to learn along the way.
Expatorama
https://expatorama.com/
Nicola is an uber expat. Not only does this Brit wrangle 2 children and a husband, she grew up in 9 different countries, navigates the strange and wonderful wonderful world of African roads and has set up an ever-expanding expat group on Facebook group for Johannesburg dwellers. Battling culture shock with a sultry smile over her shoulder, the posts on Expatorama are a must read.
Under An African Sun
https://underanafricansun.com/
Living in her native America before calling France home, in 2013 Kelly and her French husband settled in Johannesburg and haven’t looked back since. In between their outdoor passions, they are discovering as much as they can through the exploration of their adopted home.
A Girl In Africa
http://www.agirlinafrica.com/
Written in both English and Spanish, Diana shares her experiences as an established expat (with Spain, Columbia and America all under her belt) and what it’s like to settle into a new world. Through the medium of fashion and storytelling, A Girl In Africa is a collection of life events told in the lilting, lovely tone of a friend settled with a cup of coffee.
My Thoughts From The Deep End
http://mythoughtsfromthedeepend.blogspot.co.uk/
Written with a twinkle in her eye, My Thoughts From The Deep End is life in Africa through the eyes of a self-nominated Ops team leader, running her new home. Charting their day-to-day hilarious escapades and some of the incredible travel discoveries along the way, this is a blog to be read, especially for expats new to the country.
2Summers
http://2summers.net/
Arriving in South Africa for love, and falling in love with her adoptive city Johannesburg, Heather is one American expat who isn’t planning on leaving any time soon. Cherishing every sunrise, every hug and the extensive experiences she can share with newcomers to the culture, 2Summers was named for the year of sunshine she had whilst swapping lives, but 5 summers along she share her adventures.
Expat Partner Survival
https://expatpartnersurvival.com/
The blog title succinctly says it all really. This is a longterm journal of the trials and tribulations of an expat partner, or trailing spouse. Full of travel, humour and brilliant tips, the author Clara was born in Cuba to British diplomat parents, and knows exactly how it feels…
Five Go Further
https://fivegofurther.wordpress.com/
Operating on the old African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together” this family has set up camp in a new culture, have learnt how to do homework by torch light and cherish every day, learning how to laugh through the rough times.
Translating Me
http://www.translatingme.org/
With topics such as marriage, depression, saying goodbye and the sometimes smelly (literally) reality of life as an expat, all told with a side of wry humour. For new and weary expats alike, Translating Me is a great resource – and even comes with a dedicated Pinterest board for bookmarking and sharing further reading.
We’re always on the lookout for more sites to feature – if you run a blog about living in South Africa, leave us a link in the comments and we’ll take a look!