August 6, 2024 • 32 mins
Ever wondered what it's like to swap the sunny streets of Johannesburg for the icy expanses of Alaska? Join us as we chat with Candice Vialpando, a vivacious South African expat, who shares her fascinating journey from Benoni to Anchorage. Listen as Candice recounts her transcontinental love story, beginning with meeting her American husband in South Africa and navigating the complexities of a long-distance relationship, which ultimately led her to a new life in the United States. After nearly a decade in Nevada, she and her family sought a more sustainable lifestyle, finding their paradise amidst Alaska's stunning landscapes.
Candice offers an intriguing glimpse into adapting to Alaskan life, including the culture shock and unique wildlife encounters that come with the territory. Experience the thrill and challenges of living alongside nature as Candice tells stories of moose munching on Halloween pumpkins and the necessity of bear spray and special trash locks. She also dives deep into the immigration process, from securing a K-3 visa for marriage to the ongoing pursuit of citizenship, highlighting the patience and resilience required for such a monumental move.
Discover the transformative journey Candice has undergone, including her return to school for a master's degree and the sense of community she found in Anchorage. She candidly shares the emotional ups and downs of being far from family and the enriching cultural exchanges between South Africa and Alaska. Candice reflects on the freedom and safety of her new home, the economic challenges, and the benefits of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). Her experiences in early childhood education and her husband’s role with the Bureau of Land Management provide a comprehensive look at life in the Last Frontier, offering invaluable insights for anyone considering a similar adventure.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome back to South Africans Abroad a show for
expat South Africans and anyoneinterested in the experiences of
those who have made the moveoverseas.
Each episode we'll hear fromSouth Africans who have left the
country to pursue newopportunities, be with loved
ones or simply follow theirdreams.
We'll explore the challengesand triumphs of life as an expat
and the unique perspective thatcomes with being a South
(00:24):
African abroad.
I'm your host, warren Burley,an expat South African who, like
many, followed the dream ofworking overseas.
Whether you're an expatyourself or just curious about
the expat experience, join us aswe delve into the motivations,
struggles and joys of being aSouth African living overseas.
Today we've got an incredibleguest joining us, candice
Vile-Pando.
(00:45):
Originally from Benoni inJohannesburg, south Africa,
candice has made the bold moveto Anchorage Alaska.
She's here to share her uniquejourney with us from the
bustling streets of Benoni tothe rugged wilderness of Alaska.
We'll dive into her experiences, the challenges she faced and
the amazing adventures she's hadalong the way, a true
embodiment of adventurous spiritand resilience of South
Africans abroad.
(01:05):
Candice, how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Hey Warren, doing good.
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm genuinely thrilled to bepart of your podcast.
I feel like it serves as awonderful platform for South
African expats like me to hearour stories and hopefully
inspire others back home who areconsidering embarking on a
similar journey.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Brilliant.
Yeah, that's kind of the ideaof the podcast.
We like to get everybodyinvolved.
You know, also, people have alot of questions about how to
get overseas and if they shouldeven make the move overseas.
And speaking of which, why thehell and how the hell did you
get to Anchorage Alaska?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, yes, the hell.
Did you get to Anchorage Alaska?
Yeah, yes.
So in 2012, I found myself at acrossroads after completing my
bachelor's degree in SouthAfrica and job opportunities
were scarce, so it was promptingme to look abroad for new
prospects, and originally I wasaiming for London.
(02:04):
But fate intervened and I makemy now husband, who's an
American, during one of hisvisits in South Africa, and we
had a long distance relationshipfor a while and spent time
between both countries beforedeciding to get married.
And yeah, then you know like,while my heart will always
(02:27):
belong to South Africa, I'vecherished the opportunity to
experience life beyond itsborders, and settling in America
felt like a natural step for us, and over the past 11 years,
we've been blessed with fourchildren and have found our
forever home in Alaska.
All right, we've been blessedwith four children and have
found our forever home in Alaska.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
All right.
So that begs the question outof all the states, california
being one of them, why Alaska?
What made you choose Alaska?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So we spent nine years in Nevada and we were in
Reno, nevada, and we were justlooking for something that was
not the hustle and bustle of thecity.
We wanted more of a sustainablelifestyle.
(03:13):
We wanted access to theoutdoors.
We were just looking forsomething different, and living
in Alaska has been, honestly,nothing short of magical.
The community here isincredibly welcoming.
The connection to nature isjust unparalleled.
We encounter moose in our frontyard.
(03:36):
We have the northern lights wecan see them from our porch
Every day just offers a reminderof the beauty and serenity that
this place holds.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Now, when people think of Alaska, they think of
like remote wilderness.
I mean, we've seen thosereality shows which probably
aren't very accurate about youknow, living in Alaska.
You have to cut your own woodto build your own house, and
things like that.
How true is all that and thingslike that?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
How true is all that?
Well, I think there are veryremote places that are like that
.
There are little villages thathave five people in the whole
village that stay there throughthe winter, and there are places
that are like that.
Winters can be challenging withlimited daylight, but I mean,
(04:27):
it's also a time for reflectionand appreciating the slower pace
of life.
But you know, summers are justa burst of energy, with nearly
endless daylights.
Our kids play outside untillate into the evening, we hunt,
we fish, we go mushroom picking,berry picking, we get our water
from glaciers.
We do spend a large amount ofsummer and autumn cutting wood
(04:53):
for fire so that we have, likewe have a wood burning stove is
what they call it in Americawhich is just a wood fire inside
your house.
So we have that through one set.
But we also have heatingelectrical heating in our houses
.
But really, if you want more ofa sustainable lifestyle, alaska
(05:15):
is the place to be.
We do have access to grocerystores and medication and
doctors, and we have a Target,we have a Walmart, we have a
Costco, which is kind of a macroin South Africa, or a pick and
pay.
You know we have all of thosethings.
(05:36):
They're just quite not.
They're not as big or asstocked as maybe some of the
other cities, the other largercities in America, would have.
We don't probably have nearlyhalf as much of the fast food
choices and stuff like that, butwe have access to everything we
need to live.
(05:57):
There are more remote places inAlaska that don't have these
things and they do rely onsupplies to be brought in, which
can be brought in either byboat or by plane, because some
of the places you can't access,like by foot or by road, the
(06:18):
only way you can leave or getsupplies is by boat and by plane
.
So yes, those places do exist,yeah, but we live in Anchorage
Alaska, so it's more of like thehub.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
So instead of Amazon same day, you got Amazon same
month.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Well, yeah, yeah, we're actually very grateful for
Amazon Prime.
Yeah, oh my goodness, Becauseshipping to Alaska.
So I used to order both pongand brew hose from one wonderful
South African store in SouthCarolina when we lived in Nevada
and shipping wasn't veryexpensive.
(07:00):
And when we moved to Alaska Itried to order something and the
shipping was $700.
So shipping to Alaska isdefinitely a big challenge.
It's very expensive.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
So everybody here does Amazon my word Okay so also
, you spoke about winter.
I know winter there isextremely it extremely hectic
the conditions there.
How do you adapt, should I say,to the extreme weather
conditions?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
I know it's quite shocking to think about it.
I also wasn't sure how I woulddo, but you adapt, you adapt to
it and they are kitted out foreverything.
Winter here, you know, thehouses are built to keep heat in
(07:53):
.
You have proper heating insideyour home.
You are prepared with wood tohave wood fires.
You have proper snow gear.
You have proper boots.
This is not like South Africa.
I would dress in the winter forstyle.
This is definitely not likethat.
(08:15):
Like you have your snowsuits,you have your minus 40 degree
winter boots.
But the roads, the roads arewell taken care of.
Yeah, I mean, there's properlighting, it's all kitted out.
It's not what you expect, it'sjust, it's the same, it's you
(08:39):
know, just there's the darkness.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
How many hours of a day is it dark?
Dark like during the day andstuff during winter.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Well, we have in December.
We have about three hours oflight a day, so yeah, but we
start picking up lights aroundFebruary.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
In summer.
Your days are long, thoughcorrect.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yes, we have 24 hour sunlight.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Sure, so that's, I mean that's quite extreme.
I mean like your days are long,though correct.
Yes, we have 24-hour sunlights,Sure, so that's, I mean that's
quite extreme.
I mean like you really got toadapt.
I mean you got to adapt yourhouse firstly.
I mean you got to have blackoutcurtains for you know for
summer and things like that.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
How does that affect the community life there?
Yeah, so in winter you reallypeople just kind of hunker down.
It's really just the slowerpace of life and everything kind
of just slows down, which iskind of nice, because you kind
of just raced more, you take abreak.
I mean, we still work and westill keep the same hours.
(09:44):
Kids still go to school, kidsstill go to school, kids still
walk to school, they still takethe bus.
Everything is still working andrunning, but in terms of like
getting together or like partiesand stuff like that, obviously
things are more indoors.
People do skating and skiingand snowboarding and hockey, so
(10:06):
there's all the winter sportsfor your kids that you get
involved in.
But it's definitely differentto summer.
So in summer it's more of likeeverybody comes out of their
houses and you just see peoplewalking everywhere and the
trails are busy and everybody'sout and about and, yeah, it's
(10:31):
busier.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
What was the biggest cultural shock you experienced
when you first arrived there?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Gosh, yeah, in America or just in Alaska.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
In Alaska especially.
I mean I know America is a bigculture shock on its own, but a
place like Alaska is like acountry on its own.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Yeah, it definitely is.
I would probably say just thewildlife, just being and roaming
so free.
People will be late for ameeting and they're like oh, I'm
sorry, I'm running late becausethere's a moose and I can't
move my car.
So just things like that, orand just being okay with that.
(11:13):
You know moose are giants, um.
But now we've been here for awhile and it's just so natural
to us to see them, like walkingin our front yard or stopping at
the, at the robots, and youknow you can't go because
there's a moose and her baby iscrossing the street, or or
there's a bear, like just like acouple of kilometers away from
(11:37):
you, walking towards you andyou're on a trail.
You just, you know you're usedto that stuff.
So I would probably say thewildlife and probably the winter
.
The first winter here wasdefinitely a learning experience
, with the darkness, and not somuch the cold, it was definitely
(11:59):
just the darkness.
You know, coming from SouthAfrica, you like your life,
you're used to that vitamin D,so it's just like what do I do?
What do I find to do?
I didn't grow up with wintersports, so I don't know how to
ice skate, I don't know how toski.
(12:19):
I don't know how to snowboard,like I never did any of that.
So yeah, just I'm lucky in thatI have and I married an
American who does all of thatstuff.
But just learning how to dothat and learning those things
to get yourself out of the houseand be active, I think that
those were like big adjustmentsfor me Right?
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Yeah, I'm sure, and you talk about all the animals
and stuff there.
It sounds quite dangerous.
Is it a dangerous place?
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Well, it can be, if I guess you don't know what
you're doing or if you aren'tprepared.
Obviously, if you're going intoa high bear away area, you want
to have bay spray with you.
You obviously do not.
(13:08):
If you see moose, you obviouslyjust want to turn around and
you know not be in that space.
You obviously just don't wantto be stupid and engage or focus
on taking a video or photos andthings like that.
You obviously just want to besmart and do the right thing.
(13:30):
So it can be dangerous.
But very, very seldom do wehear of a bear attack or a moose
attack or anything like that.
Really, for the most part, yeah, we don't really hear about
things like that often.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
I thought I had a problem this side with raccoons,
but I guess the bear problemand the moose problem probably
trumps that right.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Yeah, I mean there are specific locks that you put
on your trash.
When you take your trashoutside and you know, wait for
it to be picked up by the wastecompany.
There are specific locks thatyou put on your trash can so
that the bees can't sit over andeat the food.
I mean, obviously you don'twant to feed those animals.
But like for Halloween ourfirst Halloween here we got our
kids pumpkins and we carvedpumpkins and we put the pumpkins
outside.
Well, bad idea, warren.
(14:31):
The moose came in and they ateall of the pumpkins.
They spent the entire nightjust having a feast on all of
these pumpkins and we watchedthem from the window.
It's like there's nothing youcan do, right.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
A sacrifice for the moose.
Yeah yeah, and does bear spraywork?
Because I've heard stories onboth sides.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
I know I've heard stories too.
I have never used bear spray.
We carry it with us but we'venever been in a situation where
we've had to use base spray.
But for the most part myunderstanding and from what I've
heard is that it does work andthat it is smart to have it with
(15:15):
you.
But I know there are variousstories and yeah, I'll tell you
what.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
I'd have a whole belt full of bear spray.
Different, you know differentsizes.
Yeah, let's just change gears alittle bit here.
Let's talk about your visaprocess.
How did you know?
Firstly, what visa have you gotand how did you go about
getting that?
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah, so obviously I married an American.
How did you go about gettingthat?
Yeah, so obviously I married anAmerican.
So I went through the K-3 visaprocess, which is a fiance visa.
So I came into the country andgot married and I got
conditional residency for twoyears and then I got permanent
(16:03):
residency and I've had permanentresidency for quite a while.
For the last nine years I ameligible for citizenship and
it's something that I'm workingon, and did you have any
challenges getting the visa anddid you have any challenges
getting the visa?
It was a long process but no, Ididn't have any challenges
(16:27):
getting my visa.
I think the challenge withimmigration is just how long it
takes and how expensive it canbe.
I did not hire an attorney tohelp me, we did everything
ourselves.
But it's just, it takes areally long time.
For the first two years that Ihad conditional residency, I
(16:49):
couldn't work, I couldn't leavethe country, I couldn't get a
driver's license because Ididn't have a social security
number, so I couldn't doanything.
And that was very challenging.
And you know that was difficult, to just kind of be in this
limbo where you suck, you can'tdo anything, you can't work, you
(17:14):
can't.
You know it's.
Yeah, that was tough.
But once I got over that and Ihad permanent residency, I went
back to school and I got amaster's degree and things just
started changing from there.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
So, yeah, I'm lucky to have had a lot of stories,
both good and bad, about beingwelcomed into the country and
making friends and things likethat.
How's that experience been for?
Speaker 2 (17:47):
you thing.
So, um, but when I went back toschool, I went back to
university and got my master'sdegree.
I made some really good friends, um, doing that and um, I have
(18:09):
made really good friends throughmy children, um, you know,
doing play dates and meetingother parents.
Um, and here in Alaska too, Ihave made a really good friend
who's my neighbor, who justlives right next door to me, and
(18:29):
yeah, it's just the communityhere in Alaska is wonderful and
welcoming and they kind of justtake you in and, yeah, you're
just part of the family and partof the community.
So I have not struggled toomuch with that.
But, you know, the greatestchallenge remains the distance
(18:53):
from my family.
So I have both a fulfillinglife yet, but the separation
from my loved ones weighsheavily at times.
Not having extended familynearby means my children miss
out on close relationships thatI cherished growing up.
And despite these challenges,the decision to move has still
(19:16):
been significant.
But yeah, it's a worthwhilesacrifice, I guess.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
I guess I know the answer to this one, but what do
you miss most about South Africa, Emily?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
the Kruger Park, the weather, our language.
You know when somebody is like,how's it going?
(19:50):
Oh, lecker or hi, bo or ace.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
I'll tell you what I'd be saying ace a lot if I
lived in Alaska.
Met ace yo.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Yeah, so much.
I miss so much about home and Italk about home often and the
people here in Alaska love tohear about South Africa and I
think, as taken as we are asSouth Africans, with Alaska,
like in all of the country andthe life here, it's the same for
(20:25):
them.
They are in all of South Africaand the life there and the
country you know, as they are tous.
They are the same with lions,right, like lions and elephants
and you know, like just speakingto them about like elephant
sanctuaries, you can go thereand touch an elephant and do all
(20:46):
of those things.
They're like, oh, you can, whatyou know.
So it's it's really cool justto see, like you know, the
difference in the two when theyare so different but at the same
time, there's so muchsimilarity and kinship between
the two places.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
And is there a lot of South Africans in Alaska?
Speaker 2 (21:10):
There's a group of South Africans that I found on
Facebook.
I found a group of Alaskans Imean sorry, of South Africans
that are living in Alaska, and Ithink there's about 50 people
or so part of that group.
But a funny story I, mychildren, are in rugby and
(21:34):
there's a big rugby movement inAlaska.
Out of all places in the worldthey love rugby.
So my son plays rugby and oneday I was at practice and I was
just walking by getting my skipsin and I heard this group of
(21:55):
people and I was like wait, thatsounds like Afrikaans.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
I was like no, that can't be, that can't be
Afrikaans, is it?
So I just I kept oneavesdropping because I'm a
weirdo and I just stopped themand I'm like are you guys from
South Africa?
You guys are talking Afrikaans.
And they were like yes, we'refrom South Africa and they are
(22:23):
two couples that also met atrugby.
They never met themselvesbefore, but it was really fun
and we're now in communicationwith them and are friends with
them and actually spent Fourthof July with them.
So we had a Fourth of JulyAmerican South African
celebration, but it was, yeah,it was wonderful because, yeah,
(22:48):
where there's rugby, the SouthAfricans will come.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Yep, yep, biltong, brian rugby, and we're there.
Yes, exactly how has living inAlaska changed your perspective
on life compared to living inJohannesburg?
Speaker 2 (23:02):
living in Alaska changed your perspective on life
compared to living inJohannesburg.
Oh wow, yeah, that's a bigquestion.
So in Johannesburg I felt likeI was living.
My house was a prison.
You know you don't leave, leave, you stay in your house.
(23:24):
You are constantly looking overyour shoulder, you have alarm
systems, you have burglar barson the inside and the outside
you have big walls, you haveelectric things, you don't do
things at night and, yeah, Idon't have to lock my car and my
(23:47):
car can be outside, my childrenplay outside, my children ride
their bikes around theneighborhood and it's safe.
I know all of my neighbors inSouth Africa.
I didn't really, because youknow you just go into your house
and you kind of just stay toyourself and we sit outside the
(24:11):
front yard and you know ourneighbors will come and they
bring camping kids and we alljust sit outside there and chat
and have a drink on Fridaynights during the summer, and
there's no walls, there's nofences.
We'll just sit outside thereand chat and have a drink on
Friday nights during the summer,and there's no walls, there's
no fences, there's no fear ofany crime.
(24:32):
So I would probably say that isthe biggest perspective shift,
is just freedom and being ableto experience that freedom,
especially as a woman.
I am free to go and take a walkor go walk a trail by myself in
(24:52):
in the remote, in remote woodsyeah and I know that I'm okay,
I'm safe like those thoughts orthose fears of rape or being
mugged or being robbed oranything.
None of that crosses my mindbecause that just doesn't exist.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, and then there's the whole sustainability
part of it.
You know we hunt, we fish.
You know we get our water fromglaciers.
It's very different.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
It sounds very healthy.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
I mean, this year we're getting into mushroom and
berry picking, so that's veryexciting.
We're definitely living a moresustainable lifestyle.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
In your future plans?
Do you ever see yourselfreturning to South Africa?
Speaker 2 (25:48):
No, I don't.
No, I will go back to visit myfamily that day, but I think
that I have been gone for solong.
I don't think that I would beable to fit back into the
society in South Africa and formany reasons opportunity I don't
(26:14):
think that I would be able tomatch the current job that I
have now or my kids to have theeducation that they have now.
You know, I guess you could buyyour security, but I don't.
I don't want that.
I.
I want to be free.
I want to be able to leave mycar unlocked and run into a
(26:40):
grocery store.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
I want that life.
I don't think I could go backto being afraid of something
happening to me or my kids again.
I just yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
And cost of living.
You know, cost of livingeverywhere at the moment is
crazy, and especially on my sidethere in california.
What's it like over there?
Speaker 2 (27:03):
alaska is expensive.
Um, alaska is expensive to live.
Um, as you would expect, youknow, it's very remote and, um,
we rely on a lot of things to beshipped in.
So toilet paper is expensive,milk is expensive, so things are
(27:24):
expensive, but I would assumethat it's pretty on par with
California and places like thatthat are also expensive.
Housing is expensive here, butwe do have something that's
called the PFD and that is apayment that all Alaskan
(27:46):
residents get, includingchildren.
They get paid to live here, sothat kind of helps offset the
struggles that we face with costof living or supplies.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
So that is a payment that every Alaskan gets and, if
you don't mind me, asking howmuch is that payment?
Speaker 2 (28:05):
So it depends.
It changes every year.
One year it was $3,000.
Another year it was $1,600.
So it changes every year.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Is that per person?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Yes, per person.
Um, so it changes every year.
Is that per person?
Yes, per person.
So if you are a family of four,each person would get three
thousand dollars.
If that's what the pot, the,the, you know the amount was for
that year and you and yourhusband are working correct yes,
yes, we both work.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
What do you do for work?
Speaker 2 (28:37):
So I am a marketing manager for a nonprofit that's
called Thraid and we work toadvance the quality of early
childhood education and childdevelopment by empowering
parents and educating child careprofessionals and collaborating
with the communities.
And my husband works for thefederal government.
(29:01):
He works for the Bureau of LandManagement and is the field
manager for the Anchorage FieldOffice.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Oh wow.
So tell me, what advice wouldyou give to other South Africans
considering a move abroad, Imean especially to a place like
Alaska.
I mean, would you tell them toconsider Alaska?
Speaker 2 (29:19):
I mean, would you tell them to consider Alaska?
Absolutely yes.
If hunting and fishing andmushroom picking and berry
picking and drinking water fromglaciers and hiking and
wilderness, if that is appealingto you, then Alaska is the
(29:40):
place to be.
Alaska welcomes people.
The economy needs people.
So absolutely consider Alaska.
Don't let winter put you offbecause you have the northern
lights and those are, let's bereal, that's what most people
(30:04):
have on their bucket list.
So I mean, what a trade-off tosee that from your bedroom
window every night yeah um for acouple of months.
Um, yeah, absolutely, at leastvisit you know um.
But, yes, come to alaska,experience it.
If you come, reach out to me,hit me up.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Yeah, look after this conversation.
I'm definitely putting that onmy bucket list.
I've always wanted to drinkwater from a glacier.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
And mushroom picking.
It's incredible, yes.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
That's great.
The one final question, which,again, I think I know the answer
, but is the grass greener onthe other side?
Speaker 2 (30:47):
It sounds a lot darker, but yes, yes, I would
say so.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
That's when you can see it right.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Yes, I would say so.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
Candice, it's been absolutely amazing.
I've got so many more questionsand I'm sure people are going
to ask a lot of questions.
We definitely got to get backwith you and catch up again.
It's really been quite aneye-opener because, as I say,
(31:16):
when we think of Alaska.
We think of nothing likeabsolutely nothing, and cold and
dark and all that.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
But you've kind of sealed it for us and we're
definitely going to make a planto come visit.
Yeah, that sounds wonderful.
Um, I would love to hear you,warren, and thank you so much
for having me.
Um, and to anybody who'slistening, who wants to leave
south africa, even just for avisit, um, do it.
Just take the leap, um, andjust do Go out there, experience
(31:41):
life and learn new cultures.
And, yeah, there's no bettereducation than travel.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
Just do it.
Brilliant advice.
Really appreciate it, thanks somuch.
Appreciate the time.
Thank you Thanks.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
Bye.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
If you're eager to explore more stories of South
Africans abroad, be sure to hitthat subscribe button so you
never miss a moment Forexclusive updates, discussions
and a chance to connect withfellow listeners.
Be sure to join our vibrantcommunity on Facebook.
Just search for South AfricansAbroad podcast and become part
of the conversation there.
You'll find additional content,behind the scenes insights and
an easy way to access all yourfavorite episodes.
(32:15):
So until next time, check youTuesday.
Welcome back to South Africans Abroad a show for
expat South Africans and anyoneinterested in the experiences of
those who have made the moveoverseas.
Each episode we'll hear fromSouth Africans who have left the
country to pursue newopportunities, be with loved
ones or simply follow theirdreams.
We'll explore the challengesand triumphs of life as an expat
and the unique perspective thatcomes with being a South
(00:24):
African abroad.
I'm your host, warren Burley,an expat South African who, like
many, followed the dream ofworking overseas.
Whether you're an expatyourself or just curious about
the expat experience, join us aswe delve into the motivations,
struggles and joys of being aSouth African living overseas.
Today we've got an incredibleguest joining us, candice
Vile-Pando.
(00:45):
Originally from Benoni inJohannesburg, south Africa,
candice has made the bold moveto Anchorage Alaska.
She's here to share her uniquejourney with us from the
bustling streets of Benoni tothe rugged wilderness of Alaska.
We'll dive into her experiences, the challenges she faced and
the amazing adventures she's hadalong the way, a true
embodiment of adventurous spiritand resilience of South
Africans abroad.
(01:05):
Candice, how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Hey Warren, doing good.
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm genuinely thrilled to bepart of your podcast.
I feel like it serves as awonderful platform for South
African expats like me to hearour stories and hopefully
inspire others back home who areconsidering embarking on a
similar journey.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Brilliant.
Yeah, that's kind of the ideaof the podcast.
We like to get everybodyinvolved.
You know, also, people have alot of questions about how to
get overseas and if they shouldeven make the move overseas.
And speaking of which, why thehell and how the hell did you
get to Anchorage Alaska?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, yes, the hell.
Did you get to Anchorage Alaska?
Yeah, yes.
So in 2012, I found myself at acrossroads after completing my
bachelor's degree in SouthAfrica and job opportunities
were scarce, so it was promptingme to look abroad for new
prospects, and originally I wasaiming for London.
(02:04):
But fate intervened and I makemy now husband, who's an
American, during one of hisvisits in South Africa, and we
had a long distance relationshipfor a while and spent time
between both countries beforedeciding to get married.
And yeah, then you know like,while my heart will always
(02:27):
belong to South Africa, I'vecherished the opportunity to
experience life beyond itsborders, and settling in America
felt like a natural step for us, and over the past 11 years,
we've been blessed with fourchildren and have found our
forever home in Alaska.
All right, we've been blessedwith four children and have
found our forever home in Alaska.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
All right.
So that begs the question outof all the states, california
being one of them, why Alaska?
What made you choose Alaska?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So we spent nine years in Nevada and we were in
Reno, nevada, and we were justlooking for something that was
not the hustle and bustle of thecity.
We wanted more of a sustainablelifestyle.
(03:13):
We wanted access to theoutdoors.
We were just looking forsomething different, and living
in Alaska has been, honestly,nothing short of magical.
The community here isincredibly welcoming.
The connection to nature isjust unparalleled.
We encounter moose in our frontyard.
(03:36):
We have the northern lights wecan see them from our porch
Every day just offers a reminderof the beauty and serenity that
this place holds.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Now, when people think of Alaska, they think of
like remote wilderness.
I mean, we've seen thosereality shows which probably
aren't very accurate about youknow, living in Alaska.
You have to cut your own woodto build your own house, and
things like that.
How true is all that and thingslike that?
Speaker 2 (04:02):
How true is all that?
Well, I think there are veryremote places that are like that
.
There are little villages thathave five people in the whole
village that stay there throughthe winter, and there are places
that are like that.
Winters can be challenging withlimited daylight, but I mean,
(04:27):
it's also a time for reflectionand appreciating the slower pace
of life.
But you know, summers are justa burst of energy, with nearly
endless daylights.
Our kids play outside untillate into the evening, we hunt,
we fish, we go mushroom picking,berry picking, we get our water
from glaciers.
We do spend a large amount ofsummer and autumn cutting wood
(04:53):
for fire so that we have, likewe have a wood burning stove is
what they call it in Americawhich is just a wood fire inside
your house.
So we have that through one set.
But we also have heatingelectrical heating in our houses
.
But really, if you want more ofa sustainable lifestyle, alaska
(05:15):
is the place to be.
We do have access to grocerystores and medication and
doctors, and we have a Target,we have a Walmart, we have a
Costco, which is kind of a macroin South Africa, or a pick and
pay.
You know we have all of thosethings.
(05:36):
They're just quite not.
They're not as big or asstocked as maybe some of the
other cities, the other largercities in America, would have.
We don't probably have nearlyhalf as much of the fast food
choices and stuff like that, butwe have access to everything we
need to live.
(05:57):
There are more remote places inAlaska that don't have these
things and they do rely onsupplies to be brought in, which
can be brought in either byboat or by plane, because some
of the places you can't access,like by foot or by road, the
(06:18):
only way you can leave or getsupplies is by boat and by plane
.
So yes, those places do exist,yeah, but we live in Anchorage
Alaska, so it's more of like thehub.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
So instead of Amazon same day, you got Amazon same
month.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Well, yeah, yeah, we're actually very grateful for
Amazon Prime.
Yeah, oh my goodness, Becauseshipping to Alaska.
So I used to order both pongand brew hose from one wonderful
South African store in SouthCarolina when we lived in Nevada
and shipping wasn't veryexpensive.
(07:00):
And when we moved to Alaska Itried to order something and the
shipping was $700.
So shipping to Alaska isdefinitely a big challenge.
It's very expensive.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
So everybody here does Amazon my word Okay so also
, you spoke about winter.
I know winter there isextremely it extremely hectic
the conditions there.
How do you adapt, should I say,to the extreme weather
conditions?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
I know it's quite shocking to think about it.
I also wasn't sure how I woulddo, but you adapt, you adapt to
it and they are kitted out foreverything.
Winter here, you know, thehouses are built to keep heat in
(07:53):
.
You have proper heating insideyour home.
You are prepared with wood tohave wood fires.
You have proper snow gear.
You have proper boots.
This is not like South Africa.
I would dress in the winter forstyle.
This is definitely not likethat.
(08:15):
Like you have your snowsuits,you have your minus 40 degree
winter boots.
But the roads, the roads arewell taken care of.
Yeah, I mean, there's properlighting, it's all kitted out.
It's not what you expect, it'sjust, it's the same, it's you
(08:39):
know, just there's the darkness.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
How many hours of a day is it dark?
Dark like during the day andstuff during winter.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Well, we have in December.
We have about three hours oflight a day, so yeah, but we
start picking up lights aroundFebruary.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
In summer.
Your days are long, thoughcorrect.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yes, we have 24 hour sunlight.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Sure, so that's, I mean that's quite extreme.
I mean like your days are long,though correct.
Yes, we have 24-hour sunlights,Sure, so that's, I mean that's
quite extreme.
I mean like you really got toadapt.
I mean you got to adapt yourhouse firstly.
I mean you got to have blackoutcurtains for you know for
summer and things like that.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
How does that affect the community life there?
Yeah, so in winter you reallypeople just kind of hunker down.
It's really just the slowerpace of life and everything kind
of just slows down, which iskind of nice, because you kind
of just raced more, you take abreak.
I mean, we still work and westill keep the same hours.
(09:44):
Kids still go to school, kidsstill go to school, kids still
walk to school, they still takethe bus.
Everything is still working andrunning, but in terms of like
getting together or like partiesand stuff like that, obviously
things are more indoors.
People do skating and skiingand snowboarding and hockey, so
(10:06):
there's all the winter sportsfor your kids that you get
involved in.
But it's definitely differentto summer.
So in summer it's more of likeeverybody comes out of their
houses and you just see peoplewalking everywhere and the
trails are busy and everybody'sout and about and, yeah, it's
(10:31):
busier.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
What was the biggest cultural shock you experienced
when you first arrived there?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Gosh, yeah, in America or just in Alaska.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
In Alaska especially.
I mean I know America is a bigculture shock on its own, but a
place like Alaska is like acountry on its own.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Yeah, it definitely is.
I would probably say just thewildlife, just being and roaming
so free.
People will be late for ameeting and they're like oh, I'm
sorry, I'm running late becausethere's a moose and I can't
move my car.
So just things like that, orand just being okay with that.
(11:13):
You know moose are giants, um.
But now we've been here for awhile and it's just so natural
to us to see them, like walkingin our front yard or stopping at
the, at the robots, and youknow you can't go because
there's a moose and her baby iscrossing the street, or or
there's a bear, like just like acouple of kilometers away from
(11:37):
you, walking towards you andyou're on a trail.
You just, you know you're usedto that stuff.
So I would probably say thewildlife and probably the winter
.
The first winter here wasdefinitely a learning experience
, with the darkness, and not somuch the cold, it was definitely
(11:59):
just the darkness.
You know, coming from SouthAfrica, you like your life,
you're used to that vitamin D,so it's just like what do I do?
What do I find to do?
I didn't grow up with wintersports, so I don't know how to
ice skate, I don't know how toski.
(12:19):
I don't know how to snowboard,like I never did any of that.
So yeah, just I'm lucky in thatI have and I married an
American who does all of thatstuff.
But just learning how to dothat and learning those things
to get yourself out of the houseand be active, I think that
those were like big adjustmentsfor me Right?
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Yeah, I'm sure, and you talk about all the animals
and stuff there.
It sounds quite dangerous.
Is it a dangerous place?
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Well, it can be, if I guess you don't know what
you're doing or if you aren'tprepared.
Obviously, if you're going intoa high bear away area, you want
to have bay spray with you.
You obviously do not.
(13:08):
If you see moose, you obviouslyjust want to turn around and
you know not be in that space.
You obviously just don't wantto be stupid and engage or focus
on taking a video or photos andthings like that.
You obviously just want to besmart and do the right thing.
(13:30):
So it can be dangerous.
But very, very seldom do wehear of a bear attack or a moose
attack or anything like that.
Really, for the most part, yeah, we don't really hear about
things like that often.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
I thought I had a problem this side with raccoons,
but I guess the bear problemand the moose problem probably
trumps that right.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Yeah, I mean there are specific locks that you put
on your trash.
When you take your trashoutside and you know, wait for
it to be picked up by the wastecompany.
There are specific locks thatyou put on your trash can so
that the bees can't sit over andeat the food.
I mean, obviously you don'twant to feed those animals.
But like for Halloween ourfirst Halloween here we got our
kids pumpkins and we carvedpumpkins and we put the pumpkins
outside.
Well, bad idea, warren.
(14:31):
The moose came in and they ateall of the pumpkins.
They spent the entire nightjust having a feast on all of
these pumpkins and we watchedthem from the window.
It's like there's nothing youcan do, right.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
A sacrifice for the moose.
Yeah yeah, and does bear spraywork?
Because I've heard stories onboth sides.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
I know I've heard stories too.
I have never used bear spray.
We carry it with us but we'venever been in a situation where
we've had to use base spray.
But for the most part myunderstanding and from what I've
heard is that it does work andthat it is smart to have it with
(15:15):
you.
But I know there are variousstories and yeah, I'll tell you
what.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
I'd have a whole belt full of bear spray.
Different, you know differentsizes.
Yeah, let's just change gears alittle bit here.
Let's talk about your visaprocess.
How did you know?
Firstly, what visa have you gotand how did you go about
getting that?
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah, so obviously I married an American.
How did you go about gettingthat?
Yeah, so obviously I married anAmerican.
So I went through the K-3 visaprocess, which is a fiance visa.
So I came into the country andgot married and I got
conditional residency for twoyears and then I got permanent
(16:03):
residency and I've had permanentresidency for quite a while.
For the last nine years I ameligible for citizenship and
it's something that I'm workingon, and did you have any
challenges getting the visa anddid you have any challenges
getting the visa?
It was a long process but no, Ididn't have any challenges
(16:27):
getting my visa.
I think the challenge withimmigration is just how long it
takes and how expensive it canbe.
I did not hire an attorney tohelp me, we did everything
ourselves.
But it's just, it takes areally long time.
For the first two years that Ihad conditional residency, I
(16:49):
couldn't work, I couldn't leavethe country, I couldn't get a
driver's license because Ididn't have a social security
number, so I couldn't doanything.
And that was very challenging.
And you know that was difficult, to just kind of be in this
limbo where you suck, you can'tdo anything, you can't work, you
(17:14):
can't.
You know it's.
Yeah, that was tough.
But once I got over that and Ihad permanent residency, I went
back to school and I got amaster's degree and things just
started changing from there.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
So, yeah, I'm lucky to have had a lot of stories,
both good and bad, about beingwelcomed into the country and
making friends and things likethat.
How's that experience been for?
Speaker 2 (17:47):
you thing.
So, um, but when I went back toschool, I went back to
university and got my master'sdegree.
I made some really good friends, um, doing that and um, I have
(18:09):
made really good friends throughmy children, um, you know,
doing play dates and meetingother parents.
Um, and here in Alaska too, Ihave made a really good friend
who's my neighbor, who justlives right next door to me, and
(18:29):
yeah, it's just the communityhere in Alaska is wonderful and
welcoming and they kind of justtake you in and, yeah, you're
just part of the family and partof the community.
So I have not struggled toomuch with that.
But, you know, the greatestchallenge remains the distance
(18:53):
from my family.
So I have both a fulfillinglife yet, but the separation
from my loved ones weighsheavily at times.
Not having extended familynearby means my children miss
out on close relationships thatI cherished growing up.
And despite these challenges,the decision to move has still
(19:16):
been significant.
But yeah, it's a worthwhilesacrifice, I guess.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
I guess I know the answer to this one, but what do
you miss most about South Africa, Emily?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
the Kruger Park, the weather, our language.
You know when somebody is like,how's it going?
(19:50):
Oh, lecker or hi, bo or ace.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
I'll tell you what I'd be saying ace a lot if I
lived in Alaska.
Met ace yo.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Yeah, so much.
I miss so much about home and Italk about home often and the
people here in Alaska love tohear about South Africa and I
think, as taken as we are asSouth Africans, with Alaska,
like in all of the country andthe life here, it's the same for
(20:25):
them.
They are in all of South Africaand the life there and the
country you know, as they are tous.
They are the same with lions,right, like lions and elephants
and you know, like just speakingto them about like elephant
sanctuaries, you can go thereand touch an elephant and do all
(20:46):
of those things.
They're like, oh, you can, whatyou know.
So it's it's really cool justto see, like you know, the
difference in the two when theyare so different but at the same
time, there's so muchsimilarity and kinship between
the two places.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
And is there a lot of South Africans in Alaska?
Speaker 2 (21:10):
There's a group of South Africans that I found on
Facebook.
I found a group of Alaskans Imean sorry, of South Africans
that are living in Alaska, and Ithink there's about 50 people
or so part of that group.
But a funny story I, mychildren, are in rugby and
(21:34):
there's a big rugby movement inAlaska.
Out of all places in the worldthey love rugby.
So my son plays rugby and oneday I was at practice and I was
just walking by getting my skipsin and I heard this group of
(21:55):
people and I was like wait, thatsounds like Afrikaans.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
I was like no, that can't be, that can't be
Afrikaans, is it?
So I just I kept oneavesdropping because I'm a
weirdo and I just stopped themand I'm like are you guys from
South Africa?
You guys are talking Afrikaans.
And they were like yes, we'refrom South Africa and they are
(22:23):
two couples that also met atrugby.
They never met themselvesbefore, but it was really fun
and we're now in communicationwith them and are friends with
them and actually spent Fourthof July with them.
So we had a Fourth of JulyAmerican South African
celebration, but it was, yeah,it was wonderful because, yeah,
(22:48):
where there's rugby, the SouthAfricans will come.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Yep, yep, biltong, brian rugby, and we're there.
Yes, exactly how has living inAlaska changed your perspective
on life compared to living inJohannesburg?
Speaker 2 (23:02):
living in Alaska changed your perspective on life
compared to living inJohannesburg.
Oh wow, yeah, that's a bigquestion.
So in Johannesburg I felt likeI was living.
My house was a prison.
You know you don't leave, leave, you stay in your house.
(23:24):
You are constantly looking overyour shoulder, you have alarm
systems, you have burglar barson the inside and the outside
you have big walls, you haveelectric things, you don't do
things at night and, yeah, Idon't have to lock my car and my
(23:47):
car can be outside, my childrenplay outside, my children ride
their bikes around theneighborhood and it's safe.
I know all of my neighbors inSouth Africa.
I didn't really, because youknow you just go into your house
and you kind of just stay toyourself and we sit outside the
(24:11):
front yard and you know ourneighbors will come and they
bring camping kids and we alljust sit outside there and chat
and have a drink on Fridaynights during the summer, and
there's no walls, there's nofences.
We'll just sit outside thereand chat and have a drink on
Friday nights during the summer,and there's no walls, there's
no fences, there's no fear ofany crime.
(24:32):
So I would probably say that isthe biggest perspective shift,
is just freedom and being ableto experience that freedom,
especially as a woman.
I am free to go and take a walkor go walk a trail by myself in
(24:52):
in the remote, in remote woodsyeah and I know that I'm okay,
I'm safe like those thoughts orthose fears of rape or being
mugged or being robbed oranything.
None of that crosses my mindbecause that just doesn't exist.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, and then there's the whole sustainability
part of it.
You know we hunt, we fish.
You know we get our water fromglaciers.
It's very different.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
It sounds very healthy.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
I mean, this year we're getting into mushroom and
berry picking, so that's veryexciting.
We're definitely living a moresustainable lifestyle.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
In your future plans?
Do you ever see yourselfreturning to South Africa?
Speaker 2 (25:48):
No, I don't.
No, I will go back to visit myfamily that day, but I think
that I have been gone for solong.
I don't think that I would beable to fit back into the
society in South Africa and formany reasons opportunity I don't
(26:14):
think that I would be able tomatch the current job that I
have now or my kids to have theeducation that they have now.
You know, I guess you could buyyour security, but I don't.
I don't want that.
I.
I want to be free.
I want to be able to leave mycar unlocked and run into a
(26:40):
grocery store.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
I want that life.
I don't think I could go backto being afraid of something
happening to me or my kids again.
I just yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
And cost of living.
You know, cost of livingeverywhere at the moment is
crazy, and especially on my sidethere in california.
What's it like over there?
Speaker 2 (27:03):
alaska is expensive.
Um, alaska is expensive to live.
Um, as you would expect, youknow, it's very remote and, um,
we rely on a lot of things to beshipped in.
So toilet paper is expensive,milk is expensive, so things are
(27:24):
expensive, but I would assumethat it's pretty on par with
California and places like thatthat are also expensive.
Housing is expensive here, butwe do have something that's
called the PFD and that is apayment that all Alaskan
(27:46):
residents get, includingchildren.
They get paid to live here, sothat kind of helps offset the
struggles that we face with costof living or supplies.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
So that is a payment that every Alaskan gets and, if
you don't mind me, asking howmuch is that payment?
Speaker 2 (28:05):
So it depends.
It changes every year.
One year it was $3,000.
Another year it was $1,600.
So it changes every year.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Is that per person?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Yes, per person.
Um, so it changes every year.
Is that per person?
Yes, per person.
So if you are a family of four,each person would get three
thousand dollars.
If that's what the pot, the,the, you know the amount was for
that year and you and yourhusband are working correct yes,
yes, we both work.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
What do you do for work?
Speaker 2 (28:37):
So I am a marketing manager for a nonprofit that's
called Thraid and we work toadvance the quality of early
childhood education and childdevelopment by empowering
parents and educating child careprofessionals and collaborating
with the communities.
And my husband works for thefederal government.
(29:01):
He works for the Bureau of LandManagement and is the field
manager for the Anchorage FieldOffice.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Oh wow.
So tell me, what advice wouldyou give to other South Africans
considering a move abroad, Imean especially to a place like
Alaska.
I mean, would you tell them toconsider Alaska?
Speaker 2 (29:19):
I mean, would you tell them to consider Alaska?
Absolutely yes.
If hunting and fishing andmushroom picking and berry
picking and drinking water fromglaciers and hiking and
wilderness, if that is appealingto you, then Alaska is the
(29:40):
place to be.
Alaska welcomes people.
The economy needs people.
So absolutely consider Alaska.
Don't let winter put you offbecause you have the northern
lights and those are, let's bereal, that's what most people
(30:04):
have on their bucket list.
So I mean, what a trade-off tosee that from your bedroom
window every night yeah um for acouple of months.
Um, yeah, absolutely, at leastvisit you know um.
But, yes, come to alaska,experience it.
If you come, reach out to me,hit me up.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Yeah, look after this conversation.
I'm definitely putting that onmy bucket list.
I've always wanted to drinkwater from a glacier.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
And mushroom picking.
It's incredible, yes.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
That's great.
The one final question, which,again, I think I know the answer
, but is the grass greener onthe other side?
Speaker 2 (30:47):
It sounds a lot darker, but yes, yes, I would
say so.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
That's when you can see it right.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Yes, I would say so.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
Candice, it's been absolutely amazing.
I've got so many more questionsand I'm sure people are going
to ask a lot of questions.
We definitely got to get backwith you and catch up again.
It's really been quite aneye-opener because, as I say,
(31:16):
when we think of Alaska.
We think of nothing likeabsolutely nothing, and cold and
dark and all that.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
But you've kind of sealed it for us and we're
definitely going to make a planto come visit.
Yeah, that sounds wonderful.
Um, I would love to hear you,warren, and thank you so much
for having me.
Um, and to anybody who'slistening, who wants to leave
south africa, even just for avisit, um, do it.
Just take the leap, um, andjust do Go out there, experience
(31:41):
life and learn new cultures.
And, yeah, there's no bettereducation than travel.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
Just do it.
Brilliant advice.
Really appreciate it, thanks somuch.
Appreciate the time.
Thank you Thanks.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
Bye.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
If you're eager to explore more stories of South
Africans abroad, be sure to hitthat subscribe button so you
never miss a moment Forexclusive updates, discussions
and a chance to connect withfellow listeners.
Be sure to join our vibrantcommunity on Facebook.
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of the conversation there.
You'll find additional content,behind the scenes insights and
an easy way to access all yourfavorite episodes.
(32:15):
So until next time, check youTuesday.
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