From Springs to Taiwan to London: Why South Africa Is Calling Again -Ep 92 with Quinton Pullinge

<p>Quinton Pullinger’s story is anything but a straight line.</p><p>He grew up in Springs, South Africa, trained as a goldsmith, and then took an unexpected leap to Taiwan after seeing an advert to teach English. What he thought would be a one-year adventure became nearly nine years.</p><p>In Taiwan he learned Mandarin, built a career in the bicycle industry, travelled extensively and learned how to adapt to a completely different culture. He eventually moved into senior roles, including an eight-and-a-half-year journey with Brompton, before another opportunity took him to the UK in 2008.</p><p>Now, after 18 years in Britain, Quinton is asking a question many long-term South African expats eventually face: could South Africa become home again?</p><p>We talk about:</p><p>• Leaving South Africa with no long-term plan<br>• Arriving alone in Taiwan and surviving the first six months<br>• Learning Mandarin and adapting to a new culture<br>• Why negative expat thinking can hold people back<br>• Building an international career by saying “yes” to opportunities<br>• His journey through the bicycle industry and Brompton<br>• Starting again in the UK with no contacts<br>• Raising a family abroad and how that changes your risk profile<br>• The NHS and the UK cost of living<br>• Why Cape Town would be his choice if he returned to South Africa<br>• Whether a part-time “swallow” lifestyle could work<br>• His advice to his younger self: be more adventurous and take more risks</p><p>_______________________________________________________________</p><p><strong>SABLE INTERNATIONAL</strong></p><p>For over 30 years Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most to you – building your future beyond borders.</p><p>Find out how Sable International can support your journey: bit.ly/3R3g1sy</p><p>_______________________________________________________________</p><p><strong>TIMESTAMPS</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction<br>01:27 Weybridge and life near London<br>02:41 Growing up in Springs<br>06:00 The unexpected move to Taiwan<br>07:14 Learning Mandarin and surviving the first six months<br>09:16 Working and living in Taiwan<br>13:26 Returning to South Africa — and leaving again<br>15:10 Building a career in the bicycle industry<br>16:06 Why he eventually left Taiwan<br>18:13 Getting the opportunity to move to the UK<br>20:12 Meeting his wife and starting a