From Green Card Lottery to HR Director: Starting Again in America-Ep 87 With Andreas Pyper

<p>Andreas Pyper&#39;s journey to America began almost by accident. In 1997, he and a group of friends entered the US Green Card Lottery as a joke. His wife Amanda won. A few years later, they packed up their lives in South Africa and moved to California.</p><p>What followed was anything but easy.</p><p>Andreas arrived in America as an experienced HR manager, but found himself starting again at the bottom. His first job was as an HR filing clerk. He had no US credit history, no professional network and no company waiting to welcome him. His wife also had to start over, completing the requirements to become licensed as a therapist in California.</p><p>The first 18 months tested their family and their marriage. They experienced financial pressure, loneliness and uncertainty. Later, they lost their home during the 2008 financial crisis and had to rebuild again.</p><p>But Andreas kept going.</p><p>Today, 26 years after moving to the United States, he is a Human Resources Director for a large county organisation in California. He shares the practical lessons he learned along the way, from building a US credit history and choosing the right employer to understanding pensions, healthcare and the importance of accepting that you may have to take a few steps backwards before moving forward.</p><p>Andreas also has some strong advice for South Africans considering America: build relationships with Americans, don&#39;t expect your South African career success to transfer immediately, be prepared to work your way up, and don&#39;t underestimate the importance of having a strong marriage and family partnership.</p><p>This is an honest conversation about immigration, resilience, humility, career rebuilding, marriage and making a new life work.</p><p>_______________________________________________________________</p><p>SABLE INTERNATIONAL</p><p>For over 30 years, Sable International has offered solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so you can focus on what matters most: building your future beyond borders.</p><p>Find out how Sable International can support your journey:<br><a href="https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy</a></p><p>_______________________________________________________________</p><p>TIMESTAMPS</p><p>00:17 Welcome and Andreas&#39; life in California<br>02:32 Growing up in Durban and Cape Town<br>07:44 His political upbringing<br>09:13 University and national service<br>10:31 Working in HR and the Green Card Lottery<br>11:16 How his wife won the Green Card Lottery<br>13:16 Discovering California<br>16:07 His father&#39;s life after politics<br>17:10 How the Green Card process worked<br>19:19 Leaving family behind<br>21:02 Starting again in America<br>24:29 Building a US credit history<br>28:25 His wife&#39;s professional re-licensing<br>29:30 The difficult first 18 months<br>35:29 Immigration and marriage<br>37:25 Losing their home during the financial crisis<br>42:24 Building their lives again<br>42:41 The importance of government jobs and pensions<br>45:10 Healthcare in America<br>47:02 The biggest mistakes South Africans make<br>49:25 Advice for anyone considering emigrating<br>52:45 The one thing he would have done differently</p><p><br></p><p>CONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN</p><p><a href="http://www.relocatedsouthafrican.com" target="_new" rel="noopener">www.relocatedsouthafrican.com</a></p><p>If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another South African considering life abroad.</p>