18 Years in South Africa: Coming of Age in My Second Home

Eighteen years...

That’s how long it’s been since I first landed in South Africa, wide-eyed and full of curiosity, ready for what was supposed to be a two-year adventure. Back then, I was a young Greek student chasing academic dreams, imagining I would pack up and return home once the ink dried on my degree. Little did I know that two years would stretch into something far bigger—a life.

Eighteen years is significant, isn’t it? It’s the age when we celebrate adulthood, when we are considered grown up and ready to take on the world. And as I reflect on this milestone, I can’t help but feel that my life here has gone through its own kind of coming of age.

When I first arrived, South Africa was an exciting whirlwind of contrasts. The sounds, the colours, the languages, the stories—a world, unlike anything I had known. I struggled with the small things, like adjusting to unfamiliar rhythms of life (sleeping times ...hmm...), but I also fell in love with the big things: the warmth of the people, the beauty of its landscapes, and the way the country feels alive with opportunity and hope.

What started as a temporary chapter quickly became a lifelong journey. Along the way, South Africa gave me far more than I could have imagined. It is here that I met Schalk, my partner in life and love, who has shared and shaped this adventure with me. It is here that we started our family, raising our two half-South African, half-Greek boys who are the perfect blend of our worlds. Through them, I see the future—a beautiful reminder of how life intertwines in unexpected and wonderful ways.

But my heart remains firmly rooted in Greece, too. It is the land where I grew up, the place that shaped my first dreams and aspirations. Over the years, my connection to Greece has evolved. My family there remains my anchor, always offering love and support despite the distance that separates us. And then there are the friends—the ones who stayed, even as the numbers grew smaller. In their constant presence, I have found depth and quality that I treasure more than ever.

Living between these two worlds has taught me the true meaning of home. It is not just a place but a mix of people, experiences, and memories. My heart is divided yet whole—part of it beats to the rhythm of Greece’s blue and white, while the other with South Africa’s vibrant warmth and resilience.

Eighteen years ago, I thought I was beginning a short chapter in my life. Today, I realize I have been writing a whole new book. South Africa has been my teacher, challenge, second chance, and home. It has brought me the love of my life, a family that bridges two cultures, and a community that inspires me.

And just like any young adult stepping into the next chapter, I am excited to see what is yet to come.


PS: AI was used for language editing.