Andries Coetzee left South Africa for the United States in 1999 to do a PhD. His plan was simple: complete his studies and return home.
Instead, 27 years later, he is still in America.
After completing his PhD at the University of Massachusetts, Andries joined the University of Michigan, where he has built a successful academic career. What began as a temporary move became a life in the United States.
But his connection to South Africa never disappeared.
After becoming an American citizen, Andries found that his South African identity became more important to him. His research shifted towards South Africa and Africa, and regular visits home gradually strengthened his desire to maintain a deeper connection with the country he left behind.
A powerful experience during a University of Michigan orchestra trip to Soweto finally convinced him that he wanted a second base in South Africa. He has now bought a property in the Stellenbosch area and is considering spending much more of his time there after retirement.
In this episode we discuss leaving South Africa, adapting to American academic life, the differences between South African and American universities, life in Ann Arbor, the cost of living and healthcare, South African identity abroad, and what it means to be at home in two countries.
We also talk about Andries' optimism about Africa's future and why he believes more South African and African students should consider postgraduate study in the United States.
Most importantly, this is a conversation about something many emigrants eventually discover: you can build a successful life somewhere else without losing your connection to where you came from.
"As an expat, you're at home in two places, but not really fully at home in one."
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TIMESTAMPS
00:06 – Why Andries went to America in 1999
03:04 – Growing up in rural Limpopo
04:08 – Adjusting to the American university system
08:37 – From PhD student to professor at Michigan
11:00 – Why he didn't return to South Africa
14:48 – Family, loss and building a life in America
18:53 – The South African "soft landing"
20:32 – Why Africa became important again
24:42 – His optimism about Africa's future
27:11 – Why he's considering a base in South Africa
31:02 – The Soweto experience that changed his thinking
34:06 – Buying a property in Stellenbosch
34:41 – Could he eventually return permanently?
38:07 – Retirement, money and exchange rates
40:33 – Healthcare in America and South Africa
43:43 – Afrikaans, culture and identity
46:57 – Being at home in two countries
48:38 – Advice for students considering America
CONNECT WITH ANDRIES COETZEE
University of Michigan
Email: kutsiya@umich.edu
Andries also offers workshops and guidance to African students interested in studying in the United States.
CONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICAN
www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com
The Relocated South African – available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.
If Andries' story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.
