Achiever of the week: Thembelihle Samkelisiwe Bhengu

This week’s feature is Thembelihle Samkelisiwe Bhengu. Thembelihle is from South Africa. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Thembelihle obtained her degree from UKZN Edgewood Campus. She is now working in Taiwan as a Performance Arts and Physical Educator. Before moving to Taiwan, Thembelihle was a Mathematics and Science teacher at a public school in Johannesburg. She also ran a small hair and handbag business. She had always wanted to travel abroad. Thembelihle has visited about 8 countries, she has even worked in Oman for 9 months. Out of all the countries she has travelled to, Taiwan won her heart. She moved to Taiwan before the pandemic and spent 2 years there. She moved back in December 2021 and she's planning to stay in Taiwan for the next 5 years or so.

Get inspired by Thembelihle's expat story. Thembelihle shares what inspired her to move to Taiwan, how she found her job, her highlights and lowlights, her travel experiences and future plans.

This or That?

· City or countryside?

City

· Hot country or cold country?

Hot country

· Swimming or hiking?

Hiking

· Do you prefer to walk, take public transport or take private transport?

Walking and using private transport

· Airplane, fast train or boat?

Airplane

1. What were you doing before you moved to Taiwan?

Before moving to Taiwan, I was a mathematics and science teacher at a public school in Johannesburg. I also ran a small hair and handbag business.

2. What made you decide to work abroad and why Taiwan?

I always wanted to travel overseas, initially I wanted to go to the USA but I wasn’t sure if leaving SA was ever possible for several reasons. So not being able to make a lot of money in SA made me dislike my job at that time, that’s when I knew that I needed change. Luckily, I knew some people from university who were already in Taiwan. I began to ask them questions and started my application late 2017.

3. What do you wish you knew before moving to Taiwan?

I wish I knew that some people might discredit my potential and intelligence because of the color of my skin.

4. Please share your highlights and lowlights of your expat experience in Taiwan?

I have so many highlights. It is easy to move to and around Taiwan. Being an expat, I get away with a lot of things because most locals I meet tend to teach me something new or help me understand things happening around me. I have built good friendships with some of the locals who hold high profiles and are looking forward to supporting my dreams and goals.

My lowlights would definitely be those rare moments where I meet people who are racist.

5. How many years have you spent in Taiwan and how long are planning to stay there?

I spent 2 years before the pandemic and I just recently moved back in December 2021. I have decided to stay in Taiwan for the next 5 years or so.

6. Did you move abroad with your family/friends or did you move alone?

I moved alone because of the new visa and travel restrictions.

7. How long did it take you to adjust to the new environment and what /who helped you?

I am a big fan of google, and being brave has helped me a lot, I usually ask my coordinator or my colleagues for help when needed or approach other expacts. Taiwan is relatively small and safe, so getting used to a city takes a few days or weeks. There is Wi-Fi everywhere, local buses, and trains make moving around very convenient.

8. What has been the most interesting food you have tasted in Taiwan?

It has to be Tofu. I have a love and hate relationship with it because I prefer it fried and not stinky. I make sure to eat at least one local meal a week from a buffet close to my apartment. I sometimes add aromat to make my dishes more flavourful.

9. Who and what do you miss the most about your home country?

I miss my family the most, the food and Ubuntu that we share in my hometown.

10. How did you find your first job and which other sites can others use to search for good opportunities in Taiwan?

Through word of mouth. When I’m exposed to new and interesting information, I always ask further questions. When I first moved to Taiwan, I used an agent called Teach Taiwan. Recently I moved through an agent called Phoenix Group Asia which I highly recommend because of the amount of support they have been consistently giving me. Both agencies share teaching jobs, requirements and contact details on their Facebook pages.

11. How many countries have you visited so far and which one is your favourite?

I have visited about 8 countries, I even worked in Oman for 9 months. Hong Kong is amongst my favorite but Taiwan won my heart.

12. Out of all the countries you have visited, which one has the friendliest people?

Taiwan and Indonesia.

13. What’s been your scariest moment during your travel or stay in a foreign country?

Realising that after all is said and done, I am actually all alone, I'm responsible for my own safety, nothing is permanent when you are an expat. People relocate any time, so it's hard to build long term connections. Culture shock is the worst because being in Oman for a few months made me realize that I don’t like middle east and I would never recommend young black women to go there for work purposes.

14. What can’t you travel without?

I can’t travel without my power bank and passport!

15. Do you prefer solo travel or traveling with someone else?

I prefer solo travelling. I like my travels to be flexible according to my preferences. It gives me so much peace of mind, I have done most of my trips alone.

16. What are your future plans?

Making and investing more money, further my studies, travel, curate my business, YouTube channel and property.