Matriculant unable to study further finds work overseas
East Town girl moves to America as job prospects at home were dismal.
One Johannesburg learner’s dreams were dashed when she realised she could not afford to study further. She, therefore, needed to find paid work, a process she found so difficult she took the drastic step of moving overseas to become an au pair and look for better opportunities. Tucara Paig Cronjé shares her experience.
Growing up I was always told that I could be anything I wanted to be, as long as I was happy with my choice.
Once I hit high school, I had to make a choice on whether I was going to continue to study but the choice was unfortunately made for me. My grades were good, but they weren’t the best, therefore I couldn’t get a scholarship. If I could have gotten a scholarship, I still wouldn’t have had enough money to afford tuition, schoolbooks, and everything else that comes with a university or college experience.
And even if I applied for a government grant to pay for university or college, they wouldn’t have given it to me because on paper technically speaking my parents had money to afford tuition but in reality, we didn’t.
Graduating high school felt like a dream come true until I realised I had to find a job. As the years passed my dreams went from what I wanted, to having to become someone who makes money. And it went from making money to getting out of the country because there is no way a young female like myself would ever be able to survive in South Africa.
My dad had been through two bouts of testicular cancer and both my parents were without jobs at that point for a little time. We couldn’t afford to keep the power on, and we barely had money for food.
My parents were blacklisted and all my hopes and dreams of being someone were gone.
Many of the jobs required years of experience in a field or years of experience in general, or degrees or qualifications. So many requirements that someone fresh out of high school would not be able to meet.
I eventually found a job but then I realised it was not what I wanted to do. Knowing I’d never have the opportunity to do what I love in South Africa, I decided to take my chances overseas, in the USA to au pair.
So far it is the best experience I have ever had. There are so many opportunities at my fingertips which can be possible. It is so much easier than struggling in South Africa.
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