“Plug Me”: South African on H-2B Visa Programme Talks About Life-Changing Work Opportunity in the US
- A South African dual citizen who moved to the US in 2012 posted a TikTok defending the Workaway hospitality programme after online critics called it a scam
- She explained that participating agencies cover housing, work transport and round-trip flights, leaving workers with most of their earnings to send back home
- Her video sparked heated debate, with some viewers eager to join the programme and others warning that the American cost of living makes the numbers impossible
- Briefly News reached out to Inga O’Neil for an insightful look into the reality of working abroad and clearing up common misconceptions about life in the United States
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Source: TikTok
A South African woman living in the United States pushed back hard against sceptics of a popular overseas work programme, saying the opportunity had genuinely changed lives back home. TikTok user @ingz_12 posted her response on 26 August 2026, addressing critics who had questioned whether the Workaway hospitality exchange programme was worth it for South Africans. She moved to the US in 2012 and holds dual citizenship.
Earning a decent salary in the US
In the video, she explained that workers on the programme earn between R45,000 and R60,000 a month. Crucially, she said agencies sponsoring workers on the H-2B visa cover the big-ticket expenses: housing, transport to and from work, and return flights between South Africa and the United States. That arrangement, she argued, leaves participants responsible only for personal spending, meaning most of their income can be saved or sent home.
She pointed to real outcomes she had witnessed, including former participants who built homes, funded siblings' university education, and bought cars after completing their seasons. Directing her message squarely at people outside the hospitality industry who were stirring up doubt online, she told them to keep scrolling and leave the content to those genuinely interested in the opportunity.
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Watch the full TikTok video that sparked the debate below:
Clearing misconceptions about working in the United States
The Briefly News team spoke with the ambitious South African to discuss her personal journey, practical advice for navigating exchange opportunities, and how working abroad transformed her financial future.
Explaining why she feels driven to set the record straight about the realities of working in the US, she shared:
"I feel it is important to speak out and set the record straight because people’s perceptions of working in the United States are often shaped by incomplete or idealised portrayals. These assumptions can overlook the realities of adapting to a new environment, navigating workplace expectations, managing practical and financial pressures, and building a career away from home. Sharing an honest perspective helps provide a more balanced and accurate understanding of the experience. It can also support others who may be considering a similar move by helping them prepare realistically, make informed decisions, and recognise both the opportunities and challenges involved. For me, speaking openly is not about being negative; it is about promoting transparency, challenging misconceptions, and ensuring that people’s real experiences are heard and respected."
Offering crucial guidance for South Africans eyeing hospitality exchange programs abroad, she advised:
"My biggest advice would be to do your research and make sure you fully understand the program before applying. Make sure you meet all the requirements, have the right experience for the position you’re applying for, and apply directly through reputable agencies or their official websites. Also, don’t believe everything you see on social media. These opportunities can be amazing and can open so many doors, but they also come with challenges. You’re moving to a different country, working in a different environment, and adapting to a new culture, so you need to be prepared for that. Most importantly, watch out for scams. Never pay someone just because they promise you a job or a visa, and always verify the company and the opportunity before handing over your money or personal information. Go into it with realistic expectations, an open mind, and a willingness to work hard. If you do that, it can be an incredible experience and a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally."
Reflecting on how the international experience reshaped her personal growth and boosted her financial standing back home, she highlighted:
"Working in the US has had a huge impact on both my personal and financial growth. Coming from South Africa, the opportunities I’ve had here allowed me to become much more independent, build a career, start my own business, and create a life that I’m really proud of. Financially, it gave me the ability to save, invest in myself, and support my family in ways that would have been much harder for me back home. Personally, living and working in a different country taught me resilience, independence, and how to adapt to different people and environments. I still have a strong connection to South Africa and my family is there, so being able to visit regularly is very important to me. But my experience in the US has definitely changed my perspective and given me opportunities that have shaped the person and life I have today."
What viewers had to say about the programme
The video split opinion sharply. Some viewers were ready to sign up, while others remained unconvinced about how the numbers could work once American expenses were factored in.
@GlorytoGod pushed back directly:
"It's not true; we ain't using rands in the US. Please tell people the truth: rent is $1500, electricity, credit cards, transport or car note, insurance, food, and utilities."
@VincentSibanda echoed the concern:
"Which waitressing job pays that much? I understand we need employment, but this sounds too good to be true. Honestly, people are desperate, but let's not risk our lives. We have heard stories of people being turned into slaves overseas."
@Roberts added:
"R50k in South Africa is not even enough; let that sink in, imagine the cost of living in the States."
Not everyone was doubtful.
@BradinHeradion... shared a first-hand account:
"I'm in my first year of the program. I have to agree. The money you make is between R45 000 and R60 000 per month. I can't complain. 1 season per club twice, can make you build a house fully in South Africa 🍾."
Others wanted in. @Zabambili🎀 wrote:
"Please plug me; I have a Hospitality N4 certificate and Public Management N4 and N5," while @qqyt.official asked: "Please help me get a job." @ntostn_ shared a brief but relatable setback: "Workaway declined me."
3 Briefly News articles about H-2A visa programme workers
- An Afrikaner H-2A farm worker in the US earned praise online after sharing a video showing his intense work ethic as he planted crops until 2:30 AM to finish before a heavy rainstorm hit.
- An H-2A worker in the US intrigued South Africans online after sharing a video exploring an American grocery store and testing unique food items like packaged pickle juice.
- An American pea farmer sparked a debate after revealing he could not find workers—including H-2A visa holders—despite offering a R25,000 weekly wage with free housing and covered utilities as his crops rot in the field.
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Source: Briefly News
