Living in another country can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also be challenging. People who move to another country often face difficulties such as culture shock, discomfort due to not knowing local customs and traditions, lack of close friends and family, communication problems, and language barriers. All of this can affect a person’s identity and make them feel lost and disoriented.
However, as people struggle to overcome these difficulties, they can also develop resilience. Resilience is defined as the ability to recover from adverse situations and adapt to changes and challenges.
In the context of life in another country, resilience is the ability to rebuild identity and find a sense of belonging in a different culture.
Resilience is not an innate trait, but rather it is a process that can be developed and encouraged. The following are some important aspects of resilience that can help those living in another country adapt and adjust:
Self-awareness
The first step to developing resilience is to be aware of your feelings and emotions. It will help you understand your reactions to the challenges of life in another country. Self-awareness also involves recognizing your strengths and weaknesses to leverage your skills and work on the areas you need to improve.
Have a positive approach
Instead of focusing on the difficulties you face, try to focus on the opportunities and positive aspects of your new situation. Learn more about the local culture, explore the city, and seek out new experiences that will help you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings.
Language courses, networking events, or emotional well-being programs, such as yoga or mindfulness practices, are an alternative to focus on your personal and professional development.
Have a support network
Maintaining meaningful connections with close friends and family can be difficult. Still, it’s important to have a support network to help you overcome the challenges and loneliness of life in an unfamiliar place. Look for expat groups or local immigrant communities where you can connect with people who have been through the same things as you.
Be flexible and adaptable
Resilience requires flexibility and the ability to adapt. If you face an obstacle, don’t give up or get frustrated. Instead, keep an open mind and look for creative solutions.
In addition to these aspects, we share some information #tools that can help you in your adaptation process:
- The film Under the Tosca Sun, despite being a romantic comedy, shows you the difficulties that the protagonist goes through to adapt to her new environment, after buying a villa in Tuscany.
- The Pursuit of Happiness is another story of resilience. Although it is not related to migration, it does show a difficult panorama of adaptation in the face of adversity.
- Psychologist and psychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik has written numerous books addressing resilience, including Resilience and Adaptation, The Ugly Ducklings, and God’s Psychotherapy.
- The International Resilience Project focuses on research and promotion of resilience in communities around the world.
- HelpGuide is an online resource that provides practical information and advice on coping with grief and building resilience.
Living in another country is a challenge, but it can also be an opportunity to grow and develop your resilience. By working to rebuild your identity and find a sense of belonging in a different culture, you can develop valuable skills that will benefit you in all areas of your life. That’s why we remind you that we make the most difficult moments easy.
