Whether it’s permanent or temporary, moving to a new country comes with a unique set of challenges. Moving abroad is often seen as exciting, adventurous, and fun. Many don’t know the feelings of displacement, isolation, and culture shock that come with being in a new country.
As someone who has moved overseas twice, I use my lived experience to provide support to people who have moved to a new country or are considering moving.
You can click here to read more about how I use my lived experience as an immigrant in my practice.
Building a new life is often not as glamourous as the films and books make it out to be.
Being away from your friends, family, support system, native language, and culture is often more difficult than expected. It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and exhausting.
Making new friends, navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems and work cultures, and not having anyone to help you is often difficult and lonely. It can be financially stressful and put a strain on your relationships. For many, this brings up feelings of regret, grief, overwhelm, anxiety, and loneliness. And these feelings don’t only happen when you move to another country permanently and become a permanent resident or citizen. They can happen when you’re on a Working Holiday Visa for 1 year or even when you’re just travelling for a few months.
Accepting a Life in Multiple Countries
For many of us, the mixed feelings that come with immigrating don’t fully stop when we have settled in, made friends, found work, and built a community.
If you live in a different country permanently or for an extended period of time, it can be difficult to accept that your life is divided between two countries. Some describe it as “having one foot in two countries.” You feel like a stranger when you visit your home country, but you still feel like an outsider in your new country. You wonder whether anywhere will every fully feel like home again. While it’s very common to love your life in your new home country and to miss your family and friends back home, this can be difficult to accept.
You might be struggling with the thought that you can’t visit your home country as often as you’d like. You might find yourself resenting or dreading the big holidays, when you can’t be at family gatherings. If you have children, you might find it difficult to manage family life without family support. Or you might be figuring out what the relationship between your child and close family will look like when you rely on video calls, sharing photos, and an occasional visit overseas.
How I Can Support You
If you’re looking for support while navigating any of the following, I am here to support you.
Culture shock and language barrier
Homesickness
Loneliness and isolation
Regret and grief
Difficulty navigating local customs, culture, and languages
Trying to make new friends
Building a new support system
Finding your local community
Financial stress
Raising a child away from family support