The Emotional Rollercoaster of Expatriate Life - Part 2
Introduction
Moving to a new country can be a thrilling and life-changing experience for expatriates. The excitement of exploring unfamiliar cultures, meeting new people, and embracing new opportunities often creates a sense of wonder and adventure. However, the initial euphoria fades and when that happens, expatriates start riding an emotional rollercoaster. They move from excitement to feelings of homesickness and craving the familiar. This journey has lots of twists and turns. Understanding these emotional patterns can help expatriates navigate their journey more effectively and find a sense of balance in their new environment. 🧭
This is part 2 of the Emotional Roller Coaster of Expatriate Life where I will focus on coping strategies for the homesickness phase.
Coping Strategies: Finding Balance and Growth
A key sign of the downward phase of the rollercoaster is when expatriates start comparing everything in their new country to their home country. In the new country, everything seems confusing and inefficient, compared to the home country. These perceptions may be true or may be an idealized view of home – most of the time, it’s a mixture of both.
When they are feeling down or frustrated, expatriates may want to avoid other people and may resist change or taking risks. This is a defense mechanism; they are protecting themselves from too much change at once.
Navigating through the emotional cycles of an expatriate experience requires resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness. Recognizing and understanding these emotional fluctuations can empower expatriates to develop coping strategies and find a sense of balance in their new environment. Here are four tips to manage these emotional transitions:
1) Embrace the unfamiliar: Rather than constantly comparing everything to home, embrace the differences and appreciate the unique aspects of the host country. Cultivate a curiosity to learn about the local culture, traditions, and values. Engaging with the local community and making an effort to understand their perspectives can help in forging meaningful connections. This doesn’t mean that the expatriate loves everything about the new country but appreciates the differences and makes an effort to learn. In my case, I am attending events, trying new foods, and listening to diverse types of music. I’m also trying to practice some Portuguese, even if my pronunciation and sentence structure are a bit bizarre. 💡
2) Build a support network: Establishing relationships with fellow expatriates and local people can provide a valuable support system. Joining expatriate groups, participating in community events, or finding a mentor who has experienced a similar journey can provide a sense of belonging and help in navigating the challenges. This is something that I have done every time I lived overseas – having a network of friends and professional connections really helps with the adjustment to a new culture. There is nothing wrong with asking for help or venting your frustrations when you need to do this. Also, I am extremely fortunate to be here with my Brazilian-American husband who can appreciate what I’m feeling and give me a good cultural translation. He can also hold up the mirror when I’m in a downward phase of the rollercoaster ride and help me start moving back up again. 🎢
3) Stay connected with home: While it's natural to miss home, an expatriate will feel less homesick by maintaining connections with people back home. Modern technology allows for regular communication through video calls, messaging apps, and social media. Sharing experiences, both positive and challenging, can also help alleviate feelings of isolation. I like to look for the humor in the situations I’m facing, and this eliminates some of the frustration, plus my experiences here amuse friends and family back home. 🏡
4) Set realistic expectations: Understand that the process of adaptation takes time and will involve ups and downs. Be patient with yourself and recognize that it's okay to experience a range of emotions when you live in a different country. 🆗
Conclusion
The emotional cycles expatriates go through when living in a new country are a natural part of the transformative experience of living abroad. The initial excitement and wonder eventually give way to moments of frustration, confusion, and comparison. By acknowledging these emotional fluctuations and employing coping strategies, expatriates can find a sense of balance, embrace personal growth, and truly make the most of their cross-cultural journey. Through resilience and open-mindedness, they can fully embrace their new life. You may feel like you’re upside down sometimes, but rollercoasters are a lot of fun so put up your hands and enjoy the ride! 🙃