What are the overall psychological challenges that internationals face when moving to a new country?
This article is one of many in the “Mental Health from a Job Search Perspective” series with Relocation Psychologists. To view the rest, click here.
Niina:
That’s a broad and complex question, as there are many psychological aspects to moving abroad.
First of all, relocating to a new country is one of the biggest life changes a person can experience. Every time we go through a significant change, our sense of control is challenged. This often brings up a wide range of emotions, sometimes conflicting ones, leading to mixed feelings.
On top of that, moving abroad typically means leaving a lot behind—our familiar culture, the environment we grew up in, our friends, family, career, and workplace. It’s a massive transition, and being in a completely new situation often leads to an identity shift. Questions like “Who am I now?” and “What am I doing here?” can arise, which are psychologically significant.
“Questions like “Who am I now?” and “What am I doing here?” can arise”
Another challenge is how relocation affects our basic psychological needs—such as feeling competent, having a sense of belonging, and feeling like we have some control over our lives. When these needs are unmet, the psychological impact can be strong. This process is often referred to as culture shock because it’s not just a personal experience; it also involves adapting to an entirely new cultural environment. Suddenly, things are done differently, the surroundings feel unfamiliar, and we may find ourselves questioning everything.
“Suddenly, things are done differently, the surroundings feel unfamiliar, and we may find ourselves questioning everything. ”
Research shows that adapting to a new culture takes time—typically one to one and a half years—to go through the different phases of culture shock. There’s often an initial honeymoon phase, where everything feels exciting and new. But as time passes, challenges emerge, and people may feel like they are on an emotional roller coaster. This is completely normal, and one of the most important things we can do is normalize these feelings. Just knowing that these emotional ups and downs are part of the process can be incredibly reassuring.
Psychology teaches us that awareness is key—when we understand what’s happening, it becomes easier to find solutions and navigate these challenges. So, identity shifts, culture shock, and questioning one’s place in the world are all major psychological aspects of moving abroad.
Suvi:
This is a very personal experience, and as Niina mentioned, adapting can take up to one and a half years, but in my own case, it took even longer. Everyone’s journey is different, and these timeframes are just averages.
“The most important thing is to allow yourself time. Adjusting to a new culture is not a quick or linear process. ”
The most important thing is to allow yourself time. Adjusting to a new culture is not a quick or linear process. We also know that the similarity between the culture you leave and the one you move to plays a big role—the closer they are, the easier the transition. The bigger the cultural gap, the more difficult the adjustment.
For me, it took much longer than a year. Even a year and a half felt short. In my experience, it was closer to three years before I truly felt settled. The first year is all about novelty, the second year brings more understanding, and by the third year, you might start to feel a sense of belonging.