Moving from one country to another country is always a significant change in life. Every immigrant lives in a new country through the so-called “immigration process,” during which they become aware of the transformations that have taken place in their lives due to changes in their environment. The consequences of moving must be understood, even when you move to a country with a culture similar to your native country. However, the greater the differences between the two countries, the more significant the changes can be. The awareness of changes occurs in a particular way, and this process is influenced, among other things, by childhood experiences, age, gender, education, and ethnic and religious affiliation. In addition, the culture of the native country, the reasons for moving, the attitude towards immigrants, as well as the presence or absence of social support are primarily affected. Although people migrate hoping that life will turn in a more favorable direction, they experience difficulties when moving to a foreign country.
The displaced person, as a rule, plans their move to another country. Usually, they want to improve their lifestyle in one way or another. Perhaps they plan to study or have a better future for the whole family or try their luck in a new country. However, in some cases, the decision to move is made by the displaced person who is forced by the situation and may experience traumatic events. At the same time, in most cases, they have time and have the opportunity to plan a move, say goodbye to their loved ones, and organize all their affairs.
Regardless of the reasons for moving, everyone has to give up something when they go to a new country, and everyone goes through the process of adapting to a unique situation. In some cases, the move is painless, inspires, and arouses positive curiosity. In others, the process can last for many years and bring suffering. Usually, adaptation takes a long time and is quite tricky at times.
Only a few people can anticipate how complex integration into a new culture can be. Stress, which manifests itself in anxiety and depression, is a natural reaction to changes in culture and the environment. Many people also experience other strong feelings and reactions that can be confusing and frightening. Nevertheless, people are talking about a completely normal response to changes. Hard times usually end with an upswing, and life in a new country begins to improve.
There are many different problems and complications with the new life of immigrants. For example, the issue of a person who moved to another country may be the language barrier. The lack of ability to communicate in a non-native language has an impact on every area of people’s lives and communication with other people. Difficulties in education, then at work, and in the shops are essential for immigrants. They have to face this daily, and it is necessary to have at least minimal communication skills in a foreign language.
Another problem for immigrants may be finding and hiring jobs. People who have changed their country of residence may face discrimination in the workplace. This happens for various reasons, one of which is that the company’s policy may not allow hiring immigrants. The lack of protection for the work of immigrants demands compared to people born in this country and who had the opportunity to get a job because the state protects them. Moreover, higher education diplomas obtained in the home country may not be listed in the land of immigration, which may also become an obstacle to getting a job.
A significant barrier to the everyday life of immigrants is the limited access to medical services. In a new country, immigrants may have low health insurance rates, which can lead to a lack of access to health services. In some countries, immigrants are not even eligible for the necessary health insurance. There are cases when immigrants do not apply to medical institutions for fear of discrimination or rejection. Moreover, in some cases, immigrants cannot receive subsidies for treatment in public health programs. The combination of these factors has a negative impact on the well-being of immigrants in a new country.
When moving to a new country, people need to find safe and at the same time affordable housing for their families and themselves. The economic situation is crucial in how family immigration is organized and how family members will feel in the future (Menjivar et al. 107). The complexity of this stage is that it is impossible to buy or even rent housing in the absence of work. Immigrants can turn to their home State for financial assistance, or otherwise, they will be forced to live in poor conditions. Poor and uncomfortable living conditions affect the stress level of the whole family. Over time, this can develop into psychological problems, as very often people need to experience a sense of comfort and security, especially in a foreign country.
It is quite challenging to immigrate with children who are no longer infants, as their adaptation can be quite tricky. Children may find themselves under pressure from other children who were born and raised in this country. Since children are in the stage of personality formation, such stress can negatively affect their well-being and psychological state. For example, in schools, children may face discrimination, neglect, or exclusion. There are theories about the so-called social stress of immigrant children due to economic deprivation, social exclusion and discrimination that lead to mental health problems (Mood et al. 717). This can provoke depression and various mental disorders, as the process of socialization is quite essential in the formation of the personality of any person. In this case, the child needs parents’ support and help develop friendships with other children.
The language barrier, job search and recruitment, access to health services, housing purchase, and placement of children in educational institutions are the priority problems and difficulties of immigrants. The differences and rejection of the culture and religion of immigrants and permanent residents of the country can be a problem. Margaret Mead claims that every human culture and language is a single whole (qtd. in Toffler 371). There may be a significant difference between the cultural and religious aspects of the immigrant’s home country and the country to which they moved, which may affect the well-being of people who have changed their country of residence. People may feel alienated and isolated, which will negatively affect their psychological state. In addition to the fact that immigrants have their values, religion, and cultural characteristics, they must learn to respect this in the country to which they moved.
The problem of racism can accompany an immigrant at every stage of existence in a new country. Governments and people who have previously immigrated to the country try to promote and help new country residents, for example, by creating communities and groups of people with similar life situations. States are creating social services that help them adapt to new living conditions and help them protect themselves from racist attacks by creating police surveillance. Many national and local groups are fighting against racism and trying to eradicate discrimination in general in the country.
Slowly, a person begins to see the positive aspects of a new country. The future is already presented in a positive light – faith in overcoming all difficulties returns. People start to build their life in a new country both at the level of emotions and real affairs. For example, they begin to build strong friendships or plans to buy their apartment. It may take a long time before a person stops thinking about moving. Therefore, for many immigrants, it is a big surprise that events in their home country can cause a return to the experiences of the adaptation period for many immigrants. It is necessary to remember that life does not stand still, but moves and only depends on the person how actively and positively it changes.
A person may be held at some stage of the integration process. If the lousy feeling moves on and there is a feeling that it is impossible to move on, people need to seek help from relatives. People can cope with such a robust cultural crisis if they actively strive to overcome them. Psychological trauma is often accompanied by severe disorders of sleep, memory, and concentration, which affect learning and ability to act, making it challenging to master the language or perform official duties. A person may feel that the opportunities to influence their future are significantly narrowed. They are easily offended and interpret the attitude of others toward him in a negative way. Having moved to a new country, people need to adapt to a new way of life and new conditions, even despite moral difficulties.
In his book Future Shock, Alan Toffler explains that people cannot know their future in advance. For example, they can only plan, for instance, whether it is worth moving the whole family this year or to some other. In order to feel comfortable in any country, they need to use specific personal tactics and various social strategies (Toffler 194). People need to determine whether they are ready for rapid changes or whether a calm state of serenity is essential for them.
In conclusion, it is usually a relief to realize that negative experiences are a normal part of the immigration process and that this period will soon end. Sometimes people are afraid that personal changes will persist forever and that adverse reactions and feelings will become part of their personality. This stage can be left behind if they overcome their thoughts and emotions. If everything is left unchanged, the consequences can be a deep crisis or depression. It is necessary to say goodbye to the past to be able to perceive the new. Only when the sadness for the loss has passed people can look into the future and the opportunities that the new country provides.
References
Menjivar, Cecilia, et al. Immigrant Families. Polity Press, 2016.
Mood, Carina, et al. “Immigrant Integration and Youth Mental Health in Four European Countries.”European Sociological Review, vol. 32, no. 6, 2016, pp. 716-729. Web.
Toffler, Alvin. Future Shock. Random House, 1970.