•The third phase prompts one to venture: "Should I go back home?" Despite one's adulthood, unfamiliarities loom large, from the purchase of a dishwasher, to finding doctors, and navigating through bureaucracy. Conversations become scarce, fueling anger and comparisons of life back in the "perfect home". The new world feels wrong, illogical, and aggressive. The reluctance to learn the new language or to communicate with native speakers escalates. At this juncture, half of the sojourner decide to hit the brakes and head home.
•The fourth chapter represents the triumph over depression. Life becomes easier and more comfortable, new relationships forged, and the rules of the game eventually understood.
•In the fifth and final phase, a wave of a new self-awareness emerges, and finally, one decides where their heart belongs. A thorough introspection and assimilation mark the end of a chapter, and the long-awaited peace finally descends. Life no longer feels like a roller coaster ride of stress. If one overcomes each stage with minimal scars, then active participation and acceptance will pave the way forward.
For 1500 days, I persisted in the struggle of adapting to a new country. Psychologists deem this journey a mountain of stress, reaching its peak of 100 out of 100. Inevitably, one will metamorphose, undergoing a radical shift in perspectives and adopting a fresh role model.
The stages of adaptation unravel as follows:
- The first phase, an intoxicating euphoria alike two glasses of champagne, but alas, its excitement dissipates into the mist.
- In the second stage, brace for disappointment, for differences in mentality, culture, and language provoke a sense of estrangement, helplessness, and isolation. Gratitude ought to be treasured for a job in hand, and holding fast to those who share the same journey is imperative. The more receptive one is to the adjustments, the lesser the excruciating pain.