Whenever the topic of moving comes up, the reactions are usually filled with enthusiasm and congratulatory messages. “Oh! That’s so wonderful! You guys are so blessed… you’re living the time of your life!” People are thrilled for you, proud of your courage to take that leap into a new chapter, and excited about your soon-to-be home.
Everyone highlights the exciting aspects of moving to a different country: new sights, new friends, new cultures. However, what often goes unmentioned is that moving is not all sunshine and rainbows; it can be incredibly challenging. Not every moment of your journey will be awe-inspiring, life-changing, or Instagram-worthy. In today’s world, we tend to glamorize the idea of a grand move, often overlooking the obstacles and difficulties that come with it.
Suddenly, it’s just you in a place you’ve never been before. Any comfort you once found in familiarity is torn away as you learn to stand on your own.
Your first major task when shifting is to pack everything into boxes. Unpacking can be just as chaotic. You might find yourself wondering where to even begin. It’s an exhausting process.
No one ever talks about the struggles of negotiating an apartment lease. In many countries, demand far exceeds supply. You have to ensure that your application stands out. Once you’ve settled in and taken care of the basics like finding the nearest grocery store or drugstore, the town can feel overwhelming. Rows of different types of milk and a dozen varieties of apples can be perplexing.
Moving to a new country often brings culture shock and waves of homesickness. You miss the familiar food, family, and friends dearly. Nobody hands you a manual on escalator etiquette when you move to a different country. I still remember when I moved from Zurich to Singapore; I kept standing on the right side of the escalator, earning disapproving stares from my fellow passengers.
Another significant challenge is dealing with language barriers in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. You might worry about whether the train departing in a few minutes is heading to or coming from Zurich. Grocery shopping may take twice as long as usual, and you might end up with an unexpected haircut because you couldn’t explain what you wanted. This is when isolation creeps in, the frustration of being unable to express yourself, and the pain of feeling like an outsider in every conversation.
While cloudy skies may seem romantic for a while, it becomes problematic when they bring unexpected cold that catches you off guard. Through these experiences, I’ve come to realize the value of starting over, of building from nothing, and of working hard for everything. This “new life” eventually becomes “your life,” and your new home transforms into your “home away from home” in no time.
