Experiences of Individuals Adjusting to Life in a New Country

Research Report

Adjusting to life in a new country

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT…………….……………………………………………………………..Page 3

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….Page 3

METHOD………………………………………………………………………………Page 3

RESULTS/FINDINGS………………………………………………………………..Page 4

DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………….Page 5

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION…………………………………………Page 6

REFERENCEs……………………………………………………………………… ..Page 7

APPENDIX……………………………………………………………….Page 8

 
Abstract

The aim of this report was to investigate the experience of participants in a new country. As Western Sydney University (n.d.) indicates that the process of adjusting to a new country and culture is called ‘culture shock’. Culture shock occurs gradually and takes time and effort to process and overcome. However, according to Macquarie University (n.d.) claimed that while some people think that living and studying in a new country may be an exciting adventure, other claims that they present a range of challenges. However, the adjustment process varies in individuals, it also requires an individual plan and depends on personal circumstances, resources, and goals. (Winkelman, 1994, p. 125).

Introduction

All over the world, people are changing countries for many of their purposes, such as studies, working, and migration. Although they do not have the same reasons for moving or for choosing a particular place to live. They may choose a country because of its peace or perhaps because they love the country or its language. Whatever the reasons, thousands of people each year make their dreams to live in a new country come true. Adapting to a new environment is hard, with all the administration issues people have to tackle with. But if people do not want to get stuck in the expat bubble, they will need to learn to adapt to life in a foreign country. Especially, studying culturally appropriate behaviors and implementing problem-resolution procedures provides the primary for effective adaptation.

The purpose of this research is to elaborate on the difficulties, effects that people are experiencing, struggling and dealing with them in another country can produce in their personal life. It also provides guidelines for adapting to life in a new country more effectively. However, the limits of this research are that the results are only based on ten surveys from only ten participants, and these general questions from the survey may not be as appropriate for all the participants as they should be.

Methods

This research was conducted through the survey. Survey about the adaption of life in a new country was administered online. They had access to the internet and completed the surveys. The online survey drew from a sample frame of ten participants and used a single e-mail notification. A total of ten questionnaires were also sent to them. Personal email information than was collected, the survey was voluntary.

Results

There was a 100 percent response rate to the questionnaire. A breakdown of the responses is listed below in graph 1, graph 2 & graph 3.

From graph 1, it can be clearly seen from the results that adjusting to life in a new nation may often pose many challenges rather than be exciting.

Graph 1:

And from Graph 2, when people change their life, they experience a range of different emotions such as feeling tired, missing home, feeling of overwhelming.

Finally, from Graph 3: Meeting new people and becoming involved in the wider community are made with an effort by the majority of participants.

However, there was a 100% of all the ten participants responded to the fifth and eighth question below that they allow themselves make mistakes if they find in a range of unusual and confusing situations and agreed that that adjusting to life in a foreign country is a process that occurs gradually and takes times individually.

– Q5. Do you think that it is ok to make mistakes if you find yourself in a range of unusual and confusing situations?

– Q8. Do you think that adjustment to life in a new country is a process that occurs gradually and takes time?

The survey then asked participants to answer the tenth question. How long does it take to feel comfortable and experienced a sense of belonging in a new country? The results showed some differences from a few hours to 1 year.

Discussion

Through graph 1, it was noticeable that the percentage of participants mentioned adjusting to life in a new country might be challenging was 55.6%, and 44.4% was the total number of people who considered that it is excited.

Additionally, the results in graph 2 indicated that there were a lot of emotions that people experienced when they adjusted to changes in a new culture such as feeling tired, missing home, feeling overwhelmed and both, respectively 11,1%; 33.3%; 11.1% and 44,4%.

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Besides, graph 3 also illustrated that a vast majority of attendees (89%) indicated that to be able to adapt quickly in a new environment, they needed to make an effort to meet new local people and international students involved in the wide community. However, the proportion of participants did not agree with this idea was 11%.

Especially, 100% of people agreed that making mistakes is possible if they found themselves in a range of unusual and confusing situations, Moreover, 66.7% of participants thought that they had to struggle with changes in their life, and the collected data of this survey revealed that the number of people who asked for the assistance of support if they needed was just 55.6%.

These findings are consistent with information that is guided for newcomers from some reputable universities in Australia such as Western Sydney University and Macquarie University.

Conclusion

The process of successfully adjusting to a new environment should be supported by cross-cultural training because it facilitates adaptation, skill developments, and effectiveness in a new country that may reduce misunderstandings and provide the knowledge basis for appropriate behaviors. The process may be difficult, challenges and People even feel stress and depression in a foreign country. As Sian (2018) claims that, if people sometimes want to surrender, they should think about the initial purposes to continue and have patience with themselves and just keep. Black and Mendenhall (1990, p.113-116) also mentioned the effectiveness of the social-learning approach to cross-cultural adaptation for different types of individuals and situations.

Recommendations

According to San (2015) recommend that people should have a good attitude. It is a very important factor in success or failure in a new environment. People who overcome this step are usually successful in their aim. adapting to a new country is considered as a small challenge to do not give up important goals earlier than expected. Therefore, as also Sian (2018) claims that it is also extremely essential for people to study the language and learn the culture when moving internationally because through studying the language of the country will bring them into contact with other people in the same boat.

References

• Black, S & Mendenhall, M.(1990). Cross culture training effectiveness, Chattanooga, America.
• Dermound, B. (n.d.) It is also extremely essential for people to study the language and learn the culture when moving internationally. Retrieved from https://www.internationalmovers.com/international_guide/adjusting_to_moving.html
• Internations. (n.d.) Living in a foreign country is hard enough. Retrieved from  https://www.internations.org/guide/global/living-in-a-foreign-country-how-to-adapt-15281
• Sian. H. (2018) Adapting to a new culture can be difficult, especially when people moving abroad. Retrieved from https://thriveglobal.com/stories/3-things-to-do-when-you-feel-like-giving-up/
• Sian, H. (2018). if you sometimes want to give up, let try your best, think about the beautiful purpose at the beginning to continue and have patience with yourself. Retrieved from https://thriveglobal.com/stories/3-things-to-do-when-you-feel-like-giving-up/
• San, J. (2015). People should have a good attitude. It is a very important factor in success or failure in a new environment. Retrieved from https://thoughtcatalog.com/jeanne-san-pascual/2015/02/why-attitude-is-the-most-important-thing-in-success/
• Western Sydney University. (n.d.). The process of adjusting to a new country and culture is called ‘culture sock”. Retrieved from https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/
• Winkelman, M (1994). It also requires an individual plan and depends on personal circumstances. Culture shock and adaptation, 73, 125.

Appendix