“They don't have to go around and pretend, or... be any other than themselves. You know? And I feel like I'm... walking along trying on a hundred different versions of myself. It's just not working, or... Then I think about home, and.. school, and fu*k, I just.. I can't connect this life and that life. It just.. just doesn't fit.”
We guess our Fountains remember these words if you have watched the series ‘Normal People’ which is based on one of Sally Rooney’s novels. Connell, who moved from the outskirts of town in Ireland to the big city, Dublin, to attend college, was telling Marianne about how difficult it had been to adjust to his university life immediately when he arrived.
Not only the characters in this film, but the majority also take time to get used to, when they migrate to another place to either attend a university or work. They may face a great deal of difficulties both physically and mentally. We suppose some of our Fountains are also planning to study or work in a distant town or city, right?
Therefore, we will be sort of sharing Part 6 titled ‘Adapting to a New Environment’, wherein we will discuss what kind of challenges we might face in a new environment, how we can address these challenges effectively, and what we should do to maintain our mental well-being. This is going through under Essential Life Skills for this week. So please read till the end.
Translation by @Hilton Graphic by @Glory
"What might be some potential challenges?"
Culture Shock😳
You will definitely interact with a new language, diverse customs, and unfamiliar food which are quite different from your upbringing on a daily basis. You will come across language barriers, have to eat what you are not fond of, and may even need to change some of your manners. You might also be misunderstood as your ordinary words and behaviors can be offensive or inappropriate in a new area.
Relocation Depression🤒
After immigration, you might suffer physical and mental issues, for example, you become melancholic, anxious, and irritated more than usual, or feel loneliness, fatigue, frequent body weight fluctuation, etc. (Although these are common cases, you need to seek help from professionals if they are not recovered over time.)
Demanding Daily Routine🗒
Everyday tasks such as buying eggs and money transfers may be just a breeze for you in your hometown. However, these activities can be challenging initially in a distinct region.
Feeling not fit-in 👥
Even though you are quite such a sociable guy, you cannot fit in a new place with strangers at once. It can be even harder, particularly in a community where everything is at odds with your beliefs, ideas, and perspectives. Then you tend to isolate yourself unintentionally.
Not getting used to foreign routine ⌛️
Let’s say you draw a timetable for your coming exam perfectly. Then you get relief just after that exam, but later, you find it disorienting what to do next, don’t you? Likewise, leaving behind your typical daily routine and following a new one can result in stress. You may experience jet lag, going everything topsy-turvy when you jump into a rather different time zone.
Climate 🌧
If the climate in the settled area is in contrast to yours, you need to take time to adapt and become comfortable with it.
"How can we address them effectively?"
As you have already known the potential challenges, we, Study Diary, will talk about the best ways to deal with them.
🌻Love yourself, Take care, and Appreciate
Since daring to come out from your house to such a foreign land on your own requires tremendous courage, remind yourself not to think you are vulnerable when you encounter some hardships. It is important to understand that what you are going through is not coming only towards you, it is just a common issue anyone could encounter. To take care of your physical and mental well-being is the most important first step in adapting to a new atmosphere.
🫂 Keep in touch with your loved ones
When numerous individuals start either their studies or work overseas, they may lose contact with their family and friends due to their heavy schedules. When you get stressed, try doing something, for instance, initiating a video call with the ones back home, or with your friends to share some gossip.
🚍Have a stroll
Missing your home implies missing the sense of familiarity rather than the place you lived. Get out of your room and have a walk around the distinct areas in your leisure time to get accustomed to them. By doing so, you can make new friends, find new comfortable places, and gain more knowledge in regional stuff such as how you can go to your destinations, and lastly, you can advise or offer guidance to those who will come after you.
👋 Make new friendships
‘Making friendships’ does not mean forcing our Fountains who may not enjoy social interaction, to talk to all the strangers leaving aside your personalities. Let’s say you study abroad, and talk to anyone else when you get there. Over time, you may find yourself uncertain about whom to befriend or feeling a kind of aversion, while others are in groups of friends. Hence, as soon as you reach there, you should delve into their social background, and join enchanting activities. When you are acquainted with natives, you experience a sense of security as though they can consult you nearby if needed, extending your support network.
✨Be open-minded when it comes to Culture Shock
The further your intended area, the better chance to deal with different customs, cuisines, and languages. Even in our country, Myanmar, the recipe for Mohinga differs from region to region, doesn’t it? When it comes to divergent customs, try to accept it, without judgment and conviction that your beliefs are always true.
⏰Draw a schedule patiently that won’t tire you out.
Consider you are such a night owl who usually wakes up and hits the sack too late, but now you need to get up early. If you do so, create a schedule methodically in the rest of the evening, and make sure to include break times. Please do not expect to get used to your altered routine at once. It is really important to maintain a work-life balance.
You can read details about how to pursue work-life balance here.
(Work-life Balance)
Click on this link if you want to read how to manage your time.
(Time Management)
"Essential for physical and mental well-being and safety"
Plausible hardships have been described. Now, how should we prepare in advance for your safety and comfort in an unfamiliar zone?
Research✅⌨️
Please research about your new locale as much as you can. How are transportation, healthcare, and weather there? What are the common crimes? Is there any discrimination on ethnicity, religion, or gender orientation? What is trending, and which new stories are popular these days? Learn these facts ahead.
Join local groups on social media platforms✅📱
During research, please do not just rely on articles from Google. Do not forget to join new local groups on social media to better understand the perspectives of the native community. (For example, if you are planning to go to America, gather information by becoming a member of American-Myanmar groups on Facebook, and join the subreddits of your proposed town or state on platforms such as Reddit.)
Know your new place inside out✅🚨
When you get to your target area, explore thoroughly your house, apartment, or dormitory as a first thing before the surroundings. Do know wholly about your entire place, starting from how to use safety features to where the emergency exit is.
In making efforts to adapt to a new environment, safety and comfort should be prioritized. If you know well about these two, the adapting process will be smoother and faster.
"Use your new experience in the best ways"
In the new world, the way you think and your personality might change along with the accommodation. Do not be afraid of changes. Be critical and embrace any good changes. 🌠
Going through life, studying or working abroad is not an easy thing. Thus we, Study Diary, encourage our Fountains to learn from your novel encounters and apply them wisely not to waste your time and energy. 💪
Next Tuesday, we will return with another Essential Life Skill, just as significant as today’s topic. Stay tuned!
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