STEP 1
The Honeymoon Stage – Like any new experience, there’s a feeling of euphoria when you first arrive to a new country and you’re in awe of the differences you see and experience. You feel excited, stimulated, enriched. During this stage, you still feel close to everything familiar back home.
STEP 2
The Distress Stage – Everything you’re experiencing no longer feels new; in fact, it’s starting to feel like a thick wall that’s preventing you from experiencing things. You feel confused, alone and realize that the familiar support systems are not easily accessible.
STEP 3
Re-integration Stage – During this stage, you start refusing to accept the differences you encounter. You’re angry, frustrated, sad and even feel hostile to those around you. You start to idealize life ”back home” and compare your current culture to what is familiar. You dislike the culture, the language, the food. You reject it as inferior. You may even develop some prejudices towards the new culture. Don’t worry. This is absolutely normal. You’re adjusting. This is actually a pretty common reaction to anything new. Think back to when you started a new job or moved to a new house or a new city or when you moved in with someone. Any adjustment can cause you to look back in awe and wonder why you made the decision to change.
STEP 4
Autonomy Stage – This is the first stage in acceptance. I like to think of it as the emergence stage when you start to rise above the clouds and finally begin to feel like yourself again. You start to accept the differences and feel like you can begin to live with them. You feel more confident and better able to cope with any problems that may arise. You no longer feel isolated and instead you’re able to look at the world around you and appreciate where you are.
Step 5
Independence Stage – You are yourself again! You embrace the new culture and see everything in a new, yet realistic light. You feel comfortable, confident, able to make decisions and really happy that you decided to stay!